Originally boasting a vast 300 million active players in August 2024, its user base has plummeted to 41 million as of early November—a staggering 86% drop. Meanwhile, the newly launched PAWS Mini App has quickly garnered attention, amassing 20.5 million users within just eight days of its launch on Telegram, suggesting that the rising appeal of PAWS may have contributed to Hamster Kombat’s user exodus.

Hamster Kombat’s decline has been attributed to a series of challenges that have deterred users, including public backlash, internal policy changes, and competition from PAWS. In August, the game’s active player base stood at 87 million, which rose briefly to 94 million in September.

However, following controversies and changes in user policies, numbers have steadily dropped—falling to 55 million in October and reaching 41 million by November. The introduction of an anti-cheat system, resulting in the disqualification of around 2.3 million accounts, may have fueled user frustrations, along with the confiscation of approximately 6.8 billion in-game tokens, HMSTR.

Chart showing the steep decline in Hamster Kombat users. Source: IntoTheBlock

The struggles of Hamster Kombat are reflected in the performance of its HMSTR token, which has seen its market value plummet. Once priced at $0.01 in September, the token value dropped by over 76% to around $0.0024 in November. This declining value, combined with the game’s shrinking user base, raises questions about its financial viability and stability within the gaming community.

Delays and Controversial Bans Worsen User Sentiment

Further exacerbating user dissatisfaction, a highly anticipated airdrop event intended to reward player loyalty faced multiple delays and yielded rewards that many users deemed inadequate. The delayed distribution, originally set for July, was postponed until September, adding to user frustrations.

Additionally, some players found that their rewards amounted to only a few dollars, leaving them disillusioned. Additionally, the rollout of a strict anti-cheat policy led to sweeping bans, which some players felt unfairly penalized legitimate users, amplifying negative sentiment and prompting many to leave the game.

Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) price chart. Source: Brave New Coin

Hamster Kombat’s popularity has also attracted scrutiny from government officials in several countries, who raised concerns about the game’s influence. In Iran, military officials alleged that the game could serve as a distraction from important national matters, even labeling it a “soft tool” that could weaken focus on domestic priorities. In Russia, a high-ranking official criticized Hamster Kombat as potentially manipulative, cautioning that its influence could extend beyond gaming. This scrutiny may have further impacted user perception and retention.

PAWS Mini App Gains Momentum

As Hamster Kombat faces mounting challenges, the PAWS Mini App has emerged as a strong competitor. Within its first week, PAWS attracted 20.5 million users, making it one of the fastest-growing apps on Telegram. This app, with a loyal user community and airdrop initiatives, has quickly gained popularity, drawing away users who may have previously engaged with Hamster Kombat.

The future of Hamster Kombat remains uncertain as it confronts the dual pressures of declining user engagement and financial stability. While the developers have implemented measures to combat fraudulent activity and have distanced themselves from controversial market actors, such as Gotbit, user trust may be difficult to rebuild.