Valve Takes Stand Against Crypto, Removes NFT Games from Steam

Cryptocurrency has started to make its presence known outside of the digital economy as well now. While it is challenging to keep track of everything that needs to be managed and regulated, Valve has decided to take a hard-line stance against cryptocurrency of all forms on Steam.

This comes through an update to Steam’s rules and guidelines. The update reveals that the site has banned all games built on blockchain technology or allow for NFT and cryptocurrency trading.

This update has been made on the onboarding page for partners and Steamworks users with a line that makes it abundantly clear that Valve will soon ban NFT trading games from the platform.

This has been done under the heading “what you shouldn’t publish on Steam,” with the rule stating “applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs” will not be allowed distribution on the platform.

Today, NFT game creators have been reporting that their titles are being removed from the platform. The Twitter account for Age Of Rust, a game where players “collect in-game NFTs,” announced that “Steam will be kicking all blockchain games off the platform, including Age Of Rust.”

They go on to add that, from their understanding, “Steam’s point of view is that items have value, and they don’t allow items that can have real-world value on their platform.”

Currently, there are many games on Steam that include NFT and cryptocurrency in their gameplay. One such example is Mir4, which allows players to earn cryptocurrency in-game despite negative reviews that highlight allegedly dull gameplay.

Aside from this rule update, Valve has not issued a statement regarding its stance on NFT games.

About Valve Software

Valve Corporation, also known as Valve Software, is an American video game developer, publisher, and digital distribution company based in Bellevue, Washington. Valve is best known for the software distribution platform Steam, along with gaming franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal, Day of Defeat, Team Fortress, Left 4 Dead, and Dota.