Telegram Gaming: The Rise and Fall of Tap-to-Earn Games
As we entered 2024, the emergence of the first Telegram tap-to-earn game, Notcoin, sparked curiosity and intrigue. However, as the year progressed, the success of Notcoin paved the way for a mini-industry within Telegram gaming that garnered significant interest. Yet, just as quickly as Telegram gaming gained momentum, it seems that its heyday has come to an end.
Notcoin, which launched in January, initially left many puzzled. Why were users incessantly tapping a coin within a messaging app? Would there be a tangible on-chain token, or was it merely a commentary on the crypto world? It turned out that Notcoin minted a real token on The Open Network (TON) and kept the gameplay simple: tap and earn. This straightforward concept, combined with an anti-establishment vibe and the growing popularity of TON, attracted 35 million players to the game within three months.
Following the success of Notcoin, other tap-to-earn games like Hamster Kombat emerged, offering a unique twist on the tapping mechanic. Hamster Kombat presented players with a management simulation where they could run their own crypto exchange as a hamster. Despite the quirky premise, the game quickly gained traction, boasting hundreds of millions of players within a short period.
However, the popularity of Telegram gaming took an unexpected turn as players began using unconventional methods to enhance their gameplay experience. Reports surfaced of massage guns selling out in Russia as players used the vibrations to manipulate the tapping gameplay of Hamster Kombat. In Iran, concerns were raised about the game’s influence on the upcoming presidential election.
As the Telegram gaming craze continued to grow, with games like Catizen and Yescoin gaining momentum, the industry faced challenges with token airdrops. Players expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes of airdrops, with many receiving minimal rewards despite high expectations.
The launch of tokens for games like Catizen and Tomarket faced complications, leading to player frustration and disillusionment. As the year drew to a close, the future of tap-to-earn games became uncertain, with industry experts debating the viability of such simplistic gaming models in the long run.
While the initial success of tap-to-earn games captured the attention of players and creators alike, the reality of sustainable crypto riches through tapping gameplay has since dimmed. As the industry shifts focus towards other trends like Bitcoin and meme coins, the future of tap-to-earn games remains uncertain.
Looking ahead to 2025, the lessons learned from the rise and fall of tap-to-earn games in 2024 will undoubtedly shape the direction of the Telegram gaming landscape. Whether a new Notcoin will emerge remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the allure of tapping for crypto rewards may have lost its shine.