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The Web3 gaming industry is constantly booming all around the world. Games like Notcoin and TapSwap have turned simple Telegram interactions into massive crypto phenomena. Therefore, the race to develop the next viral Web3 game on Telegram is officially on.
However, building a successful Web3 game within the Telegram ecosystem requires specialized knowledge about the TON network and Telegram Mini Apps (TMAs). We're going to walk you through the essential features, the technical stack, and perhaps most importantly, what the development cost really looks like.
The answer is obvious: distribution is just a matter of seconds. With more than 900 million monthly active users, Telegram is the place where your game goes right away to a huge worldwide audience.
Moreover, Telegram Mini Apps (TMAs) eliminate the restriction of the app store permission process. So, your development team can have a quicker launch and an easier updating schedule.
Just imagine what it means: the entry barrier is almost non-existent for players. Users don't need to install an additional app; they can play directly in the chat interface, which makes adoption grow very fast.
Telegram Web3 Games are Decentralized Applications (dApps) that run seamlessly within the Telegram chat client, usually using the Telegram Web App (TWA) framework. In short, these are called 'Mini Apps.'
Basically, these games combine the comforting, simple experience from the point of view of a user of a messaging app with the revolutionary potential of the blockchain. As a result, they bring in features such as token rewards, asset ownership (NFTs), and verified decentralized transactions.
In order for a Telegram Web3 game to be successful, it has to leverage the distinctive integrations that are provided by the platform and the TON ecosystem. Below are the essential elements that you will require.
Seamless TON Wallet Integration
One of the ways by which players are given access to crypto is directly, and one must therefore wonder if integration with native TON wallets like Wallet in Telegram or Tonkeeper is necessary for managing in-game assets and rewards. Besides, a smooth connection is a way for users to be able to cater for gas fees (which are usually very low on the TON) and to be able to claim the tokens that they have earned without having to be in different places.
Native In-App Tokenomics
Web3 is mostly a 'Play-to-Earn' or 'Tap-to-Earn' system. Hence, your game should include a clear-cut utility token that can be used for staking, upgrading, or buying commodities.
NFT Asset Ownership
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are digital certificates of unique and less replaceable ownership of certain things like characters, skins, or land in the game. These tokens become the engine of a substantially new digital economy where players turn into the real holders of the shared virtual world.
Social and Referral Mechanics
Though Telegram is already a social platform, a referral program is a necessary and key feature of any social system that allows users to invite friends and get rewarded, thus speeding up viral growth exponentially.
Decentralized Smart Contracts
The essentials of any game, such as the sharing of rewards, the creation of new NFTs, and the regulation of asset transfers, have to be done through smart contracts, which are generally on the TON blockchain. This is the main mechanism that guarantees transparency and trust.
Secure and Fast Transactions
As fast as possible is how the game should be with the transaction finality happening in just a few moments. This is a perfect scenario for microtransactions which are typical in such games, and the high speed along with the low cost of the TON network are what make it possible.
These games are not developed through usual gaming engines, but rather a combination of lightweight web development and blockchain tools is utilized.
Frontend Development Stack
TWA framework is the Telegram Web App (TWA) SDK, which builds the interactive UI using JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue.js, rendering the Telegram window.
The Telegram Web App SDK (TWA SDK) is a set of very important APIs that grant communication with the Telegram client. For example, it can provide a user's ID or close the window.
Blockchain and Backend Tools
To make the smart contracts and game assets available, the TON Blockchain is the primary platform. As a result, developers have to write the optimized smart contracts in FunC or Tact.
Backend API for the game state and off-chain data is usually done in Node.js or Python and is connected to blockchain nodes in a secure way.
The cost of such a project depends on the complexity of the game. The complexity can range from a simple clicker game to a large-scale strategy game. However, one can figure out the necessary investment in such a project.
Phase 1: Discovery, Design, and Tokenomics Strategy
The very first phase, usually lasting 2-4 weeks, is about the game mechanic definition, token economy designing, and UI/UX wireframe creation. It is absolutely essential for the future success of the project.
The approximate expense of such a strategic stage is anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000, largely depending on how much work the economic modeling requires.
Phase 2: Core Development and Smart Contracts
This is the part of the project that most funds are allocated to. It is the part of the work that involves frontend TWA development, backend API creation, and, most importantly, writing and auditing the TON smart contracts.
On the one hand, a simple 'Tap-to-Earn' game development, such as a Notcoin clone, may take 8-12 weeks, and the cost will be approximately $50,000 to $80,000. On the other hand, a game with medium complexity, multiple mechanics and extensive NFT integration can cost $100,000 to $150,000 with a time duration of 12–20 weeks.
Phase 3: Testing, Auditing, and Deployment
One of the main things in Web3 is the security of the system. Therefore, one should have in their budget the costs of security audits for smart contracts, which will make it difficult for any exploits to happen later on.
The cost of this work is about $5,000 to $15,000, which is added to the total budget, and it depends on whether you choose to hire an external audit firm.
Summary of Telegram Web3 Game Development Cost
Basically, a high-end, secure Telegram Web3 game development cost with only basic features is about $65,000, and for such a game with high-fidelity graphics and complicated Web3 integrations, it can easily go beyond $150,000.
A team that just codes is not enough for you, but a team that really understands the TON ecosystem and viral growth mechanics is. That is exactly what we bring to the table.
We leverage our knowledge of the Telegram Mini App framework to make your game not only look native but also be efficient, which is very important for user retention. Besides that, we focus on the implementation of secure, audited smart contracts, as security is the main concern in the case of user funds.
On top of that, we don’t only create; we advise on tokenomics and growth strategies so that you can easily move around the crowded Web3 gaming market and shoot for the next viral hit.
A Telegram Web3 game is a fun one to make and can really take off. However, it requires a certain level of technical know-how in the TON and TWA environments. Keep in mind that integration should be seamless, tokenomics should be strong, and the social loop should be addictive.
The cost of developing a Telegram Web3 game is certainly high. But the ROI is much higher than the initial investment, because of quick user acquisition and crypto native monetization. If you are fascinated by the concept of Telegram Web3 games and want to develop one to take your gaming business to great heights, then hire our Telegram Web3 developers. Contact our experts and build your next Telegram Web3 success story.
I am a programmer & custom casino and sports software developer at Orion InfoSolutions, with a particular focus on creating high-performance, scalable, and compliant gaming software platforms.