Telegram-based tap-to-earn game W-Coin has introduced a controversial policy that punishes players who have been inactive for three days by burning 5% of their token supply each day until they log back in.
The move, announced ahead of the game’s token launch and airdrop on The Open Network (TON) last December, sparked controversy among players.
Developers claim the policy aims to foster an active player base, but critics have questioned its fairness.
Source: W-CoinDetails of the inactivity rule
W-Coin’s new inactivity rule applies to any player who fails to log in for three consecutive days, resulting in their token holdings being reduced by 5% each day until they return. According to W-Coin’s announcement, this move is intended to ensure that only active participants influence the in-game economy, while also potentially increasing the value of the token ahead of its December launch.
However, this policy turned out to be unusually strict compared to similar games in the same genre. For example, X Empire, another tap-to-earn game, allows players a 30-day inactivity period before tokens are affected. W-Coin’s three-day limit has raised concerns among players, especially regular users who are unable to log in every day.
Premium players who subscribe to the W-Galaxy tier are exempt from inactivity burn. W-Galaxy subscriptions are available in two tiers: Lite and Complete, priced at 149 and 249 respectively. Stars, the Telegram-based virtual currency used in the game, are sold in bundles starting at 250 stars for £5.94, which has the effect of making inactive immunity a paid perk.
Source: W-CoinUpcoming token launches and airdrops
This policy comes as W-Coin prepares to launch its token on TON in December, followed by a massive airdrop that will distribute 70% of the total token supply to eligible players. To determine quotas, W-Coin conducted a “snapshot” in October, a process that records player data and progress on chain. Final snapshots are expected closer to release.
The airdrop is an important milestone for the game, and the developers emphasize the importance of rewarding active and engaged players. But the stringent inactivity penalty drew mixed reactions.
While some players appreciate the potential for token value to increase due to supply reduction, others feel the policy unfairly punishes casual participation in a genre with low commitment requirements.