10 Eye-Opening Telegram Gaming Statistics (Updated October 2024)

Telegram, the privacy-focused social media application, is increasingly becoming the new frontier in mobile game development. The platform’s 950 million-strong user base and integration of cutting-edge technology are behind this shift. With that comes interesting facts and figures about the platform’s gaming aspects, which we will take a closer look at in this article.

Here, we’ll uncover 10 eye-opening Telegram gaming statistics to be aware of in 2024. By the end, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of these crucial numbers and how they could impact the future of Telegram games. 

The Growth of Telegram Games

The technology space is an organic stage requiring all players to evolve with time. That’s the reality confronting Telegram and many other social sharing applications. Initially developed for communication purposes, today, the platform boasts many functions, including gaming, the current buzz on the tech scene.

Telegram’s foray into mobile gaming dates back to its introduction of mini-apps. The idea behind them was to enhance the user’s experience on the app. With these, you can access various tools for virtually any need, such as financial services, productivity, and entertainment (gaming).

Mini-apps started gaining prominence in 2015 when Telegram introduced bots—special programs that help users automate different functions. These laid the foundation for a more interactive platform. Soon, developers tapped into their growing popularity to create more complex applications.

Enter The Telegram’s Game Platform

Two years later, Telegram released its Bots Payment API to handle users’ remittances. This development enabled the creation of mini-apps that supported in-app settlements. And in 2019, the instant messaging service introduced its Game Platform (GP), further embracing mini-apps.

The Telegram GP supported the development of HTML5-based games you could play on the app. Its success has inspired developers to build more applications for the service’s diverse user base. With further refinements, the GP now embraces Web3 tech, a critical pillar of Telegram games.

This meshing of Telegram and Web3 technologies has brought a wave of Tap-to-Earn (T2E) games to the platform, such as Hamster Kombat, SpinnerCoin, and Storm Trade. Telegram’s affiliated blockchain, The Open Network (TON), supplies the infrastructure critical to these games’ functions.

10 Telegram Gaming Statistics for October 2024

Now that you fully grasp how Telegram crypto games have developed let’s shift our focus to the main focus of this article. Here are 10 Telegram gaming statistics for October 2024:

1. 20% of telegram users play games on the platform

Telegram is the 8th most popular social messaging platform today, boasting over 900 million monthly active users globally. Ask any user why the application is a big hit with them, and they’ll most likely mention its privacy-focused approach.

But now, another aspect, its integration of Social Finance (SocialFi) features could be the force driving that growth.

Telegram’s leanings to the “super App” concept is the reasoning behind the creation of its associated TON Network. In September 2023, Telegram chose the blockchain as its official Web3 infrastructure platform, bringing blockchain and cryptocurrencies to the SM app.

That move seems to be paying off, with market insiders attributing Telegram’s recent surge in numbers to an increase in blockchain gaming. According to Inal Kardan, the TON Foundation’s gaming lead, Telegram gaming accounts for a fifth of the app’s monthly active users—a twenty-fold increase compared to December 2023.

In an interview with The Block, Kardan said, “Now around 20% of users of Telegram play at least one game per month. So it grew 20 times. All these games their monetization model is not about in-app purchases; it’s all about traffic.”

The number of gamers using the TON Blockchain has been on a tear recently, spurred by several clicker games. These are available to everyone with the messaging app and have become popular because of the token rewards they offer their players. Some fan favorites include Hamster Kombat, Bitcoin, and Yescoin.

2. 86% of Telegram Gamers Play Hamster Kombat

As you’d expect, Telegram games aren’t created equal, a reality that’s come out in a recent Bitget survey. 

The Web3 company’s findings show that Hamster Kombat is the platform’s most popular Play-to-Earn (P2E) game. 86% of the surveyed 10,534 respondents said it’s their preferred game

Tapswap is second with a popularity of 79%, while Blum is third, a point behind. Catizen and Yescoin round out the top five TON P2E games. What’s clear from the data is the huge overlap in the gamers’ choices; 54% of the respondents stated that they play roughly five games.

