Iranian officials, including the deputy chief of the Iranian military, Habibollah Sayyari, have criticized the popular play-to-earn blockchain game "Hamster Kombat". They claim the game is a distraction from the country's upcoming elections and a tool of Western soft power. Despite this, blockchain gaming is providing a financial lifeline for many Iranians amid economic hardship caused by Western sanctions and inflation. For example, players of the NFT game Axie Infinity have reported earning up to $1,300 per month. However, blockchain gaming is still far from mainstream, with a recent survey revealing that 52% of respondents were unaware of its existence.