Google Play Opens Its Doors to NFTs

Updated: 13 July 2023

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Google Play has made a significant policy update, permitting developers to integrate digital assets like non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into their apps and games on the platform.

But as part of the policy update, developers must be transparent with users about tokenized digital assets.

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 Announces Shift in Policy Via Blog Post

The announcement about the company’s intention to make way for NFTs on the play store was revealed via blocks.

Highlighting how Google Play “hosts a variety of blockchain-related apps”, Joseph Mills, Group Product Manager, wrote that the team now plans to expand its offerings to create a “more engaging and immersive digital experienced with tokenized digital assets and NFTs.”

According to the article, Google is now talking to developers to provide a safe blockchain-based experience for everyone involved.

The article highlights that the new updates in policies will bring new blockchain-based digital assets to Google Play. It has also hinted that new games would re-imagine digital ownership, and the content itself will also be geared towards “boosting customer loyalty through unique NFT rewards”.

Reiterating the company’s focus on customer trust, Joseph emphasized that “maintaining user trust is paramount”. As a result, part of the policy update will require developers to be transparent to users about digital assets.

It means that developers would be required to inform players that it does support NFT games.

Another important point that the policy has added is that developers must not “promote or glamorize” any potential earnings from playing or trading activities, which aligns with Google Play’s Real-Money Gambling, Games, and Contests Policy.

It means that most games on Google Play that follow a pay model involving loot boxes – mystery bundles filled with random gameplay items – won’t be able to promote buying them if these “mystery items” happen to be NFTs.

The document also states that “apps that have not met gambling eligibility requirements cannot accept money for a chance to win assets of unknown real-world monetary value, including NFTs”.

Reddit and Mythical Games’ Personnel Were Instrumental In Formulating Latest Policy

Mythical Games was one of the consultants of Google Play for the formulation of the latest policy. The CEO of the gaming company, John Linden, was quoted in the blog stating:

“We think these new policies are steps forward for both players nad developers alike and will positively impact the adoption of new technology while also protecting the consumers.”

Reddit is the social media group that has already forayed into the NFT space with its Avatar NFTs, and was also consulted with by Google Play. Matt Williamson, the Senior Engineer Manager of Reddit, stated:

“By setting clear guidelines, we can ensure that users make informed decisions while enjoying immersive blockchaine experience.”

Google Play’s Current Stance on Blockchain Games Changes

Google Play’s current stance towards blockchain games is a far cry from the times it didn’t allow any blockchain asset to be part of its ecosystem.

Back in 2018, Google Play stood beside Apple and banned crypto-mining applications from the play store. The stance of both the corporate giants in those ways was to curb activities related to cryptocurrency mining on the platform, with Google going as far as banning crypto mining browser extensions from the Chrome web store.

However, in one of the latest tweets, Google’s newfound appreciation for blockchain games was revealed via its more inclusive policies.

1) A new blockchain-based content policy that states that devs must complete a declaration for apps that enable users to transact blockchain-based digital content. Additional requirements apply for NFT gamification. pic.twitter.com/kGhMPaWCi0

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) July 12, 2023

The company’s new stance does have long-term implications for the development of new crypto games. The “fun” factor vexed many of the earlier crypto games, and their minimalistic approach to gameplay wasn’t always appreciated. But with this latest policy update, we might see better innovation in the blockchain gaming space.

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