In today's digital world, free games have become a popular form of entertainment, particularly on platforms like Telegram, which offers mini-app games. These games attract players with no upfront costs, in-game rewards, and social interactions, but behind the scenes lies a carefully crafted economic strategy.

The core business model of these games is not selling tokens directly for profit but driving engagement. By keeping players hooked, game developers create active communities that increase the game's visibility. The catch, however, is in the low value of the tokens. While players can earn tokens as rewards, these often have limited purchasing power, making it difficult to extract significant real-world value.

So why do developers keep the token prices low? First, it reduces their costs since they don't need to back the rewards with high-value assets. Second, it ensures the ecosystem continues to function—if tokens were too valuable, players might cash out quickly, draining the game's economy. By maintaining low token values, developers can keep the players invested in earning and spending within the game, rather than converting tokens into real money.

Moreover, these games often serve as data-gathering tools, allowing developers to analyze user behavior, preferences, and spending habits. This information is valuable to marketers and advertisers, who can then target users with more precision.

In essence, free games and low-priced tokens form part of a larger strategy: to build a captive, engaged audience while keeping operational costs low. Understanding this hidden economics can help users navigate these games more strategically, focusing on entertainment rather than financial gains.