The pitchforks were temporarily raised for about ten minutes earlier today, when Sony announced that one of the perks of its new PS Stars loyalty scheme would be “digital collectibles”. Many on social media incorrectly assumed these would be NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, the controversial blockchain technology that assigns ownership to digital items. But that’s absolutely not the case, the company has clarified.
“It’s definitely not NFTs,” Sony’s Grace Chen told The Washington Post. “Definitely not. You can’t trade them or sell them. It is not leveraging any blockchain technologies and definitely not NFTs.” There were three dismissals in a handful of sentences there, so we reckon you can calm down.
So what are these digital collectibles, then? Well, they’re described as 3D renders of iconic PlayStation memorabilia, like figurines or even past systems. While there’s no mention of this on the PS Blog, we’re going to assume that Sony will create a kind of virtual space for you to display and show off your items – it all reminds us a little of when it wanted you to have your own Trophy cabinet in PS Home.
More details will be announced in due time, of course, but for now you can cancel your protests: there are no NFTs associated with PS Stars.
[source washingtonpost.com]
Comments 55
This confirms they're not as out of touch with their audience as some others. Great news
Amazing how companies now have to say this when NFTs are the most talked about topic now.
Good news. NFTs can get in the bin.
LOL, either they're not self-destructively out of touch, or they're just waiting for NFTs until Jim figures out what a blockchain is and where the money comes out.
In a big brain move I can sell my account 😉
My 2 cents
Microsoft Rewards is excellent.
Nintendo rewards mostly isn't.
Honestly I don't have much faith Sony will give good enough rewards to make this worthwhile. If it's 95% digital tat like Nintendo then it's a waste of time.
VR PlayStation Home remake where you can view digital collectibles in a virtual space.
And you can go and view your friends and strangers too.
Its surely a given now.
@NEStalgia
Wow even in this article you cant stop your hate for Sony.
It is really getting tiresome to see your hate on almost every article.
Cant you just stay on purexbox instead of being here.
@Neverwild if they stayed there, then how would they tell everyone here they hate Sony?
@themightyant Let's wait and see before we criticize (not saying you're doing that). I believe Sony will make it worthwhile or comparable to what Xbox has.
"It’s definitely not NFTs,” Sony’s Grace Chen told The Washington Post. “Definitely not. You can’t trade them or sell them."
Just as worthless then, like NFTs.
@torne
Well they couldnt and it would be nice to stop seeing it here.
If it sounds like NFTs and looks like NFTs. It's probably NFTs.
I don't mean to be cynical - however no company claiming their NFTs are different - has never convinced me they are.
Sounds like NFTs to me.
@Rafie I hope so. With the xbox rewards program, I was able to get a massive discount on the razer turret($250 originally, after sales and rewards, $150 after fees), I've gotten tina tiny's wonderland and insurgency both from the rewards program($100 at time of redemption), now I'm on the verge of redeeming enough points to buy chernobylite($30).
@Neverwild wouldn't that be nice? I'd love to see it actually happen.
@Rafie Frankly I would be AMAZED (and very happy) if PlayStation matched Xbox here. I get around £10 a month on Xbox for doing very little, i'd LOVE that here, but honestly don't expect it... just doesn't fit Sony's recent MO. But even half that would be cool.
I agree with the sentiment that this would mean more if something like PS Home was still around. Plus, I can already get what they're offering in Astro's Playroom and it's done perfectly there.
What from the original statement made people think it had anything to do with NFTs!? Man, message board gamers are such easily triggered monkeys that are on the look out for any echo chamber they can chimp shout into instead of actually enjoying a game.
Btw... This sounds fun and I wished Sony would have already implemented something like that back in the PS3 era.
@PhhhCough I love the rewards program on Xbox. I got so much for doing little, as you said. My XBL paid for itself many times already..
@themightyant My point is that we should wait and see what it really does before passing judgement.
@Rafie Agreed, not judging, just setting my expectations accordingly.
@Neverwild Nobody said anything about Xbox? It was an NFT/Jim Ryan punchline. PR is frantically disassociating from NFTs, but is there anyone in this room that doesn't picture Jim rubbing his hands together trying to figure out how much he can make with NFTs, limited only by not actually knowing what they are?
