Apple finally makes a play for gamers, SEC takes aim at Metaverse tokens, CryptoZoo trolled on Steam, memestock lord is GameStop’s new CEO.
Gaming on Macs to suck less
Is Apples reign as the worst platform for gaming coming to an end?
Amidst all the hype about their long-rumored VR/AR headset, slated for release in early 2024 (queueing outside the Apple Store starts in October), its not the only signal that Apple might finally be sorting out its subpar gaming offering. Its also releasing software that will make it easier to play Windows games on Mac.
Gaming on a Mac really sucks. Lots of games particularly indie and early release ones are not compatible. Keyboard mapping can be funky. To this day I have been unable to attach special tackles to my fishing rod (no, that is not innuendo) on the Mac edition of Stardew Valley.
With VR games, its even worse. If you want to spend hours watching YouTube videos, you can get most VR headsets to somewhat work with a Mac. But right now the only one that is really officially compatible seems to be the HTC Vive.
The downside of an Apple-native product is it comes with an Apple price tag: a hefty $3,499. Its hard to justify that much money for exploring the empty, laggy metaverse when you could spend a few months travelling and seeing some of the coolest places in the actual world for the same price.
The endless legal wrangling over in-game virtual assets
The Sandbox, Decentraland and Axie Infinitys tokens SAND, MANA and AXS, respectively made cameo appearances in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) complaint against crypto exchange Binance, which was filed on June 5.
The
GameStops CEO replaced by memestock trading billionaire
So long, Matt Furlong.
The GameStop CEO and former Amazon exec was axed on June 7 following the end of his 24 month contract with the gaming retailer. During that time, he oversaw GameStops transition from a primarily brick and mortar retailer into a more internet-focused firm.
Ryan Cohen will replace Furlong. Cohen made his fortune founding online pet supplies retailer Chewy but is perhaps better known for his involvement with memestocks. He successfully rallied people to invest in companies like Bed, Bath and Beyond, and GameStop itself, causing the prices to skyrocket. Critics say hes pumping and dumping.
He joined the board of GameStop in January 2021, became chairman of the board that same year and owns around 12% of the company.
It seems much of GameStops subsequent forays into crypto came from Cohen. In February this year, it inked a deal with Immutable to build out GameStops NFT marketplace. It’s due to debut later this year.
Hot take: Crypto-themed games on Steam
Given a lack of interesting Web3 games that have landed on my desk over the past few weeks, lets talk about non-blockchain based games that are about crypto.
Steam may not allow crypto games but it can do little about trading simulators and Bitcoin mining tycoon RPGs. None are hits. Most seem tongue in cheek.
Take Coin Invaders, for instance, which tells players it must save Bitcoin by destroying altcoins. Its basically Space Invaders with extra steps, notes one reviewer.
Or perhaps youll enjoy Crypto is Dead, in which an attack has crippled the world economy and physical currency has returned. Its up to you to determine which bills are genuine and which are fake. Gripping stuff.
Then you can choose from the half a dozen-odd mining tycoon simulators which require you to build mining rigs and businesses to cash in on cryptocurrency to varying degrees of complexity. One version even has a simplified edition for kids.
But perhaps the award for most amusing crypto-themed non-crypto game goes to CryptoZoo, which came out this February. I know what youre thinking and the answer is no: Logan Paul hasnt yet made good on his promise of reviving the zombie project that earned him a whole series on crypto sleuth Coffeezillas YouTube channel.
Instead the task of creating a CryptoZoo game was taken up by Rye Bread Games, who describes him or herself on Steam as a trader who makes games for fun.
According to its deck, CryptoZoo is the best CryptoZoo on the market the best of its kind the best there ever will be
It may not involve NFTs, but at least players are getting their long-awaited chance to breed animals in scientifically impossible pairings.
Other Stuff
Heroes of Mavia will release the first phase of its Beta game for Land NFT owners on June 30. The larger community will be able to play the game in the second phase from Sept 1 to Oct 31.
Amazons Prime Gaming partnerships with Web3 companies continue. Its gearing up for another deal with Mythical Games Blankos Block Party whereby Prime members will be able to claim exclusive bundles for use in the game.
Ahead of the expected launch of Otherside: Legends of the Mara this summer, Yuga Labs is ramping up the merch machine with KodaPendants for holders of Otherside Kodas and Vessels. The pendants are the first relic in the Otherside Relics by Gucci collection.
