Immutable shuts NFT marketplace, why Web3 gaming needs its own Steam: Nifty Newsletter

August 14, 2024 Coin Telegraph

New Web3 ID app lets users find each other based on proven interests

June 27, 2023 Coin Telegraph

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Quivr allows users to connect multiple apps, including Spotify, Steam and Instagram, to generate behavior-based badges proving their interests.

A Web3 app launched on June 27 lets users prove their social credibility using blockchain technology, according to an announcement from the app’s development team. Called “Quivr,” it lets users connect apps they regularly use, such as Spotify, Steam, Apple Music and others. Based on their behavior in these apps, Quivr generates blockchain badges that prove their interests or membership within communities, which can then be used as a way of identifying users who have common interests.

Quivr has launched on the Apple App Store, with an Android and web version scheduled to be released in about two weeks, developers told Cointelegraph. Over 10,000 users created accounts during the app’s beta period.

According to the announcement, Quivr has formed an initial set of partnerships with celebrities and organizations to help build communities through the app, including Ross Butler, Jack Dylan Grazer, Ohio State, Arizona State, Kansas State and Fenix Games.

In a conversation with Cointelegraph, Quivr co-founder and CEO Ray Lee stated that the current version of Quivr can connect to 11 different apps: Spotify, LinkedIn, Steam, Twitter, Apple Music, Apple Health, Instagram, TikTok, Audius and Canvas.

The users’ behavior on these apps determines the badges they are able to acquire, allowing them to prove their credentials through their actions. For example, if a user listens to jazz music on Spotify, the person may receive a “jazz fan” badge, or if the user plays fighting games on Steam, the individual may receive a “fighting gamer” badge.

If users want to record a credential that can’t be proven through one of these apps, they can instead upload a video or image and have it reviewed by community validators as an alternative form of proof.

Users can browse each others’ profiles and send private messages to each other using Quivr, allowing them to find and chat with others who have proven to share their interests. In the current version, only private messages are available. But the team is experimenting with ideas of creating “community and subgroups around conversations” like a “validated Discord” in the future, Lee stated.

Quivr runs on the Polygon network. However, it does not require users to download a separate wallet or copy down and store seed words. Instead, it uses Magic SDK for logins, a type of new wallet tech that does not require seed words.

Web3 app developers continue to compete for a slice of the lucrative social media and influencer market. Polkadot-based chat app Subsocial implemented Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility on June 8, and Polygon-based Lens network created a new “layer 3” scaling solution for faster posts on April 26.

Although none of these apps have yet to challenge the Facebooks and Twitters of the world, some Web3 experts believe that social apps will be the killer use case that brings blockchain tech to the masses.

Crypto-skeptic gamers review bomb Storybook Brawl after FTX buys it

April 1, 2022 Coin Telegraph

Coin Telegraph

“We don't support NFTs in this household. Tragic end for a great auto battler,” wrote one unhappy anti-NFT gamer.

Indignant gamers have review bombed Storybook Brawl on Steam over fears of potential NFT and blockchain integrations following crypto exchange FTX’s acquisition of its developers Good Luck Games, LLC.

Storybook Brawl is a free-to-play auto-battle card game that was launched on online gaming platform Steam in mid-2021. The game’s review history showed an overwhelming amount of support until March 22, the exact day FTX US announced its acquisition.

Since that time, the game has moved to an “overwhelmingly negative” status with 600 out the last 761 reviews being negative. While it is possible for anyone who hasn’t played the game to leave feedback because it does not require a purchase, many of the reviews are from players who have spent a lot of time on the game.

“We don't support NFTs in this household. Tragic end for a great auto battler,” wrote Steam user “asnugglekitten” who has logged more than 130 hours on the game. Another player called “King Bear” who has clocked more than 60 hours wrote:

“Good Luck Games was acquired by FTX, a cryptocurrency company, as a way to ‘help crypto make inroads with gamers.’ I want no part of that and I don't want crypto ‘making inroads’ in things I'm interested in. Uninstalled.”

As part of the acquisition, Storybook Brawl will be integrated into FTX US’s blockchain gaming unit, with FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried outlining the firm’s broader plans to ethically integrate “gaming and crypto transactions in a way that hasn't yet been done in this space."

Speaking on the move on March 23, Good Luck Games founder Matt Place also emphasized that it was good news for the player and the company, as it finally has the funding to bring the game to a triple A level.

It may do little to quash the concerns of the strong number of crypto-skeptic gamers, but Place also noted that FTX US hasn’t placed a requirement that blockchain tech is integrated into the game:

“We’re going to explore blockchain technology [...] how we can actually leverage that to make value, to create fun for players. When we find that, we’re gonna put it into the game, and if we don’t, we don’t have a mandate that we have to do it.”

While NFTs, crypto and blockchain have been widely adopted by both artists and gamers, there are still large numbers of skeptics in both communities.

