Video game giant Rockstar has announced new user policies for its role-playing game servers, effectively banning the buying and selling of blockchain products.
As TechRadar reports, the new measures will affect the Rockstar Grand Theft Auto Online servers in particular. Some players had used these servers, many of which are not officially monitored by Rockstar, to trade digital assets such as cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
However, Rockstar recently outlined its approach to roleplaying servers, saying:
“Rockstar Games has always believed in sane fan creativity and wants developers to show their passion for our games.”
The company then went on to state that its policy would do so in the future more closely match that currently applied to the game’s single player mods. This would result in it cracking down on all servers that:
- misuse any Rockstar trademark or intellectual property;
- Engage in commercial exploitation, including selling “loot boxes”, using virtual currencies and trading crypto assets;
- Disrupt its official online services, including GTA Online and Red Dead Online.
Among the affected servers was ditches, A server set up by a rapper named Lil Durk that allowed players to buy and sell itemsincluding loot boxes, in-game features, and vehicles.
Trenches closed on November 27 following a cease and desist order from Rockstar.
Rock star is supposed still looking for other servers who break their rules.
Read more: Venture capitalists hate games but love token prizes where money can be made
A (confusing) new player has entered the game
It’s fair to say that the broader video game industry is still undecided on how to approach crypto.
Online marketplace and gaming platform Steam has previously banned games that contained a crypto elementand said it was inconvenient given the legal and ethical concerns surrounding the promotion of digital assets that may be worthless for years to come.
On the other hand, a number of prominent studios and publishers have endorsed the use of crypto in games. These include Ubisoft, which allows players to purchase items in its Ghost Recon series, and Sega, which calls NFTs the future of the industry.
And then there’s Take-Two Interactive, who happens to be the owner of Rockstar Games. Take-Two said earlier this year, “We strongly believe there is an opportunity for NFTs to align with Take-Two’s offerings in the future.”
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