A controversial mobile phone game with the promise of quick wealth has Iran on tenterhooks. Young people in particular are fascinated by the online game called “Hamster Kombat”, which has spread rapidly in the Islamic Republic in recent weeks. Users have to keep a virtual hamster happy and can earn virtual coins with mini-games and monotonous tapping on the screen.
Hamster Kombat is widespread on the Telegram platform, which is actually blocked in Iran but is still one of the most popular networks. The blocks are circumvented using so-called tunnel services (VPN), which can also be used to access other blocked apps such as WhatsApp or Instagram.
According to the developers, the game has gained over 116 million users worldwide since its launch in late March. The creators are betting that the virtual coins could soon be traded on cryptocurrency exchanges.
Many users in Iran hope to invest early in a possible new digital currency. Some are skeptical and fear that the game is a scam. According to experts, many questions remain unanswered.
The authorities have also become more alert: According to state radio, the traffic police expressed concern about a possible increased risk of accidents. The security authorities warned that sensitive data could be passed on.
Iran is largely cut off from the international financial system due to severe sanctions and has been in an economic crisis for years with an official inflation rate of more than 30 percent.
Islamic scholars in Iran are also critical of the game. As the news agency Isna reported, Shiite clerics have already been asked for an assessment. “Due to the many ambiguities associated with these types of currencies (…), it is not permitted to trade in them, invest in them or earn income from them,” said Ayatollah Nasser Makarem (97).