"Hamster Kombat," a popular blockchain game with a play-and-earn mechanic, has drawn harsh criticism from Iranian officials. They argue that the game is a tool of Western soft power. 🎮

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian army, Habibollah Sayyari, said that the game distracts the population from the upcoming elections. His opinion was supported by Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, who called cryptocurrencies a hoax.

However, they do not take into account the dire financial situation of many Iranians due to Western sanctions and hyperinflation. Blockchain games are becoming a lifeline in developing countries. For example, Axie Infinity players earn up to $1,300 per month.

Despite their popularity, blockchain games are still far from the mainstream. 52% of respondents do not know about them, and 32% know but have not played.