GTA creator Rockstar Games bans NFTs and crypto
Videogame giant Rockstar has announced new user guidelines for its roleplaying servers, that effectively outlaw the buying and selling of blockchain products.
As reported by TechRadar, the new measures will have a particular effect on Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto Online servers. Some gamers had been using these servers, many of which are not officially supervised by Rockstar, to trade digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
However, Rockstar recently outlined its approach to roleplaying servers, saying:
“Rockstar Games has always believed in reasonable fan creativity and wants creators to showcase their passion for our games.”
The company then went on to explain that, going forward, its policy will more closely align with the one currently in place for the game’s single-player mods. This would see it clamp down hard on any servers that:
- Misuse Rockstar trademarks or IP;
- Engage in commercial exploitation, including the sale of “loot boxes,” the use of virtual currencies, and the trading of crypto assets;
- Interfere with its official online services, including GTA Online and Red Dead Online.
Among the affected servers was Trenches, a server set up by a rapper called Lil Durk which allowed players to purchase and sell items, including loot boxes, in-game properties, and vehicles.
Trenches was shut down on November 27 following a cease and desist order from Rockstar.
Rockstar is reportedly still on the hunt for other servers that break its rules.
Read more: Venture capitalists hate gaming but love play-to-earn token prices
A (confusing) new player has entered the game
It’s fair to say that the wider videogames industry is still undecided on exactly how to tackle the issue of crypto.
Online marketplace and gaming platform Steam has previously banned games that included a crypto element, saying it was uncomfortable with the legal and ethical concerns around promoting digital assets that may be worthless in years to come.
On the other hand, a number of prominent studios and publishers have supported the use of crypto in games. Among these are Ubisoft, which allows players to buy items in its Ghost Recon series, and Sega, which has referred to NFTs as the future of the industry.
And then there’s Take-Two Interactive, which just happens to be the owner of Rockstar Games. Take-Two said earlier this year, “We’re highly convinced there’s an opportunity for NFTs to fit with Take-Two’s offerings in the future.”
For more informed news, follow us on Twitter and Google News or listen to our investigative podcast Innovated: Blockchain City.