Minecraft's Stance on Crypto and NFTs Versus Worldcoin

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In the dynamic world of online gaming, Minecraft stands out as a global phenomenon and is recognized as one of the most influential games in opposing the integration of cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The game’s developer, Mojang, along with its publisher, Microsoft, have imposed a ban on the use of these digital assets, even in servers run by fans. This policy backdrop makes the recent announcement of Worldcoin’s Minecraft integration quite intriguing.

Worldcoin has gained attention for its “Orb,” a unique device designed to scan the retina of a person. This scan generates a distinctive IrisCode, which is registered on Worldcoin’s blockchain. This process is integral to creating a World ID, serving as a “proof of personhood.” Additionally, participants are rewarded with WLD crypto tokens, a vital component of Worldcoin’s framework.

The integration of Worldcoin with Minecraft, a game celebrated for its creative and blocky environment, is primarily about utilizing the World ID for player verification. This setup allows Minecraft server administrators to require player authentication before granting specific in-game privileges.

A representative from Worldcoin elaborated on the significance of this integration. They explained that World ID serves as a privacy-respecting solution to affirm the human identity of players, which is increasingly crucial given the rising number of bots in online games. The integration specifically aims to diminish the occurrence of ‘griefing’ in Minecraft, enhancing the overall safety and enjoyment of the gaming experience.

Worldcoin unveils integrations with Minecraft, Reddit, Telegram and Shopify https://t.co/UcNd3lskCm
— The Block (@TheBlock__) December 13, 2023

NFTs Prohibited

In 2022, Minecraft publicly declared its intention to prohibit NFTs, a decision that was put into effect this year. The game also banned the use of cryptocurrencies as player rewards, which led to the discontinuation of a Bitcoin reward feature by a server in the fall. Microsoft and Mojang issued a statement in 2022, outlining what seemed to be a comprehensive ban on blockchain technologies, emphasizing the importance of a safe and inclusive experience for Minecraft players. The statement prohibited the integration of blockchain technologies within Minecraft client and server applications and the use of such technologies to create NFTs linked to any in-game content.

The updated end-user license agreement (EULA) of Minecraft offers more detailed guidelines. It specifically forbids play-to-earn features that reward players with cryptocurrency and bans NFTs that create a sense of exclusivity around items. The EULA states that modifications affecting player experience and creating scarcity of in-game content based on external factors are unacceptable. For instance, mods that require ownership of an NFT to unlock certain in-game features are not permitted.

It is interesting to note that other companies have withdrew support for crypto and play-to-earn features recently. We reported 2 weeks ago that Immortal Game announced the discontinuation of all its crypto-related features, due to rampant cheating and other issues. We also reported earlier this fall of the many challenges faced by web3 games.

Worldcoin Integration in Minecraft

The integration of Worldcoin in Minecraft focuses solely on the World ID credential and does not involve cryptocurrency or tokens within the game. Minecraft representatives noted that as long as the integration adheres to the EULA guidelines, it is likely permissible.

A Worldcoin representative further clarified that the WLD token and the World ID credential are distinct, and in some regions, the token is not accessible. For example, individuals in the United States can acquire a World ID without access to the token. This distinction between the technology and the token seems to meet the requirements of Minecraft’s policies regarding blockchain integrations, allowing the World ID feature to continue its presence in the game.