One factor central to the growing number of P2E gamers is the emergence of TON-compliant decentralized crypto wallets such as the Bitget wallet.

What Determines Wallet Choices?

41% of the surveyed attributed their decentralized wallet choices to recommendations from friends, implying the significance of word of mouth. Another 37% put their selections down to their Telegram communities, while 27% pinned them to the games.

Again, 85% of interviewees preferred mobile-based decentralized wallets over browser extension types. That’s why users favor Trust Wallet (71%) and Bitget Wallet (68%) for P2E games over Metamask (65%).

3. India has the highest number of Telegram users at 104 million

In its recent data presentation, Coin Gabbar reckons that India accounts for 104.04 million of Telegram’s 950M monthly users.

Russia comes second with 34.30M users, while Indonesia rounds up the top three with 27.21 monthly active users. The US, with 26.85M, and Brazil, with 21.94, complete the top five. 

India also ranks the highest in terms of Hamster Kombat’s users. Its 14.14 million gamers account for 6.30% of the game’s global total. Russia contributes 5.04%, while Indonesia adds another 3.17%

4. Telegram’s user base grew by over 50 million users between April 2024 and August 2024

Much of Telegram’s numbers surge happened between April and August 2024. In that period, the instant messaging platform welcomed 50 million new users, pushing its MAU to 950 million. 

That addition constituted a 6% growth and outpaced Meta’s duo of WhatsApp (2.5%) and Facebook Messenger (1.5%)

Telegram is angling for a share of the mobile gaming market, which Statista projects will generate revenues of over $98 billion in 2024. The German data collection and visualization firm also forecasts this market will grow at a CAGR of  6.39% between this year and 2027 to reach a trading volume of $118.90 billion.

With such an expansive market up for grabs, Telegram is looking to enhance its standing as the go-to platform for mobile game development. Building its user base is one step towards attaining that goal.

5. Notcoin saw the biggest gaming token launch in 2024

2024 has seen many token drops, with gaming projects featuring prominently. Notcoin, a Telegram-supported game, hogged the limelight as it launched its NOT token ($NOT) on the TON network. NOT exploded upon launching in May, reaching a market capitalization of roughly $1.5 billion soon after.

It did that in style, too. The game, a product of the Open Builders stable, held an airdrop where it splurged over 3 billion $NOT on 35 million early adopters. Following the launch, Notcoin grew its daily active user (DAU) base to 6 million, a feat that would be the envy of many crypto projects.

As is the case with any crypto-based product, Notcoin’s market cap fell once the excitement of its launch subsided. That didn’t last long, though. The project found new momentum in June, which increased its market cap to nearly $3 billion.

Matching Notcoin’s numbers has proved a herculean task for other gaming tokens. For instance, pixels ($PIXEL) came a distant second with a market cap of $731 million. The Ronin-based game is Ethereum’s most sought-after web game and once generated over $1 billion in under a day.

Saga Network’s SAGA token, with a capitalization of $684, takes the third spot. This token sent ripples through the crypto space after its Binance Launchpad campaign netted $13.4 billion in staked funds. 

Hamster Kombat’s $ HMSTR ($646.3 million) follows it in the fourth spot, while Portal’s $PORTAL ($561.6 million) closed the top five.

6. The highest volume of searches for ‘Telegram Games’ in 2024 has come from Cambodia

Another interesting Telegram gaming fact is the search volume for the term “Telegram game.” According to Google search results, Cambodia had the highest search volume for this phrase. What’s telling is that the Southeast Asian nation isn’t among the world’s leading Telegram user nations, and the same goes for its T2E game stats.

Ethiopia follows a distant second with a search volume of 52. Myanmar (41), Nigeria (19), Sri Lanka (16), and St Helena (16) complete the top five countries. Curiously, the regions recording the highest search volumes are typical of low-income earners. The opposite is true for the high-income areas, with their search queries struggling to get to 1.

