Notcoin: The Tap-to-Earn Era for Telegram Games is Dead, What’s Next for Web3 Gaming?

The world of cryptocurrency and gaming is always evolving, and recent comments from a major player signal a significant shift. If you’ve been tapping away in Telegram games, you might want to pay attention. Notcoin, a project that brought millions into the Telegram gaming ecosystem, believes the simple ‘tap-to-earn’ model is over.
Is Tap-to-Earn Really Dead for Notcoin and Others?
According to Vladimir Plotvinov, co-founder of Notcoin, the ‘tap-to-earn’ gaming era is likely finished. Speaking at Token2049 in Dubai, he stated that game developers are now focusing on creating more engaging and sustainable experiences. The initial wave of games, while successful in attracting users, struggled to keep players interested long-term once the initial ‘farming’ potential was realized.
The Shift Towards Fun in Web3 Gaming on Telegram
Sasha Plotvinov, another Notcoin co-founder, highlighted the core issue: users who come just to earn tokens tend to leave quickly. The future, they argue, lies in games that offer genuine fun and social interaction. While the first wave of Telegram games lacked this social element, the potential for Web3 gaming on the platform remains immense. The Web3 economy, in this new vision, becomes an added layer of value rather than the sole reason to play.
Why GameFi Needs More Than Just Earning
The initial success of tap-to-earn games demonstrated the massive reach of Telegram for onboarding users into crypto. However, it also exposed a challenge within the broader GameFi space: sustainability requires more than just token distribution. Players are looking for compelling gameplay loops and opportunities to connect with friends. The next phase of Telegram gaming needs to build upon the foundation laid by projects like Notcoin, integrating Web3 elements seamlessly into truly fun games.
How AI is Powering the Next Generation of Telegram Games
Notcoin’s co-founders also touched upon the role of artificial intelligence in game development. Vladimir Plotvinov noted that AI tools are significantly speeding up the coding process, allowing developers to build games faster and more efficiently. However, he cautioned that expertise and attention are still crucial to ensure the complex interactions and scalability required for games with many users.
The Future Outlook for Web3 Gaming on Telegram
Despite the perceived end of the tap-to-earn trend, the Notcoin team is optimistic about the future of Web3 gaming on Telegram. Uliana Salo, Head of Design and Product Lead for Not Games, compared Telegram’s potential to established platforms like WeChat and Facebook, which host huge gaming ecosystems. While acknowledging the current lack of major publishers and significant investor funding in the Telegram gaming scene, she anticipates exponential growth. The goal is to reach a point where people play not just for tokens, but because the games are inherently enjoyable. This shift towards ‘fun first’ is seen as essential for long-term success in the GameFi landscape on Telegram.
Summary: What Does This Mean for Crypto Gamers?
Notcoin’s perspective suggests a maturing of the Telegram games ecosystem. The initial hype around simple tapping is fading, making way for more sophisticated and engaging Web3 gaming experiences. Developers are leveraging tools like AI to build better games, aiming to capture player interest through fun gameplay and social features, with the crypto element acting as an enhancement rather than the primary driver. While still early, the potential for explosive growth in this sector remains high, promising a more diverse and enjoyable future for crypto gaming on Telegram.