Mojang Studios, the developer of the massively popular video game Minecraft was the latest company to abandon NFTs (non-edible tokens). Minecraft published a blog about its change of stance towards NFTs and gave several reasons to justify its move.

The new Minecraft Guidelines describe how the server owner can charge for access and that all players must have access to the same functionality. These rules apply to minecraft players to ensure equal access. The NFT, however, can create scarcity models and exceptions that are contrary to the Guidelines and the spirit of Minecraft.Minecraft has dissolved the integration of blockchain technology within its client and server applications. Minecraft has also stopped blockchain technology from using in-game content such as worlds, skins, personality items, or other mods to create a scarce digital asset.

Each of these applications of NFTs, through skins, world files, collectibles and other blockchain technologies, creates digital ownership based on scarcity and exclusion, which is inconsistent with Minecraft’s values of creative inclusion and play together, the company said. The NFP disregards the interests of all communities and creates an environment for the haves and have-nots. The speculative pricing and investment mentality around the NFT detracts from the game and encourages speculation, which we believe is incompatible with the long-term joy and success of our players.

Minecraft is also concerned about some third-party NFTs that may be unreliable. Some third-party NFT implementations also rely entirely on blockchain technology and may require an asset manager that can disappear without notice. There have also been cases where NFTs have been sold at artificially or fraudulently inflated prices. The team behind Minecraft recognizes that creation within the game has intrinsic value, and they seek to provide a marketplace where those values can be recognized.

That said, the Minecraft team will monitor how blockchain technology evolves over time to ensure that the above principles hold up and determine whether it will allow for a more secure experience or other practical and inclusive applications in games.