Minecraft rejects NFTs as they ‘do not align with its values’

Game developer Mojang has ruled out the possibility of integrating NFTs with its popular game Minecraft, saying NFTs and blockchain technologies “create scarcity and exclusion” that conflict with the game’s spirits.

“Integrations of NFTs with Minecraft are generally not something we will support or allow,” Mojang, a subsidiary of Microsoft, said in a June 20 statement responding to gamers’ request for a clarification regarding its stance on NFTs. 

The reason not to permit blockchain technologies to be integrated inside its client and server applications was to ensure a safe and inclusive experience for Minecraft players, the studio said. It also rejected ideas of using the blockchain technology in in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items or other mods. 

Mojang noted that some companies had recently launched NFT implementations that are associated with Minecraft world files and skin packs. Some also created Minecraft collectible NFTs and allow players to earn NFTs through activities outside the game.

“Each of these uses of NFTs and other blockchain technologies creates digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which does not align with Minecraft values of creative inclusion and playing together,”  Mojang said. 

“NFTs are not inclusive of all our community and create a scenario of the haves and the have-nots.” 

The studio expressed concern over the reliability of some third-party NFTs, as well as instances of artificially or fraudulently inflated prices. These might end up costing players who buy them, it said. 

“The speculative pricing and investment mentality around NFTs takes the focus away from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we think is inconsistent with the long-term joy and success of our players,” Mojang said.

The studio is updating its Minecraft usage guidelines to cover new technologies.

An example of third-party Minecraft servers, the Polygon-based NFT Worlds sells NFTs of virtual land that can be used in custom Minecraft servers. The total value of NFTs it has traded so far is estimated at US$163 million.