Negativity surrounding Jim Ryan and the current leadership and decision making at PlayStation is a result of being a PlayStation fan and is unrelated to being a fan of any other platform. Think of it as the biggest PS exclusive ever! I've been in the PS world long enough to remember the highs ($299!; This is how you share), the lows (six hundred ninety nine US dollars; KZ CGI trailer), in real-time. Despite it all, Jim's earned the negativity, Matrick-style.
If you want to spoil an on-point jab because you see srs bsns console warriors everywhere surrounding your fortified position, have at it, I guess.
@PlayStationGamer3919 Yes!! PS Hone should cone back. Would have been great in 2020 when we were all actually stuck at Home.
I'll keep an eye on this.
I'm angry at something I don't have have take part of from a free rewards programs I don't have to use, which I didn't know about until few hours ago maybe NFTs. I want a digital figure in VR world from a game I complete but don't you dare call it a NFT.
@Neverwild I rarely input on tit for tat but im going to as a one off.
Id second check that one @NEStalgia is one of the regulars across both sites that stays out of the console wars bs and most of their posts are a good read.
Was it a badly timed dig? Maybe but as a multiformat user myself you cant help but think if Jim saw an in for NFTs, he would be in.
On the same token. MS would absolutely do the same if they found a minimal impact on PR way to do it.
I don't really care much for digital stuff on these rewards programs, unless they are games or DLC or similar. I still have most of my Nintendo coins since there is nothing I want like phone wallpaper and the like. I'd rather get something physical.
Removed - harassment
Removed - harassment
NFTs area already tanking along with digital currencies
why? because they rely on a perceived value that is completely false and manufactured.
Corporate overlords see the trend and know that the NFT hype has already fizzled, and the economy is about to be forced into a recession.
@Neverwild there is a huge difference between criticism and hate for a person place or thing. Just because you are willfully choosing blind loyalty and excuse making for that which you love, doesn't mean that another who criticizes aspects that are concerning indicates the individual is a hater.
In fact, I would argue those that blindly cheerlead Sony and make excuses for anything that a large portion of the community outside of the unwavering "fanhumans" are concerned about, are far worse for the community, the art form, the brand, and the industry as a whole and ultimately shooting themselves in the foot.
I know Sony makes questionable decisions but I don't think they are that dumb to jump onto the NFT train especially now it's declining, even Square Enix have realized that
@KundaliniRising333
I dont blindly follow Sony but if I dont need to write out on everything since lots of things arent a problem.
Only haters see problems everywhere.
He doesnt critisism Sony on things, he hates them.
Seen enough posts from him to see that.
Here on puahsquare he holds back alittle but on purexbox he doesnt hold back.
This makes me sad, we all know the value of NFTs is unmatched
Woah woah J.R. is living in peoples head I see.
It makes me nostalgic about the old Dallas TV show 😅
I’m still not sure what NFTs are tbh and couldn’t care less haha
It's going to be like a mix of Astros playroom Artifacts, and the free random avatars and themes etc that they give away during the Days of Play events, right?
Unless your in the current minority of peeps that loves NFTs (uggghhh, absolutely hate them!), then let's agree that this is great news, and even under Jim's reign (he's made a good call here right?), they've come to this decision!
By all means, get the pitchforks out if they do a U-Turn, but give them praise for getting this right, at this moment in time.
These aren’t NFTs because NFTs are limited to being “unique”. If everyone can own or earn a 3D statue or whatever it is of say, Kratos, then it’s more like a little collectible figurine. I’d almost wish they’d take this to the next level and say you can order a real version of the model.
I’m way too disloyal for a loyalty program
So basically nft's but worthless.... sweet
@Neverwild If you're going to accuse me of being cynical, pessimistic, and critical of Jim's leadership, and the behavior of PS/Sony under his stead, that's absolutely fair game, because it's absolutely true, I am that, and unapologetically so. So I'm willing to take that punch, it's an accurate statement. We may or may not agree on the point, but it's a fair, accurate claim.
But don't confuse that with some kind of console warrior behavior, because that would be an entirely false claim. I am a multiplatform gamer, absolutely true. And I am absolutely more positive about the direction XB currently is being taken compared to the direction PS has been taken since Kaz left, or Nintendo has taken since Iwata's death. Most definitely. And I'm very much disappointed in decision after decision that's been made at PS that has brought it ever more in line with Nintendo's practices. Absolutely true.
