We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

[Hooe]

For those not up to speed - the Non-Fungible Token is a technology growing in popularity in tech circles which, in the context of video games, facilitates the concepts of proof-of-sole-ownership of digital goods (so the owner of a particular digital good might prove its scarcity and assert its value) as well as the execution of "play to earn" video game mechanics. NFTs are controversial for a vast number of reasons - criticisms of the technology include its harsh environmental impact, exploitability for fraud and money laundering, plagiarism, among other concerns.

This stuff is coming to AAA video games whether we like it or not. Back in November via PC Gamer, EA's CEO Andrew Wilson was already talking up NFTs as a concept EA would adopt, and from the same article it was reported EA had job postings talking about NFTs last year. It's not just EA, though. Ubisoft announced its own NFT program this past December and is doubling down on their initiatives despite intense consumer backlash, and Square Enix's president has already personally effecively declared NFTs as the future of video games in a company-addressed letter published on New Year's Day. On the flip side, Valve has already banned all games which include NFTs from their ubiquitous video game digital store Steam.

Regardless - there's no possible way these can add any sort of value to Madden for anyone in this particular section of the Madden audience, right? Like, if we compiled all the items from every wishlist ever posted at Operation Sports, Maddenmania, Reddit, and so on, we'd all vote for any item on anyone's list before this, right?

I admit I don't really know what my point is with this thread. I think I'm mostly just venting in exasperation of the inevitable, but I figure I'd get that out of the way now to brace myself for my future disappointment. I assume the easy route these get into the game is that artificial scarcity is going to get introduced for NFT-bound limited edition MUT cards and The Yard gear which carries over from one Madden game to the next. However, I fear a frustratingly dumb future of Madden where, for example, Tiburon brings back create-a-play into the game and enables custom playbooks in MUT, but each custom play is tied to its original author via NFT and you have to pay with real-world cash to add a particular play someone else authored to your playbook, of which the original author gets a pittance.

[PVarck31]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Don't think I want that.

These are also big in the sports card industry now.

[stinkubus]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Tech bros are amazing specimens. They are simultaneously some of the smartest and stupidest people on the planet.

NFTs and crypto-"currencies" should not be legal. These are flagrant pyramid schemes which are doomed to collapse as soon as the pool of suckers willing to funnel money into them dries up. I've yet to have anyone convince me that they have any practical application beyond speculation and the facilitation of criminal activity.

[EliteSmarts]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Tech bros are amazing specimens. They are simultaneously some of the smartest and stupidest people on the planet.

NFTs and crypto-"currencies" should not be legal. These are flagrant pyramid schemes which are doomed to collapse as soon as the pool of suckers willing to funnel money into them dries up. I've yet to have anyone convince me that they have any practical application beyond speculation and the facilitation of criminal activity.

How is fiat any better? Countries print money like it's nothing and thus it loses it values. It happens in some African and South/Central American countries where inflation goes crazy.

Crypto gives the chance for some 3rd world countries to have stable currency.

[Hooe]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

How is fiat any better? Countries print money like it's nothing and thus it loses it values. It happens in some African and South/Central American countries where inflation goes crazy.

Crypto gives the chance for some 3rd world countries to have stable currency.

Let me interject as a mod here (realizing I invited this line of discussion by opening this thread at all so this is partially my fault):

This forum about the Madden NFL video game series probably isn’t the best venue to discuss the global political implications, good or bad, of cryptocurrency. In addition, Operation Sports still has a standing policy prohibiting political discussion, to the extent that it is in any way still disparate from sports and video games.

My intent with opening this topic was to focus on NFTs as related to Madden specifically, given the technology’s newsworthiness and widespread objection to it in video games specifically. If you can relate your thoughts on these things back to Madden NFL specifically, please do so. Otherwise, there are probably better venues for more general political discussion than this forum.

[tril]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

NFT's in sports video games will definitely add value to digital trading cards.
companies like Topp's releasing rookie cards as NFT's through Madden...... I can see that. that's a low-cost implementation with potentially high rewards for users and game developers like MAdden.

[patsfan1993]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

My highly nuanced position on this matter is this:

It's dumb. It's stupid. I don't want it anywhere near any video game.

[Madden08PCgmr]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

My highly nuanced position on this matter is this:

It's dumb. It's stupid. I don't want it anywhere near any video game.

I'll throw in a "GET OFF MY LAWN" for good measure.

[lilrosati56]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Only NFT I want is a Nugget Filled Taco

[Dagan]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

My understanding of a company doing NFT's is that they are just creating another product to sell. The LAST thing that EA Sports needs to do, especially regarding Madden is create another thing to market and sell to people because, even if it's a slight bit of time and effort, it's still taking focus away from the only product we care about. Granted, I know that they will probably claim that people care about and want more various things from them, but that's an issue, as well.

