Team17, the hugely successful UK-based publisher and developer, has been facing a storm of bad publicity since revealing plans for a 'MetaWorms' NFT project. Many details were yet to be revealed, but the negative reaction was swift from some fans of the company and indeed employees; tellingly, major development partners had started to speak out and say they wouldn't work with the company in future.
The reaction has been so strong that Team17 has now shut the project down, less than 48 hours after its reveal. The following message was shared on social media.
Though the initial announcement - which wasn't widely distributed in the manner of normal game reveals and updates from the company - attempted to emphasize that the promotion would be environmentally conscious and that some proceeds would go to charity, the public response was nevertheless unsurprising. NFTs and the related issues around cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are extremely controversial at present, and in the gaming space any company moving into NFTs has faced resistance.
We're likely to continue to see more companies explore NFTs; Ubisoft is remaining active and Square Enix has stated a resolve to explore options, while SEGA appears to have backtracked on its initial interest.
In this instance pressure from the public, staff and a number of business partners appears to have succeeded in reversing Team17's course.
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Comments 43
That was fast. Maybe don't do something so controversial without letting your own employees and partners know beforehand? Just a thought.
Wow that was quick
How the MetaWorm has turned
Very quick but a wise decision they have done
Dang that was fast! thank you team 17! and with that, I will go back to happily buying your games!
Happy to shame any company that's trying this awful stuff.
The thing is, if Ubisoft is doing NFTs, we can at least assume they will be implemented in a way that will offer at least some service that might be worthwhile even if NFTs were not necessary for it. But Team 17? Just a tiny company in comparison that doesn't have an ecosystem to speak of. What is the point of developing NFTs other than to make a quick buck? Of course Ubisoft wants it for money too, but they are in it for the long haul, it is not an outright get rich quick scam.
There you go.
Just stay away from NFT.
@Fizza Executive types don't live in the same world as us for the most part. They probably had absolutely no idea it was this controversial.
I'm convinced it's just purely for publicity at this point. There's no way you wouldn't expect this backlash then make a U-turn this quickly.
Wow I really wish there was this much resistance to loot boxes, predatory DLC, and pay to win mechanics. Really strange what gamers won't accept when it's fairly similar to what they have accepted as common place (and even defend sometimes).
Holy hand grenade!…
That was quick
I feel like the only reason they decided to stop was because of devs saying they'd stop associating with them. I bet they wouldn't have done anything if it were just the consumers complaining.
Either way, at least it's a positive decision. The internet never forgets though.....so beware Team17.
@Friendly
Sorry I blinked. Did something happen.
If only if it were that easy to convince the likes of Ubisoft on this NFT biz.
Lets never speak of this again, Team 17.
@Specters Couldn't have said it better myself. But it's probably too late to block any of that stuff with how integrated they are at this point unfortunately.
Either way, good for Team 17 to back off from this junk!
what i wanted to buy it have to go buy a jar of scotch mist now instead at least ill get an actual jar with that one..,
@Snatcher You may be jumping the gun there just a tad. We'll have to wait and see whether or not they'll pull a SEGA and start considering it again. I hope not though, I love Worms/Overcooked and all of the other wacky IP's they use.
Publicity stunt
Good Move Team 17
It was such a dire situation for Team 17 that they had to make this announcement at 9pm, way past usual business hours.
That's something.
@Fizza I hope not, please no.
@Specters That’s my worry for when games start shipping with NFT components, however that’s going to look. If enough people support them in games it’s not going to matter how vocal the disdain is, companies will keep doing it and other companies will follow suit in the same way lootboxes and pay to win etc. have taken root
The next company to try this will set up a martyr they can use to badger us into compliance with.
Drats… I was hoping to cash in on 10x value train for Worms NFTs. /s (gotta make sure I sarcastic that, someone could actually think I’m serious)
You mean the company realized that nobody wanted something that was quite evident that nobody wanted? What a surprise.
Lol they all keep announcing this trash and backtrack from it after a week. What a joke these companies are.
This junk will never die as long as celebrities keep investing and promoting them.
@cheetahman91 It won't die as long as there's money to be made. Celebrities are just lubing us up.
@Troll_Decimator No disagreements here.
Kudos to Team17 who listened to these concerns. Now I can keep liking them and buying their games.
I mean, we all know they will circle back to this once they've figured out how to spin it better.
We do all know this, right? Please tell me we all know this.
NFT controversy has been in the buzz for the last months, everyone is acquainted about it in some way. There has been a constant in the backlash from costumers, BUT!, still this companies say to have "listened to our fans" in a very naive manner. What's the deal?
@fbnaulin the executives/elite who make the decisions don't live in the same world as the common folk. It's also possible it's to get publicity (their name is in the headlines now, FWIW). There's no telling what the truth is.
I hope this is a learning experience for all the other grifters who want to get rich quick.
Wowsers. Internet Outrage helping a good cause. Awesome.
For once the Internet Canceling stuff is for the greater good!
And once again all was good in the world
So I haven't really done any research into this NFT thing. Is it just like a "pay to win" approach. Micro transaction sort of thing? Anyone want want break it down for me in plain Noob English?
@KevTastic84 You know of grinding in an RPG? Think of doing that but for "actual" money.
@Fizza I'm going to give Sega the benefit of a doubt for this. The trademark they filed might just for them to prevent anyone trying to use their brand name in any project. I'm thinking more in the legal area than in the commercial.
@NatiaAdamo God I hope so. Also, anyone who's a fan of Yo Kai Watch is on good terms with me.
This is fantastic news!
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