Telegram crypto games now reach 900 million users worldwide. This is a big deal as it means that the platform has evolved beyond a basic messaging app into a bustling hub for new gaming experiences.
Hamster Kombat stands out as one of the most successful games on Telegram. The game attracted 53 million subscribers after its coin listing in July 2024. The numbers are impressive with 31 million players jumping in every day.
The platform’s potential becomes clear when you look at the numbers. Almost 79% of Telegram users play Web3 games daily, which has created a strong community of crypto gaming fans. The platform saw unique wallets working with NFTs on TON jump from 200,000 to over 1 million in just three months. This shows developers have a real chance to grow.
You don’t need to be a gaming giant to take advantage of this trend. The Telegram marketplace has over 300 Mini Apps published officially. This leaves plenty of room for creative developers to build games that grab users’ attention.
This piece will guide you through each step to build a profitable Telegram game with crypto features. We’ll cover everything from picking the right concept to launching your game. You’ll learn what you need to succeed in this growing market in 2025.
Choose the Right Game Concept
Your Telegram crypto game’s success depends on picking a concept that appeals to players. Players flocked to Hamster Kombat in early June 2024 – over 60 million of them. Picking the right game type is a vital step to build a profitable venture.
Define your game type: tap-to-earn, trivia, RPG, etc.
Telegram games come in several distinct categories. Each offers unique appeal and ways to make money:
- Tap-to-Earn Games: These games need simple, repetitive actions like screen tapping to earn rewards. They’re available to everyone and draw a broad audience. Hamster Kombat leads this category and grew to over 300 million users within a year.
- Trivia and Quiz Games: Games like NotQuiz reward players with tokens (such as NQZ) for correct answers. These games blend learning with fun, which makes them highly appealing.
- RPGs and Adventures: Players complete missions, battle opponents, and earn cryptocurrency as they progress through levels in these complex games. They need more development resources but encourage deeper player involvement.
- Gambling and Casino Games: These include poker, slots, and betting games where players wager digital currency. What started as basic emoji interfaces has evolved. By 2025, these games feature professional software from developers like Pragmatic Play and NetEnt.
- Simulations: Players practice investment strategies with virtual or real cryptocurrency in these trading scenario games.
Understand your target audience
You must know your audience before writing code. Telegram’s gaming community spans many demographics. Successful games share common audience traits.
Players love these games because they can start playing right away. No extra app downloads needed. Telegram’s massive user base of nearly a billion people creates huge opportunities.
Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America show special enthusiasm for Telegram games. This affects both game mechanics and money-making strategies.
Players have different motivations. Entertainment matters but cryptocurrency rewards draw most players. Look at Hamster Kombat – players join mainly to earn money through the promised HMSTR token airdrop.
Research successful Telegram crypto games like Hamster Kombat
Studying successful games helps you learn about development. Hamster Kombat offers valuable lessons:
The game lets players run a virtual cryptocurrency exchange managed by hamsters. This simple yet charming concept works well. Though it uses basic tap-to-earn mechanics, it adds strategy through marketing investments, licensing, and talent recruitment.
Social features helped Hamster Kombat spread fast. Players earned coins by inviting friends, watching YouTube videos, and joining the Telegram channel. The game’s Telegram channel grew to 53 million subscribers – the largest on the platform.
Players connected instantly with the game’s self-aware humor and crypto community references. Amanda Cassatt, CEO of Serotonin, said: “I can open Hamster Kombat and see this inside joke that reflects what the community is saying”.
The game stays profitable through multiple income streams. These include in-game ads, YouTube revenue, and Telegram channel advertising.
Note that simple games often beat complex ones. Hamster Kombat’s creators put it well: “The simplicity is a feature not a bug”.
Design and Build the Game
Your next big step after picking your game concept is to design and build your Telegram crypto game. This phase takes your idea and turns it into something players can enjoy while making money.
Create a Game Design Document (GDD)
The Game Design Document works as your project’s blueprint. Game development experts say a detailed GDD should include:
- Core concept and gameplay mechanics (a one-sentence summary of your game)
- Setting and genre specifications
- Target audience analysis
- Unique value propositions
- Progression system details
- Game loop definition
- Monetization model
Your GDD should grow and change as development moves forward. A game designer should write the functional specs first. The technical specs can be added later after talking with developers about the tech stack and how to build it.
Telegram games need special attention. Mind Studios Games experts put it well: “Telegram games need to be light and simple—they’re made for short, fast sessions between messaging and need to load instantly”.
Select your tech stack: HTML5, Phaser.js, Unity
The technology stack you choose will shape your game’s performance and how efficiently you can build it. Telegram games run in the platform’s built-in browser, so here are your main options:
HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS: Most Telegram games use these as their foundation. They work well for simple games but need more work to handle game logic and rendering compared to specialized frameworks.
Game Frameworks:
- Phaser.js: An open-source HTML5 game framework that works great for 2D games. It comes with built-in physics, animation systems, and user-friendly input management.
- PixiJS: A powerful 2D rendering engine that works well with HTML5 games.
