TTRPGS, Blockchains, and NFTs

When Kickstarter announced recently that it would be investing in blockchain-based infrastructure, there was widespread backlash. Blockchain technology is environmentally damaging and is of limited use. Creators such as Possum Creek Games (Wanderhome) announced their intentions to move off Kickstarter, while companies such as Chaosium and Wizards of the Coast continue to express interested in non-fungible tokens, digital items which exist on a blockchain.

While I'm writing this article, I do need to point out that I'm not a great person to do so; my understanding of blockchains, NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and related technologies is very, very limited and my attempts to get a handle on the subject have not been entirely successful. I'm sure more informed people will post in the comments.

What the heck is an NFT (& what does it mean for digital artists)

What is a non-fungible token (NFT)? In this graphic designer's guide to NFTs, we explore how Non-Fungible Tokens work in the context of digital art and how you can start turning your digital creations into sought-after NFTs.

dribbble.com

Kickstarter is not the only tabletop roleplaying game adjacent company delving into such technologies. Call of Cthulhu publisher Chaosium announced in July 2021 that it was working with an NFT company to bring their Mythos content to a digitally collectible market, with specific plans to sell two different models -- the Necromonicon and a bust of Cthulhu -- from the Cthulhu Mythos; and while things went quiet for a while, last week the company tweeted that 'We have more - lots more -- to drop... when the Stars are Right." A Facebook statement from Chaosium's CEO appeared on Twitter talking more about the decision.

D&D producer Wizards of the Coast said in April 2021 that it was considering NFTs for Magic: The Gathering. More recently, an email from WotC's legal representatives to a company planning to use NFT technology in conjunction with M:tG cards, alleging unlawful infringement of its IP, indicated that WotC was "currently evaluating its future plans regarding NFTs and the MAGIC: THE GATHERING cards" but that "no decision has been made at this time."

On Twitter, ErikTheBearik compiled Hasbro/WotC's involvement with NFTs so far.

Gripnr is a '5e based TTRPG NFT protocol' with Stephen Radney-MacFarland (D&D, Star Wars Saga Edition, Pathfinder) as its lead game designer. OK, so that's about as much of that as I understand!

Some company in the TTRPG sphere have taken a stand. DriveThruRPG stated that "In regard to NFTs – We see no use for this technology in our business ever." Itch.io was a bit more emphatic:

A few have asked about our stance on NFTs: NFTs are a scam. If you think they are legitimately useful for anything other than the exploitation of creators, financial scams, and the destruction of the planet the [sic] we ask that [you] please reevaluate your life choices. Peace. [an emoji of a hand making the “Peace” symbol]

Also [expletive deleted] any company that says they support creators and also endorses NFTs in any way. They only care about their own profit and the opportunity for wealth above anyone else. Especially given the now easily available discourse concerning the problems of NFTs.

How can you be so dense?

NFTs -- non-fungible tokens -- and blockchains have been dominating the news recently, and with individuals and companies taking strong stances against them, it's fair to ask why. The environmental impact of the technology has been widely documented - it's inefficient, and the need for blockchains -- a sort of decentralized ledger -- to have multiple users validate and record transactions makes it very energy intensive. In an era when climate change is having more and more devastating effects around the world, use of such technologies attracts considerable backlash.

Other ethical concerns regarding NFTs specifically is that the purchaser of an NFT is not actually purchasing anything, and the value for the digital 'token' they've purchased is speculative. When you buy the NFT of a piece of art (for example) you don't own the art itself; you only own a digital token associated with the art. The whole concept is likened to a 'house of cards' or a 'scam' by its critics.

 

[diceexmachina]

This video from Folding Ideas does a pretty in-depth explanation of the problems with blockchain technologies and why they will never be what the evangelists claim.

 

[Yora]

Yes, NFTs are all one giant pyramid scheme. And like any good pyramid scheme, the actual scammers let a few regular fools get rich as well, to make it look like normal outsiders with no prior knowledge and connections to insiders really can make a lot of money with the whole thing. Buying NFTs is not investment, it's gambling. Gambling that you might be one of the lucky few who actually walks away with a profit instead of the masses who get left with nothing.

