Valve removes blockchain games, tells users not to publish content on crypto or NFTs

Published at: Oct. 15, 2021

Video game corporation Valve has informed users no content related to cryptocurrencies or nonfungible tokens will be allowed through its Steam marketplace.

As reported by game developer SpacePirate on Oct. 14, Steam has updated its guidelines for what content creators are allowed to publish on the platform. According to Steam, no applications built on blockchain technology that “issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or [nonfungible tokens] NFTs” are permitted in its onboarding process for partners. The rule appears alongside guidelines prohibiting hate speech, sexually explicit images, and libelous or defamatory statements.

Though the new guideline would seemingly ban all traditional games from including content on crypto or NFTs, it has also reportedly stopped blockchain game developers from publishing to the platform. SpacePirate said their Age of Rust game was being removed, with others likely to follow.

“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,” said the developer. “While I respect their choice, I fundamentally believe that NFTs and blockchain games are the future.”

Related: The Metaverse, play-to-earn and the new economic model of gaming

The move could be financially disadvantageous to Valve as blockchain-based games grow in popularity. According to a recent report from DappRadar, unique active wallets connected to gaming decentralized applications reached a total of 754,000 for Q3 2021. Many blockchain games offer players the opportunity to earn real-world token rewards and trade in-game NFTs, providing a possible path to further crypto adoption.

However, Valve Corporation has previously targeted crypto and blockchain on its Steam marketplace. In 2018, the company removed a game that allegedly hijacked users’ computers to mine crypto. Valve originally announced it would accept Bitcoin (BTC) payments in 2016, but later stopped this practice, citing high fees and volatility.

Cointelegraph reached out to Valve, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

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