- Unity WebGL: You can export Unity projects as JavaScript programs that run in browsers. This option makes sense if you know Unity or need advanced features.
Additional Tools:
- Telegram Bot API: You’ll need this to work with Telegram servers and manage bot actions.
- Telegram Gaming Platform: This lets you put HTML5 and Unity WebGL games into Telegram and interact with them live.
- Bot Libraries: Tools like Telethon (Python) and GramJS (Node.js) make API calls easier.
Your game’s complexity and your team’s skills should guide your choice. Simple tap-to-earn games might work fine with HTML5 and JavaScript, while complex RPGs might need Unity WebGL.
Develop core mechanics and user interface
Building game mechanics that work well with a user-friendly interface means finding the right balance between complex and accessible. Your focus should be on touch-optimized interactions since most people play on mobile devices.
Mobile development needs:
- UI that fits mobile screen sizes
- Touch controls that work smoothly
- Regular testing with device simulators
Your game type should match its core mechanics. Tap-to-earn games usually have:
- Tapping to earn in-game currency
- Boosters you can buy to earn automatically
- Resource collection while offline
- Smart ways to reinvest earnings
The interface needs:
- Accessibility: Mobile-first design since most Telegram users play on smartphones
- Button Placement: Buttons big enough to tap easily
- Text Structure: Short text with helpful visuals
- Feedback: Quick visual or sound responses to what players do
Keep testing and improving as you build. Start with a basic version, get feedback, and make your mechanics and interface better until they match what you want for fun, engagement, and looks.
A solid GDD, the right tech choices, and well-designed mechanics and interfaces will give your Telegram crypto game a strong start before you connect it to the platform.
Integrate with Telegram Platform
Building a crypto game that works with Telegram needs careful setup to reach its massive user base. Your game code connects to Telegram’s ecosystem, letting players interact and handle token transactions right from their messenger.
Set up your Telegram bot using BotFather
BotFather is Telegram’s official tool to create and manage bots. Here’s how to start:
- Search for “BotFather” in Telegram and start a conversation
- Send the
/newbotcommand to initiate bot creation - Give your bot a name when asked
- Pick a unique username (must end with ‘bot’)
- Store the authentication token BotFather gives you
The next step is sending the /newgame command to BotFather. You’ll need to add a description and upload a game photo. You can also add a GIF animation that shows gameplay to make your game messages look better.
Important: Guard your bot token like a password – anyone who has it can take control of your bot.
Use Telegram Bot API and Game API
Telegram’s Bot API powers your game’s communication with the platform. The Game API handles all gameplay elements.
Players who click the “Play” button on your game message trigger a callback query to your bot. Your bot then sends the right URL for that user, and Telegram’s in-app browser loads the game automatically.
To add sharing features, put this script at the end of your HTML page’s body tag:
<script src="https://telegram.org/js/games.js"></script>
Then add the sharing method:
TelegramGameProxy.shareScore()
This library works only inside Telegram, letting players share scores with their friends.
Enable login, notifications, and chat features
Telegram provides a flexible way to handle user authentication. The setup process is straightforward:
- Pick a bot that matches your game’s branding and style
- Use the
/setdomaincommand in BotFather to connect your bot with your website domain - Set up your login widget and add it to your game page
The Bot API’s message system helps you handle notifications. Your game should send updates to a middle server, which then posts scores through the right API methods.
You can add chat features by including buttons in your game message. The game launch button must be first in the top row, but you can add more buttons for rules, community links, or other features.
Your HTML5 page should adapt well to different screen sizes and work smoothly on all Telegram apps and supported platforms.
Add Blockchain and Crypto Features
Blockchain technology serves as the foundation of profitable Telegram crypto games in 2025. A well-planned integration ensures security, transparency, and player experiences that keep users coming back.
Choose a blockchain: TON, Ethereum, Solana
The blockchain selection process for Telegram’s ecosystem leaves little room for choice. Telegram’s Terms of Service now require all mini apps to use The Open Network (TON) blockchain exclusively. This blockchain processes more than 1,000,000 transactions per second at low fees.
TON gives game developers several key benefits:
- Seamless connection with Telegram’s infrastructure
- The power to handle millions of players at once
- Economical transaction fees that benefit everyone involved
Ethereum and Solana remain popular choices for general gaming. However, their use in Telegram games now needs asset bridging to TON before February 21, 2025.
Implement smart contracts and wallets
Smart contracts work as self-executing agreements that handle rewards and asset management automatically. These contracts make secure purchases, trading systems, and transparent rewards possible.
TON Connect 2.0 stands as the standard for wallet integration. Players can link their crypto wallets with games securely. The Wallet bot inside Telegram works as the main wallet in the TON ecosystem. This bot provides key features such as:
- Account creation
- Asset management
- Easy access for new users
Enable token rewards and NFT integration
Most games make money through three channels: NFT sales, in-game tokens, and in-app advertisements. Your game can use:
- Fungible tokens (jettons) as game currency that players earn through achievements
- Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that represent unique game assets and characters
- Direct NFT sales using crypto or simple payment options, plus marketplace trading with royalties
Games like MineX, TON Realm, and Sengoku TON show different ways to handle token rewards and keep players engaged in TON’s gaming ecosystem.
