Minecraft Clears Policy On NFTs And Blockchain
- Minecraft has confirmed that it does not support blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs)
- Developer Mojang confirmed that players cannot use company material for NFTs
Microsoft’s Mojang-developed Minecraft has recently clarified that it does not welcome blockchain technologies and no-fungible tokens in or around the game series.
In a recent report released by developer Mojang, it addressed creators and players “actively involved in the buying, selling, or trading of NFTs that make use of the game “to outline the company’s views on how a user can (for the most part) not use their game.
The video game developer cited multiple risks in using the game to create and distribute NFTs, including security concerns, fraud, and forming a precedent of haves and have-nots on the game’s server.
“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 stated, while expressing its stance towards blockchain technology and NFTs.
The video game developer notes that some independent companies are attempting to use Minecraft as the foundation for developing and distributing NFTs, either through direct purchases or by earning them in- or outside-of-the-game. Mojang believes third-party NFTs “may not be reliable and may end up costing players who buy them”; therefore, that idea is off the table. The creator claims that rarity or exclusivity in Minecraft goes against its inclusive concept and cites fraudulent transactions and unfairly inflated prices of digital products.
While the game developer currently has no plans to implement blockchain technology into Minecraft, it said that it will “pay close attention to how blockchain technology evolves over time to ensure that the above principles are withheld and determine whether it will allow for more secure experiences or other practical and inclusive applications in gaming.”
Minecraft has endured more than ten years of gaming innovation and continues to be a highly regarded and popular title. As soon as the announcement came out, Twitter users who had read the entire statement started openly expressing their relief that Mojang does not currently have any plans for official Minecraft NFTs.
It would be interesting to see what path NFT Worlds and other blockchain projects related to Minecraft take. NFT Worlds, one of the biggest blockchain-focused NFT initiatives that have been interacting with the Minecraft ecosystem, has already made a statement about Mojang’s announcement on their official Discord channel.
It stated that the team would discuss the implications of this announcement with the game’s policy enforcement team but hinted at the possibility of being “truly banned because of the risk of C&D/DMCA/Lawsuit.” If that is the case, they added, the platform will “move forward,” including possible transitions to a gaming platform or GameFi platform as a service.
A crypto journalist with over 3 years of experience in DeFi, NFT, metaverse, etc. Parth has worked with major media outlets in the crypto and finance world and has gained experience and expertise in crypto culture after surviving bear and bull markets over the years.
