Iranian officials are targeting the play-to-earn blockchain game “Hamster Kombat,” calling it a tool of Western soft power. The game, which allows players to earn money through simple gameplay, has been accused of distracting Iranians from upcoming elections. Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy chief of the Iranian military, claimed the game is designed to divert attention from political issues. Religious authority Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi went further, labeling the entire cryptocurrency sector as rife with fraud.
These criticisms come amid severe economic hardships in Iran, exacerbated by Western sanctions and skyrocketing inflation. The exchange rate currently stands at a staggering 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rials. Many Iranians are turning to blockchain games as a financial lifeline, similar to how players in other developing countries have benefited.
For instance, the NFT game Axie Infinity once allowed players to earn up to $1,300 monthly, a significant income in many developing regions. Despite high entry costs, gaming guilds have emerged to help players cover these expenses while still generating profits. This model has provided a way for individuals in struggling economies to supplement their incomes through blockchain gaming.
Despite growing interest in blockchain games in developing nations, they are far from mainstream. A OnePoll survey revealed that 52% of respondents were unaware of blockchain gaming, and 32% knew of it but had never played. These figures highlight a significant untapped market but also underline challenges such as token utility and gameplay quality, which still lag behind traditional console and PC games.
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