Telegram Web3 gaming shifts as tap-to-earn model loses appeal

Notcoin (CRYPTO:NOT) co-founder Vladimir Plotvinov said the tap-to-earn era in Telegram-based Web3 gaming is likely over as developers focus on creating more engaging experiences.

“We’re going to see different types of games, as tap-to-earn games are probably dead because they’re not sustainable,” Plotvinov said, speaking at the Token2049 event in Dubai.

Notcoin was among the most downloaded Telegram tap-to-earn games in 2024, reaching over 30 million users within three months of launch.

However, players quickly moved between games to maximise earnings, leading to a decline in sustained engagement.

“Users who come to farm — their motivation is just to earn something. And with games, it’s more like I have fun, I want to play with my friends, and I want to play within a group,” explained Sasha Plotvinov, co-founder of Notcoin.

He noted that early Telegram games lacked a social element, but Web3 still has potential to contribute to the platform’s gaming ecosystem.

The shift is toward models where the Web3 economy is an add-on rather than the core value, prioritising gameplay and social interaction.

Uliana Salo, Notcoin’s head of design, said Telegram’s market resembles platforms like Facebook and WeChat, which have established gaming ecosystems.

“We believe in our chances because we already have a similar platform like WeChat and Facebook, which already have their game ecosystems, and it’s a huge market,” she added.

Salo acknowledged the current lack of major publishers and investor funding in Telegram gaming but expects exponential growth.

Artificial intelligence has also helped accelerate Web3 game development on Telegram by improving coding efficiency.

Vladimir Plotvinov cautioned developers to carefully manage AI integration to ensure performance under high user loads.

The Telegram Web3 gaming scene is evolving beyond token farming toward more sustainable and socially engaging experiences, according to Notcoin’s leadership.