Iranian officials have criticised the blockchain game 'Hamster Kombat' as a potential tool for soft power, suggesting it could divert attention from the upcoming presidential elections. Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of Iran's military, expressed concern that the game's growing popularity could serve Western interests. Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a religious authority, has also condemned cryptocurrencies, labelling them fraudulent. These remarks underscore broader economic challenges in Iran, exacerbated by sanctions and hyperinflation, where the exchange rate has reached 1 USD to 580,000 Iranian rial. Despite such criticisms, blockchain gaming, exemplified by successes like Axie Infinity, has emerged as a significant economic opportunity for players in developing countries, offering substantial earnings and support through organised gaming guilds. However, blockchain gaming faces hurdles in achieving mainstream adoption, with a majority of global respondents unaware of its existence or hesitant to engage due to concerns over token utility and gameplay quality compared to traditional platforms.