Hamster Kombat, the popular tap-to-earn game that has captivated over 300 million users, is now entangled in a legal battle involving its alleged creator, Eduard Gurinovich, and one of its first angel investors, Ad.ru, an IT holding company. According to a now-deleted article by Lenta.ru, a widely read Russian online newspaper, the conflict centers around the ownership and funding of Hamster Kombat, which was reportedly developed through a company named Arenum, where Ad.ru holds a 25% stake.
The Origins of the Dispute
Ad.ru invested $600,000 in Arenum, a company pitched to them in 2020 as a portal designed to offer games and esports to its visitors. However, by 2021, funding began to dwindle, leading Arenum to initiate a token offering that raised $10 million. Despite the significant capital influx, the funds were not shared with Ad.ru. Over the next two years, Arenum continued to develop its gaming platform, culminating in the launch of Hamster Kombat, which quickly garnered attention and acclaim.
The controversy erupted when Ad.ru’s CEO, Anton Gorshkov, claimed that while Gurinovich initially acknowledged Ad.ru’s involvement in the Hamster Kombat project, he later denied any connection.
Gorshkov stated, “At first, he said, don’t worry, by autumn there will be enough money for everyone. And then suddenly: You have nothing to do with the project. Yes, we used a team, but the name is different.“
Evidence of Involvement
Documents reviewed by Lenta.ru seem to confirm the relationship between Arenum and Hamster Kombat. The game’s domain was registered using an email associated with Arenum: [email protected], which reportedly belongs to Alexander Pasechnik, Arenum’s co-founder. This connection has further fueled the legal dispute, with Ad.ru planning to take the matter to court. Gorshkov emphasized their intent to seek justice, stating, “We have filed a pre-trial claim and naturally want to seek justice and defend our interests within the framework of the law, within the framework of the court.”
The Impact on Hamster Kombat
This legal battle comes on the heels of other challenges faced by Hamster Kombat, particularly regarding its much-anticipated $HMSTR token airdrop. Recently, the game experienced a significant drop in player numbers, with a 44% decline following the airdrop delay, as detailed in the articles “Hamster Kombat’s Players Drop 44% After Token Airdrop Delay“ and “Hamster Kombat: Airdrop Delays and User Engagement Crisis“. The ongoing legal issues could further complicate the situation, potentially leading to additional delays or even the cancellation of the airdrop.
Moreover, almost nothing had been known about Hamster Kombat’s founders prior to this legal dispute. The team had previously decided to remain anonymous, even rejecting numerous offers from venture capital firms. However, the emerging details from this case could shed new light on the game’s origins and development.
Looking Ahead
As Hamster Kombat navigates this legal challenge, the future of its token airdrop and broader platform development remains uncertain. The outcome of this case could have significant implications not only for the involved parties but also for the millions of players who continue to engage with the game. As the situation unfolds, the gaming and cryptocurrency communities will be closely watching for updates.
