NFTs (Non-fungible Tokens) are relatively new "commodities" that take advantage of the emerging blockchain technology. They can be created from almost any online file type, but they are predominantly featured as JPEGs. NFTs have sparked a lot of controversy among people. Many supporters of the technology point out the potential of blockchain and its implication for the future. However, opponents have brought up the numerous racketeering and speculation practices that often surround the technology, and it has been suggested that they have a negative impact on the environment.
Despite the controversy, NFTs have been growing in popularity in recent years, and they have started to creep up into the video game industry. Many Triple-A developers and indie studios have begun looking at ways to implement NFTs into video games. Naturally, this has caused a lot of gamers to question NFTs' implications, and some have been extremely vocal about their worry and distaste for them. The studio behind Minecraft, Mojang, recently announced that NFTs will have no place in Minecraft, and that creates a massive precedent for any developers looking to support NFTs.
Mojang announced in a blog post on July 20, that NFTs would not be supported by the studio in any form. The post goes on to state that not only will Mojang not incorporate them into the game, but NFTs will not be allowed on any Minecraft server. Mojang's outright denial of NFT support is fantastic. Several studios have already made plans to incorporate NFTs into games in some way or another. Other studios have not directly vocalized support for the technology but have not dismissed them either. Most studios on the fence with the issue have stated that NFTs will be included when the studio feels the technology is right or worth implementing. By directly denying support, Mojang has shown that a direct answer on the subject is the best course of action.
The precedent Mojang has set goes far beyond a direct statement. Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time and it has millions of fans around the world. The game also has a virtual world that seems to be the exact type of game environment several NFT companies look for to promote the technology. On one hand, it shows that Mojang wants to make inclusion a priority for Minecraft. In the blog post, Mojang stated that NFTs are inherently exclusive, and they create a divide between players who have and have not. Similarly, it shows that Mojang is not afraid to alienate some Minecraft players who support NFTs.
While it is unclear if Mojang's parent company Microsoft supports the studio's decision, it is refreshing to see a studio seemingly place players and the game above potential profit or unnecessary technology. If Mojang can deny NFTs being put into a game, then any studio has that power. Unfortunately, not a lot of studios have the same mindset. Regardless, Mojang's stance should inspire other developers to put players' needs and wants above the inclusion of NFTs. All social games should treat players as equals and judge them on skill rather than a player's bank account.
It is extremely likely that NFTs will creep into more video games, and there will always be studios that care more about profit than players. There are studios who are staunchly opposed to the notion too. It will fall to players to decide if they want to support the technology or not. Player support, without a doubt, makes or breaks a game. Regardless, NFT racketeers will still present the technology to any game studio that might potentially buy in, but Mojang has shown that sometimes it is best to just say no.