One possible reason for this disparity is the affordability of Telegram games. If not free, their in-app purchases are more affordable than traditional gaming platforms. Additionally, they have minimal hardware requirements, allowing many in those areas to access them.

Immutable Network’s chief executive, Robbie Fergusson, alluded to that affordable cost aspect while commenting on the advantages of click-to-earn (T2E) games over P2E ones. He said:

 “These types of games significantly lower the barrier to entry, especially for newcomers to cryptocurrency. They aim to build a more sustainable economy from the outset, which may help circumvent some of the challenges that the play-to-earn model encounters.”

7. In Russia, search volume for ‘Hamster Kombat’ is higher than search volume for ‘Bitcoin’

Bitcoin (BTC) is the most popular cryptocurrency we have to date. Therefore, you would expect its search volume to be higher than that of any other crypto-related term. That’s until you take a look at Russian search volume.

Based on Google Trends data covering Russia, search interest in Bitcoin is trailing that of the popular Telegram game Hamster Kombat. At press time, the T2E earn game had an average impression of 14 compared to BTC’s 3.

This disparity peaked between June 9th and 15th when Hamster Kombat’s appeal hit the 100 mark while BTC’s lagged at 4. This unusual interest in the Telegram game was driven mainly by the press it received following its debut.

The platform drew in many Russian youths eager to earn Hamster Kombat (HMSTR) tokens. To do so, one must quickly tap on the game’s interface. A revelation that a percussion massager could help achieve that goal faster had gamers scrambling for the device.

Retailers soon jumped on the craze, advertising the massager as a must-have tool for the game. This action amplified Hamster Kombat’s visibility and users’ interest. But that novelty has waned, reducing the term’s search volumes to a trickle.

8. Tapswap currently has over 70 million users

Also headlining Telegram gaming statistics for October 2024 is Tapswap. This T2E game has attracted over 60 million users since debuting in February, a rare feat for such a new project. The game has become a fan favorite because of its daily codes rewards program.

The game rewards you with points you can swap for crypto. To earn these points, you must tap a gold coin at the center of your smartphone, complete some simple tasks, and engage in some in-game activities. 

Its developers have incorporated a time-based “energy” meter to make the Telegram game interesting. This meter empties, then fills up slowly, forcing you to devise strategies for tapping the coin. It also provides certain codes for gamers to unlock coins or bonus points.

9. 2.5 million new users sign up for Telegram each day

Telegram’s significance in the social media space is evidenced by its growing usage. According to its founder, Pavel Durov, the messaging app welcomes 2.5 million new users daily. These figures have seen it grow its MAU base from 35 million in 2014 to the current 900 million+ figure.

Such is the platform’s pull that, according to a SimilarWeb 2023 analysis, 196M users interact with it daily. This figure works out to 47.50% of its MAU. As such, the platform is the third most engaging messaging app after WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

That said, the app isn’t doing as well among its premium subscribers. Durov said the service had only 4 million paying users by the end of 2023. That’s a paltry 0.5% of its MAU, indicating a greater preference for the basic version.

10. The Tap-to-Earn games market is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2031

Since its inception, the Play-to-Earn NFT games market has been growing and from the looks of it, will only get better. That’s per the available data projections. Industry figures show that the sector generated $755 million in 2021. 

But that figure will shoot up to $6.3 billion by 2031, buoyed by the increased adoption of P2E games. These games have gained popularity on Telegram because of their “reward-feedback loop” that keeps gamers engrossed. 

However, the long-term success of T2E games depends on several factors, including their continued adoption, evolution, and management of their challenges. The games can upend the gaming scene and may be a critical ally in introducing the mass to blockchain and cryptocurrency technology.

Why is Telegram Gaming So Popular?

