Immortal Game Abandons Chess NFTs and Crypto Tokens Due to Rampant Cheating

In a surprising move, the online chess platform Immortal Game has decided to distance itself from the crypto world, abandoning its Checkmate token (CMT) and eliminating play-to-earn elements. The decision, announced last week on the platform's Discord channel, comes as a response to the "heavy cheating" facilitated by these features.

Unplugging the Crypto: Immortal's Drastic Changes

The Immortal Game, initially built on the Ethereum scaling network Immutable X, has officially ceased its support for the Checkmate token (CMT). The platform is also scrapping its NFT marketplace and removing all references to crypto on its website. Additionally, tournament winners will no longer be rewarded with crypto prizes. These changes came into effect on Monday, as outlined in the Discord post.

Developer's Dilemma: Putting an End to Play-and-Earn

Luxo, a pseudonymous developer at Immortal, expressed the team's decision to halt the development of play-and-earn and NFT collectibles features. The initial intention behind introducing crypto elements was to reward the community. However, the team discovered that the absence of a limit on cash rewards fueled widespread cheating, compromising the integrity of the platform.

Cryptocurrency's Downfall: CMT's Plummeting Value

Despite securing $12 million in funding last year from notable blockchain investors, Immortal's Checkmate token (CMT) has experienced a drastic decline of over 73% in value this year, primarily in the current quarter. Previously, players could earn CMT by winning games on the platform. Immortal chess piece NFTs, though still usable, are now limited to "Immortal mode."

Moving Forward: A Shift in Focus

Acknowledging the unintended consequences of offering monetary rewards, Luxo highlighted the team's commitment to exploring Web3 and decentralized technologies, particularly for anti-cheat measures and community engagement. The primary goal remains the advancement of the chess platform, ensuring a fair and enjoyable environment for all players.

Industry-wide Impact: A Trend of Abandoning Crypto Plans

The Immortal Game joins a growing list of studios abandoning their crypto plans due to rampant cheating. A recent Game7 report revealed that nearly 50 blockchain games have ceased development this year. Other Web3 games that initially emphasized NFT elements have also backtracked, offering versions free of crypto to comply with platform restrictions.

Immortal Game Takes a Stand Against Cheating

While cheating remains a pervasive issue in competitive gaming, Immortal Game's bold decision to distance itself from crypto elements underscores the detrimental impact of financial incentives on fair play. The platform aims to prioritize the integrity of its chess community, leaving behind the allure of crypto rewards.