The developer of Minecraft has banned NFTs from the game, saying they are against its values of inclusivity.
Mojang Studios’ decade-old creation is the most popular videogame of all time, shifting 238 million copies. Its open sandbox gives players free reign to create worlds and experiences. It is particularly popular with children.
“NFTs are not inclusive of all our community and create a scenario of the haves and have-nots,” a statement read.
“To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and inclusive experience, blockchain technologies are not permitted to be integrated inside our Minecraft client and server applications nor may they be utilised to create NFTs associated with any in-game content, including worlds, skins, persona items, or other mods.”
Highlighting concerns around quality control, fraud and NFTs sold at artificially inflated values, Mojang also said that the profiteering mindset around NFTs would tarnish players’ long-term enjoyment of the game.
Adding that it would pay “close attention” to how the technology evolves, it stated clearly: “We have no plans of implementing blockchain technology into Minecraft right now.”
Some companies and creators have launched NFT products associated with Minecraft world files and skin packs. Mojang also cited the creation of Minecraft collectible NFTs, which allow players to earn NFTs through activities in a server, or earning Minecraft NFT rewards for activities outside of the game.
It said these activities “create digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion” and go against the values of the platform.
It added that the need for some NFTs to use third-party asset managers meant there was a risk of players losing funds if that asset manager were to disappear.