Steam bans blockchain games

[hatshepsut93]

Since when "real" money is not being traded for all short of game items? Why is this different from, for example, paying a large sum for a "Black Lotus" in the game Magic, or buying Warhammer figurines? The fact that transactions take place in crypto and that the items out there are digital should not confused with scams. This comment should really be revised as it puts all crypto on the same sack.

Because some of these blockchain games are akin to ICO scams - the devs are selling tokens that should be representing items in a finished game, but then the game is never released, or is released in a very raw state and a lot of the promised features are missing. Steam didn't just ban games that feature crypto payments, they banned games based around tokens, because these games are primarily used for speculative investing.

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[batang_bitcoin]

There's still a blockchain game in Steam, Mir4. But the twist is there's no more reward from playing it. So if somebody who looks for a play to earn game in Steam and finds Mir4. It's no longer the same as before and this update made them remove the reward system if you're launching the game through Steam. That's why they have a separate client and launching if you're going to play this game. I don't play this game, I've just read it in different forums when I've seen this update.

[pinggoki]

I guess what we gamers can only benefit from blockchain is the security itself. I don't think decentralized servers are really needed considering the fact that as OP said, centralized game servers work just as it was intended to albeit with some issues in latency at times. Then again nothing that is not really unfixable and detrimental to the experience of a gamer except for hacking and unauthorized access, which as I said we could integrate the same concept blockchain operates in to offer gamers who have put enormous amounts of time and sometimes money some peace of mind that nobody but them and their authorized users will be able to get their hands on their prized possessions.

There's still a blockchain game in Steam, Mir4. But the twist is there's no more reward from playing it. So if somebody who looks for a play to earn game in Steam and finds Mir4. It's no longer the same as before and this update made them remove the reward system if you're launching the game through Steam. That's why they have a separate client and launching if you're going to play this game. I don't play this game, I've just read it in different forums when I've seen this update.

Too bad, just as I was about to play it because I was intrigued of the earning aspect of the game. Then again I think the game works well on its own even without the earning feature and as long as items are marketable, people could still make money from it by selling such items on the marketplace much like how DOTA 2 item sets work. That way even without the intervention of blockchain or cryptocurrency, there's still some money earning aspect the game has and its players could enjoy.

[batang_bitcoin]

There's still a blockchain game in Steam, Mir4. But the twist is there's no more reward from playing it. So if somebody who looks for a play to earn game in Steam and finds Mir4. It's no longer the same as before and this update made them remove the reward system if you're launching the game through Steam. That's why they have a separate client and launching if you're going to play this game. I don't play this game, I've just read it in different forums when I've seen this update.

Too bad, just as I was about to play it because I was intrigued of the earning aspect of the game. Then again I think the game works well on its own even without the earning feature and as long as items are marketable, people could still make money from it by selling such items on the marketplace much like how DOTA 2 item sets work. That way even without the intervention of blockchain or cryptocurrency, there's still some money earning aspect the game has and its players could enjoy.

Yes, they can still make money from in game items if they want to and look elsewhere for its marketplace. But most of its players are for its draco and farming, I don't know the whole details of it and that's why on its Steam client, there will be lesser players.
Those players that are on it for the draco will just have to download and go through with the main client (not from Steam) so that they can still continue playing the game and be rewarded.

[Victorycoin]

Blockchain games focusing on creating an ecosystem brings together a community of content creators to develop strategies for using digital resources in their games and projects the vapor policy does not allow blockchain games to include their vapor. It is strictly forbidden blockchains typically provide cryptocurrency and digital asset developers with new ways to empower players with new levels of value creation and transfers by funding their games, adding economies to real value in games.

[finaleshot2016]

https://twitter.com/SpacePirate_io/status/1448713803680473089

Steam decided to kick all blockchain games because they tend to feature real money trading for in-game items.

IMO this is a good decision, at the current state blockchain games are just another vehicle for speculative investments and even scams, and unsuspecting people shouldn't be lured into them.

