Beyond airdrop hype: How Telegram mini-games keep players engaged long-term

Addressing player retention issues in Telegram mini-games, TapShot promises a new standard in long-term engagement by offering a rewarding gaming experience.

Telegram-linked blockchain platform The Open Network (TON) saw major growth in 2024 due to its clicker games, which require players to tap the screen to collect rewards.

A pioneer in the field, Notcoin has reached over 40 million users since it was listed on Binance, paving the way for similar mini-games to follow.

The popularity of games like Hamster Kombat and Catizen has propelled the total value locked (TVL) on TON, which has soared by 3,000% year-to-date.

TVL on the TON has halved after approaching $800 million. Source: DefiLlama

Despite their initial success in attracting users with airdrops, these games face sustainability challenges. Many Telegram mini-games see a significant decline in player numbers once the novelty fades, as their focus on short-term rewards and basic gameplay fails to maintain long-term interest.

The lasting success of Telegram mini-games, which have faltered since the airdrop, depends on their ability to connect with players on a deeper level.

Crafting lasting engagement in Telegram mini-games

A newly announced Telegram mini-game, TapShot , addresses the widespread decline in player retention. As the predecessor of StrayShot , an upcoming third-person shooter game, TapShot takes a new approach to building long-term user engagement.

Unlike previous Telegram-based games, TapShot is not just about quick rewards — it aims to provide sustainability by offering players a fun idle game where they can upgrade their weapons, rank up and unlock new hunters. Users can easily log in using their Telegram accounts, choose their characters and weapons and quickly dive into the adventure.

TapShot users defeat enemies to acquire new weapons, advance in leagues and unlock new characters. Source: TapShot

The competitive gaming logic of TapShot emphasizes in-game coins, which users can earn by completing daily tasks. These virtual assets allow players to unlock new characters and upgrade weapons to better firepower over time. Users can also gain a strategic advantage by using a free power-up with a six-hour refresh period or purchasing instant power-ups with their in-game coins.

Beyond its upgrade and reward system, TapShot’s real strength in player retention comes from its connection to a larger universe.

Deeper integration into a larger game ecosystem

Focusing on creating a long-term gaming environment, TapShot distinguishes itself from its predecessors by serving as a bridge to StrayShot, a fully developed game set to launch at the end of 2024 on mobile and PC, with a console version to follow.

StrayShot throws players into a dynamic, multi-mode competitive arena that seamlessly blends battle royale, team deathmatch and extraction shooter gameplay into one thrilling experience. Whether battling to be the last one standing in a shrinking play zone, engaging in team-based matches or strategically extracting valuable resources, StrayShot delivers high-quality graphics and intense shooter mechanics for both solo players and coordinated teams.

The developers seek to attract early players to the Telegram mini-game TapShot through airdrop events and then seamlessly integrate the player base with StrayShot. In this way, players can get a taste of what’s to come and continue to engage with the game long after the initial rewards have been received.

Here is the news, Hunters! #TapShot —The Road to #StrayShot is NOW LIVE!

🎮Open it on Telegram and start tapping your way to the top ! 🏆

Complete the social tasks invite your friends to rank high and earn rewards! 👇 https://t.co/Tren9fgVQG pic.twitter.com/xiJitw4TcN

— StrayShot (@StrayShotGame) September 10, 2024

About airdrops, TapShot aims to deter users who are looking to farm without interacting and to encourage real players to benefit more from the rewards. By tying airdrops to real-world progress in the game, the developers believe that player retention will be easier as dedicated players earn more meaningful rewards.

With a more meaningful gameplay experience and a clear connection to the larger game, TapShot has the potential to keep players engaged in the long term. The model could be a correct marketing strategy that builds an audience for StrayShot and also addresses the challenge of keeping players engaged, as seen in other crypto games.

If other developers follow suit, Telegram-based mini-games could become core components of larger gaming ecosystems, changing the way users interact with Web3 projects.