The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) has sparked rumors that it may incorporate cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as part of its gameplay. Fans have shared posts on Twitter suggesting that GTA 6 will be a “play-to-earn” game and that in-game items, such as cars and weapons, will be NFTs. However, there is little solid evidence backing up these rumors, and GTA creators Rockstar Games have not commented on whether there is any truth to them.
In fact, the company cracked down on the use of crypto in GTA in November 2020 and sent cease and desist letters to companies that were running public servers with blockchain integrations. Given the success of its previous installment, GTA 5, which generated $8 billion in revenue, it seems unlikely that Rockstar would drastically alter the successful formula of the franchise.
However, there is a possibility that Rockstar Games may use crypto as the butt of its in-game jokes, according to Game Rant. It’s worth noting that incorporation of NFTs and other crypto mechanisms in video games has been growing in popularity, as can be seen in other recent releases such as The Sandbox and Captain Tsubasa-Rivals.
In other news, the popular BBC franchises Doctor Who and Top Gear announced they’re collaborating with The Sandbox, setting to launch their individual metaverses later this year. BBC Studios, which is a commercial production company under the BBC umbrella, will join the 400 other entertainment brands that The Sandbox has worked with, including Warner Music Group, Ubisoft, Gucci, The Walking Dead, and Adidas.
Furthermore, the blockchain-based move-to-earn app STEPN is making it easier to buy NFTs for its game by adding an in-app Apple Pay payment option. Users will be able to buy SPARK credits using fiat, which can then be used to purchase the NFTs. However, purchasing sneakers with fiat will be more costly due to taxation on each in-app purchase. Regardless, adding Apple Pay will streamline the payment process and make it easier for the community to access STEPN’s offerings.
Another significant development in the world of blockchain gaming is the return of the Battle of Titans dev competition back for season two. Dev teams from over 60 Web3 companies, including Immutable, Starknet, and Fantom, will battle it out in a fully on-chain Mario Kart-style game. The new season will also add a community component where viewers can vote for their favorite team.
Captain Tsubasa-Rivals, a football game based on the popular manga, has launched a governance token. The game, produced by Web3 companies Thirdverse Group and BLOCKSMITH&Co, enables players to train characters from the manga and play against each other in matches. Game producer Shun Fujiyoshi said there are mechanisms to maintain the value of utility tokens, including in-game consumption points and mechanisms to control price fluctuations caused by speculative trading.
Lastly, an NFT tourism project piloted by Tourism Administration of Thailand (TAT) is currently running in the country. Using an app called YAK, tourists can check-in at various locations across the country and, in return, receive a travel NFT. However, users must input a large amount of personal information to use the app, and getting the various offers requires buying something else. It’s unclear how to get the NFTs out of the app, which are located on a native chain of Thailand-based cryptocurrency platform Bitkub.
In summary, the incorporation of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology in video gaming is a trend that’s here to stay. While rumors of GTA 6 including crypto elements may be unfounded, the popularity of NFTs and other crypto mechanisms in games is growing. As more companies embrace Web3 technology, it’s likely that we’ll see even more innovative and exciting blockchain-powered games hit the market.
