Russian Politician Labels TON-Powered P2E Game Hamster Kombat a ‘Scam’

Hamster Kombat, a popular play-to-earn (P2E) game hosted on Telegram and powered by The Open Network (TON) blockchain, has come under fire from Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market. Launched in early 2024, the game has amassed over 250 million players worldwide by mid-2024. The game's rapid rise in popularity is due to its engaging gameplay that combines clicker mechanics with cryptocurrency management, allowing players to assume the role of a hamster CEO managing a virtual crypto exchange.

Players earn virtual in-game coins by tapping on their digital hamster, completing daily tasks, and participating in special events. These coins are used to upgrade the virtual exchange, enhancing the player's earning potential. The game also features a referral program that rewards players for inviting friends, thereby increasing their in-game earnings.

The virtual coins earned in Hamster Kombat are expected to be convertible to HMSTR tokens, a new cryptocurrency set to launch during a Token Generation Event (TGE) in Q3 2024. This conversion will enable players to trade their earned tokens on cryptocurrency exchanges, integrating real-world value into the game.

Despite its popularity and the promise of real-world rewards, Aksakov has raised serious concerns about the game. In an interview with Parlamentskaya Gazeta (Parliamentary Newspaper), he labeled Hamster Kombat as manipulative and a scam. He criticised the game for targeting individuals who dream of getting rich with minimal effort, without a real desire to work, and for manipulating the psychology of its players.

Aksakov emphasized that the activities required to earn virtual coins in the game are manipulative and exploit the vulnerability of easily influenced individuals. He stressed the psychological impact of such games, which can lead to internet addiction.

Despite these criticisms, Hamster Kombat has been a significant success in Russia. Local retailers reported a nearly threefold increase in sales of muscle massage gun devices from May to June, which players use to tap their mobile device screens more efficiently. The game's influence extends beyond Russia; in countries like Iran, Hamster Kombat is viewed as a "soft war" instrument, reflecting its broader geopolitical implications.

Hamster Kombat's anonymous development team aims to reach 1 billion users globally, promoting financial literacy and universal basic income through their edutainment project. However, with high-profile politicians like Aksakov calling for its ban, the game's future, particularly in Russia, remains uncertain.