Notes

'Minecraft' Studio Wants nothing to be Associated With NFTs

Don't expect to buy a creeper skin for 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. Pnp89 "[Toensure that Minecraft players have a safe and enjoyable experience, blockchain technology is not allowed to be integrated into our Minecraft client or server applications, nor can it be used to create NFTs associated to any in-game content including worlds and skins, persona objects, or any other mods," Mojang stated in an announcement. The developer will soon revise the guidelines for the game accordingly.



Minecraft provides a marketplace where users can sell their work to others. Mojang mentions that some companies recently began offering NFTs that are connected to the game. Some NFTs can be purchased in exchange for Minecraft skin packs or world files. The studio claimed it could be possible for players to earn Minecraft NFTs through activities they that they completed within the game or in other places. Mojang is not on board with any of that.



"Each of these applications of NFTs and other blockchain technologies result in digital ownership built on scarcity and exclusion, which does not align with Minecraft values of inclusion and creativity and playing with others," it said. "NFTs don't include all members of our community, and create a situation of the haves and nots."



Mojang rules allow Minecraft server owners to charge access fees, but everyone should be able to access the same functionality. The studio stated that NFTs can create exclusion and scarcity models that are not in line with our rules and the spirit of Minecraft.



Mojang also expressed concern over the speculative nature of NFTs and pointed out that some were sold at "artificially, fraudulently inflated prices." Given that Minecraft has millions of players in its youth and is a popular game, it's probably not an ideal idea for the game to allow NFTs. Mojang stated that NFTs are speculative pricing and investment mindset distracts players from the game and promotes profiteering. This is contrary to the long-term happiness of our players.



The studio and Microsoft the parent company, have every reason to be wary of blockchain technology or NFTs. There has been a significant backlash from the wider gaming community against these technologies. Another reason is that prices for cryptocurrency have plummeted and the NFT market is dwindling. Even the once-leader in the blockchain gaming space, Axie Infinity, was the victim of a major hack (with players losing money as a consequence) and its daily player numbers have fallen by more than two-thirds in the last few months.



Other major players in the gaming sector have also resisted NFTs or blockchain. Steam recently removed NFT trading and cryptocurrency-powered games in October. Sony recently announced the PlayStation rewards program that will include digital collectibles. However, the company stressed that they cannot be traded and the program does not include NFTs or the blockchain.



However, Mojang isn't completely rejecting the blockchain. The studio stated that it will be monitoring the evolution of the technology to "determine if it will allow for safer experiences or other practical and inclusive uses in gaming."


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