Hamster Kombat Originated in Russia? Game's Fame & Russian Authorities' Concerns

Bittime - Hamster Kombat is a Telegram clicker mini-game that has exploded in popularity across the Russian-speaking internet recently. Players can acquire virtual assets by tapping on the screen, and the game has quickly amassed a cult following. In just a few weeks, the game claims to have attracted 200 million users and runs the largest Telegram channel globally. However, its rapid rise has also raised concerns among Russian and Ukrainian authorities.

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What is Hamster Kombat?

Launched in March as a Telegram bot, Hamster Kombat requires players to tap on images of hamsters to earn rewards. Players take on the role of a crypto exchange CEO, aiming to grow their business through constant tapping to collect points and level up.

The hope that the in-game tokens could be converted into real-world crypto assets has sparked a lot of hype. While the game’s crypto asset is scheduled to launch in July, details about the value and distribution of the coins are still unclear.

Andrei, a 34-year-old video editor from St. Petersburg, has been an active player for about a month. He hopes to make a profit, reflecting the sentiment of many players who want to see if their virtual efforts will pay off in the real world.

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Who Invented Hamster Kombat? Was It A Russian Businessman?

The creators of Hamster Kombat are still shrouded in mystery. However, an investigation by The Bell revealed that Eduard Gurinovich, a Russian IT entrepreneur and founder of CarPrice, is one of the founders. The game is also rumored to have ties to Telegram and its founder Pavel Durov.

The term “hamster” in the game refers to Russian slang for a novice investor, adding a layer of cultural context and humor.

Hamster Kombat Becomes a Sensation on Russian Social Media

Hamster Kombat has gained significant traction on social media since its launch. The game has the world’s largest Telegram channel with over 45 million subscribers, 9.5 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), and over 27 million subscribers on YouTube.

The game's popularity has soared in Russia, especially in June, with YouTuber Yevgeny noting that videos about the game received significantly higher views than his regular content.

Influencers have played a key role in promoting the game, using referral links to attract new users and earn additional in-game rewards. Yevgeny, for example, brought about 20,000 people into the game in eight days, reaching the top level and becoming one of the top 100 gamers worldwide.

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Notcoin and Trends of "Click-to-Earn" on Telegram

Hamster Kombat is part of a wider trend of “click-to-earn” games on Telegram, following the success of Notcoin. Backed by Telegram founder Durov, Notcoin launched in January and allows players to earn points by clicking on gold coin icons.

In May, Notcoin introduced its own crypto asset, NOT, on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, rewarding players based on their performance. The successful launch demonstrated the game’s real profit potential, sparking widespread hype.

"Super App" Telegram Vision

One of the reasons for the popularity of games like Hamster Kombat and Notcoin is their seamless integration into Telegram, leveraging a user base of nearly 1 billion. These games act as an entry point for users into the world of crypto assets, which support the TON blockchain ecosystem.

The integration is in line with Telegram's ambition to become a "super app", similar to China's WeChat, which combines messaging, payments and games in one platform.

Concerns from Russian Cybersecurity Authorities

Hamster Kombat’s rapid growth has prompted warnings from Russian authorities, who warn that the developer could shut down the project at any time, causing players to lose their virtual earnings.

Experts from Russian cybersecurity firm FACCT also highlighted the risk of scammers targeting users to steal funds from Telegram’s internal crypto wallet. In Ukraine, the game’s Russian origins have raised concerns about potential data collection and misuse.

Critics argue that the game uses manipulative tactics to keep players engaged.

While the financial risk may be low since there is no initial investment, the time spent is a significant cost. The sustainability of these games remains uncertain, with some experts suggesting that interest could wane once users cash in their rewards.

Conclusion

Hamster Kombat represents an interesting intersection between gaming and crypto assets, drawing millions into its click-to-earn model. While it offers the allure of profits without any upfront investment, its long-term viability and ethical implications

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