This tap-to-earn Telegram game mocks society’s obsession with status

Blockchain games have seen steady growth in both user activity and game launches, reaching a record 4.2 million active wallets. Tap-to-earn games , where players earn virtual rewards by simply tapping the screen, have played a significant role in this surge through the popular messaging app Telegram. Some even speculate that Telegram could be a key platform in bringing crypto to its first billion users .

In addition to appealing to newcomers, these games blend entertainment, economic opportunity, and social engagement, offering more than just a way to kill time. However, the reliance on financial incentives has its limitations. Games that mirror real-world economic and social structures often end up replicating the very systems that the crypto world aims to challenge, creating an ironic contradiction.

Despite this, blockchain-based games offer a unique opportunity to poke fun at deeper aspects of modern life — chief among them is the human obsession with success.

From a lowly hobo to the king of the streets

The tap-to-earn game Bums is a swift entrant into the rising trend of economic and social simulation games. It offers a playful yet ironic take on society’s obsession with wealth and status. Quickly gaining traction as one of the most popular blockchain-based games, Bums has amassed 10 million players in just a month, with 4 million subscribers in its Telegram group.

In Bums, players take on the role of a homeless character who starts from nothing and gradually ascends the social and economic ladder through simple tap-based gameplay. The game offers a humorous, satirical reflection on societal inequality while also providing users with an engaging and rewarding experience.

Our character begins his journey as homeless but gradually transforms into someone with a job, wealth and social status. Source: Bums

The game’s appeal lies in its simplicity and accessibility. Players create an account by joining the Bums channel on Telegram and start to earn. Tapping the screen generates tokens, which players can use to upgrade their character.

Moreover, players continue to earn coins even while offline, allowing their wealth to grow passively. However, to maximize their earnings, they must return to the game to actively accumulate more wealth. Over time, the character evolves, transforming from a street-dwelling hobo into a wealthy, well-dressed entrepreneur and even a street king!

There are other ways to earn tokens besides clicking on the screen or waiting for the passive rewards earned per second to accumulate. For instance, users can invite friends to the game and earn a cut of their friends’ earnings in addition to one-time rewards. The more friends play, the greater the cumulative earnings. Some upgrades also require friends, which adds a social layer to the game.

Lucky players can win big prizes with the lottery. Source: Bums

Bums also has a “Lottery” that allows lucky users to win massive prizes, a “Mystery Box” that contains a special prize every day and an “Expedition” option that increases in-game coin accumulation.

Keeping fingers moving

The evolution of the character in Bums is tied to a series of upgrades such as multiplying rewards or recovering energy faster.

The first category boosts the core tapping mechanic, allowing players to increase rewards, regenerate energy faster and unlock critical multipliers or jackpot chances, which adds a luck-based element for potential big payouts.

In-game improvements allow the character to earn more per tap. Source: Bums

In the “Things” section, players can buy items like sunglasses, perfumes and luxury goods to enhance their character’s lifestyle and boost passive income. The “To-do list” mirrors an entrepreneurial journey, offering tasks like finding investors or launching a franchise, all with a humorous twist. “Events” lets players join satirical activities, like co-working with hobos or analyzing the market through garbage, to gain advantages and outperform competitors.

Each upgrade affects the number of coins earned passively or actively. Characters that have achieved enough development level up and unlock new ways to increase their earnings.

Social and educational elements

Bums aims to be more than just a game; it aims to be a platform with a broader social and educational mission.

The game achieves this through a series of entertaining and informative animated videos featuring real people who have made significant achievements. The videos on the game’s official YouTube channel, Bum’s Corner, offer a multi-dimensional experience that encourages users to interact with external content.

For example, players can watch Jeff Bezos’ story, from selling books to owning “half the space,” or learn how Jack Daniel turned dirt into whiskey.

Moreover, these videos contain secret codes that offer additional in-game rewards for those who watch carefully. Offering a mix of humor, social satire and real business lessons, these videos set the game apart from other play-to-earn games.

Artem, the “chief Bums development officer,” has also started a personal channel on Telegram to give players a behind-the-scenes look at the Bums’ progress.

Real-world value and token integration

Bums game marks users’ first step toward real-world value. Soon, the token will be listed on crypto exchanges, allowing it to be converted into tradable assets. Top players will be rewarded with real-world assets through airdrops, with rewards based on hourly earnings, number of referrals and total coins collected. The tokens can be sold on exchanges or held as a long-term investment.

While Bums provides an easy introduction to the crypto world, players must stay mindful of the in-game economy and manage their virtual assets carefully, as the value of tokens can fluctuate based on market conditions and in-game decisions.

With over 10 million users and potential real-world value, Bums aims to be more than just a game, seeking to reflect the future of social interaction and economic simulation. While projects like Bums resonate with today’s crypto enthusiasts, Telegram’s potential could bring blockchain-based gaming even closer to mainstream adoption.