NFTs in games have been a controversial topic ever since they began appearing in recent titles. Such av Axie Infinity and CryptoKitties has thrown NFT games to make money, but the traditional gaming community is not yet convinced about NFT games for various reasons. It’s the system’s environmental consequences and the way large gaming studios misuse NFTs to get more out of in – game transactions to consider, to name a few.
So it’s no surprise that the recently announced Polium One received a lot of backlash from the gaming community. Named as “the world’s first multi-chain game console for Web3”, the product allows users to play blockchain-based games, download metavers and swap NFTs.
What is NFT Console Polium One?
The Polium One console is a product of Polium, a gaming company that lays the foundation for Web3 gaming. Note that most of the world is currently in the Web2 stage. Web3 is expected to follow soon, and it involves the proliferation of blockchain technology – including cryptocurrencies and NFTs.
According to Polium, Web3 games will require users to learn about crypto and the various blockchains. Otherwise, they will not be able to interact with the blockchain game system. Their solution to this problem is the Polium One console, which allows console players to experience Web3 games across different blockchains and without the need for additional crypto wallets. Simply put, Polium One is for Web3 gamers who want a plug-and-play alternative.
According to the roadmap on the Polium website, Polium One is currently in the console design stage. It will be ready for launch in Q3 2024.
The subsequent setback
Not surprisingly, the gaming community is not impressed. Although apart from the expected crypto / NFT criticism, Polium was also set on fire for its distinctive logo. Many users accused Polium of copying the GameCube logo as the images were too similar. To this, Polium explained that it did not copy the logo and that several companies used a similar one. Nevertheless, the company wanted to illustrate a new, “original” logo.
This was not the only problem with Polium’s brand building. First, the site listed “TouchID” as one of the console’s features, but that term is trademarked by Apple. Another user also points out the controller’s similarity to the PlayStation DualShock 4, all the way down to the built-in speaker and the ports below it.
Then comes the flood of burning questions. Many users took to Twitter to ask Polium how exactly Web3 gaming is the future. The gaming community is understandably dubious about Polium One, especially considering that existing Web3 games are nothing more than basic mobile games with the play-to-earn aspect associated with them. These NFT games pale in comparison to traditional video games with more challenging and fun mechanics. Not to mention, NFT sales have plummeted for a while now.
In addition, Polium assures the community that it is “currently in talks” with Web3 game developers, so Polium One will have a wide range of titles to choose from and even some exclusive ones. However, the company does not name any of these alleged Web3 game developers, which draws even more criticism from the gaming community. This is not to say that it cannot be good and environmentally friendly Web3 NFT game titles, only that Polium does not inspire trust among those in the game environment.
Even then, it will be difficult to convince the community of the viability of Web3 gaming. This is special because the whole concept seems to center around profit – playing to earn, trade, buy NFTs for video games, etc. The emphasis is no longer on the experience, but on what the players get out of it. Until the blockchain system is able to evolve out of that stage, it is likely that players will continue to doubt the value of Web3 gaming.
