The Iranian government and hardliners have faced criticism due to their disapproval of the popular play-to-earn blockchain game “Hamster Kombat.” They argue that this seemingly simple tap game is a tool of soft power used by Western nations. Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy chief of the Iranian military, believes that the game is a distraction from the upcoming elections in Iran. Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a religious authority, goes even further by labeling all cryptocurrencies as fraudulent.
However, these officials fail to acknowledge the dire financial situation faced by many Iranians, with Western sanctions and inflation taking a toll on the country’s economy. To put it into perspective, the current exchange rate is 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rial. In such circumstances, blockchain games have emerged as a lifeline for developing countries. Axie Infinity, an NFT game, serves as a prime example. Players have reported earning up to $1,300 per month through the game, providing a significant source of income in these nations.
Although the initial cost of entry to play Axie is relatively high, organized gaming guilds have found ways to offset these expenses for players in developing countries, allowing them to still enjoy substantial profits. Despite the growth of Web3 games in these regions, blockchain gaming is still far from mainstream adoption and lags behind traditional gaming. A recent survey revealed that 52% of respondents were unaware of blockchain gaming, while 32% acknowledged its existence but had never played such a game.
These figures highlight both the untapped potential of the market and the challenges faced by play-to-earn games, such as the lack of real token utility and the absence of high-quality gameplay mechanics comparable to console and PC games. In conclusion, joining a blockchain gaming guild can offer not only fun and profit but also contribute to the creation of better games.