And I can't agree that blockchain is the future for gaming, I'm a gamer myself and I never thought "Oh how I fish this game was running on blockchain". I never had any problems with centralized game servers, so why fix what is not broken? Especially since it's the blockchain that has problem like high fees, bugs in smart contracts, confirmation times. Not to mention that introducing real money into games tends to leading into very poor ecosystem.

IMO, Blockchain games will be a significant problem for Steam if more blockchain games are adopted, because reviews for the game will be focused on how much they can earn on that p2e game rather than how wonderful it is. Steam is a respectable gaming platform, so if there are any more blockchain games that aren't truly designed for the sake of gaming, it's likely that they don't fit the quality of games on Steam. Some are now using steam to make it more intriguing and trustworthy because the word steam is included on their website, but there is still a potential that it may turn out to be a fraud, and steam will be held responsible for that scam.

So for me, it's really a good decision from steam.

[cheezcarls]

Speaking of that, I remember that Chainmonsters is about to launch their play-to-earn game on Steam. But since Steam announced the ban, looks like Chainmonsters are gonna stick to being a standalone game that doesn’t rely on any game engine (unless someone out there is building a Steam-like game engine that is exclusive only to blockchain games).

I’ve read a post somewhere on Facebook that “Steam is gonna regret their decision to ban blockchain and NFT games”. I also see that MIR4 is on Steam, so I don’t know what future holds for them. If they wanted to remain on Steam, they should remove their play to earn feature which lets us earn real money or else they get booted instantly.

There’s also a crypto game called “Crypto Against All Odds” which is similar to Plants vs Zombies tower defense game on Steam. However, this one is acceptable by Steam because you play for fun and not earning real money or NFTs here.

[uneng]

There's still a blockchain game in Steam, Mir4. But the twist is there's no more reward from playing it. So if somebody who looks for a play to earn game in Steam and finds Mir4. It's no longer the same as before and this update made them remove the reward system if you're launching the game through Steam. That's why they have a separate client and launching if you're going to play this game. I don't play this game, I've just read it in different forums when I've seen this update.

Too bad, just as I was about to play it because I was intrigued of the earning aspect of the game. Then again I think the game works well on its own even without the earning feature and as long as items are marketable, people could still make money from it by selling such items on the marketplace much like how DOTA 2 item sets work. That way even without the intervention of blockchain or cryptocurrency, there's still some money earning aspect the game has and its players could enjoy.

Just download it directly from the official website, forget about Steam. Players are having a lot of issues when using Steam as middleman to play MIR4. I've seen many issues with accounts being banned and purchased packages not arriving in the accounts when playing through Steam. Playing directly from the official launcher there isn't any issues.

However the game is infested with bots, hackers and the most toxic kinds of players you can expect from an online game. It's the most complete blockchain game so far though, and worth a try.

[sana54210]

IMO this is a good decision, at the current state blockchain games are just another vehicle for speculative investments and even scams, and unsuspecting people shouldn't be lured into them.

And I can't agree that blockchain is the future for gaming, I'm a gamer myself and I never thought "Oh how I fish this game was running on blockchain". I never had any problems with centralized game servers, so why fix what is not broken? Especially since it's the blockchain that has problem like high fees, bugs in smart contracts, confirmation times. Not to mention that introducing real money into games tends to leading into very poor ecosystem.

I do not understand all this hate towards the blockchain games. I mean we are in a situation where we should be getting used to doing stuff like this already and steam should accept it as well. If we are in a situation if people are willing to spend money on stuff then it would mean that we are talking about something profitable for steam as well. What is wrong with Steam that they would be willing to say no towards something that would be profitable for them.

I do understand if there was something illegal, but they are doing even nudity including games as well like hentai type of games where there are naked people in the game and the theme of it is adult as well, it is not really a game. If they are willing to get something like that listed then it doesn't make sense that they would ban something like blockchain games because it looks quite a lot more legal if you ask me.

[darewaller]

Speaking of that, I remember that Chainmonsters is about to launch their play-to-earn game on Steam. But since Steam announced the ban, looks like Chainmonsters are gonna stick to being a standalone game that doesn’t rely on any game engine (unless someone out there is building a Steam-like game engine that is exclusive only to blockchain games).

