This past week, Valve, the parent company of the video game digital distribution service Steam updated its distribution onboarding guidelines. According to the recently updated rules, the company bans any “blockchain technology-based application that issues or enables the exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.”
Newly Updated Onboarding Guidelines for Steam Says ‘You Shouldn’t Publish’ Applications ‘Built on Blockchain,’ or ‘Allow the Exchange of NFTs, Cryptocurrencies’
Valve seems to have an issue with games that involve blockchain technology, crypto assets, or non-fungible token (NFT) collectibles. The company quietly updated the firm’s onboarding page and the new rule was added to the list of games “you shouldn’t publish on Steam” Interestingly, Steam once supported bitcoin (BTC) for payments at the storefront but stopped supporting BTC in December 2017. The decision in 2017 was made 18 months after Valve allowed the storefront to accept the leading crypto asset for payments.
The updated guidelines show that Valve is now reluctant to allow blockchain games, NFT collectibles, and crypto assets on the platform. The decision to ban these concepts comes at a time when blockchain gaming and the NFT industry have exploded in value and popularity. For example, the Axie Infinity blockchain game has been very popular and captured $ 2.59 billion in NFT sales of all time, according to metrics from dappradar.com.
Age of Rust Developer: ‘This Is a Setback for All’
On October 14, 2021, the developer of the blockchain game called Age of Rust detailed that the game would no longer be available on Steam. Community: A few minutes ago, we were informed that Steam will be removing * all blockchain games * from the platform, including Age of Rust, because NFTs are valuable. Behind the scenes, we had good communication and were frank with Steam ”, the developer of Age of Rust noted. The operator of the blockchain game added:
We chose to be upfront about blockchain gaming & NFTs. As a result, we finally lost the battle with Steam. While I’m disappointed [about] With Age of Rust removed, the fact is rather that blockchain games like [a] the whole will be deleted. It is [a] setback for all.
A number of other video game fans and blockchain game developers were disappointed with Valve’s decision to ban these blockchain ideas. Kotaku AU Editor-in-Chief Alex Walker nodded that he was not surprised by Valve’s decision. “Not hugely surprised Valve has banned NFTs and crypto games. I doubt it’s because of the ecological concerns, but more they already have a secondary market and don’t want games to circumvent that,” Walker said. The developer of Age of Rust has said he respects Valve’s choice.
“Steam’s point of view is that items have value and they don’t allow items that can have real-world value on their platform,” the official Age of Rust account emphasized. “While I respect their choice, I fundamentally believe that NFTs and blockchain games are the future. That’s why I started this journey with all of you.
