cryptonews.com
The popular sandbox video game Minecraft has banned non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain innovations from integrating with its platform. On the other hand, Japanese entertainment conglomerate Square Enix has announced its NFT project.
Mojang Studios, the Microsoft-owned developer behind Minecraft, announced Wednesday that the studio would not support NFTs and other blockchain innovations, citing fraud and digital exclusion.
“To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and inclusive experience, blockchain technologies are not permitted to be integrated inside our client and server applications, nor may Minecraft in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items, or other mods, be utilized by blockchain technology to create a scarce digital asset,” Mojang said.
Mojang added that some companies have recently created “NFT implementations that are associated with Minecraft world files and skin packs,” and that there could be Minecraft “collectible” NFTs, with players being able to earn them through activities performed on a server or outside the actual game.
The studio claimed that these practices promote digital scarcity and exclusion, which go against the values of Minecraft.
“NFTs are not inclusive of all our community and create a scenario of the haves and the have-nots,” Mojang said, adding that the speculative nature of NFTs “encourages profiteering.”
Meanwhile, in contrast to Mojang's harsh stance, Japanese entertainment conglomerate and video game company Square Enix has partnered with NFT platform Enjin (ENJ) to launch its digital collection of cards celebrating the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy 7, a 1997 role-playing video game.
Starting today, consumers will be able to pre-order a physical action figure at the Square Enix Store that comes with a code redeemable for an NFT. There will also be physical trading cards that similarly have a digital NFT component available for pre-order later this year.
"This partnership marks a coming-of-age phase for digital assets and entertainment; Square Enix, an esteemed developer with iconic intellectual property, is paving the way for the industry," Witek Radomski, Enjin CTO, was quoted as saying in a press release shared with Cryptonews.com.
The move comes after Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda said that NFTs and blockchain will be a "major trend" this year. In a New Year's letter, Matsuda argued blockchain games "are built upon the premise of a token economy and therefore hold the potential to enable self-sustaining game growth."
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