Q3 ‘24 Telegram Games Report: Key Data and Emerging Trends
Introduction to the Ton Ecosystem
As web3 gaming continues to expand, a new trend has emerged: Telegram games. Titles such as Notcoin, Hamster Kombat, and Catizen have gained traction among Telegram's 900 million users, making the platform an increasingly important space for web3 game studios. The ease of access and playability within Telegram have played a significant role in the rapid growth of its gaming ecosystem.
Over the past two quarters, growth in the TON ecosystem has steadied, with newly created wallets declining for three consecutive months. Nevertheless, transaction counts and daily active wallets have remained stable, with a notable surge in August
The purpose of this report is to provide a brief analysis of Telegram games and explore data that may offer insights into the future of the platform. By examining information from several hundred applicants to the Telegram Gaming Accelerator and games from Helika’s partners, this report aims to give developers valuable insights as they consider bringing their games to the TON ecosystem.
As Telegram gaming evolves, it presents new opportunities for developers to reach a wide and engaged audience. Real-time analytics can help teams make data-informed decisions, enabling them to adapt to the changing dynamics of this fast-growing space.
2. Analysis of Telegram Games
Helika has observed significant growth in the Telegram gaming ecosystem, with some games reaching 100,000 players within just one month. Although this may seem small compared to larger titles like Catizen and Hamster Kombat, it underscores the increasing need for developers to now consider developing effective marketing plans and strategies. With the explosion of new Telegram games, discoverability has become a critical challenge, making it essential for developers to focus on growth and visibility.
Helika's data suggests a shift in player behavior for Telegram games. For instance, the average session length has increased from 2.8 minutes to 6.7 minutes, indicating longer player engagement. Additionally, player retention appears to be improving as the platform now offers more varied and immersive gaming experiences.
For example, one standout game has demonstrated impressive performance despite having a relatively small user base of 3,000 registered users. It achieved a remarkable DAU/MAU ratio of 45%, indicating that nearly half of its monthly active users engaged with the game daily.
This reflects a high level of user retention and engagement. Additionally, the game generated a trading volume of $550 million, showcasing both strong user activity and significant financial performance. These metrics highlight the game’s ability to drive sustained engagement and achieve exceptional results in terms of user interaction and monetization.
For context, in the Web2 space, a DAU/MAU ratio of 20-30% is considered average for most apps, while a ratio above 40% is typically seen as a sign of high engagement—especially for games, social platforms, and other apps aiming for frequent user activity.
To illustrate these trends, we examine several standout cases within the ecosyste
In September, a total of over 3 million active wallets were recorded across only nine games, including Catizen, GAMEE, Cat Gold Miner, and others.
While the number of newly created wallets is an interesting metric, we dug a little deeper and found that on a whole, users on TON are highly active. This graph shows the daily number of unique wallets transferring an NFT, whether for sending it to a friend, purchasing it, or using it within a game. Our data indicates that gamers on Telegram are not just creating wallets but are also actively engaging with NFTs, suggesting a dynamic and vibrant level of interaction within the ecosystem
In addition, it’s still early, and initial assessments have shown some interesting growth-related figures based on public quotes from Telegram games, as detailed below.
While most web3 gamers typically come from regions such as Southeast Asia and Latin America, our data shows a different trend for Telegram gaming. Surprisingly, the majority of Telegram players are based in Europe. This indicates that the platform's user base may have a distinct demographic profile compared to the broader web3 gaming community, suggesting regional differences in how players engage with games on Telegram.
In addition, by researching public quotes from Telegram games, we have uncovered some interesting growth-related figures, as detailed below:
Catizen: The game completed its first airdrop, distributing 34% of its total token allocation, which included 150 million tokens distributed in September 2024. The airdrop led to an increase in player activity, reflecting its integration into Telegram’s ecosystem, where players raise and merge virtual cats.
GAMEE: Experienced a 300% increase in volume and transactions month over month, highlighting growing player engagement and activity.
