Catizen’s Airdrop Pass Sparks Backlash

The Telegram game Catizen has announced that its CATI token can now be used to obtain an Airdrop Pass, granting tickets to future airdrops. This news comes alongside the launch and initial airdrop of the CATI token on The Open Network (TON). While the move aims to create a sustainable economic model. It has stirred mixed reactions within the player community.

The Launch of CATI Token and Initial Airdrop

Catizen planned to reward players of its swipe-to-earn game with 15% of its total CATI token supply through an airdrop happening today. However, players expected a larger allocation. According to the game’s whitepaper, 34% was supposed to be set aside for airdrops. The discrepancy arose because Catizen reserved an additional 19% for a “quarterly season airdrop campaign,” now revealed to be distributed via the new Airdrop Pass.

Understanding the Airdrop Pass

“The remaining 19% will primarily be distributed through the Airdrop Pass,” Catizen announced on Twitter. “The Airdrop Pass will have a 90-day cycle, distributing 1% of tokens per season. Players can earn points by completing tasks. And the Airdrop Pass will display players’ points along with those of all Catizen players.”

This approach means Catizen has enough tokens to support 19 seasons over nearly five years. While future airdrops may include rewards from partner projects. The community’s initial disappointment stems from the unexpected shift in the token distribution plan.

Community Backlash and Concerns

Players voiced frustration upon learning the actual amount of CATI tokens they earned. Many had invested months grinding in the game. Hoping for a significant token reward. The dissatisfaction wasn’t just about the airdrop size; it also centered on changes to the airdrop criteria and a lack of transparency about how the token supply was divided.

Adjustments to Airdrop Criteria

As the airdrop approached, Catizen altered the weighting of its airdrop criteria after discovering some players were artificially boosting their earnings. While this move aimed to curb cheating. It inadvertently affected players who were legitimately investing time and effort into the game. This led to feelings of unfairness and mistrust within the community.

Catizen’s Response and Future Plans

In light of the backlash, Catizen acknowledged the community’s concerns. “We’ve listened and will implement a fully transparent distribution model for CATI in the Airdrop Pass season one,” the company posted on Twitter. The Airdrop Pass appears to be purchasable with CATI tokens. Providing a new use case for the coin. However, the exact cost remains unclear.

Aiming for Long-Term Sustainability

Tap-to-earn Telegram games like Catizen face the challenge of offering short-term incentives while striving for long-term viability. Previous projects, such as Notcoin, had to reinvent themselves to maintain player interest. Catizen’s introduction of the Airdrop Pass is an attempt to create an economic model that supports ongoing airdrops and sustains player engagement over the coming years.

Catizen’s launch of the Airdrop Pass marks a significant shift in how the game plans to distribute rewards and maintain its player base. While the initiative aims for sustainability, the initial rollout highlights the importance of clear communication and transparency with the community. As Catizen moves forward, players and industry observers will be watching to see how these changes impact the game’s ecosystem and player satisfaction.