It’s clear from the preceding discussion that Telegram gaming is the in thing now. And by analyzing the sector keenly, it’s easy to see why that’s the case. Here are a few reasons explaining the sector’s continuing growth:

Low barrier to entry

Unlike their web-based counterparts, telegram games are very affordable. That’s because you won’t incur any costs to start with them. For instance, you don’t need expensive setups like powerful gaming computers or high-tech consoles.

You only need the messaging app, a good smartphone, and an internet connection. Again, playing these games doesn’t require special skills; you just tap the screen, solve simple tasks, and proceed. Plus, their simplicity means that you spend very little data playing them.

Accessibility 

By now, you’re aware that Telegram is a popular instant messaging app with millions of users. Add that to its mobile-first approach, and you can access games via your smartphone or tablet.

The good thing about them is you don’t have to download the games or visit their websites, as they are readily available on the chat interface. If you want to kickstart your Telegram gaming journey all you need to do is join a specific gaming channel or interact with their bot.

Variety

One standout feature of Telegram games is their broad appeal. Whether you’re a solo player or a gamer looking for a multiplayer experience, there’s something for your needs. 

Again, these games have different experience levels, ranging from simple puzzles to more complex ones requiring intense thought and strategies like chess.

Moreover, you have classics like Tetris and Tic-tac-toe on hand and modern ones like Tapswap or Catizen on the other. You may also have the option of crypto-centered, clicker, and Telegram casino games, among others.

Convenience 

As stated earlier, these T2E games have a straightforward design, making them a good fit for casual gaming. Completing the set tasks, therefore, takes a short time. So, you can have quick rounds of chess, poker, Hagman, or casino games on your commute or work break.

Social interaction

Although Telegram is primarily a messaging app, it has evolved to accommodate enhanced features, including iGaming and Bitcoin Casinos. These games unite like-minded players to form groups or channels driven by a sense of identity and loyalty.

Gamers participate in group activities, share their in-game experiences, and support each other. Moreover, the games incorporate social aspects like leaderboards, multi-player functions, and tournaments, cultivating cooperation and relationships.

The opportunity to earn free cryptocurrency

T2E games have different ways of incentivizing users’ engagement with them. One common way is to reward players for finishing a set task or spending a certain amount of time on it. Playing the game can earn you points or tokens that can be converted to crypto.

Potential Roadblocks For The Growth of Telegram Gaming

There’s no denying Telegram games’ immense potential. But, as is the case with any technology, they have limitations. Here’s an overview of the key ones:

Ongoing lawsuits and regulatory problems 

Telegram has drawn scrutiny from several regulators globally. The platform is embroiled in legal tussles, such as intellectual property infringement and piracy suits in Spain. Its founder, Pavel Durov, also faces criminal activities and regulatory compliance charges in France.

It’s also battling a data privacy and user information disclosure case in India. These run-ins with the law could affect its gaming ambitions in different ways. First, the watchdogs may force Telegram to adopt stricter compliance measures, possibly hindering innovation.

Moreover, Telegram’s new data-sharing policies may erode the trust of its privacy-conscious users. Consequently, the platform’s user engagement and retention levels could fall, affecting its gaming sector. The negative press could also dissuade potential developers and partners from the platform.

Finally, the service could face legal uncertainty and the need to adhere to the laws of separate companies. That could create operational headaches, hence a diversion of funds from gaming development to meet its legal needs.

Competition from rival platforms 

The Telegram Gaming sector is still nascent and operates in a highly competitive landscape. It has to contend with some household names like Steam, Epic Games, and mobile app stores offering the same services or even better. 

Also, other popular social media platforms are integrating gaming models into their platforms further shrinking the market.

Final Thoughts

Looking at the current Telegram gaming statistics, you can’t help but conclude that 2024 has been a banner year for the instant messaging platform. 

Judging from the market’s reception of its Tap-to-Earn games, it’s easy to predict a bright future for the app’s gaming ambitions. But that will depend on how it navigates the testy legal and regulatory challenges it faces.

FAQs