'Minecraft' blocks NFT integration, blockchain technology

July 21 (UPI) -- The company that develops gaming software Minecraft has announced that it will not allow users to integrate NFTs into the game in an effort to allow everyone access to the same content.

In a blog post, the company, Stockholm, Sweden-based Mojang Studios, said that "integrations of NFTs with Minecraft are generally not something we will support or allow."

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are unique digital files -- often artworks as JPG files -- that can be bought and sold. Blockchain technology keeps track of who's holding and selling individual NFTs using cryptocurrencies.

"In our Minecraft Usage Guidelines, we outline how a server owner can charge for access, and that all players should have access to the same functionality," the Minecraft blog post said. "We have these rules to ensure that Minecraft remains a community where everyone has access to the same content. NFTs, however, can create models of scarcity and exclusion that conflict with our Guidelines and the spirit of Minecraft."

The company said blockchain technologies will not be allowed to be integrated inside client and server applications. Also, Minecraft content, such as worlds, skins, persona items and other mods, won't be allowed to be used by blockchains to create a scarce digital asset.

Mojang Studios said it's concerned that some third-party NFTs may not be reliable and are dependent on blockchain technology, the asset manager of which may disappear without notice. The company also took issue with artificially or fraudulently inflated prices for NFTs.

"NFTs are not inclusive of all our community and create a scenario of the haves and the have-nots. The speculative pricing and investment mentality around NFTs takes the focus away from playing the game and encourages profiteering, which we think is inconsistent with the long-term joy and success of our players," the company said.