LetsExchange / LetsExchange Blog / All about tap-to-earn: top games, pros, cons, and prospects for the future

All about tap-to-earn: top games, pros, cons, and prospects for the future

Aug 14, 2024 4 min read

Projects like Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, Pixelverse, and Catizen are experiencing explosive growth in 2024. These games are leveraging Telegram to transform community engagement into a game-like experience, drawing in millions of users. The allure? The chance to earn money simply by participating in these interactive platforms.

These projects blend social interaction, gamification, and potential financial rewards, creating a compelling mix that's capturing widespread attention. Users engage in various activities within Telegram channels, competing, collaborating, and potentially earning cryptocurrency or tokens as they play.

What are tap-to-earn games?

Tap-2-Earn (T2E) or Tap-to-Earn crypto games are straightforward mobile games that reward users with cryptocurrency for simple screen interactions. These games typically involve basic clicking or tapping mechanics as their core gameplay.

To enhance player engagement, T2E games often incorporate additional features such as storylines, character upgrades, or progression systems. This added depth aims to create a more immersive experience beyond mere tapping.

The rising popularity of T2E games can be attributed to two main factors:

  1. Their easy-to-understand gameplay, making them accessible to a wide audience.
  2. The potential for cryptocurrency rewards or airdrops, which serves as a powerful incentive for players.

This combination of simplicity and crypto incentives is driving the growth of the T2E genre in the mobile gaming and cryptocurrency spaces.

Pros of tap-to-earn games

Tap-to-earn games offer players some benefits that cannot be ignored. The most important of them are the following.

Earning rewards

The primary advantage of tap-to-earn games is the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency rewards. While these rewards are typically modest, they provide an added benefit for users who are gaming primarily for entertainment.

Entry point for beginners

These games can serve as an accessible introduction to the cryptocurrency world. New users can gain hands-on experience with digital assets, learning about transfers and conversions in a low-stakes environment.

Potential for passive earning

Some tap-to-earn games offer automated tools that simulate tapping, allowing users to accumulate rewards without active gameplay. This feature resembles a crypto faucet, potentially enabling passive income generation.

Low entry barrier

The simplicity of these games makes them accessible to a wide range of users, regardless of gaming experience or technical knowledge.

Combining entertainment and earning

Tap-to-earn games blend recreation with the possibility of financial rewards, making leisure time potentially profitable.

Cons of tap-to-earn games

It's important to note that while these benefits exist, users should approach tap-to-earn games with realistic expectations. The earnings are typically small, and as with any crypto-related activity, there are risks involved.

Another drawback or rather threat to the further development of tap-to-earn games is bots which are widely used on Telegram.

Top tap-to-earn games

Notcoin - the first tap-to-earn game on Telegram

Notcoin emerged as the pioneer of tap-to-earn web3 applications on Telegram, initially facing significant skepticism. Many critics dismissed it as a novelty, doubting users would engage with a platform offering minimal rewards for simple interactions.

However, Notcoin defied these expectations. It rapidly attracted a dedicated user base, demonstrating a surprising demand for this game format. The app's success revealed an untapped market for accessible, reward-based interactions within the Telegram ecosystem.

Hamster Kombat

Hamster Kombat has emerged as a runaway success in the tap-to-earn genre. At the time of writing, the game boasts an impressive user base of over 150 million active players, marking it as a major player in the space.

In this innovative game, players step into the shoes of CEOs running popular cryptocurrency exchanges. The core gameplay revolves around developing and enhancing these virtual exchanges through the strategic acquisition of special cards.

Catizen

Catizen is a popular tap-to-earn game on Telegram where players take on the role of a mayor managing a virtual city populated by cats.

The game's premise of cat-themed city management combined with potential earnings has clearly struck a chord with players. Its success demonstrates the growing appetite for casual, reward-based games within messaging platforms like Telegram.

Pixelverse

Pixelverse is a popular tap-to-earn game set in a cyberpunk universe. The game's cyberpunk theme, combined with its reward structure and battle system, has clearly resonated with players. Its recent funding success suggests confidence in its potential for further growth and development.

How to Play Tap-2-Earn Games?

Download Telegram

To get started, you'll need to download the Telegram mobile app, as most T2E games are built as mini-games within this messaging service, leveraging its vast user base of over 900 million.

Choose a game

When selecting a game, consider factors such as social media buzz, community engagement, project roadmaps, and the reputation of backers and investors. Well-funded projects may have better prospects for token issuance and marketing campaigns.

Set up a wallet

Setting up a wallet is typically required to qualify for potential airdrops and manage any allocated tokens. The choice of wallet depends on the blockchain the game is built on. For games on the TON blockchain, Telegram's built-in wallet feature can be used, while games on other chains may require different wallet solutions.

Start playing

To play, simply open the game and follow the on-screen instructions. Many games offer additional ways to earn in-game coins beyond tapping, such as verifying social media follows or watching promotional videos.

Conclusion

Currently, most tap-to-earn games are relatively basic in design and gameplay. The rewards offered are typically modest, reflecting the games' simplicity and widespread accessibility. However, this is a rapidly evolving space, with ongoing developments aimed at enhancing the user experience.

It's important for users to approach these games with realistic expectations regarding potential earnings. While they offer an entertaining way to engage with cryptocurrency, they shouldn't be viewed as significant income sources.

The future of tap-to-earn games will likely be shaped by advancements in blockchain technology, changes in regulatory landscapes, and evolving user preferences within the broader GameFi sector.