Update:
Team17’s push for NFTs met a swift end after receiving backlash over yesterday’s announcement.
In a press release today, the developer and publishing group announced they will end the MetaWorms NFT project.
“We have listened to our teamsters, development partners, and our games’ communities, and the concerns they’ve expressed, and have therefore taken the decision to step back from the NFT space.”
The release does not say if it will look to reenter the space at a later time. The original story follows below.
Original:
If gamers haven’t made it clear they do not embrace the idea of NFTs, Today may have helped.
Worms developer and games publisher Team17 announced it will get into NFTs, with MetaWorms. The developer partnered with Reality Gaming Group to “create high quality, low energy consuming” NFT collectibles of the beloved franchise. The release states the “limited edition” NFTs will encompass content from the franchise’s 26 year history in the form of unique, generative artwork. Each MetaWorms will be “secured and protected” on a blockchain and provide the user with documented ownership.
With today’s announcement, the partnership already created a website for the product. Yet, currently there is additional information or way to buy it. The website only a look at the product and a link to the MetaWorms NFT discord channel.
For those concerned with the environmental impact of NFTs, Reality Gaming Group reiterates these are “environmentally friendly.” The generated artwork will be created and managed using the company’s Digital Asset Trading (DAT) Platform. It says this substantially reduces the amount of energy used per transaction. If 100,000 people purchased the NFTs, the energy used would be equivalent to “the average annual kettle usage of just 11 households.”
“The partnership with Reality Gaming Group represents Team17’s debut in the exciting world of NFTs, with the studio joining an ever-growing list of established video game developers and publishers exploring the exciting opportunities offered by blockchain technology,” the releases finishes with.
Fans React to Team17 NFT Plans
While Team17 executive might be excited, fans on the other hand were not. Outrage spread quickly on social media after news broke out.
News outlet Eurogamer posted an update to its article saying several teams with Team17 had no knowledge of the plans to launch the NFT collectibles prior to the announcement. Several others said they were aware of the plans, but voiced their disapproval of it. The company announced the plans anyway.
Team17 made a statement to the outlet saying while it looks to enter the NFT market, this does not indicate plans to incorporate NFTs into games it makes or publishes.
“Team17 has no plans to introduce NFTs or play-to-earn NFT mechanics into any of its indie games label titles,” the spokesperson said to Eurogamer.
NFTs have been the source of much controversy and discussions as of late. Square Enix’s president published a letter on January 1 stating the publisher will look to the future with NFTs. They aren’t the only one. A Ubisoft executive recently said gamers “don’t get it” after it received backlash for pushing NFTs. To make matters worse, one of the people credited with making the first NFT said they don’t work in its current state.
