In a surprising move, the popular online chess platform, Immortal Game, has announced a strategic shift away from cryptocurrency integration.
The decision, detailed in a Discord post by the pseudonymous developer known as “Luxo,” cited rampant cheating as the primary reason behind discontinuing features related to NFTs and play-to-earn crypto elements.
The team @TheImmortalGame quits web3 gaming today.
They raised $15,000,000
Now they want to go back to web2
RIP pic.twitter.com/dPbUuTa0A2
— Jonah 🎮 (@RealJonahBlake) December 12, 2023
Immortal Game, originally built on the Ethereum scaling network Immutable X, raised a substantial $12 million from crypto investors last year. However, despite its financial success, the platform has decided to forego its native Checkmate token (CMT), shut down its NFT marketplace, eliminate crypto references on its website, and cease awarding tournament winners with crypto prizes.
Effective immediately, players will no longer earn CMT by winning games on the platform, as the Checkmate token has experienced a significant decline of over 73% in value this year, with most losses occurring in the current quarter.
The Immortal developer shared insights into the decision, stating that the initial intention behind incorporating crypto elements was to reward the community. Unfortunately, the unrestrained cash rewards created an environment that encouraged widespread cheating, ultimately compromising the user experience for legitimate players.
To address this issue, Immortal Game is redirecting players to Immutable’s marketplace for managing or trading their chess piece NFTs. Users with custodial wallets are urged to transfer their assets to a self-custodial crypto wallet.
Despite the pivot away from crypto integration, Immortal remains committed to exploring Web3 and decentralized technologies, specifically for anti-cheat measures and community engagement. The platform emphasizes its dedication to advancing its chess platform, ensuring a fair and enjoyable environment for all players.
Cheating has become a pervasive problem in competitive games, and financial incentives can exacerbate the issue. Immortal joins a growing list of studios abandoning crypto plans, with approximately 50 blockchain games halting development in the current year alone, according to a Game7 report.
The message from Immortal Game reassures its community of chess enthusiasts, expressing gratitude for their support during the play-to-earn journey. The platform acknowledges the challenges faced, particularly the unintended consequences of offering substantial cash rewards, leading to increased cheating activities.
The announced changes include a streamlined Immortal mode, where NFTs remain usable, but CMT will only be accessible through market.immutable.com. The platform aims to create a secure and enjoyable experience for players, encouraging them to stay on the journey to make Immortal Game the premier destination for online chess. If players have questions or concerns, the platform welcomes their input as they move forward together.
want to come on our show tomorrow or thursday and talk about it?
— Jonah 🎮 (@RealJonahBlake) December 12, 2023