I’ve read a post somewhere on Facebook that “Steam is gonna regret their decision to ban blockchain and NFT games”. I also see that MIR4 is on Steam, so I don’t know what future holds for them. If they wanted to remain on Steam, they should remove their play to earn feature which lets us earn real money or else they get booted instantly.

There’s also a crypto game called “Crypto Against All Odds” which is similar to Plants vs Zombies tower defense game on Steam. However, this one is acceptable by Steam because you play for fun and not earning real money or NFTs here.

That idea could be insanely awesome. Think about a platform like steam, but it is to play games in the blockchain world. All those NFT play-to-earn type of stuff could get listed there, it could have greenlight situation going on that players could decide and so forth. That way you would both have workshop type of place where instead of selling the game itself, people could sell NFT's of the game.

You would have both a place to start any game, "buy" them or just download them since almost all of them are free, then you would have a market like opensea in it, and you could just use that to start the game by clicking on it, then close it, and move to next game and it would all be there in a library.

It saves you from both having multiple games in different folders and put them all in the same place, it helps you build a profile for yourself which goes beyond just one game, and it allows you to have a marketplace at the same time. That idea could be a billion dollar idea, I have zero investment possibility and not a coder so I can't do it, but anyone that can execute it perfectly could get rich beyond his wildest dreams, it is literally awesome idea.

[dezoel]

Well… the first thing I’d like to point out is that blockchain games are not the only games where you will have to be paying real money, other games does that too, there is what is called – in-app purchase. Games do have stores where you scan purchase some things in the game such as player outfits or new weapons that can only be purchased, some of them have subscription where you subscribe for gems and things like that. So, it is nothing new.

But, I’m not saying this because I am in support of blockchain games or whatsoever, I have never played blockchain games before and I don’t know how it works or what it’s all about. But them saying that featuring real money trade is why they banned them, I don’t think that is enough reason, and moreover from what I have heard, people play blockchain games to earn money.

[stomachgrowls]

Blockchain games focusing on creating an ecosystem brings together a community of content creators to develop strategies for using digital resources in their games and projects the vapor policy does not allow blockchain games to include their vapor. It is strictly forbidden blockchains typically provide cryptocurrency and digital asset developers with new ways to empower players with new levels of value creation and transfers by funding their games, adding economies to real value in games.

So,they do basically being afraid that there would be some industry switched up in terms of this gaming industry? I do see that its possibility and those reasoning about protecting players on possible

problems attached with blockchain games? I do understand that but that wont really be that a solid issue for them to throw on.Why they cant just simply tell about their motive or solid reason?

They can ban all they want but they couldnt able to stop nor get rid of this blockchain gaming industry.Yes, its risky but we know on what are the possible advantage.

[hodlvalley]

This will probably be reversed at some point in the future after the technology is better understood by the gaming industry.

[so98nn]

OH darn! I see it as news; Good for steamer bad for the crypto community. It’s really simple steam being the privileged gaming platform could attract thousands to millions gamers and push them little bit to buy crypto and pay for the in game purchases. Also the live hosts can get paid in similar manner and make some moves in crypto coins which are being used.

If they have already started to cut loose the blockchain then surely this will have little bit impact on those who wished they had it over steam.

Just like there is part of peeps who did not like steam-blockchain collaboration there is another part of peeps who were enjoying it pretty much.

[stompix]

This will probably be reversed at some point in the future after the technology is better understood by the gaming industry.

What technology?
Seriously what technology?

I see a lot of poeple defending blockchain games, can any of you point where this blockchain technology is used in the games?
Of course, it's not video rendering, it's not the engine, it's not the gameplay, it's.....nothing!
Every single thing of those blockchain games could be done with the same old database.

Take axie infinity, they compare themselves with pokemon, how is pokemon being able to run without a blockchain, and what's the real difference between these games? Tell me one game that is using this "technology" and doesn't have a counterpart with no blockchain that is far more enjoyable and has more players in the world than it!

I do not understand all this hate towards the blockchain games. I mean we are in a situation where we should be getting used to doing stuff like this already and steam should accept it as well. If we are in a situation if people are willing to spend money on stuff then it would mean that we are talking about something profitable for steam as well. What is wrong with Steam that they would be willing to say no towards something that would be profitable for them.

