As talk of NFTs continues to grow, a number of developers took a step back and decided to speak against them. While Reggie Fils-Aime may believe blockchain to be the future, others note the environmental impact NFTs have. Developer group Climate Replay created an anti-NFT pledge focused on the environment that a number of game developers recently began began signing.
Climate Replay pledge against NFTs
Climate Replay, a group of multiple developers dedicated to raising awareness of climate change and its impact, set up the “NFT / Digital Ownership Pledge”. So far, those signing the pledge include 12 different studios/publishers and 380 individuals.
Individuals, studios, and publishers all have the option to sign the pledge. Particularly, Climate Replay specifies the anti-NFT pledge centers around climate change and the environmental impact it causes. In the case studios and publishers are interested in implementing NFTs, the pledge lines out some parameters:
- Brings meaningful value to players
- Does not make use of technology that is intentionally inefficient, resulting in a concrete, significant environmental impact
- Does not embrace artificial scarcity to generate speculative value
- Does not rely on unregulated, volatile cryptocurrency
- Does not disproportionately benefit early adopters or wealthier users/players
- Does not perpetuate either of the following negative aspects of the Play-to-Earn model:
- Informal Jobs
- Shifts the primary purpose of a game from enjoyment to earning money
- Is implemented with transparency and takes seriously concerns from studio members
Co-author of the anti-NFT pledge and Minecraft game designer Cory Scheviak reminds people that no time limit exists for the pledge. “I am very happy with the engagement, the pledge is not a time-limited thing, and as the guide will spread around the game industry, I expect even more productive conversation around the real issues raised within the guide.”
Anti-NFT push continues
Response to the NFT push has been a mixed bag from developers. From audiences, though, it’s generally negative. Companies like SEGA and Square Enix believe NFTs to be the “future”, while others such as Valve and itch.io give more critical responses. It’ll be interesting to see what developers and companies choose to sign this pledge moving forward.
