Valve, the operator of the popular game distribution platform Steam has banned games that feature blockchain technology or NFTs from the platform. Games that use blockchain technology or let users exchange NFTs or cryptocurrencies won’t be allowed, according to a rule added to Valve’s “What you shouldn’t publish on Steam” list.
The change was pointed out by a developer who goes by the name SpacePirate on Twitter who said that that Blockchain games as a whole are going to be removed. He does go on to say that he “fundamentally believe[s] that NFTs and blockchain games are the future.” SpacePirate is a developer of the game Age of Rust, an indie adventure game that is scheduled for release later this year.
We chose to be upfront about blockchain gaming & NFTs. As a result, we finally lost the battle with Steam. While I'm disappointed for Age of Rust being removed, the point is more to the fact that Blockchain games as whole are going to be removed. This is setback for all.
— Age of Rust (@SpacePirate_io) October 14, 2021
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Meanwhile, Steam competitor Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney was quick to respond to Valve’s announcement where he said Epic as a platform “welcomes the new innovation.” “Epic Games Store will welcome games that make use of blockchain tech provided they follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group,” Sweeney tweeted.
Epic Games Store will welcome games that make use of blockchain tech provided they follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group. Though Epic's not using crypto in our games, we welcome innovation in the areas of technology and finance. https://t.co/6W7hb8zJBw
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) October 15, 2021
On September 30, the CEO of Satoshis Games said that their blockchain-based game Light Nite was pulled from Steam. “NFTs and crypto games were allowed until a few weeks ago in Steam but sadly this apparently have changed. Steam has let us know that they will not be shipping crypto or NFTs games and they have retired the APP from the admin section,” a blog post from Satoshi Games read.
Blockchain and NFT-centred games have gained tremendous popularity recently from users as well as investors. Earlier this month, NFT gaming platform Parallel raised US$50 Mn at a US$500 Mn valuation. Parallel is a sci-fi card game based on the Ethereum blockchain. Last Wednesday, Animoca Brands, a Hong Kong-based blockchain gaming, A.I., metaverse, and non-fungible token (NFT) company, announced a capital raise of US$65 million at a pre-money valuation of US$2.2 billion. Play-to-Earn crypto game MonkeyBall recently raised $3 Mn in a seed round.