Mojang rejects NFTs and blockchain tech in ‘Minecraft’ while Square Enix has launched an NFT project featuring a ‘FFVII’ character. — Pixabay
In an update on their website, Minecraft developer Mojang Studios have said that NFTs and blockchain technologies will not be allowed in any way, shape, or form in the sandbox creation game.
The blogpost outlined how the integration of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) would directly conflict with the existing Minecraft Usage Guidelines – specifically on the topic of inclusivity and safety.
“Each of these uses of NFTs and other blockchain technologies creates digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which does not align with Minecraft values of creative inclusion and playing together,” the company wrote.
They also added that the investment mentality associated with blockchain technology along with the unreliability of third-party NFT asset managers would harm player enjoyment and put them in financial risk.
Of course, Minecraft is no stranger to allowing for monetisation by members of the community.
The company’s guidelines allow players and server owners to charge for mods and cosmetics, and even require fees for access to privately hosted servers – provided the terms and conditions are adhered to and all players are charged equally.
In stark contrast to how Minecraft’s Mojang Studios are tackling the question of NFTs and the blockchain, Square Enix has taken an entirely different stance.
The Final Fantasy developer and publisher announced an action figure of Final Fantasy VII main character “Cloud Strife”, which includes a higher-priced option that also comes with a digital certificate of authenticity and an NFT version of the figure.
This is being done in a collaboration between Square Enix and blockchain company Enjin; requiring buyers to create an account on the NFT platform and use their wallet app for redemption.
According to Square Enix’s store page, the base version of the figure will cost US$129.99 (RM579), while the one including the digital certificate and NFT is priced at US$159.99 (RM713).
The release of the figure will be sometime in November 2023, which should be right before the Winter launch of the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Similar to Mojang’s reaction to NFTs and blockchain, video game-distribution giant Valve has also previously updated their policy on titles not allowed to be published on their Steam platform, explicitly barring those built on blockchain tech, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs.
