Sokipiriye Dokubo
The popular game Hamster Kombat, associated with an upcoming crypto token launch, has gained massive popularity. It has become so big that Iranian officials have expressed concerns that it might divert attention from the presidential election, as reported by the AP.
The game has gone viral in unexpected ways, but the current mechanism for engagement seems to have reached its limit, especially for players who need to recruit more friends to keep progressing. The game model is inspired by Notcoin, a viral Telegram crypto game where players accumulate in-game coins by tapping the screen and investing in a hamster-run crypto exchange, all while inviting friends to join.
New exchange upgrade cards are frequently introduced in Hamster Kombat to help players earn more coins, with some cards tied to a “daily combo” offering significant in-game rewards. However, unlocking these cards often requires players to invite friends using their referral link, highlighting how the game has amassed over 200 million players by encouraging users to do their marketing.
As the game evolves, new cards demand players to invite more friends to unlock additional perks, impacting their ability to accumulate in-game coins ahead of the token drop. The pressure to recruit more players can create challenges for those driven by fear of missing out (FOMO) if they struggle to find new recruits.
While playing Hamster Kombat over the past month and gaining a substantial number of in-game coins, the author has observed the game’s evolving requirements, including the need to invite more friends to unlock certain cards. Despite the changes, the author maintains a casual approach to gaming and is more interested in documenting the social phenomenon unfolding in Hamster Kombat.
However, the emphasis on recruiting friends to progress in the game showcases the limitations of the engagement model, even for a massive game like Hamster Kombat. Sustaining growth without introducing compelling new incentives and benefits could pose a challenge, especially with the pressure to maintain player interest leading up to the planned token drop in July.