The DICE Summit Discussions: Gaming Has Led The Metaverse, But NFTs Pose New Ethical Challenges

The possibilities — and the responsibilities — of an all-encompassing digital world such as the metaverse dominated talk at this year’s DICE Summit, a gathering of gaming industry professionals in Las Vegas that stood as the medium’s first major, in-person conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gaming executives preached that the industry was on the verge of defining the next generation of online worlds, even if everyone was short on specifics.

Studio health was a prime topic at DICE, where a talk centered on what a return to the office looked like with worker habits having been forever altered by the pandemic. Even a conversation on NFTs (or non-fungible tokens) and how the online certificates that allow for the ownership of digital goods and so-called “play-to-earn” models could transform games, fell heavily on why the topic has been met with such resistance among developers at gaming studios.

“Disdain,” is how moderator Min Kim (of Bonfire Studios) summarized the early developer reaction to developing games with NFT functionality built on blockchain. The panelists attempted to take a measured approach, noting there hasn’t been a hit game yet that can show a mass audience why player ownership will create a better gaming experience, while also conceding that many of the early adopters have what is perceived as questionable ethics since the first games in the space are built around money-making or collectible schemes first and foremost.

DICE speakers compared it to the beginning of free-to-play mobile games, which introduced a number of controversial mechanics, including loot boxes and their gambling-like nature as well as endless microtransactions. “We haven’t seen that blockbuster game that changes the perspective of a developer,” said John Linden, CEO of Mythical Games.

Metaverse-like worlds have come under greater scrutiny since Facebook rebranded itself to Meta. However, throughout DICE, a number of issues were alluded to when it comes to building hospitable digital universes. Problems surrounding social media and the spread of disinformation have yet to be solved, and gaming communities, EA COO Laura Miele argued, reflect the environment in which they are created. She encouraged the industry to look to its own house before constructing more virtual ones.

“Here we are, sitting in a uniquely powerful position at the intersection of technology, entertainment, and social activity,” said Miele. “All of you this week are going to have a great time talking about interesting subjects like NFTs and crypto and blockchain and metaverses, but we also have to connect to the humanity.”

(All information was provided by The Los Angeles Times)

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