I wish they would actually have the intelligence to post a poll flat out asking everyone what they want from them because that'll make it clear to us and them what everyone does in fact only want. Also, I hope that per said poll, each item they ask about has the option for one of the answers being "F#*K NO!" Haha.

[Executor]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Despite CM's best efforts in the OP I still have no clue what NFTs are (good for) especially with regard to video gaming, but I know I do not like the sound of that at all.

But maybe it's just me getting a bit too old.

Still, thanks but no, thanks.

[PunkMonk]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

My understanding of a company doing NFT's is that they are just creating another product to sell. The LAST thing that EA Sports needs to do, especially regarding Madden is create another thing to market and sell to people because, even if it's a slight bit of time and effort, it's still taking focus away from the only product we care about. Granted, I know that they will probably claim that people care about and want more various things from them, but that's an issue, as well.

I wish they would actually have the intelligence to post a poll flat out asking everyone what they want from them because that'll make it clear to us and them what everyone does in fact only want. Also, I hope that per said poll, each item they ask about has the option for one of the answers being "F#*K NO!" Haha.

I'm not so sure that we as a franchise-loving community are in the majority these days. I wouldn't be surprised if there were all sorts of other things casuals and online players would say they want over franchise and true-to-life gameplay updates.

And for whoever said crypto has no actual purpose.. that's personal to you. Bitcoin is being used as a daily tender as we speak. I've paid for things and been paid in bitcoin. If I don't immediately need the money, being paid in bitcoin would actually be more valuable to me in the long run. Pay me 50 dollars today and it only loses value with cost of living increases. Pay me 50 dollars worth of bitcoin and that 50 can double to 100 on the next spike up.

[HeatLifer]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

Bitcoin was once thought of as a "get off my lawn" imaginary situation... now it's worth $40,000-60,000 USD.

I'd be careful not acknowledging the monetary value in things.

[Dagan]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

I'll be serious instead of cynical for once.

Cryptocurrencies are weird and catch-22 for me. They are simply created out of thin air and promoted as worth whatever amount because there's only so precious few of them. Therefore it's treating these digital constructs like banks treat precious metals/stones/resources and their worth/value/etc. In either case, none of it is actually worth anything unless the masses believe that it is and therefore literally and figuratively "buy" into it. A major kicker also being that insurance conglomerates/banks/unions back said values is a big part of it all, as well (and in the case of cryptocurrencies, it is way more similar to how stocks work/rise/fall/collapse).

My issues and worries lie in trusting the logic of these as sustainable. How long can we trust that randomly made up things are worth something? Surely, before too long, the backing conglomerates are going to decide that it's nonsense, and I would think one of the major reasons that they'll do so is because accepting all of these supposedly very valuable resources are going to affect inflation globally. If you've ever wanted or worried about seeing a one world economy or global currency, this is very much a path that would lead you there, and I just really, really don't see that being in any conglomerate's best interest.

My two cents (not applicable in bitcoin, sorry).

[PunkMonk]

Re: We're all on the same page about not wanting NFTs in Madden, right?

I'll be serious instead of cynical for once.

Cryptocurrencies are weird and catch-22 for me. They are simply created out of thin air and promoted as worth whatever amount because there's only so precious few of them. Therefore it's treating these digital constructs like banks treat precious metals/stones/resources and their worth/value/etc. In either case, none of it is actually worth anything unless the masses believe that it is and therefore literally and figuratively "buy" into it. A major kicker also being that insurance conglomerates/banks/unions back said values is a big part of it all, as well (and in the case of cryptocurrencies, it is way more similar to how stocks work/rise/fall/collapse).

My issues and worries lie in trusting the logic of these as sustainable. How long can we trust that randomly made up things are worth something? Surely, before too long, the backing conglomerates are going to decide that it's nonsense, and I would think one of the major reasons that they'll do so is because accepting all of these supposedly very valuable resources are going to affect inflation globally. If you've ever wanted or worried about seeing a one world economy or global currency, this is very much a path that would lead you there, and I just really, really don't see that being in any conglomerate's best interest.

My two cents (not applicable in bitcoin, sorry).

I'll gladly take your two cent in bitcoin

I understand and have similar long-term concerns, even as an investor and advocate of. My only issue is with what I bolded above. That's literally the exact same thing with fiat currency. There's no backing value that reflects what's in circulation. It's literally just printing at this point, or numbers in bank accounts. I digress for the sake of keeping this Madden related.

I don't mind NFT's, MUT packs, add-ons, etc, etc.. as long as the gameplay is solid. All these things are targeted at kids and younger crowds, it's business, I get it, get your money, EA. But not at the neglect of the foundation of your game... FOOTBALL.

Imagine going into a restaurant and they're promoting their merch-related items, and the food stinks. Get that **** out of my face bro, the food sucked. But if the food is amazing, I'd entertain at least taking a look at it, and understand others interest as well.