Iranian Officials Decry Game 'Hamster Kombat' as a Soft Power Tool

The growing popularity of the play-to-earn blockchain game "Hamster Kombat" has sparked criticism from Iranian government officials, who claim the game is being used as a tool of Western soft power. Habibollah Sayyari, the deputy chief of the Iranian military, suggested that the game distracts citizens from the upcoming presidential elections. Religious authority Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi echoed these concerns, denouncing cryptocurrencies as fraudulent.

While officials highlight potential distractions, many Iranians turn to blockchain games amid severe economic challenges, with the exchange rate at 1 U.S. dollar to 580,000 Iranian rial. These games provide an economic lifeline, similar to the success seen with Axie Infinity in other developing countries. Despite rising traction, blockchain gaming is still far from mainstream, with significant gaps in awareness and gameplay quality compared to traditional games.