It’s been an impactful yr for gaming. There have been loads of large, critically acclaimed releases like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Starfield as 2023 arguably supplied one other artistic excessive level for the business.
However there has additionally been tons of failures: studios have been shuttered, there’s been an estimated 9,000 layoffs throughout the business, and loads of large video games have flopped.
As a substitute of chronicling the extra severe (and miserable) losses this yr, this roundup goals to supply a extra lighthearted—and crypto-forward—assortment of the most important gaming Ls. Seize your popcorn.
Logan Paul nonetheless hasn’t given out CryptoZoo refunds
Controversial YouTuber-turned-podcaster-turned-pro-wrestler Logan Paul cashed in on the crypto craze in the course of the earlier bull market, selling meme cash and promoting tokens for his apparently deserted recreation, CryptoZoo.
It’s been nearly a full yr since Paul promised in early 2023 that he’d refund consumers of his CryptoZoo venture, who purchased animal NFTs and ZOO tokens for a recreation that, to today, has but to be launched. Paul beforehand stated he would dole out 1,000 Ethereum (presently $2.3 million value) to offended consumers who felt cheated—however Paul has but to really ship the funds.
Paul remains to be going through a lawsuit over the alleged CryptoZoo rip-off and has fired his authorized workforce, in line with a report from a YouTuber who revealed screenshots of current authorized paperwork.
And if all that wasn’t sufficient of a fail, a solo indie developer proved {that a} crypto-free CryptoZoo clone could possibly be in-built only a “few hours,” outperforming each Paul and the whole workforce he’d employed to develop the sport.
YouTuber reveals seed phrase on stream
In August, a blockchain gaming YouTuber by chance revealed his pockets’s seed phrase throughout considered one of his livestreams—leading to about $60,000 value of property being drained from his pockets.
The streamer was visibly devastated by the loss and was crying on the stream. He beforehand defined to Decrypt that he filed a police report, however stated that they didn’t appear to know a lot about cryptocurrency, so made pleas to his neighborhood to return the funds.
After the funds had been swiped from his pockets, the YouTuber claims he was in touch with somebody who admitted to stealing the funds. Shortly after, about $50,000 value of the stolen property had been surprisingly returned.
Whereas this instance has a barely happier ending, leaking a seed phrase—and shedding roughly $10,000 value of crypto—remains to be a large fail value noting. And a lesson to all of us to be extra cautious once we’re streaming dwell to the world.
Creator League’s “secret” NFTs
This fall, the launch of a membership pass-driven competitors known as the “Creator League” generated tons of chatter on social media as a result of it had large creators hooked up like TikTok star Bella Poarch and OTK’s Asmongold. On prime of that, it was promoted by the most important YouTuber by subscriber depend, Mr. Beast.
However the Creator League shortly crumbled when one of many names hooked up, Connor “CDawgVA” Colquhoun, tweeted that he was backing out of the league as a result of he didn’t understand it concerned the usage of blockchain. OTK’s Chief Technique Officer later instructed Decrypt that his group didn’t know there was crypto concerned, both.
The Creator League was then broadly criticized on social media for not mentioning—or maybe hiding—its use of blockchain tech. Making issues worse was complicated messaging. A rep for the venture tried to disclaim that the passes had been certainly NFTs, suggesting that they had been as an alternative utilizing the blockchain to ascertain “transparency” with the neighborhood—whereas, sarcastically, concurrently not telling the neighborhood about stated blockchain’s use.
After widespread backlash, Creator League was shortly shelved—and a number of reviews famous that eFuse had laid off 30% of its employees following the venture’s failure.
Unity enrages builders
In September, recreation engine creator Unity introduced new charges for recreation builders that might set up a “runtime payment” primarily based on recreation downloads—versus a revenue-share payment mannequin. This instantly enraged builders, who stated they had been “fucking furious” (and lots else) over the brand new charges and apprehensive that it’d end in studios owing more cash to Unity than they’d make.
A few week later, Unity apologized for the announcement and walked again a few of its modifications. Most notably, it stated that builders who didn’t improve to the 2024 model of Unity would be capable of keep away from the brand new payment, as will builders utilizing Unity Private. Quickly after, Unity’s longtime CEO introduced he was stepping down.
This yr, Unity realized that offended recreation devs are a pressure to be reckoned with. The widespread, viral backlash round Unity’s controversial new payment makes it one of many greatest gaming fails of the yr.
Redfall falls flat
You’ve most likely heard about Bethesda’s Starfield launched this yr—however have you ever heard of its different recreation, Redfall?
Sadly, Redfall launched this yr to largely destructive critiques, with IGN calling it “a bafflingly unhealthy time throughout the board.” The Escapist known as it “embarrassing for Xbox,” and Steam reviewers panned the sport due to its many reported bugs, low perceived high quality, and “boring story,” amongst different complaints. Its participant depend shortly plummeted to near-zero numbers by October, regardless of being launched in Might.
Valve bans streamer with lump of coal
Glad holidays—or not? This month, Valve determined to perma-ban a Dota 2 streamer referred to as Mason for toxicity by gifting him a digital lump of coal.
Throughout a stream, Mason observed that he obtained a “present” delivered to his account. He opened it—solely to disclose it was a “Extremely Poisonous” lump of coal.
Valve has completely banned Dota 2 streamer “Mason” for prime ranges of toxicity by getting him to open a Christmas present which was only a lump of coal and his ban 😂
By no means seen something like this pic.twitter.com/YZzSZlBKhu
— Jake Fortunate (@JakeSucky) December 15, 2023
“Your Dota account has been completely banned for smurfing, or different violations of the Steam Phrases of Service,” his ban discover learn. “Smurfing” is when high-ranked gamers create new accounts to play in decrease ranks and dominate lesser-skilled opponents.
A Reddit consumer claiming to be Mason later wrote that he’d had somebody play on his account in an try to extend his “habits rating” within the recreation.
Oof.
Edited by Andrew Hayward
