Google Play received a new upgrade that appears to be an acceptance of blockchain technology.
This was done in the form of a rollout. The new update places an emphasis on native support for tokenized digital assets like NFTs for applications and games that are available on the Google Play Store.
This most recent adjustment to the policy should be interpreted as a bullish indicator for blockchain investors, blockchain artists, and blockchain stakeholders more generally.
What this new version entails for existing Google users
Joseph Mills, who works as a product manager for Google Play, said on his blog on Wednesday that the store now gives permission to video game companies to offer non-free-to-play titles.
“We are 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. From reimagining traditional games with user-owned content to boosting user loyalty through unique NFT rewards, we’re excited to see creative in-app experiences flourish and help developers expand their businesses.”
It is important to keep in mind that Google Play withdrew the video game Bitcoin Blast in 2020 due to “deceptive practises” after it had prohibited cryptocurrency mining apps from its store in 2018. In addition, the Apple App Store announced in October 2022 that non-game-related in-app purchases (NFTs) made outside of the App Store cannot provide any unique advantages to players within a game; otherwise, the game would be removed from sale in the App Store.
In addition to this, a 30% charge must be paid to Apple for any NFTs that are purchased through the Apple App Store version of a game.
The cumulative effect of these series of occurrences gave rise to the notion that mobile NFT games were coming under fire from industry titans. On the other hand, according to this new policy announced by Google Play, the incorporation of NFT games with Android devices is encouraged so long as a select few guidelines are adhered to.
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What developers should be mindful of with this new development
App developers are required to disclose to users whether or if their games enable players to earn or purchase non-fiat currencies (NFTs) or cryptocurrencies, as stated in the blog post. Also, game producers are not permitted to exaggerate the amount of money that players could potentially make by playing games or engaging in trade activities:
“If an app or game sells or enables users to earn tokenized digital assets, developers must declare this clearly. And while tokenized assets are meant to build more enriched, immersive experiences, as an added user protection, developers may not promote or glamorize any potential earning from playing or trading activities.”
As long as they continue to follow these guidelines, makers of video games are permitted to continue include the provision of tokenized assets as a component of the overall gaming experience.
In an interesting turn of events, the massive social networking platform Reddit and the video game producer Mythical Games collaborated with Google to revise its policy on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in order to provide users with a more open and accountable way to interact with blockchain-based digital content.
According to Google Play’s announcement, the company would “continue to engage with developers to understand their challenges and opportunities.”
It is anticipated that this significant revision of policy would increase user loyalty through the usage of NFT awards and rethink classic games with one-of-a-kind material that is owned by users.
