TLDR
- Catizen, a popular Telegram-based crypto game, has delayed its token launch and airdrop originally planned for July.
- The game has raised $16 million from in-game purchases and has attracted 26 million players.
- Catizen donates a portion of its profits to animal welfare organizations, but faced backlash over a donation to PETA.
- The game is built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain and has received investment from Binance Labs.
- Catizen’s success highlights the growing popularity of blockchain-based games on messaging platforms.
Catizen, the popular cat-themed crypto game on Telegram, has hit a snag in its plans to launch its CATI token this July. The delay comes as the game experiences rapid growth, having attracted 26 million players and raised $16 million from in-game purchases since its spring 2024 launch.
Pluto Studio, the developer behind Catizen, addressed the delay in a recent statement, saying,
“We are doing everything we can to achieve the best possible airdrop outcome for the community, while also considering the long-term development and sustainability of the CATI token.”
The studio cited challenges in securing exchanges, ensuring liquidity, and navigating compliance issues as reasons for the postponement.
The delay mirrors similar issues faced by other Telegram-based crypto games, such as Hamster Kombat, which also recently announced a delay in its token launch.
Dear Catizen Community,
We've received many heartfelt inquiries about the progress of our airdrop, as well as concerns regarding recent changes within Catizen. We are confident these changes will benefit Catizen and its players in the long run.
We welcome all feedback and we…
— Catizen (@CatizenAI) July 29, 2024
Despite the delay, Catizen’s popularity continues to soar. The game’s unique blend of cat-themed puzzles, blockchain technology, and charitable giving has struck a chord with players. Built on The Open Network (TON) blockchain, Catizen offers a more complex gaming experience compared to simple “tap-to-earn” games, featuring resource management and various mini-games.
Catizen’s success has not gone unnoticed in the crypto world. Binance Labs, the venture capital arm of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, recently invested in Pluto Studio. This backing, along with partnerships with TON, Mantle, and NGC Ventures, has helped fuel Catizen’s rapid growth.
However, the game’s success hasn’t been without controversy. Catizen recently faced backlash over a $100,000 donation to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
The donation was part of Catizen’s initiative to contribute a portion of its profits to charities focused on helping stray cats. Following community feedback, Pluto Studio announced it has “temporarily suspended” the collaboration with PETA and will seek player input on alternative organizations for future donations.
Looking ahead, Catizen has ambitious plans for the future. Its roadmap includes implementing more features for its token, such as revenue sharing and staking, as well as exploring augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The team aims to create an immersive experience with countless unique virtual cats and AI companions.
The game’s success also ties into broader developments in the Telegram ecosystem. With Telegram planning to launch a Mini Apps store and add web2 support by the end of the month, Catizen is well-positioned to benefit from increased visibility and user engagement on the platform.
