Indie Store Itch.io Calls NFTs a Scam: ‘Please Re-Evaluate Your Life Choices’
Editor’s Note: The subject of NFTs is currently a very controversial topic in the gaming community. IGN urges community members to be respectful when engaging in conversation around this subject and does not endorse harassment of any kind.
Indie game marketplace Itch.io has called NFTs a “scam”, and criticised companies for endorsing them.
In a Twitter thread (below), the company said it had been asked about its stance on NFTs – and didn’t hold back:
“NFTs are a scam. If you think they are legitimately useful for anything other than the exploitation of creators, financial scams, and the destruction of the planet the we ask that please reevaluate your life choices.”
A few have asked about our stance on NFTs:
NFTs are a scam. If you think they are legitimately useful for anything other than the exploitation of creators, financial scams, and the destruction of the planet the we ask that please reevaluate your life choices.
Peace ✌️
— itch.io (@itchio) February 6, 2022
In a follow-up, the company continued: “F**k any company that says they support creators and also endorses NFTs in any way. They only care about their own profit and the opportunity for wealth above anyone else.
“Especially given the now easily available discourse concerning the problems of NFTs. How can you be so dense?”
NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are means of ownership over digital content, but have drawn controversy around their perceived usefulness and environmental impact. They’ve proved a polarising topic in the gaming industry recently, with a variety of major companies and individuals getting involved – and often retreating after backlash.
Worms creator Team17 recently announced and cancelled an NFT project within 24 hours after fans and partners complained. STALKER 2 developer GSC Game World went one further, cancelling its own NFT plans an hour after announcing them. Voice actor Troy Baker, known for roles in a variety of games including The Last of Us and Uncharted, also recently ventured into NFTs before quickly withdrawing after backlash.
These kinds of backlashes seem to be causing second thoughts for some companies – Battlefield and FIFA publisher EA originally appeared eager to pursue NFTs, but recently backtracked and said it’s “not driving hard” in that direction.
However, there is still something of a goldrush in the industry around the divisive tech. Retailer GameStop recently announced that it’s launching an NFT marketplace later this year in partnership with blockchain startup called Immutable X. Ubisoft has also moved into the NFT space despite fan outcry, with a company executive even commenting that “gamers don’t get it”.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelancer who occasionally remembers to tweet @thelastdinsdale.
