Key Points
Hamster Kombat, a game on Telegram that allows users to earn by tapping, is shifting towards blockchain development. Specifically, it is launching a layer-2 network on The Open Network (TON). This decision was influenced by a community vote that favored the creation of a dedicated network to expand the use cases of the Hamster Kombat token, HMSTR.
Layer-2 Networks on TON
Layer-2 networks are designed to increase transaction speeds and scalability by being built on top of existing blockchains. While Ethereum is already home to several well-known layer-2 networks, TON is still in the early stages of exploring similar technologies. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that TON hosts any operational layer-2 network. However, it appears that the TON ecosystem is working towards compatibility with Ethereum Virtual Machine protocols. This strategy could potentially attract liquidity and dApp developers from Ethereum to integrate them into TON’s infrastructure. In July, another project, TON Applications Chain, announced plans to develop a layer-2 network on TON, utilizing Polygon’s layer-2 technology to achieve this.
The idea of a “Hamster Blockchain” originated from a vote within the Hamster DAO. The proposal was to build a network where the HMSTR token would be used for gas fees. The vote met the required quorum of 1 billion HMSTR tokens on December 27, with more than 1.18 billion HMSTR tokens in favor and just over 104,000 tokens against. Interestingly, over 60% of the total votes cast in favor of the initiative were submitted by a single address.
Launched in March, Hamster Kombat quickly gained popularity, attracting millions of users within five months. According to the Hamster Kombat team, 300 million people have registered to play the game, with 131 million players qualifying to receive HMSTR tokens. Over 2.3 million players were identified as cheaters and excluded from the token distribution. The game’s integration with Telegram was praised by the messaging app’s founder, Pavel Durov, who saw the game’s launch on TON as a way to bring blockchain benefits to millions.
Challenges and Future Plans
Despite its initial success, Hamster Kombat faced difficulties after the airdrop of its token, failing to meet players’ financial expectations. By early November, the user base had dropped by 86%, from 300 million to approximately 41 million active monthly players. Several factors may have contributed to this decline, including the HMSTR token’s value decrease, competition from new games, and dissatisfaction from the community regarding the game’s development and unmet expectations.
In response to these challenges, the Hamster Kombat development team appears to be directing the community’s attention towards the creation of a layer-2 network on TON. However, several key details remain unclear, such as who will develop the network, what technology stack will be used, and who will fund the plan. The initiative’s description also leaves many questions unanswered. Furthermore, the proposed layer-2 network is not mentioned in Hamster Kombat’s roadmap, which hasn’t been updated since September.