The Rise of Idle Games in the Crypto Community: A Boring Discovery
Have you ever found yourself mindlessly tapping on a virtual coin or swiping to combine cats in a game, all in the hopes of earning some crypto tokens? Well, this seemingly mundane activity has taken the crypto community by storm recently, with millions of players engaging in tap-to-earn games on the popular messaging platform Telegram.
The trend began earlier this year with the launch of NotCoin, a simplistic app on Telegram where players could tap on a virtual coin, similar to the mechanics of Cookie Clicker but lacking the charm of the original game. Despite its simplicity, NotCoin garnered millions of players due to the promise of receiving a crypto token based on the number of coins earned in-game. These token giveaways, known as airdrops in the crypto world, are often used to generate hype for a new cryptocurrency before it goes on sale, ultimately boosting its price. The Notcoin token reached a peak price of $0.02896 shortly after the airdrop, allowing some players to cash in for hundreds of dollars. However, the token’s current value sits at $0.007754.
The success of NotCoin led to a wave of copycat games attempting to capitalize on the tap-to-earn trend. One such game, Banana, climbed to the top of Steam’s charts a few months ago, while numerous others have since surfaced on Telegram, targeting the platform’s large crypto community. Lennix Lai, global chief commercial officer at crypto exchange OKX, noted that social messaging platforms like Telegram are ideal for casual gaming due to their vast user base and seamless bot integration, making them ripe for tap-to-earn games.
Among the current market leaders is Hamster Kombat, a game where players manage a crypto exchange as a hamster. By tapping on the hamster, players earn in-game currency that can be reinvested into enhancing their exchange, providing passive income even when the game is not active. While Hamster Kombat has yet to launch its own crypto token, an airdrop is scheduled for September 26, 2024, with millions of tokens up for grabs. The game boasts over 300 million players and has gained such popularity in some regions that it drew criticism from the deputy chief of Iran’s military for distracting people during a recent presidential election.
For players in regions facing economic challenges, the prospect of earning crypto tokens through gaming presents a lucrative opportunity. Sten from Kenya has already earned 540 $NOT tokens and is optimistic about Hamster Kombat’s potential market cap and future value. On the other hand, Jerome from Nigeria, who recently started playing tap-to-earn games, aims to earn as much as $150 through airdrops and in-game rewards.
The allure of potential earnings has attracted players from diverse backgrounds, with some viewing tap-to-earn games as a means of financial stability. Research from the Global Living Wage Coalition suggests that in regions like Kenya and Nigeria, where living wages can be as low as $237 and $146 per month respectively, the earnings from these games can have a significant impact on players’ finances.
While the promise of earning crypto tokens through gameplay is appealing, the actual gaming experience in tap-to-earn games often falls short. Many of these games lack engaging mechanics, relying on repetitive tapping or swiping actions to progress. Some games introduce minor variations in gameplay, like Catizen, where players combine cats in a virtual café, or X Empire, featuring a cartoon Elon Musk for players to interact with.
Despite their simplistic gameplay, tap-to-earn games employ various tactics to retain players and expand their user base. One common strategy is rewarding players for inviting friends to join the game, with some games even requiring referrals to unlock certain features. Additionally, games like Pixel Tap restrict progress unless players invite friends, creating a virtual pyramid scheme where top players receive benefits at the expense of others.
Microtransactions and pay-to-win elements are also prevalent in tap-to-earn games, with some offering premium upgrades for real money. Catizen, for instance, sells upgrades that automate gameplay mechanics, potentially giving paying players an advantage over others. However, the long-term viability of these purchases remains uncertain, as the value of in-game tokens can fluctuate significantly post-launch.
Despite the controversies surrounding tap-to-earn games, some developers have committed to giving back to the community through charitable donations. Catizen, for example, has pledged to donate a portion of its revenue to charities supporting cats, with a recent $100,000 donation to PETA. However, concerns regarding the choice of charities and the impact of these donations have prompted a reevaluation of the partnership.
As tap-to-earn games continue to evolve and attract a global player base, the sustainability of these games remains a topic of debate. While some players view these games as a potential source of income, others criticize the predatory tactics and lack of meaningful gameplay. The future of tap-to-earn games hinges on developers’ ability to create engaging experiences that align with player incentives and foster long-term community growth. Until then, the quest for a truly rewarding and fair tap-to-earn game continues, with the current offerings falling short of expectations.