Hamster Kombat, once a leading tap-to-earn game on Telegram, has seen a dramatic decline in both its user base and engagement, while a new competitor, Paws, is quickly rising in popularity.
In August 2023, Hamster Kombat boasted a massive 300 million users. However, by Nov. 5, 2024, its active monthly players had plummeted by 86%, with only 41 million remaining. The game’s sharp decline can be attributed to a combination of political backlash, bans, and increasing competition from newer apps, most notably Paws, a recently launched Mini App on Telegram.
Declining Popularity of Hamster Kombat
According to IntoTheBlock (ITB) data, the game reached its peak on Sept. 27, 2023, with about 772,330 active addresses. However, since then, both user activity and token engagement have dropped significantly. Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token price has also taken a hit, falling nearly 70% from its all-time high of $0.01 on Sept. 26 to around $0.0022 as of Nov. 4. This price decline directly mirrors the decreasing engagement on the platform and a substantial drop in daily active users.
In fact, the Active Addresses Ratio (AAR), a metric that compares the number of active addresses to those holding HMSTR tokens, hit a 30-day low of just 0.34% in early November, signaling a decline in engagement from token holders. Despite this, the total number of HMSTR holders has continued to rise, reaching 3.5 million on Nov. 4, suggesting that while users may not be actively participating, they are still holding onto the token.
The challenges faced by Hamster Kombat are not limited to user decline alone. The game has also been the target of government scrutiny, with Iranian officials criticizing its operations, as well as rumors of bans in Uzbekistan (which were later debunked). The game’s team had also announced plans to introduce new features like payment system integration and NFTs, but these efforts have failed to reinvigorate its fading popularity.
The Rise of Paws
In stark contrast to Hamster Kombat’s decline, Paws, a new Telegram Mini App, has seen an explosive surge in users. In just its first eight days on the platform, Paws attracted 20.5 million users, surpassing the growth trajectory of Hamster Kombat. Within the first two days of its launch, Paws added over 11 million users to its base. As of Nov. 4, it reported that 10 million wallets were connected to the app, and the project had reached 1 million followers on its X (formerly Twitter) account.
This rapid rise in popularity has made Paws a major player in the Telegram Mini App ecosystem, outperforming its predecessor, Hamster Kombat. The app’s success is a clear sign that new competition can quickly replace old favorites in the dynamic world of tap-to-earn and blockchain-based games.
Comparing Token Performance
A comparison between Hamster Kombat’s HMSTR token and the DOGS token, another popular Telegram game token, reveals a similar trend: as user engagement declines, so too does the value of the tokens. The DOGS token, for instance, dropped from $0.0014 in August to $0.0004 by November, with its AAR chart showing a steady decrease in active users as well.
This pattern highlights a broader trend within the Telegram Mini App ecosystem, where token values and user engagement are closely tied. As platforms like Hamster Kombat lose users, the resulting volatility in token prices underscores the challenges faced by developers trying to maintain interest and activity.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Hamster Kombat and Paws
The sharp fall of Hamster Kombat and the rapid rise of Paws reflect the volatile nature of the blockchain gaming space, especially in the context of Telegram Mini Apps. While Hamster Kombat struggles with decreasing engagement, political backlash, and rumors of bans, Paws appears to have struck a chord with users by offering a fresh alternative and generating substantial growth in a short period of time.
As Paws continues to attract users and gain attention, Hamster Kombat faces an uphill battle to reclaim its once-dominant position. With competition intensifying, developers must continue to innovate and address user concerns to survive in the ever-evolving world of blockchain gaming. The success of Paws shows that new players can quickly disrupt the status quo, and Hamster Kombat will need to adapt to regain its relevance.