Test, Launch, and Maintain
Complete testing is the last vital step before you release your telegram crypto game to the market. Your game needs perfect performance to succeed in today’s competitive digital world, even with great gameplay and crypto features.
Test across all devices
Your game should work perfectly for every player on any device. You need to:
- Test on all operating systems (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac)
- Check how it works on different screen sizes and resolutions
- Test performance with varying network speeds
- Verify cross-platform compatibility between mobile and desktop
Crypto games need extra verification steps. A professional smart contract audit will keep your blockchain elements secure and working right. This specialized testing spots weak points that could hurt player assets or game economics.
Pick a solid server
After your tests show the game works, you need a good deployment plan:
- Choose hosting that handles your expected player count
- AWS, DigitalOcean, and Heroku are popular choices
- Pick servers with low latency for smooth gameplay
- Set up scaling to grow with your player base
Release a beta version to a small group first. This helps you get feedback and fix problems before the full launch.
Keep improving and help users
Your game’s success depends on good maintenance. Strong support needs:
- Fresh content with new levels, features, and challenges
- Quick fixes for bugs
- Active tracking of player feedback
- Support available round the clock
Add a support system right in Telegram. Players can reach you directly, and you can track and solve problems quickly.
Conclusion
Telegram crypto games are opening up amazing chances for developers who want to dive in. This piece shows you how to turn your gaming idea into a money-making project. With 900 million users, Telegram is a perfect platform for creative games that mix fun with crypto rewards.
Your game’s success mostly depends on picking the right concept. You might go for a simple tap-to-earn game or build a complex RPG adventure. What matters most is knowing your players well. Games like Hamster Kombat show that simple ideas often work better than complex ones to get more players quickly.
Building your game needs good planning. Start with a complete Game Design Document and pick the right tools like HTML5, Phaser.js, or Unity. Then use BotFather and the Bot API to connect smoothly with Telegram’s platform.
The blockchain part needs extra care. TON blockchain is now the only choice for Telegram mini apps, but it gives great scaling and fits naturally. Smart contracts, wallet connections, and well-planned token rewards will make your game stand out and bring steady income.
Test your game thoroughly on different devices before launch. Keep your players happy with regular updates and quick support.
We know you can make it in this growing market if you have drive and imagination. This guide gives you all you need to create, launch, and run a profitable Telegram crypto game in 2025. Your chance is here – ready to take it?
Key Takeaways
Building a profitable Telegram crypto game in 2025 requires strategic planning, technical expertise, and understanding of the massive 900 million user opportunity within this ecosystem.
• Choose simple, engaging concepts: Tap-to-earn games like Hamster Kombat prove that simplicity often outperforms complexity, reaching 300 million users through accessible gameplay mechanics.
• Use TON blockchain exclusively: Telegram mandates TON integration for all mini apps by February 2025, offering 1M+ transactions per second with low fees.
• Focus on mobile-first design: 78.77% of Telegram users engage daily with Web3 games on mobile devices, requiring touch-optimized interfaces and responsive design.
• Implement comprehensive testing: Cross-device testing and smart contract auditing ensure flawless performance before launch, preventing costly post-release issues.
• Plan sustainable monetization: Combine NFT sales, in-game tokens, and advertisements while maintaining engaging gameplay to create multiple revenue streams.
The key to success lies in balancing technical excellence with user engagement. Start with a solid Game Design Document, leverage proven technologies like HTML5 or Phaser.js, and integrate seamlessly with Telegram’s Bot API. Remember that post-launch maintenance through regular updates and responsive user support determines long-term profitability in this competitive but lucrative market.
FAQs
Q1. What are tap-to-earn crypto games on Telegram? Tap-to-earn crypto games are simple games where players earn rewards by tapping the screen or completing basic tasks. These games, powered by Telegram bots, allow users to earn cryptocurrency or tokens directly within the app through repetitive actions and engagement.
Q2. Which blockchain is required for Telegram crypto games in 2025? As of 2025, Telegram mandates that all mini apps, including crypto games, must exclusively use The Open Network (TON) blockchain. TON offers high scalability, processing over 1 million transactions per second with low fees, and provides native integration with Telegram’s infrastructure.
Q3. How can I monetize my Telegram crypto game? You can monetize your Telegram crypto game through multiple revenue streams, including NFT sales, in-game token transactions, and in-app advertisements. Implementing a combination of these methods while maintaining engaging gameplay can create a sustainable monetization strategy.
Q4. What technical skills are needed to develop a Telegram crypto game? Developing a Telegram crypto game requires knowledge of HTML5, JavaScript, and potentially game frameworks like Phaser.js or Unity. Additionally, familiarity with the Telegram Bot API, smart contract development, and blockchain integration (specifically with TON) is essential for creating a successful game.
Q5. How important is mobile optimization for Telegram crypto games? Mobile optimization is crucial for Telegram crypto games, as the majority of users access these games via smartphones. Designing a responsive, touch-optimized interface and ensuring smooth performance across various mobile devices is essential for reaching and retaining players.
