In an interview with crypto.news, Naz Ventura, the founder of TapSwap, shared how the game is gearing up to ensure long-term sustainability.

Telegram clicker games quickly became the talk of the town with the launch of Notcoin (NOT). These simple games revived the play-to-earn mechanics in Web3 games by offering an easy and engaging way to earn digital assets through minimal interaction—often just by tapping a button on their screen. This led to the introduction of tap-to-earn.

The success of Notcoin sparked a wave of similar games, which attracted millions of users with the promise of generating income via the simple click mining methodology, lucrative referral systems, and promising airdrops. However, as these games gained traction and more titles entered the scene, concerns have emerged regarding long-term sustainability.

Critics argue that these games’ simplicity, while practical for accessibility, might also lead to their downfall. Without more complex and engaging gameplay mechanics or real-world utility, the value of these games and the respective tokens they offer could quickly diminish.

Historical precedents set by earlier blockchain gaming models, such as play-to-earn networks like Decentraland (MANA) and Axie Infinity (AXS), showcase this worrying trend. These games once dominated the crypto gaming landscape but have since drastically dropped in popularity and token value.

“That’s how it goes,” for Web3 trends, Ventura told crypto.news. “In Web3, trends are constantly evolving, and clicker games have been one of the hottest recent ones. But naturally, something new will eventually emerge.”

TapSwap is one of the largest mini-games on Telegram, having amassed almost 60 million users in just over four months since its launch. However, the project is already gearing up to tackle sustainability by introducing more features and a new economic model.

A new economic model

The game currently generates revenue via direct channels, such as selling in-game assets like boosts and powerups, and through secondary channels, by displaying ads and selling traffic. According to Ventura, all the revenue generated is reinvested into the platform.

However, the project plans to introduce a new profit-sharing model, where users contribute some of their earnings to support the platform. Ventura called it the “Win-Win Monetization” model and said it is expected to sustain the platform’s long-term growth.

“We’re crafting a model that guarantees consistent income for users, stable revenue for the project, and increased demand, utilization, and value for our token. While we’ll be sharing more detailed information with our community soon, we can already reveal that this model taps into the AI niche.”

The TapSwap founder also disclosed ongoing discussions with several tier-one exchanges and key industry players, aiming to align TapSwap’s business model with broader market opportunities. Ventura states these partnerships are expected to increase the project’s visibility.

“We are also focused on developing infrastructure projects within the TON blockchain, which will play a significant role in our expansion efforts and help us onboard more users into the Web3 ecosystem.”

Sustainable tokenomics

The TapSwap community is awaiting the airdrop for the project’s native TAPS token, scheduled for the third quarter of 2024. The game has yet to unveil its tokenomics, which will dictate how TAPS will be allocated. The TapSwap founder provided a concise explanation when asked about it, noting that the tokenomics are designed to ensure a “balanced and sustainable” in-game economy. 

Without going into the specifics, he reiterated the importance of their reinvestment strategy, which is a cornerstone of their approach. This strategy is seen as vital for maintaining the token’s value and ensuring ongoing demand, helping to support the long-term growth and stability of the platform.

“The primary focus is on ensuring that the token has real utility and value within the TapSwap ecosystem,” Ventura said.

Ventura acknowledged the difficulties of retaining users after an airdrop for new projects but added that TapSwap wants to deliver continuous value to its players and plans to keep the community engaged.

“We are developing new features and partnerships that will provide additional utility for our token, making it more attractive for users to stay invested in the platform. […] By fostering a strong, engaged community, we believe we can sustain user interest and loyalty over the long term.”

Naz Ventura, TapSwap founder