NFTs in Gaming: Overcoming the Skepticism and Negative Reactions

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have garnered significant attention within the gaming industry in recent years. Many game publishers have considered incorporating NFTs into their games, but some have backed away from the idea due to negative reactions from the gaming community.

General Public’s Negative Backlash

One example of an event with a terrible reaction from the public was Discord CEO Jason Citron’s tease of NFT integration for the chat app in 2021. The announcement was met with a barrage of negative comments from users who threatened to cancel their Nitro subscriptions if NFTs were implemented. Citron later claimed that the screenshot was just an “internal concept” and that the company had no plans to actually implement NFTs. It’s possible that Citron and other game publishers have been deterred by the backlash they received and are hesitant to pursue NFT integration.

In addition to the negative reactions from the gaming community, the proliferation of quick money-grab schemes and play-to-earn projects in the NFT space has also contributed to the skepticism surrounding these types of games. Many of these projects are aggressively marketed on social media platforms such as Tiktok, leading to a general mistrust of NFT games in the minds of the general public.

Logan Paul’s NFT game CryptoZoo

One recent example of an NFT game that has come under fire is Logan Paul’s CryptoZoo. This game, which allows players to buy virtual coins to purchase NFT eggs that hatch into animals, has been labeled as a crypto scam that has resulted in the loss of millions of dollars from investors. Incidents like these only serve to further damage the reputation of NFT games in the eyes of the general public.

Game Publishers on Pursuing NFT Integration

It is evident that a lot of companies are shying away on NFTs and  blockchain technology in general. An example is Apple implementing stricter rules for its app store. Apple will only authorize cryptocurrency transactions in countries where digital asset exchanges are allowed to operate.

Game companies may be backing away from NFTs due to negative reactions from the gaming community, but there are still some companies actively pursuing the incorporation of NFTs and blockchain technology into their games. By creating engaging gameplay and seamlessly integrating NFTs, these games can appeal to a wider audience and potentially attract mainstream gamers.

Ubisoft, for example, has added NFTs to its live-service shooter Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint in the form of in-game cosmetic items called Digits. These items have unique serial numbers and can be bought, sold, and resold at approved resellers.

Square Enix is another publisher that has expressed interest in the potential of NFTs and blockchain technology. In a year-end letter, the company’s president stated that blockchain gained significant recognition as a field in 2022 and that Square Enix is committed to exploring the possibilities of these technologies in the entertainment industry.

Other publishers such as EA and Take-Two have also shown interest in incorporating NFTs and blockchain technology into their games. It seems that, despite some negative reactions from the gaming community, there is still a desire among game publishers to explore the potential of NFTs and blockchain technology in the gaming industry.

Epic Games vs Steam

Another side to look at is Valve and Epic Games’ approach to blockchain games. While Valve has banned developers from publishing games that use blockchain technology and NFTs on its Steam platform, Epic Games has taken a different approach. The company has confirmed that it is open to selling games that use these technologies through its Epic Games Store. 

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney stated that the company welcomes innovation in the areas of technology and finance, and will allow the sale of such games as long as they follow relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by the appropriate group. 

This difference in approach highlights the ongoing debate within the gaming industry about the potential and practicality of using NFTs and blockchain technology in games.

NFT Games’ Selling Point

So, how can NFT games attract a mainstream audience? One way is by making the integration of NFTs seamless and intuitive for players. 

The portable nature of the Game Boy allowed it to stand out among other gaming platforms, as players could use it while traveling or on the go. This dictated the types of games that were successful on the platform, as developers had to consider the portable nature of the device when creating games. In the same way, NFTs have their own unique characteristics that can enhance the gameplay experience for players.

Playing the Gameboy while traveling

By leveraging these characteristics and creating engaging gameplay, NFT games can attract mainstream gamers who are just looking for fun and enjoyable experiences. Such characteristics are:

1. NFTs provide ownership and scarcity of in-game items

This feature adds value and prestige to in-game items. For example, if a player owns an NFT weapon or armor in a game, it can make that player feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in owning a rare and valuable in-game item.

1.  Collecting and Trading 

NFTs can also enable new gameplay mechanics and encourage player engagement. For example, an NFT game could allow players to collect and trade virtual creatures, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities.

1. Cross Game Interoperability

NFTs can facilitate cross-game interoperability, allowing players to use their in-game items and assets across multiple games. 

One example of a game that features cross-game interoperability is the Enjin-powered game The Six Dragons. In this game, players can collect and trade NFT weapons and armor, which can be used not only in The Six Dragons, but also in other Enjin-powered games.

Another example is Axie Infinity, featuring cross-game interoperability among its other games such as Origins, Raylights, DoLL, and HomeLand. 

Mainstream Gamers: Important Takeaway

It’s important to remember that mainstream gamers will eventually play mainstream games that just happen to be connected to the blockchain. They are not likely to suddenly flock to new, unfamiliar games just because they are built on blockchain technology. Instead, they will continue to play the best and most enjoyable games, regardless of whether they are connected to the blockchain or not.

Conclusion

The negative reactions to NFTs from the gaming community, as well as the proliferation of quick money-grab schemes and play-to-earn projects, have likely contributed to the skepticism surrounding these types of games. Mainstream game publishers may be hesitant to pursue NFT integration due to the potential backlash they could receive on social media and their brand’s reputation..

It is important for NFT games to focus on creating compelling gameplay that takes advantage of the benefits of NFTs without incessantly pushing it in order to attract a wider audience. With the right combination of NFT integration and engaging gameplay, NFT games have the potential to become a mainstream success.