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'Minecraft' Studio Wants nothing to have to do With NFTs
Don't expect to buy a creeper skin as an NFT (non-fungible token) and plug it into your Minecraft server in the near future. Mojang has taken a firm stance against the popular game's use of NFTs and blockchain technology. "[To] ensure that Minecraft players enjoy a secure and inclusive experience, blockchain technology is not permitted to be used into our Minecraft client and server applications as well as utilized to create NFTs associated with any in-game content, such as skins, worlds personal items, or any other mods," the developer said in a statement. The developer will soon revise the game's guidelines accordingly.
Minecraft has an online marketplace where users can sell their creations to others to use. Mojang states that some companies recently started offering NFTs which are linked to the game. There are NFTs associated with Minecraft skin packs and world files that users can purchase. According to the studio, it was possible for players in Minecraft to earn Minecraft NFTs through activities done in the game or in other places. Mojang isn't on board with any of this.
"Each of these uses of NFTs and other blockchain technologies creates digital ownership built on scarcity and exclusion which is not in line with Minecraft values of inclusion and creativity and playing with others," it said. MINECRAFT USERNAMES "NFTs do not include all members of our community and create a situation of haves and have-nots."
While Minecraft server owners are able to charge for access, Mojang rules state that everyone should have access the same functionality and content. "NFTs however, could create models of scarcity and exclusion that do not conform to our guidelines and the spirit of Minecraft," the studio said.
Mojang also expressed concerns about the uncertain nature of NFTs and pointed out that some have been sold at "artificially or fraudulently high prices." It's not a good idea to allow Minecraft to allow NFTs due to its millions of young players. "The speculative pricing and investment mindset surrounding NFTs takes the focus away from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we believe is incompatible with the long-term happiness and achievement of our players," Mojang said.
The studio and its parent company Microsoft have a valid reasons to be cautious about blockchain technology and NFTs. One reason is that there is a huge backlash from the broader gaming community against those technologies. In addition, the prices of cryptocurrency have dropped dramatically and the NFT market has dried up. The former leader in the world of blockchain gaming, Axie Infinity, was the victim of a massive hack (with victims losing out as a result) and its daily player numbers have dropped by more than two thirds in the last few months.
Other major gamers have also rejected NFTs or the blockchain. In October of last year, Steam banned games that enable cryptocurrency and NFT trading. Sony recently announced the PlayStation rewards program that includes digital collectibles. However, the company stressed that they cannot be traded and that the program doesn't involve NFTs or blockchain technology.
Mojang doesn't necessarily reject blockchain. The studio has said that it will monitor the evolution of the technology to "determine whether it will allow for more secure experiences or other practical and inclusive applications in gaming."