Minecraft Bans NFTs and Blockchain Integrations

Minecraft has announced it will be banning the use of NFTs and blockchain technology on its servers. The highly popular sandbox game also seeks to prevent the creation of NFT projects based on its assets.

Mojang, Minecraft’s creator, has justified the decision by stating that NFTs are not inclusive of its full community. The bans are being met with mixed feelings on social media:

Mojang Goes It Alone

Mojang, the developer behind the hit video game Minecraft, seems to have little interest in allowing its property to operate in conjunction with independent NFT projects.

Blockchain technology on independent game servers (operated by fans and creators) that utilise any aspect of Minecraft imagery to create NFT projects will be prohibited. The notice issued by Minecraft claims that the decision was made based on ensuring players would “have a safe and inclusive experience”.

The speculative pricing and investment mentality around NFTs takes the focus away from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we think is inconsistent with the long-term joy and success of our players”

Mojang statement

However, NFT Worlds, a Web3 gaming project specifically focused on third-party blockchain and NFT Minecraft integrations, has made the bold statement that it won’t be leaving. The announcement has caused prices for the project’s NFTs to plummet by 70 percent, and its native token (WRLD) to also drop by 65 percent. Regardless, it seems the developers have no intention of leaving the community:

However, Mojang has not definitively ruled out blockchain tech for its future, stating that it plans to monitor the evolution of the space.

Initial NFT and Web3 Integration

Last year saw Minecraft introduce NFTs to the game, permitting players to collect in-game digital assets which then granted them access to special quests and other benefits. The NFTs were to be powered by a project called Enjin (ENJ), which allowed digital assets to be stored on the blockchain. Players were then required to scan a QR code which transferred the NFT automatically to their Enjin. The wallet could then be linked to the cross-platform gaming network MyMetaVerse.

Then, in March 2022, the game decided to make the move into Web3. ‘NFT Worlds’ was set to be the blockchain layer added to third-party Minecraft servers, alongside a Polygon-based overlay and an Ethereum sidechain offering gas-free transactions. The announcement drew an overwhelmingly positive reaction across social media at the time.