Hamster Kombat: The Rise and Fall of Telegram’s Tap-to-Earn Game in the Philippines

With the ongoing decline in the number of its players, one of Telegram’s known tap games, Hamster Kombat, experienced continuous decline in search interest

Interest in Telegram’s Hamster Kombat game has declined sharply in the Philippines since mid-2024, according to Google Trends data. The game, which was once among the most searched in the country, experienced a surge in popularity during the second quarter of 2024, but quickly lost steam in the following months.

Several factors may have contributed to the decline in interest. Firstly, the game’s simple tap-to-earn mechanics, which were initially engaging, quickly became repetitive and unsatisfying for many players. Secondly, the promised rewards, such as the airdrop of Notcoin tokens, were ultimately disappointing for many participants. Finally, the game’s hype was unsustainable and crashed rapidly, leading to a mass exodus of players.

Despite the setback, Telegram is continuing to support gaming studios and expanding its capabilities in the web3 gaming space. With the launch of more complex midcore and hardcore games expected in 2025, according to an article by The Block, and the government’s recent approval of web3 game accreditation, the future of web3 gaming in the Philippines remains promising and is set for further developments in the coming year.