The whole NFT business was set up in the first place by known con men who have already been banned from stock speculation. And given with what ordinary speculators do on a normal day, it really takes quite a lot to get banned. This has nothing to do with improving the economic situations of artists. This was planned as a scam from the very start by a group of criminals.

 

[Professor Murder]

While I get and agree with the concerns about the environmental cost of blockchain, putting emphasis on it as the cause for objection feels like an error. The numbers involved are very big and can get very murky for the typical audience. It's the sort of data that people can play around with. See so called "green" crypto and nfts.

What more sells the danger for me is this: It is all a pyramid scheme. It's selling digital trading cards under the pretense they will appreciate in value because scarcity will convince a future victim to buy it off you at an increased price. They are all scams. What's more, it's the wild west and there is zero regulation to protect customers or the artists who proponents claim this aids. While anecdotal for now, we are seeing increasing reports of IP theft in cypto/nft markets.

Seeing as I love plenty of things that do known harm, like cholate, it would be hypocritical to say I will abandon an RPG company because they partner with an NFT company or offer them directly. But I don't approve of the practice, would never participate in it or Cryptocurrency, and will never endorse its use.

 

[darjr]

Yea, it's a huge scam. And getting into it supports the scammers especially if you use the services they use.

 

[Jd Smith1]

Is the power usage really that significant? From what I can see, private data bases of all types pull a tiny fraction of the wattage needed to power street lights.

How are the NFTs going to come into play given a single-tier or at best a double tier system?

 

[Morrus]

Is the power usage really that significant? From what I can see, private data bases of all types pull a tiny fraction of the wattage needed to power street lights.

According to this article, each transaction consumes $100 worth of electricity.

Every Bitcoin transaction consumes over $100 in electricity

Estimates highlight the incredible energy toll of the world's biggest cryptocurrency.

fortune.com

The NYT says bitcoin uses more electricity than some countries do:

Bitcoin Uses More Electricity Than Many Countries. How Is That Possible? (Published 2021)

The most popular cryptocurrency wastes energy by design. Why is that, and could it ever be greener?

www.nytimes.com

 

[183231bcb]

Other ethical concerns regarding NFTs specifically is that the purchaser of an NFT is not actually purchasing anything, and the value for the digital 'token' they've purchased is speculative. When you buy the NFT of a piece of art (for example) you don't

I hope eventually people will start to apply this concern consistently: there ought to also be a massive backlash to any product with DRM.

 

[Dire Bare]

It's interesting how upset some folks are getting over the so-called "scam" nature of NFTs.

Upset and concern over the environmental impact, I understand. And NFTs are definitely faddish and do seem a ripe area for scams and for those who would take advantage.

But are NFTs, by nature, all scams or pyramid schemes? No.

The basic idea of digital artwork (and digital currency) isn't going to go away. How it is structured will likely evolve, hopefully into something less environmentally impactful and more regulated. NFTs are the beginning of something new.

We have another thread with folks swearing off Chaosium products until they walk back their foray into NFTs mentioned in the OP. I just don't get the upset. I'm not going to be purchasing any NFTs anytime soon, but I don't have a problem with companies like Chaosium or WotC exploring the market. If folks out there want to buy digital artwork and collectibles, I have no problem with companies and artists catering to those demographics.

NFTs . . . faddish, environmentally irresponsible (in their current form), an area where buyers must exercise caveat emptor (buyer beware), an area that could probably use some regulation . . . but not a secret evil plot to disenfranchise artists, consumers, and bring the world one step closer to armageddon.

Of course, if NFTs bother you on a fundamental level, go ahead and boycott Chaosium, and eventually WotC . . . . but I don't think it will have much of an impact on these companies or the burgeoning NFT market.

 

[Morrus]

If folks out there want to buy digital artwork and collectibles, I have no problem with companies and artists catering to those demographics.

They're not buying digital artwork, though, if I understand the technology correctly.