Indie RPG Platform Itch.io Declares NFTs ‘A Scam’
NFTs are a scam that only exists to launder money or swindle people. At least, according to the popular Indie RPG platform, itch.io.
If you have somehow managed to make it this far into 2022 without knowing what an NFT is, I salute you. Just move right past this article. Trust me. The more you learn, the more you just sort of feel the weight of the world crushing in around you.
For the rest of us unfortunates, NFTs have been rocking the boat in the industry, to say the least. As platforms like Discord and Kickstarter dipped their feet in the cryptocurrency pool, their respective communities responded with pretty much universal backlash.
And it’s easy to understand why. NFTs, like most things connected to the blockchain, are solutions in search of a problem. Only they’re about as inefficient a solution as you can get.
At least that’s what indie RPG/game platform Itch.io had to say over the last weekend.
“A few have asked about our stance on NFTs. NFTs are a scam. If you think they are legitimately useful for anything other than the exploitation of creators, financial scams, and the destruction of the planet then we ask that [you] please evaluate your life choices.”
In a followup tweet, itch.io called out companies that espoused NFTs, including another self-publishing digital platform, Gumroad. Who, hours earlier made vague statements about NFTs.
Other platforms have done so before (and since), including Steam, who banned NFT and Cryptocurrency games in November of last year.
Why All The Fuss?
If you’re wondering why NFTs create such a controversial response from the vast majority of people, Dan Olson has a pretty great explanation why.
And for other folks who are interested in some of the technological promises of NFTs– like the idea of transferring an item that you “own on the blockchain” from one game to another… well that promise has been thoroughly explored and debunked as has the promise of so called “play-and-earn” monetization.
Want to support itch.io? Check out the games they have on display. You can find indie games of all variety there, including games like Lancer and Blades in the Dark.
What do you think of itch.io’s position? NFTs in general? Let us know in the comments!