So as long are poeple are willing to spend money on it Amazon should sell hookers since prostitution is still legal in Spain.
But I like how all of you put more accent on the money aspect than on gaming, shows the real truth about this, it's not about playing blockchain games but about making money!

[Beerwizzard]

What technology?
Seriously what technology?

I see a lot of poeple defending blockchain games, can any of you point where this blockchain technology is used in the games?
Of course, it's not video rendering, it's not the engine, it's not the gameplay, it's.....nothing!
Every single thing of those blockchain games could be done with the same old database.

First of all, I'm also pretty skeptical regarding blockchain games and I have no doubts Steam made a good move. However, as a lifelong nerd I still have a point to share.

Blockchain might be used to store characters in MMORPG. Sometimes servers are getting shut down and players loose their characters and progress that worth a lot of money and time. It turns that people are playing the game and character that literally does not belong to them. Imo, blockchain can help to fix that and I guess there might be some other ways of using it.

Unfortunately, such feature requires a decent game and economic outcome is not clear while blockchain devs are mainly attempting only to sell worthless pixels and create a kind of MLM scheme.

Blockchain still may be used in games. However, it should be a blockchain that improves a game and not a game that is made for the only purpose of shilling a token. So hopefully, we may still see a decent game with blockchain features.

[Silberman]

It would be nice to think that this was Steam taking a stand to protect their users and there is an element of that taking place, but let's face it - Steam is doing this because it moves transactions outside of their ability to charge a commission and that will be the primary motivation for stopping such activity. They do get to claim it is about a security issue however and there is a valid concern that many cryptocurrencies are being abused to target people who may not understand the underlying system. I find what you said about games introducing real money a bit unusual, because so many games on the steam platform allow this sort of activity (e.g. Team Fortress 2 with all it's paid weapons).

If a game bypasses Steam's payments, then why should Steam even host it? Steam is not a charity, they have full right to kick game developers who try to avoid paying for their use of the platform.

As for real money, it's somewhat tolerable when it only happens with cosmetics, but these blockchain games tend to bring real money into gameplay items too, which significantly reduces player's experience and leads to frustration.

At the end of the day Steam is just another centralized platform that can do whatever they want with it, so if they do not like something or they think it is violating their policies they are within their rights to ban any activity they do not like, quite honestly taking a look at those games anyone could see this was coming, so if they want to continue to do business with Steam they will have to change their business model, or if they do not want to do that then they need to create their own decentralized Steam market.

[Similificator]

Oh wow, so it was like that. My understanding prior to reading your post was they only removed nfts and crypto related products from their platform. Turns out steam really made an all out ban for crypto related games. I am a dota1 and steam dota 2 player and I gotta say that having skins and items that are unique or jas only a few limited copies would be really appealing for me. Not that it affects the actual gaming experience but just for flaunting and bragging rights. Lol. 🤣🤣🤣

[Leviathan.007]

Thinking of steam banning the blockchain games this can have both good and bad effects, this bad effect is completely temporary, and whenever you use the word of the ban on anything some people will think why even is world steam had to have blockchain games where people could enjoy playing the games for fun, but in the other hand good thing is steam was going to be full of shity games scamming people indirectly by playing these games. However, I'm not sure if they ban these games forever.

[LogitechMouse]

I thought Steam was a little more open to innovation then that, the problem here is steam is a closed off internal market where you cannot withdraw the cash back out.    You must use their marketplace to trade items, I had thought there must be other games that let you buy stuff separate to steam market but those will be very large publishers if thats the case and able to form special deals to operate seperate.

Many might hate them because of the move they've done but its their platform and they will do whatever they want to do.
We've seen some Blockchain games under Steam like Age of Rust, MIR4 and Mist in the future but they kicked out these blockchain games because they have their own economy. An economy that Steam's isn't involved so why are they putting it under their platform.

In the future, we might see a company that will act like Steam that is purely blockchain games. A platform that will benefit blockchain games. Who knows and besides, nobody expected that NFT games will be created under blockchain right .