Epic Says It Is Open to Games That Support Blockchain-based Assets
In mid-October, PC game store Valve announced that it would ban games that use blockchain technology or let users exchange NFTs or cryptocurrencies. In its updated rules section, the company noted that among things that shouldn’t be published on Steam includes applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs. Writing for The Verge, Mitchell Clark noted that the change was because the company doesn’t allow game items that could have real-world value, but also that Steam could also be avoiding controversy with the move, as NFT and crypto-based games “don’t have the best reputations.”
Now, Epic may be stepping into the breach and taking a softer stance on cryptocurrency. Epic recently told The Verge that it’s “open to games that support cryptocurrency or blockchain-based assets,” and while there may be some limitations, the company is willing to work with “early developers” in the “new field.”
“Epic says that the games would have to comply with financial laws, make it clear how the blockchain is used, and have appropriate age ratings,” wrote Mitchell. “It also says that developers won’t be able to use Epic’s payment service to accept crypto; they would have to use their own payment systems instead.”
Epic says it plans to clarify the rules as it works with developers to understand how they plan to use blockchain tech in their games. A recent Tweet by Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney noted that, “Epic Games Store will welcome games that make use of blockchain tech provided they follow the relevant laws, disclose their terms, and are age-rated by an appropriate group. Though Epic's not using crypto in our games, we welcome innovation in the areas of technology and finance.”
Allowing games that Steam bans is another way that Epic could compete with Valve, Mitchell noted.
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Edited by Luke Bellos
