Even though the entire NFT phenomenon appears to be fading away, some companies, such as Square Enix, are still attempting to justify their partnership with a technology that exists only as a massive scam. Mojang is not one of them.
In a lengthy statement posted on Minecraft’s website, the team explains in great detail why they haven’t yet implemented blockchain technology and why they’ve decided to prohibit its use in Minecraft.
The majority of the post is an attack on the techs for promoting “digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which is incompatible with Minecraft’s values of creative inclusion and cooperative play.”
This section also clarifies why blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are prohibited in Minecraft. It states, “To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and welcoming experience, blockchain technologies cannot be integrated into our client and server applications. Also, Minecraft in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items, and other mods cannot be used to create a scarce digital asset using blockchain technology.”
The complete policy is provided below (their emphasis, not mine).
OUR POLICY ON NFTS AND MINECRAFT
In our Minecraft Usage Guidelines, we explain how a server owner can charge for access and ensure that all players have access to the same features. These rules are in place to ensure that Minecraft remains a place where everyone can enjoy the same experiences. NFTs, on the other hand, may establish models of scarcity and exclusion that are contrary to our rules and the spirit of Minecraft.
To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and welcoming experience, blockchain technologies are not permitted in our client and server applications. In-game Minecraft content, such as worlds, skins, persona items, and other mods, cannot be transformed into a scarce digital asset using blockchain technology. Here are the justifications.
Some businesses have recently begun using NFT for Minecraft world files and skin packs. Other ways that NFTs and blockchain could be used with Minecraft include creating collectible Minecraft NFTs, allowing players to earn NFTs by performing actions on a server, and rewarding players with Minecraft NFTs for performing actions outside of the game.
Each of these applications of NFTs and other blockchain technologies creates digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which is incompatible with Minecraft’s core values of inclusive creativity and cooperative play. NFTs exclude some members of our community and give the impression that some have and those who do not. How NFTs are priced and viewed as investments diverts attention from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we believe is detrimental to the long-term happiness and success of our players.
We are also concerned that certain third-party NFTs may be unreliable and cost players who purchase them. Some third-party NFT implementations rely solely on blockchain technology and may necessitate a manager of assets who may depart without notice. Occasionally, NFTs have been sold at prices that were artificially or fraudulently inflated. We recognize that what players create in our game has inherent value, and we strive to create a market that reflects this.
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for Minecraft players, blockchain technologies cannot be added to our client or server software, nor can they be used to create NFTs for any in-game content, such as worlds, skins, persona items, or mods. In addition, we will keep a close eye on how blockchain technology evolves over time to ensure that the aforementioned rules are adhered to and to determine whether it will make gaming more secure or have other beneficial and inclusive applications. However, there are currently no plans to implement blockchain technology into Minecraft.