But as I said, that's a result of being disappointed in PS as a long-time PS fan. Not because I am a fan of other platforms. Nor am I alone, or even atypical among long-term PS enthusiasts (meaning not the casual mass market that doesn't know who Jim is, nor the die-hard "I bleed blue" loyalists that will defend their favorite corporation no matter how much it changes into something worse because they won't accept the corporation isn't run by the same people in the same manner it used to be.) I'm sure you've noticed, a lot of PS fans are not thrilled or are jaded by its direction recently. Hardly worth calling out one commenter when even the editorial staff of a major PS fan site regularly takes issue with it.
I'm also not sure where the claim that I "hold back" here but not on PXB comes from. Anything I've said there regarding PS I've also for the most part said here. Which is the very thing you're unhappy about, openly wishing I didn't. What I've been pleased to see, here, and much more so in recent times than the heart of the PS4 era, is that so many other PS fans feel the same way.
But if you're going to take the "NES hates Sony" route, and expect a "One True Fan" litmus test, I'll acquiesce: I have a library of PS games dating to the 90's before XB ever existed. I have 1 PS2 and multiple of every other PS console made. I have a PS3 "phat", and 2 slims. (PS's worst selling home console.) I have 2 PSP 2000s. 3 Vitas (PS's very worst selling console), 5 PS4/Pros in the household. I have a boxed copy of Haze (talk about taking one for the team!.) I have PSVRs, Eye Toys, and that card game deck, that came with the PS3 eye toy. Boxes full of controllers (some even still work!). I never bought PSP Go, the Japan-only accessories, the PSX re-release, or that book reader peripheral thing. Otherwise, Astrobot's trophy room is nothing compared to my piles of PS hardware laying about, let alone the literal towers of games from before I went digital.
That's not the profile of someone that "hates Sony" or is an "Xbox fanboy." Or anything remotely close.
I don't take issue with you disliking my cynicism, I absolutely admit to said cynicism, and I can understand disagreement of that. That's only fair. We can easily agree to disagree on that point. But going off on a console war tangent about "xbox", is simply patently, verifiably untrue.
Sounds like when EA said 'surprise mechanics' instead of lootboxes to me lol
@Neverwild Just ignore him. He's insufferable in every post like a few other cringe fanboys that pretend to be here for Playstation news. The worst part is conversing with the guy makes him write 5000 word essays as a response to simple comments just so he can ramble on about nonsense no one cares about.
@PhhhCough Just some stuff for for fun nothing wrong with that.
@Goober1 Looks like where right i hate these massive walls of text im not going to read i guess almost nobody will.
@KundaliniRising333 Yeah well some people are here to bash everything all the time and i agree there are a few that are here just for that. And its getting old fast so annoying.
@ErrantRob
Oh thank for simple and rational way to put it. (That was back in my memory but didn’t click for some reason) I see now it’s just like a game collectible then. The irrational hate and push back about everything is sometimes confusing and distracting.
👍🏻
@NEStalgia
(All this rhetoric about Jim Ryan)
And now I have Dallas tunes in my head. 😅
Thinking of ignominious J.R. and nice Bobby (Phil?).
🎶 🎶 🤣
@AndyKazama It's not NFT's because it's nothing to do with blockchain and crypto, as they have stated. An NFT is a specific bit of technology reliant on and entrenched in these technologies.
Sure it sounds like it's doing all those things NFTs claim to magically grant the ability to do, so you might wonder how it's not an NFT? Well that's because everything that NFT pushers claim NFTs enable, is actually 100% doable already and has been for some time. Sony could even implement a system to let you sell and trade these digital collectable already without them being NFTs. The only thing NFTs add is a way for crypto currencies to scam you.
So in this case, if it looks like an NFT and it sounds like an NFT...it's actually just that NFTs are useless and add nothing to anything.
I think it's time for sony to make ps5 version of Home, it will be cool to view the collectibles in your room 😃
@JJ2 Actually....J.R. is a pretty good fit...that's a really good fit......I like it. This needs a meme!
(Seriously, though, I was teasing you about seeing console warriors everywhere you look the other day....but some people seriously do!)
@NEStalgia
There’s also Skeletor and He Man (by the power of blah blah)
Just giving cool ideas haha
I can’t wait for your subtle memes 😅
@JJ2 Haha, I'll have to be sure to deliver!
@Ogbert this exactly. Not to mention how environmentally irresponsible NFTs and proof-of-work cryptocurrency is, when for most things all you need is a simple database (sure that centralises it, but for games you need the developer to make stuff part of the game anyway).
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