Telegram game Hamster Kombat expands with Layer-2 blockchain and HamsterVerse

Cover art/illustration via CryptoSlate. Image includes combined content which may include AI-generated content.

Hamster Kombat, a Telegram-based tap-to-earn gaming platform, has unveiled Hamster Network, its Layer-2 blockchain built on The Open Network (TON).

This marks a significant step toward improving scalability and reducing Web3 gaming and decentralized applications (dApps) costs.

Hamster Network

Hamster Network is the first gaming-focused Layer-2 solution on TON. The blockhain network is designed to handle high transaction volumes with minimal costs, offering developers a more efficient way to build and scale blockchain-based games.

The Layer-2 network uses the TON Virtual Machine (TVM) and TON-compatible smart contracts. This setup allows developers to migrate their dApps seamlessly while ensuring all proof-of-records remain on TON’s Layer-1 (L1) for security and decentralization.

To support the ecosystem, Hamster Network features a native wallet, a bridge for asset transfers, and a decentralized exchange (DEX). The team confirmed that multiple developers are already working on projects within the network.

Hamster Kombat has also introduced blockchain-testing quests and bounty rewards to encourage community participation in refining the network.

The team credited TON’s infrastructure for making the Layer-2 launch possible and acknowledged Telegram’s role in boosting global crypto adoption. According to the platform, Telegram’ss mini-apps integrate Web3 technology into nearly one billion devices worldwide.

HamsterVerse

The Hamster Network is only one of the numerous updates the Telegram-based game has introduced. Earlier this month, the developers introduced HamsterVerse — a broader ecosystem of interconnected games.

According to the project, all apps and dApps within HamsterVerse will use the HMSTR token. This integration is expected to provide additional rewards for users while expanding the gaming ecosystem.

Available information on the project’s website shows that the first games in the ecosystem include Hamster Kombat: GameDev Hero, Hamster Fight Club, and Hamster King. These games expand on the tap-to-earn model by introducing team-building and game development mechanics.

Hamster Kombat became a viral sensation last year and reached a peak of over 300 million players. However, engagement on the platform has since declined after the game’s token launch, with monthly active users reportedly dropping to less than 20 million.