Concept & Provocation

In an era defined by algorithmic volatility and cultural attention spans measured in seconds, EthicoinCatcher emerges as both a provocation and a proof of concept. This browser-based microgame - free to access, frictional by design - offers more than nostalgic entertainment. It is, at its core, a tactical engagement platform for brand diffusion within the crypto-literate public.

Gameplay Mechanics

At surface level, the mechanic is deceptively simple. Players move laterally beneath a cascade of descending digital assets - Bitcoin, Ethereum, and, most notably, Ethicoin. Points accrue through successful catches.

Hazards - blunt, scarlet “X” symbols labelled as market crashes - terminate play instantly, deducting 150 points. The format is recognisably arcade in nature: short, intense, and unrelenting. The aesthetic is minimalist, but functionally sharp.

Coin frequencies are weighted. Ethicoins dominate the drop rate, reinforcing brand familiarity through repetition. Bitcoin and Ethereum appear less frequently, framing Ethicoin as both accessible and central. The increasing speed and object density introduce a skill curve that rewards player investment while preserving unpredictability.

The "Share-to-Play" Engine

This is more than gamified nostalgia. The user experience is deliberately shaped to prompt behavioural virality. After an initial three rounds, access is restricted unless the player shares the game via WhatsApp. Thereafter, the barrier reappears at five-game intervals, necessitating three new shares for re-entry.

In operational terms: the game converts players into distributors, trading attention for access without resorting to conventional monetisation or data extraction models. This "share-to-play" schema mirrors the dynamics of early mobile platform virality, embedding the distribution mechanism directly into the gameplay loop. Every interaction becomes both a personal challenge and a public signal - each share a tacit endorsement of the Ethicoin ecosystem.

Technical & Strategic Edge

Client-side storage ensures continuity between sessions, preserving both performance data and share-status locally. No downloads, no blockchain logins - just browser-based persistence. This design choice prioritises immediacy and minimal friction, optimising for reach over retention.

From a strategic communication standpoint, EthicoinCatcher is less a game than a controlled exposure vector - an experimental node at the confluence of decentralised culture, behavioural economics, and digital marketing. It does not merely depict the crypto ethos; it enlists the user in its replication.

Visual Transmission

Engage with the EthicoinCatcher experience visually. Optimized for vertical viewing.

System Parameters & Access

• Game: EthicoinCatcher Microgame
• Type: Browser-Based Arcade
• Goal: Catch Ethicoin (High Freq.), BTC, ETH; Avoid Crash Hazards (X)
• Mechanic: Share-to-Play via WhatsApp (3 free plays initially)
• Purpose: Ethicoin Brand Awareness & Tactical Diffusion
• Platform: Web Browser (Desktop & Mobile)
• Cost: Free (Requires Sharing for extended play)
• Access: ethicoin.org/games/ethicoincatcher.html

Summary Assessment: EthicoinCatcher functions as a lightweight arcade game and a high-efficiency brand amplifier. It uses minimal code to maximum effect, leveraging platform-native behaviours (social sharing) to build awareness and engagement. Its design reflects both restraint and intent, aligning playful interaction with tactical outreach.