Major sticking points for many anti-crypto gamers often revolve around perceived scams, cash grabs and the environmental impact of crypto — despite there being more power efficient blockchain solutions available for gaming than Proof of Work chains.

So far, many traditional games and companies have copped the brunt of outrage over potential integrations, including Ubisoft, Discord (a social media platform popular amongst gamers), Electronic Arts and Worms developers Team17.

26 companies and advocacy groups call on Valve to reverse its blockchain games ban

October 26, 2021 Coin Telegraph

Blockchain

“The potential blockchain gaming ecosystem will grow to be orders of magnitude larger than it is now, by the end of this decade," said Enjin CTO Witek Radomski.

Digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, the Blockchain Game Alliance, Enjin, and 26 blockchain game companies have called out video game corporation Valve for its decision to not allow content related to cryptocurrencies or nonfungible tokens through its Steam marketplace.

According to an open letter published by Fight for the Future on Oct. 26, the companies and projects are requesting Valve reverse its decision to “prohibit an entire category of software from the Steam platform” and take a chance on crypto and blockchain technology. Steam updated its onboarding process for partners on Oct. 14 to stipulate no applications built on blockchain technology that “issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs” would be permitted.

“Blockchain games are pioneering a number of new concepts that will invigorate the gaming industry for players and publishers alike,” said Blockchain Game Alliance President Sebastien Borget. “To cut-off this burgeoning sector at such a crucial stage of development is to ignore the remarkable progress we have achieved this year, while creating unfair access to market for incumbents.”

According to Fight for the Future, DAOs and NFTs can help make blockchain games “more decentralized, democratic, interactive, player focused systems.” The group added:

“Please consider changing your stance on this issue and permit tokens and, more broadly, the use of blockchain tech on the Steam platform. Don’t ban blockchain-based games on Steam.”

Cointelegraph reported earlier this month that the move to ban content on NFTs and blockchain games could be financially disadvantageous to Valve as the technology grows in popularity. Unique active wallets connected to gaming decentralized applications reached a total of 754,000 for Q3 2021. Many games offer players the opportunity to earn real-world token rewards and trade in-game NFTs, providing a possible path to further crypto adoption.

“With blockchain, you can't put the genie back in the bottle and try to centralize it,” said Enjin CTO Witek Radomski in a Reddit AMA. “Blockchain gaming needs interoperability in order to flourish.”

He added:

“The potential blockchain gaming ecosystem will grow to be orders of magnitude larger than it is now, by the end of this decade. It's in everyone's best interest to work together to create well-thought-out, interoperable standards so the multiverse isn't too fragmented.”

Valve has previously targeted crypto and blockchain on its Steam marketplace. In 2018, the company removed a game that allegedly hijacked users’ computers to mine crypto. Valve originally announced it would accept Bitcoin (BTC) payments in 2016, but later stopped this practice, citing high fees and volatility.

Valve Bans Games Built on Blockchain, NFTs, and Cryptocurrencies From Steam Gaming Platform

October 17, 2021 Bitcoin.com

Valve removes blockchain games, tells users not to publish content on crypto or NFTs

October 15, 2021 Coin Telegraph

Blockchain Game

“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,” claimed one game developer.

Video game corporation Valve has informed users no content related to cryptocurrencies or nonfungible tokens will be allowed through its Steam marketplace.

As reported by game developer SpacePirate on Oct. 14, Steam has updated its guidelines for what content creators are allowed to publish on the platform. According to Steam, no applications built on blockchain technology that “issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs” are permitted in its onboarding process for partners. The rule appears alongside guidelines prohibiting hate speech, sexually explicit images, and libelous or defamatory statements.

Though the new guideline would seemingly ban all traditional games from including content on crypto or NFTs, it has also reportedly stopped blockchain game developers from publishing to the platform. SpacePirate said their Age of Rust game was being removed, with others likely to follow.

“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,” said the developer. “While I respect their choice, I fundamentally believe that NFTs and blockchain games are the future.”

The move could be financially disadvantageous to Valve as blockchain-based games grow in popularity. According to a recent report from DappRadar, unique active wallets connected to gaming decentralized applications reached a total of 754,000 for Q3 2021. Many blockchain games offer players the opportunity to earn real-world token rewards and trade in-game NFTs, providing a possible path to further crypto adoption.

However, Valve Corporation has previously targeted crypto and blockchain on its Steam marketplace. In 2018, the company removed a game that allegedly hijacked users’ computers to mine crypto. Valve originally announced it would accept Bitcoin (BTC) payments in 2016, but later stopped this practice, citing high fees and volatility.

Cointelegraph reached out to Valve, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

The Wisemining Sato Boiler- A Product That Aims to Heat Your Home and Offset Costs by Mining Bitcoin

March 20, 2021 Bitcoin.com

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