A 14-year-old teenager in the Tyumen region was admitted to a hospital after showing signs of a mental health issue linked to playing a mobile game called Hamster Kombat, according to local media reports.
Investigators say the youth set alarms every three hours to collect virtual coins, chasing higher scores and more rewards. This pattern disrupted his sleep for an extended period, and the lack of rest led to episodes of confusion and hallucinations.
Family members confirmed that the teen aimed to achieve the highest possible score. Because his health deteriorated, he received care at a private medical facility where he remained under medical supervision.
Officials described his condition as stable and indicated he is now on the path to recovery.
Hamster Kombat is a mobile clicker game in which players poke virtual hamsters to earn in-game currency. The game also includes a background coin collection feature that runs for a limited three-hour window, after which players must re-enter the game to claim the accumulated coins.
Developers have announced plans to release their own cryptocurrency for players in the coming month. The amount of cryptocurrency that any player might receive would be tied to the overall activity and momentum of the game characters, described as the hamsters’ pumping.
Earlier reporting by Socialbites.ca raised questions about whether money can be earned from Hamster Kombat and similar clicker games on messaging platforms like Telegram.
Attribution: The information above reflects reported statements from local media and subsequent coverage by technology and gaming news outlets. Further updates and official health guidance are provided by city and regional health authorities as the situation develops.