NFT games are officially allowed on Google Play Store, however, gambling games are not.
The store’s team stated that games may provide NFTs for sale or to earn, but that developers must disclose this feature in the game’s description and can not allow gambling.
The store’s group product manager, Joseph Mills, announced on July 12 that video game publishers can sell nonfungible token (NFT) titles on Google Play.
In the post, Mills states that Google Play is “pleased to share that we’re updating our policy to open new ways to transact blockchain-based digital content within apps and games on Google Play,” including “boosting user loyalty through unique NFT rewards.”
Google Play has just announced a couple of new policies. Here's a summary of what they announced 🧵 pic.twitter.com/pk2XLxQUAq
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 12, 2023
Google Play banned crypto mining applications from its app store in 2018 and removed Bitcoin Blast for “deceptive practices” in 2020. Apple’s App Store announced in October that NFTs purchased outside of the App Store are unable to offer customers any special advantages within a game, otherwise, the game would be banned. Furthermore, NFTs sold through Apple’s App Store version of a game have to pay a 30% fee to Apple.
Also Read: NFT Games: How Do They Work?
Many industry professionals believed mobile NFT games were being targeted as a result of these statements and conduct. The new Google Play policy, however, makes it clear that these games are allowed on Android devices as long as they follow a few guidelines.
Developers are required to make it clear whether a game allows players to earn or buy NFTs or cryptocurrencies, according to the post. Additionally, it is prohibited for game developers to “glamorize any potential earnings from playing or trading activities,” and they are also prohibited to offer players gambling options like loot boxes.
Games may include tokenized assets as part of the gaming experience as long as they follow these guidelines, such as by “reimagining traditional games with user-owned content,” according to the post. Google Play stated that these guidelines have been created in collaboration with Web3 gaming industry leaders and that it will “continue to engage with developers to understand their challenges and opportunities.”
Web3 games have also been banned by Steam, the world’s largest PC game distributor. However, Epic Games, Steam’s competitor, offered the NFT card game Gods Unchained in its store on June 22.