X Empire: Launched in July 2024, the game attracted nearly 48 million players, with 18 million connecting their wallets to engage with the game’s features. Since launch, 483 billion in-game tokens have been mined, and 570,000 NFT vouchers have been issued.
Rocky Rabbit: With 30 million players, the game involves in-game tasks and battles where players earn rewards. The upcoming token launch is expected to provide further incentives for players based on their past performance.
BANANA: This mini-game reached 10 million users by October 2024, with over 1.1 million daily active users and 117 million in-game tasks completed. Notably, 7.8 million users joined through referral links, showing the game's capacity to drive large-scale user engagement through social connections.
WONTON: After its August 2024 launch, WONTON surpassed 1 million users within a few weeks, with 200,000 players joining within the first 24 hours. The game integrates on-chain activities with rewards, making it one of the prominent tap-to-earn games in the ecosystem.
Jetton Holders: The number of wallets holding jettons doubled between September and October, reaching 19.4 million by the end of the month. This growth reflects Telegram’s capacity to rapidly expand its blockchain-based experiences.
3. Telegram Gaming Accelerator Insights
Helika has gained a deep understanding of the Telegram gaming ecosystem through its Telegram Gaming Accelerator (TGA) in partnership with Notcoin. The TGA has attracted applications from several hundred games across a diverse range of genres, including simulation, puzzle, platformers, and shooters. This diversity suggests that developers see potential in offering more engaging and immersive experiences that go beyond simple, quick-play games.
The Telegram Gaming Accelerator (TGA) offers a valuable opportunity for developers by providing a combination of advanced data analytics and targeted support. This approach directly addresses the challenges of improving engagement and visibility identified earlier, giving developers the tools they need to fine-tune their strategies.
With Helika's data analytics infrastructure and a dedicated team of data analysts, developers receive insights into key metrics such as player engagement, retention, and monetization
Additionally, the support from Notcoin gives developers a fast-track path to success on the Telegram platform. With marketing assistance, including promotional campaigns, developers can quickly gain visibility and traction in the rapidly growing Telegram gaming ecosystem. This blend of data insights and marketing support positions the TGA as a comprehensive resource for developers aiming to achieve sustainable growth and reach a broader audience.
4. Why Telegram Games?
Given the trends observed, Telegram games offer several key advantages for developers:
Integrated User Experience: Games on Telegram integrate directly within the messaging app, allowing users to access games without downloading separate applications. This streamlined experience can lower the barrier to entry, making it easier for players to start gaming quickly and switch between chatting and gameplay without leaving the app.
Social Integration: The social features built into Telegram, such as group chats and channels, facilitate interaction and sharing among players. These social capabilities can help drive community engagement, as players can discuss gameplay, challenge friends, and share game-related content. This integration may also contribute to organic growth through word-of-mouth and social sharing.
Blockchain Features: Some Telegram games incorporate blockchain technology, offering elements like token rewards, digital asset ownership, and decentralized economies. These features provide players with opportunities to own, trade, or sell in-game items, which can introduce economic value within the game. The transparency of blockchain may also add a layer of trust for players.
Innovative Gameplay Opportunities: Telegram's platform supports a variety of game genres and formats, allowing developers to explore different mechanics and gameplay styles. This flexibility has led to the introduction of game models that differ from traditional mobile gaming, including play-to-earn approaches and community-driven development.
Potential for Broader Reach: With a global user base of over 900 million, Telegram offers a large and diverse audience for games. The platform’s wide reach gives developers the potential to access different demographics and expand their player base across various regions, potentially aiding in growth and visibility.
5. Conclusion
In summary, the data reveals significant growth and evolving trends within the Telegram gaming ecosystem, with increasing engagement and diverse game genres emerging. As Telegram games continue to develop, Helika and the Telegram Gaming Accelerator remains committed to driving the ecosystem forward by providing essential analytics and insights that help developers adapt to this dynamic landscape. Visit Helika.io to stay up to date on web3 gaming trends.
