HOW TO KNOW: a Web3 gaming project is about to RUG.

I hate doing long threads, so I’ll keep this short. Think of it as a checklist that might save you before investing in Web3 gaming.
I’ve been in Web3 gaming since before the peak of the Axie Infinity days, and honestly it’s getting worse.
▶️ Web3 gaming rugs almost always follow the same story and pattern:

1. Big KOLs start promoting it
2. KOLs show screenshots of huge profits
3. Too many “too good to be true” promises
4. Big accounts keep hyping the project
5. Price pumps hard… then sooner or later it gets rugged

▶️ To avoid getting rugged in Web3 gaming (number 6 is the most important):

1. Sell when big KOLs start promoting it (that’s often a sell signal)
2. If KOLs are tweeting big gains or pumps (Don’t enter. You’re already late)
3. Don’t buy gaming tokens in presale (the Web3 gaming industry is still a mess)
4. Sell fast and NEVER stake gaming tokens (staking almost never works)
5. Sell gaming token from airdrop
6. Block KOLs who constantly promote rug or scam games (avoid them ASAP)

▶️ Avoid Web3 gaming projects when:

1. The team doesn’t listen to the community (gaming is all about community)
2. Discord moderators act unprofessional or clueless
3. Founders or team members are constantly shilling memecoins or doing casino

There are many more signs, but these are some of the most common.
Web3 gaming can only recover if these ruggers disappear. Otherwise it will keep repeating the same story.
It often feels like they are all part of the same cycle:
Hype the project → rug it → REPEAT.