Iranian Officials Criticize ‘Hamster Kombat’ as Distraction Tool
The rising popularity of the play-to-earn blockchain game Hamster Kombat has been met with sharp criticism from Iranian government officials, who claim the game is being used as a tool of soft power by Western nations.
Government Concerns
Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy chief of the Iranian military, asserted that the game is intended to distract the Iranian population from the country’s upcoming elections. This sentiment was echoed by Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a religious authority, who condemned the entire field of cryptocurrencies as fraudulent.
Economic Context
These criticisms come against the backdrop of severe economic challenges in Iran, exacerbated by Western sanctions and high inflation. The current exchange rate is 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rial, highlighting the financial struggles many Iranians face.
Blockchain Gaming in Developing Countries
In many developing countries, blockchain games have become a significant economic lifeline. For example, players of the NFT game Axie Infinity reported earning up to $1,300 per month at the game’s peak. Despite the high entry cost, gaming guilds have enabled players in developing countries to participate in blockchain games and earn profits.
Challenges to Mainstream Adoption
While Web3 games are gaining traction in the developing world, blockchain gaming still lags behind traditional gaming in mainstream adoption. A recent OnePoll survey found that 52% of respondents were unaware of blockchain gaming, and another 32% had never played a blockchain game. This suggests a significant untapped market but also highlights issues such as the lack of real token utility and quality gameplay mechanics compared to traditional console and PC games.
