Crypto-based gaming is evolving amidst a tumultuous market, with uncertainty over Bitcoin (BTC) movements and a bumpy start to Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) airdrop. At the same time, innovations in the blockchain gaming space are opening up opportunities for players and investors alike.

The crypto gaming space in 2024 was dominated by 'tap-to-earn' or 'clicker' games, the most prominent being Hamster Kombat. Based on The Open Network (formerly Telegram Open Network), the rodent-themed clicker game went viral, attracting 239 million users in its first 81 days and going on to break the 300-million mark shortly after. This game format was simple and accessible, allowing users to play and earn with a few simple taps on their phones. Login bonuses, daily rewards, and leaderboards kept users coming back for more.

However, the simplicity of traditional tap-to-earn games is starting to look outdated as the Web3 gaming industry evolves towards more dynamic experiences. Developers are now exploring interactive models such as swipe-to-earn and jump-to-earn, which provide greater player engagement while maintaining the easy-to-access mechanics that made tap-to-earn games popular. After a shaky airdrop, Hamster Kombat has to prove to the crypto community that it's still worth the investment in the long term. Meanwhile, new crypto games are emerging that preserve the tap-to-earn format's accessibility while adding new dimensions to player interaction.

Hamster Kombat: Round 1

Earlier this year, Hamster Kombat was the darling of the blockchain gaming scene. Launched in March 2024, the viral clicker game lets players step into the role of a hamster CEO managing a virtual cryptocurrency exchange. Despite its simple tap-to-earn mechanics, the game quickly became a sensation, with many drawn to its lighthearted style and the potential to earn tokens.

However, the success story began to unravel following the airdrop and exchange listing of its native token, HMSTR. Initially anticipated to match the success of other tap-to-earn tokens like Notcoin (NOT), the token's value plunged by over 50% within days of its listing on 26 September. A mix of heavy profit-taking and community dissatisfaction over the perceived unfair distribution of the airdropped tokens trapped the hamster into a bearish spiral. After dropping to approximately $0.0045, the price of HMSTR appears to have stabilised, bouncing between $0.0047 and $0.0050 at the time of writing on 3 October.

What happened to Hamster Kombat?

Much of the troubles around the highly anticipated airdrop seem to have stemmed from distrust around how the token was allocated. While the game boasts a user base of over 300 million players, the airdrop only reached 131 million users, with many feeling that the distribution was skewed in favour of social media influencers rather than regular players. This sparked fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) within the community, leading to a significant loss of market confidence. As a result, many users opted to sell off their HMSTR holdings, causing a sharp price decline.

Another factor contributing to HMSTR's poor performance is its tokenomics. The game currently has 64.3 billion tokens in circulation, with a maximum supply of over 100 billion. This means that further dilution is likely in the future, which could exert additional downward pressure on the token's value.

Hamsters stock up for winter

With market capitalisation slipping from $700 million to below $400 million, the project's future hinges on the success of its upcoming Season 2, which developers hope will reengage the community and potentially restore some of the lost confidence.

Currently, Hamster Kombat is in its 'interlude' season. Slated to last a couple of weeks, players are urged to collect and hoard 'diamonds' (an in-game resource) to build up their power before Season 2.

Season 2 of Hamster Kombat is set to launch in October, hinting at the opportunity for players to compete for a second airdrop. This new season will see a "rapid expansion" of its game offerings, with the addition of several new titles to enhance the overall player experience. The update will also introduce payment on-ramps, enabling players to make in-game purchases directly.

Perhaps the most noteworthy development is Hamster Kombat's plan to expand beyond its current Telegram-based platform. In November, the game will debut a progressive web app (PWA) for Android, iOS, and desktop, allowing for a broader reach across devices. In addition to this, the developers are preparing to introduce non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into the ecosystem, which will coincide with the launch of the first batch of games created by external developers.

Throughout the winter, players can look forward to even more titles and added utility for the HMSTR token. By February 2025, Hamster Kombat will enter a new era with its 2.0 version, featuring the inaugural competitive clan championship. The Season 2 airdrop, however, remains tentatively set for the spring, with further details yet to be confirmed.

Despite hosting the largest airdrop in crypto history, Hamster Kombat has a lot to prove with its Season 2. Only time will tell if it can reclaim its prominence among crypto games or stay as a niche project. In the meantime, other new blockchain games are contending for the throne.

Sky Mavis revitalises Tamagotchis with Axie Pals

The nostalgia of Tamagotchis is being brought back to life by Sky Mavis, the creator of Axie Infinity (AXS). The company has introduced Axie Pals, a Web3 reimagining of the beloved digital pets that allows players to interact with their Axie NFTs directly from their browser. This new feature, available through a Google Chrome extension, lets users keep their Axies on-screen at all times, feeding, playing, and caring for their digital companions while they work or browse the internet.

Jeff Zirlin, Sky Mavis' co-founder and chief growth officer, explained that Axie Pals taps into the nostalgic charm of Tamagotchis but with a modern, Web3 twist. "Axie Pals transforms the relationship between the player and Axie. It's not just a one-time interaction anymore," Zirlin said. With Axie Pals, users can bond with their Axies throughout their daily activities, helping the creatures collect experience points (AXP) and evolve in real time.

Although the Axie community has mostly embraced Axie Pals, some users have expressed a desire for more utility, such as additional widgets or the ability to integrate other apps like ChatGPT or Spotify. Sky Mavis has hinted at further updates, promising more features for the digital companions in the near future.

Web3 gaming intensifies with pro-level tournaments

The competitive scene in Web3 gaming is also heating up. Yield Guild Games (YGG) co-founder Gabby Dizon revealed that professional Web3 gamers are dedicating between 60 and 80 hours each week to hone their skills for upcoming tournaments. One of the year's biggest events is the YGG Play Summit in Manila, Philippines, where players will battle it out in Parallel, a sci-fi trading card game, for a share of the $100,000 prize pool.

"Web3 esports are all about skill. It doesn't matter where you're from; you just need to be the best," Dizon said, highlighting that the level of commitment from players is akin to holding down two full-time jobs. He also noted that Web3 guilds play a crucial role in mentoring new competitive players and preparing them for these high-stakes tournaments.

New brand partnerships for blockchain games

One sign of market confidence in crypto entertainment products is that global brands continue to partner with Web3 games. Lamborghini has announced the launch of its new Web3 platform, Fast ForWorld, in collaboration with Animoca Brands, to bring its luxury vehicles into the realm of blockchain-based gaming. This project marks Lamborghini's first interoperable digital integration, allowing users to buy, sell, and drive their digital Lamborghinis across multiple games within the Animocas Motorverse ecosystem. Scheduled to go live on 7 November, Fast ForWorld will offer a 3D wallet for storing digital collectables and provide a unique gameplay experience for Web3 gamers. This initiative aims to redefine how motorsport enthusiasts engage with Lamborghini's brand in a digital setting.

Lamborghini's move into the Web3 space comes as more major brands recognise the potential of digital platforms for customer engagement. Puma, for example, recently partnered with the Web3 football game UNKJD Soccer, incorporating Puma-themed characters and skins. With companies like Lamborghini and Puma setting the trend, the line between physical and virtual brand experiences continues to blur, offering new ways for consumers to interact with iconic brands in the digital world.

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