Hamster Kombat to Launch Layer-2 Network on TON After Airdrop Struggles

Hamster Kombat, a once-popular Telegram-based game, is looking to deepen its blockchain involvement by launching a layer-2 network on The Open Network (TON). This move follows a community vote supporting the creation of a dedicated network to enhance the token’s utility, particularly the HMSTR token.

Layer-2 networks are designed to improve blockchain scalability and transaction speeds. While Ethereum already hosts well-known layer-2 networks like Coinbase’s Base and Blast, TON is still in the early stages of exploring this technology. Currently, no operational layer-2 network is in place on TON, but the ecosystem is working toward Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, which may help attract developers and liquidity from Ethereum to TON’s infrastructure.

The decision to develop a “Hamster Blockchain” came after a vote by the Hamster DAO, where a proposal to build a network using HMSTR tokens for gas fees was approved. The proposal garnered the necessary quorum of 1 billion HMSTR tokens, with 1.18 billion tokens voting in favor, though over 60% of the votes came from a single address.

Launched in March, Hamster Kombat saw rapid growth, reaching 300 million users by August. However, following a failed airdrop and a decline in token value, the user base plummeted by 86%, with only 41 million active users by November. The token’s value dropped significantly, losing over 50% shortly after the airdrop, and has since fallen by 70% from its peak, affecting player interest.

The game now hopes the layer-2 network on TON will reinvigorate the project. However, critical details about the network’s development, technology stack, and funding remain unclear, and the proposal is not even included in the game’s roadmap. The uncertain future and lack of transparency leave many questions unanswered as the project attempts to recover from its challenges.