The Gaming Sector is Losing Steam: Players Flock to “Ponzi Games” for Thrills
- rachelbeautybar
- Aug 4
- 3 min read
The infamous Ponzi model—once considered the villain of crypto—is making a surprising comeback in the form of blockchain games like Bigcoin. These games, openly structured as Ponzi schemes, are attracting not just newcomers but also experienced crypto traders seeking quick, high-risk thrills.
Bigcoin simulates “token mining” on Ethereum’s Layer 2 Abstract, where players buy virtual mining rigs to earn BIG tokens. Early participants receive the highest rewards, causing an initial rush that sent BIG’s price soaring.
But the pump didn’t last long. According to DEX Screener, on April 12, 2025, just days after peaking, BIG crashed 83%. Despite the drop, many players weren’t discouraged—they immediately started hunting for the next “Ponzi Game” to try their luck.
Why Players Are Turning to Ponzi Games
Many crypto gamers are burned out by Play-to-Airdrop (P2A) and Tap-to-Earn (T2E) models, where rewards are often small, delayed, or inconsistent.
Hamster Kombat players famously called their airdrops “dust” compared to the time invested.
Catizen users expressed frustration over last-minute reward changes and lack of clarity.
In contrast, Ponzi Games like Bigcoin offer simple, predictable ROI calculations.
“Bigcoin is easy to understand. You know exactly how much you put in and how much you’ll get out. As long as the token price stays stable, everything is predictable,” said Inspector, founder of Tokenize 360.
While the risks are obvious, the “high-stakes, fast-win” appeal is exactly what some players crave.
“Ponzi Games are the most fun. It’s sad but true—they’re corrupt, but they’re exciting,” one player commented.
Is Blockchain Gaming Running Out of Steam?
This Ponzi Game trend reflects a deeper issue: a lack of clear profit opportunities in the current blockchain gaming market.
“When every game token drops 70–80% after listing, it’s no surprise people flock back to Ponzi Games just for the thrill,” Inspector added.
Token Prices Collapse
CoinGecko data paints a grim picture: after Immutable (IMX) fell out of the top 100, no gaming token remains among the largest crypto assets. In early 2024, there were six.
Total gaming token market cap dropped 68%, from $29.3B to $9.24B.
Immutable (IMX): down 87% YoY.
Gala Games (GALA): down 80%.
The Sandbox (SAND): down 64%.
Pixels (PIXEL): down 98% from ATH.
Notcoin (NOT): down 94%.
Hamster Kombat (HMSTR): down 68%.
Off the Grid (GUN): down 62% after listing.
The Core Problem: Weak Gameplay, Token Overload
One major criticism of blockchain gaming is that most projects prioritize tokenomics over actual fun.
“99% of crypto games just aren’t good. They focus on tokens instead of gameplay,” said Munnopoly from memecoin project MLG.
“Most Web3 games don’t even need their own tokens. They’re just marketing tools, not real value drivers,” added Jaxie, community manager at GIA.
Investment Dries Up
According to DappRadar, Web3 gaming raised only $91M in Q1 2025, a 71% drop from the previous quarter. Investor capital is shifting to hotter sectors like Real-World Assets (RWA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), leaving GameFi struggling to attract funding.
Conclusion
The rise of Ponzi Games like Bigcoin highlights both the desperation and excitement in blockchain gaming today. With token prices collapsing and traditional GameFi models failing to sustain player interest, users are chasing short-term adrenaline over long-term sustainability.
While Ponzi Games are inherently unsustainable, some argue they still serve as a gateway for new users into crypto—just as Axie Infinity once did. For blockchain gaming to thrive, developers must refocus on quality gameplay and sustainable economies, or risk seeing the sector continue to lose steam.
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