Welcome to this week’s edition of This Week in Crypto, your go-to source for the intersection of cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and the wider world. This week, we’re diving into a trio of captivating stories that highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the crypto landscape. First up, we explore how Magmic is stepping up to the plate with an officially licensed Major League Baseball (MLB) idle tycoon Web3 game. Next, we’ll take a sip of the latest from Starbucks as the coffee giant announces the end of its NFT rewards program. Lastly, we’re rounding third with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak’s legal victory against YouTube over Bitcoin scam videos, a decision that could have significant implications for content responsibility on major platforms. Join us as we unpack these stories!
Baseball Meets Blockchain: Magmic Unveils MLB Web3 Game
Magmic, a leading name in mobile gaming, has unveiled plans for a new “idle tycoon” game centered around Major League Baseball (MLB), marking a significant stride in blockchain gaming. Announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, this yet-to-be-titled game allows players to construct and manage their baseball stadiums, using licenses from both MLB and the MLB Players Association. Magmic plans to blend traditional gaming with the emerging digital asset economy, promising a gameplay experience that supports both Web3 and Web2 interfaces.
CEO Mo Agha highlighted that the game would offer a full experience on mobile and browser platforms without requiring players to engage in monetized Web3 features, although it will include options for trading digital assets like ballplayers. Magmic’s vision with this MLB game is to merge the entertainment of gaming with genuine asset ownership, setting a new benchmark in the evolving landscape of Web3 gaming.
Starbucks Winds Down Odyssey Beta NFT Program
Starbucks has announced the closure of its Odyssey Beta program, a unique initiative that allowed customers to earn digital collectible stamp NFTs through engaging in coffee-related games and activities. Scheduled to end on March 31, the program offered users the chance to unlock exclusive benefits and experiences, standing as part of Starbucks’ venture into the digital collectible space. Along with the program’s conclusion, the platform for trading these digital stamps and its community Discord server will also cease operations. The Odyssey marketplace will merge with the Nifty marketplace, enabling the continued transaction of Odyssey stamps.
The coffee giant did not provide a specific reason for ending the NFT rewards program, but hinted at the need to make room for new initiatives and the continued evolution of their engagement strategies. This move mirrors the actions of other major companies that have recently stepped back from their NFT and digital collectibles ventures. The specifics of Starbucks’ next web3 development remain uncertain, leaving customers anticipating what’s next for the company’s engagement efforts.
Wozniak Wins Lawsuit Against YouTube Over Bitcoin Scam Deepfake
Steve Wozniak, the co-founder of Apple, has secured a victory in a legal battle against YouTube and its parent company, Google, concerning the platform’s use of manipulated videos that falsely used his image to promote a Bitcoin scam in 2020. A San Jose appeals court reversed a prior decision that had absolved YouTube of any wrongdoing, challenging the reliance on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act as a defense. This ruling allows Wozniak and other public figures, who were similarly exploited, to proceed with their lawsuit. It underscores a growing scrutiny over the responsibilities of social media platforms in policing content, particularly when they might materially contribute to fraudulent activities.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance when navigating online platforms and dealing with digital currencies. For individuals looking to educate themselves further about safely engaging with cryptocurrency and avoiding scams, the RockItCoin blog offers valuable resources and insights.
