Iranian government officials and hardliners are facing criticism over their disapproval of the popular play-to-earn blockchain game “Hamster Kombat.” They argue that the Western-backed game is a tool of soft power and a distraction from the upcoming elections. Religious authority Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi goes further, labeling all cryptocurrencies as fraudulent.
However, these officials fail to acknowledge the dire financial circumstances many Iranians are currently facing due to Western sanctions and high inflation. To put things into perspective, the exchange rate is currently 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rial.
Interestingly, these economic difficulties have actually contributed to the rise of blockchain games in developing countries. Axie Infinity, an NFT game, serves as a prime example. Players have reported earning up to $1,300 per month from playing the game, providing a significant source of income in these nations.
Although the entry cost for games like Axie Infinity may be high, organized gaming guilds have emerged to help players in developing countries offset these expenses while still generating substantial profits for guild members.
However, despite the growing popularity of Web3 games in the developing world, blockchain gaming still lags behind traditional gaming and has yet to achieve mainstream adoption. A recent survey revealed that 52% of respondents were unaware of blockchain gaming, while 32% knew about it but had never played. These numbers highlight both an untapped market and underlying issues with play-to-earn games, such as real token utility and a lack of engaging gameplay mechanics compared to console and PC games.
In conclusion, the criticisms levied against “Hamster Kombat” and blockchain gaming by Iranian officials fail to consider the economic realities faced by many Iranians. These games have the potential to provide a much-needed economic lifeline in developing countries, but they still have a long way to go before reaching mainstream success.