In Minecraft, Mojang has a strong stance against NFTs.

According to Mojang, the company that created Minecraft, there will be no NFT integration in the game’s sandbox experience for the foreseeable future. The creator gave a thorough explanation of why blockchain and NFT technologies will not be used in the game, citing a number of present problems with it, including fraud incidents and questionable security measures.

Due to Minecraft’s popularity and active modding community, the game has quickly become subject to NFT integration; one example of this is NFT Worlds, a project dedicated to integrating in-game NFTs. Mojang’s statement was primarily directed towards players and creators who are, “actively involved in the buying, selling, or trading of NFTs that make use of Minecraft (like skins or worlds).” Naturally, this statement has whipped up a frenzy among most NFT traders in the Minecraft community.

In Minecraft, Mojang makes it plain what it thinks of NFTs. NFTs entirely go against the developer’s stated goal of maintaining “a community where everyone has access to the same content,” since their sheer existence would introduce elements of scarcity into the game, dividing the playerbase into the “haves” and the “have-nots.”

Mojang says:

“To ensure that Minecraft players have a safe and inclusive experience, blockchain technologies are not permitted to be integrated inside our client and server applications, nor may Minecraft in-game content such as worlds, skins, persona items, or other mods, be utilized by blockchain technology to create a scarce digital asset.”

Then, according to Mojang, some businesses have introduced NFT implementations linked to Minecraft world files and skins, like the aforementioned NFT Worlds project, while other projects have users participating in server-based activities to earn collected NFTs. Some even award players with Minecraft NFT for actions taken outside of the game. These are all third-party NFTs, and Mojang has little involvement in their creation or dissemination.

The developer points out that some third-party NFTs may be unreliable, especially those based on blockchain technology that require asset managers to be in place, and that “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.” NFTs have the potential to be sold for exorbitant prices, which could foster an elitist culture within the Minecraft community.

The statement is concluded by Mojang stating that both in-game content and blockchain technology are not authorized within the Minecraft client or in server apps. However, the developer asserts that in the event that its worries are truly addressed, it will closely monitor any future developments in blockchain technology.

NFTs and blockchain technology are concepts that have little to do with gaming, and those who have attempted to integrate them haven’t exactly done it in a way that encourages fun—one of the main things that people are after when they play—and appears secure and safe to engage in. Although blockchain technology will undoubtedly advance over time, its current application in Minecraft will go no further

Additionally, Mojang’s position appears to be consistent with Valve’s recent remarks on NFTs in Steam.