GTA Online has effectively banned the use of intellectual property on their roleplaying servers, this includes all kinds of NFTs and cryptocurrency marketing.
Fans cannot get enough of GTA Online. According to ActivePlayer, the title remains one of the more popular online experiences to date, with an average monthly player base still in the millions. One of the more utilized methods of playing online with friends, is RolePlaying servers, which have the participants act out scenarios similar to live-action roleplaying, but within the confines of the Rockstar servers. On November 18, Rockstar officially implemented rules that forbid other properties from invading the online experience of GTA Online, which includes real-life clothing brands, but more importantly, NFT and crypto marketing references.
This comes as no surprise, as other creativity-based titles such as Minecraft have already swung the ban hammer against NFT and crypto ads on their servers in an effort to possibly avoid legal arbitration or liability from being a platform that pedals methods to ‘get rich quick.’ Considering the volatility of crypto markets and the latest collapse of the second-largest crypto exchange in FTX, Rockstar may be attempting to deter a similar scenario on their servers.
Ultimately, this coincides with the latest wave of backlash against influencers that advertise NFTs, anything blockchain-related or crypto-currency, as huge money grabs. Even Kim Kardashian found herself in hot water over issues surrounding advertising crypto/NFT trading, with a fine of $1.26 million dollars being doled out for her role in marketing crypto on Instagram to her 334 million followers.
The most important part of Rockstar’s statement against crypto on its platform is “(ii) importation or misuse of other IP in the project, including other Rockstar IP, real-world brands, characters, trademarks or music; (iii) commercial exploitation, including the sale of “loot boxes” for real-world currency or its in-game equivalent, the sale of virtual currencies, generating revenue via corporate sponsorships or in-game integrations, or the use of cryptocurrencies or crypto assets (e.g. “NFTs”).” Specifically calling out crypto and NFT by name in GTA Online roleplaying servers.
Fans can read the entire statement on the Rockstar website.
