The use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) in the immensely popular game Minecraft has sparked an ongoing debate. In July 2022, Mojang, the developer of Minecraft under Microsoft’s ownership, made an announcement regarding their intention to prohibit the use of NFTs on player-operated servers. However, despite the passage of almost a year, the implementation of this ban has yet to take effect. Nevertheless, Mojang remains resolute in their plans.
Minecraft’s Intention to Ban NFTs
Mojang is actively working towards updating the game’s usage guidelines to explicitly prohibit the utilization of NFTs. The developer has made it clear that they do not generally support or allow the integration of NFTs with Minecraft. The ban will primarily target the use of NFT assets that act as gatekeepers, limiting access to specific content or features on player-operated servers.
Mojang’s decision stems from their belief that NFTs and other blockchain technologies promote digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which contradicts Minecraft’s core values of creative inclusion and cooperative play. The developer also expresses concerns about the speculative pricing and investment mindset associated with NFTs, as they believe it deviates from the game’s central focus and encourages profit-seeking behavior.
The Status of the Ban
Although the ban has faced delays, a Microsoft representative has confirmed that the update to the official guidelines is still forthcoming, and there have been no changes to the planned policy. The exact timeline for implementation remains uncertain, but Mojang’s stance against the usage of NFTs in Minecraft remains resolute.
Impact of the Ban
The delayed ban has already had repercussions on third-party Web3 projects centered around Minecraft servers. A notable example is NFT Worlds, which had to adapt and create Topia, an original game visibly inspired by Minecraft but built from the ground up. This shift emphasizes the challenges faced by projects that relied on NFT integrations within the Minecraft ecosystem.
Mojang’s commitment to banning NFTs in Minecraft remains unwavering, despite the delay in implementation. The developer is dedicated to updating the game’s guidelines to restrict the use of NFTs in order to uphold Minecraft’s values of creative inclusion and discourage profit-driven behavior. As the ban approaches, the impact on third-party projects that had incorporated NFTs in Minecraft is already being felt. It will be fascinating to observe how the Minecraft community and its ecosystem adapt to the impending changes.
