Steam bans games that allow cryptocurrency and NFT trading
Steam will no longer allow the posting of games that allow NFT (non-playable tokens) and cryptocurrencies to be traded via blockchain. Steam's page for Steamworks users and partners now states that they must not publish "applications built on blockchain technology that release or allow the exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs" on Steam. This rule was added at some point after October 6, according to a version of the page cached by Google.
Some developers have spoken out about the rule. SpacePirate Games, the studio that creates a sci-fi action game called Age of Rust, said Valve is removing blockchain games from Steam "because NFT have value." Some puzzles in Age of Rust, which is in development, will reward players NFT as achievements.
Community: A few minutes ago, we were notified that @Steam will be kicking *all blockchain games* off the platform, including Age of Rust, because NFTs have value. Behind the scenes, we've had good communication and have been upfront with Steam. #blockchaingames #NFT
- Age of Rust (@SpacePirate_io) October 14, 2021
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"Steam's point of view is that such items have value, and they are not allowing items that may have real value on their platform," said a SpacePirate representative. The developer plans to publish the game elsewhere.
It's unclear how many games already on Steam will be affected. A search for the words "NFT" and "cryptocurrency" yields 14 and 64 results, respectively. However, not all of them necessarily allow you to trade in the real world. Crypto Mining Simulator, for example, allows you to imagine that you're mining cryptocurrency, which in itself is a pretty delusional idea.
Source: steamgames, engadget
Illustration: steampowered
