Google Play Now Allows NFTs in Games | GAM3S Grid Weekly

Get the latest on Google Play Updated Policy, Axie Infinity Season 5, Star Atlas and more!

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GAM3S.GG
July 13, 2023

🔥 Top headlines from this week’s digest:

✅ Google Play Updates Policy to Allow NFTs in Apps and Games

Google Play revises its policy to allow tokenized digital assets like NFTs in its apps and games, provided developers adhere to new transparency rules.

What’s Going On Here? 

Google Play, the digital distribution service operated by Google, has announced an update to its policy, allowing developers to enable users to buy, sell, or earn tokenized digital assets such as non-fungible tokens within its apps and games. This move is part of Google Play's effort to foster innovation while ensuring user safety and transparency.

As part of the policy change, apps and games that sell or enable users to earn tokenized digital assets must clearly declare so. Developers are prohibited from promoting or glamorizing any potential earnings from playing or trading activities.

What Does This Mean?

This policy update opens up new avenues for web3 game developers specifically to create more engaging and immersive digital experiences with tokenized digital assets such as NFTs. From reimagining traditional games with user-owned content to boosting user loyalty through unique NFT rewards, Google Play is opening up the opportunity for creative in-app experiences to flourish and help developers expand their businesses. However, with the adoption of this emerging technology, Google Play emphasizes the need for user protection and transparency.

In line with Google Play’s Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests policy, apps cannot accept money for a chance to win assets of unknown real-world monetary value, including NFTs. This means developers cannot offer purchases where the value of the NFT is unclear at the time of purchase, including offerings like "loot boxes" which contain randomized blockchain-based items.

Why Should I Care?

Google's decision to integrate NFTs into its platform stands in stark contrast to Apple's recent policy changes. Apple has announced that they will support NFTs as in-app purchases, but with a catch - they will apply a 30% commission on all NFT sales and limit all NFT in-app purchases to USD. This has led to many projects seeking workarounds or even removing their applications from Apple's App Store.

While Google's approach is more open and encouraging for developers, Apple's stance could potentially stifle innovation in the web3 gaming space. The implications of Apple's 30% commission on any NFT in-app purchase go beyond just the number itself. The requirement for purchases to be made in USD, given the market volatility and the projects looking to price items in their native tokens, is counterproductive for many developers.

However, it's not all doom and gloom. The fact that tech giants like Google and Apple are acknowledging and integrating NFTs into their platforms is a significant step towards mainstream adoption of blockchain technology and web3 gaming as an industry.

It's a clear sign that the digital landscape is evolving, and these changes could potentially influence other digital platforms to adopt similar policies.

✍️ Reviews of the Week

We invaded every base in sight while fortifying our own then we set sail to become scary pirates in our two featured reviews:

Fableborne offers a unique blend of base-building and raiding gameplay, keeping players engaged and coming back for more. Fans of strategy games and base-building enthusiasts will find it worth keeping an eye on

Pirate Nation provides an entertaining high-seas adventure with its distinctive design, challenges, and rewards. While it is worth trying, the game's limited interactions and repetitive aspects might not appeal to all players.

🎮 Fresh Games

From the powerful Gods of Norse mythology to roaming the streets of futuristic Wiami, check out the latest games added to our platform!

The Wake is a compelling multiplayer game set in the vibrant world of Norse mythology, offering unique competitive experiences across nine distinct realms.

Wilder World is a revolutionary 5D metaverse, providing an unparalleled immersive gaming experience.

🎙️Conversation of the Week

This week we spoke with Jason Brink - President at Gala Games to learn more about how one of the biggest web3 gaming ecosystems handles publishing and how it differs from the traditional industry.

The Gala Games platform hosts a variety of games, including Dragon Strike, PokerGo Play, Eternal Paradox, Spider Tanks, Town Star, Superior, GRIT, Meow Match, Champions Arena, Legends Reborn, Mirandus, and others.

What You Need to Know About Gala Games:

  • Gala Games has revealed its 2023 roadmap, emphasizing the growth of mobile gaming, enhancement of the Gala blockchain, and improvement of game tokenomics

  • The company recently acquired a mobile gaming company, Ember Entertainment, and intends to bring its games into the web3 environment

  • Gala Games has its own blockchain, called GYRI, to address Ethereum's gas fees. GYRI successfully hosted Spider Tanks and is ready for more games, including Town Star, Champions Arena, and Meow Match

🎧 Listen to the full conversation recording here

📺 Video of the Week

We take a look back at The Machines Arena playthrough and the intense moments the game has to offer to prepare us for an electric Beta Season 1 👇

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Until next time, happy gaming!