Cryptocurrency is a new technology that is just recently becoming more prevalent in videogames. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge, etc are all cryptocurrencies. In recent years game developers and publishers have been integrating cryptocurrencies into their games. Some have been bold and created a whole new cryptocurrency. Steam, a popular digital store for games, has recently blocked cryptocurrency games on their platform. It seemingly started with Age of Rust published by SpacePirate Games.
Cryptocurrency and gaming
Cryptocurrencies have been around a long time now. Bitcoin is over a decade old now for instance. The implementation of cryptocurrencies into video games is new though. Most games using a crypto have been what I call menu games – there is not a lot of actual game to them. One of the more popular titles, CryptoKitties, has caught a lot of attention from fans but still has limited gameplay to enjoy.
Often, integrating cryptocurrencies into games is to handle in game purchases. More ambitious promises for cryptocurrency-based games are to offer cross platform/game usage of characters, vehicles, etc. Unfortunately, I do not currently know of any games that offer that level integration, though many promise it.
Steam flexes distribution muscles
Steam is probably the most popular digital distribution platform available today. With that exposure comes power. Power that Valve, the owners of Steam, are flexing now.At the end of the day, it is their platform, and they can control what titles are available. Their size gives them the leverage to greenlight certain games over others.
The possibility of a competitor using cryptocurrencies is not likely currently. The market is wide open for such a competitor though if one shows up is another story.
For the nitty gritty on this series of events, head over to PrimaGames.com
This article was originally published Retro Gaming Magazine.