Steam’s Valve Corporation has banned all blockchain, crypto and NFT games. Specifically, it has informed developers that
“Applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs shouldn’t publish on Steam”.
With the new policy, SpacePirate Games, the team behind Age of Rust, has already chosen to remove its game from Steam rather than forgo crypto or NFTs.
Summary
Steam and the ban on blockchain, crypto and NFT games
The new rule exposed on Steamworks, the API that allows developers to take advantage of features offered by Steam, speaks clearly, they are banned on Steam:
“Applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs”.
Steam, which once supported Bitcoin (BTC) for payments on the storefront, had stopped back in December 2017. Nonetheless, it allowed developers to proceed in building games on blockchain. On top of that, software house RewindApp was reportedly developing its own game dubbed “Bitcoin” that simulates the mining of the crypto queen.
This ban decision also comes at a time when blockchain games and the NFT sector have literally exploded in popularity and value. According to data from DappRadar, Axie Infinity’s blockchain game would have captured $2.59 billion in NFT sales.
Yet all this positive movement for the industry has not stopped Valve Corporation from banning everything related to blockchain, crypto and NFTs from its games.
Steam’s ban and the reactions of developers and fans
Age of Rust from SpacePirate Games wasted no time in describing its position on Steam’s new ban in a series of four tweets.
We chose to be upfront about blockchain gaming & NFTs. As a result, we finally lost the battle with Steam. While I'm disappointed for Age of Rust being removed, the point is more to the fact that Blockchain games as whole are going to be removed. This is setback for all.
2/4— Age of Rust (@AgeofRust) October 14, 2021
At this point, we will put our energy back into gamedev, creating more NFTs, & empowering the community than try to fight Steam alone. We will continue to publish our @madewithunity game elsewhere. We are moving forward, we ❤ NFTs, we ❤ @enjin, and ❤ our community. Onward!
4/4 pic.twitter.com/HoTYp4EogL— Age of Rust (@AgeofRust) October 14, 2021
“Community: A few minutes ago, we were notified that Steam will be kicking all blockchain games off the platform, including Age of Rust, because NFTs have value. Behind the scenes, we’ve had good communication and have been upfront with Steam. We chose to be upfront about blockchain gaming & NFTs. As a result, we finally lost the battle with Steam. While I’m disappointed for Age of Rust being removed, the point is more to the fact that Blockchain games as whole are going to be removed. This is setback for all. 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. While I respect their choice, I fundamentally believe that NFTs and blockchain games are the future. It’s why I started this journey with all of you. At this point, we will put our energy back into gamedev, creating more NFTs, & empowering the community than try to fight Steam alone. We will continue to publish our @madewithunity game elsewhere. We are moving forward, we ❤ NFTs, we ❤ @enjin, and ❤ our community. Onward!”
Not only that, game fans have also commented on the news on the social of crypto-lovers:
https://t.co/zkhGGI3kQ5
Brutta cosa per me che seguo progetti che dovevano uscire su @Steam. Per fortuna hanno già reagito bene, stanno progettando un launcher proprietario.
O chissà, magari possono anche spostarsi su @EpicGames o simili#NFT #CryptoNews— Simo ₿⚡️ (@FerraresiSimone) October 16, 2021
“Bad news for me following projects that were supposed to come out on Steam. Luckily they’ve already reacted well, they’re planning a proprietary launcher. Or who knows, maybe they can even move to EpicGames or something”.
