A recent Early Access game on Steam has caught the eye, but it’s not for the reasons you might think. An older RPG/RTS title is currently available for free on the platform, but it apparently comes with blockchain software bundled with the game.
The title in question is Kingdom Under Fire: A War of Heroes; a Korean game released in 2001. The store page claims that the game will receive a graphical update, hence the early access. It was released last December, although it only recently got more attention.
This is what the blockchain application, named Locus Game Chain, looks like:
Wait, I didn’t notice this before, but the game is opening a crypto-mining app in the background!
Nothing about this is mentioned on the Steam page!
Googling it sounds like a blockchain multiplayer system…on a 22-year-old game. Damn it, I point it out: https://t.co/K0ZHETZ8i2 pic.twitter.com/rwQ3Bnrlrz
— Felipe Pepe (@felipepepe) January 21, 2023
There are a few things to note here. First, the Steam Store page makes no mention of the blockchain technology used in this version of the game. Second, Steam does not allow blockchain games on the platform. This is the final item in a list of “What You Shouldn’t Publish on Steam” found via SteamWorks documentation:
Applications built on blockchain technology that issue or enable the exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.
According to discussions on the Twitter thread, it is possible to shut down the blockchain application and keep the game running, although it’s probably more hassle than it’s worth. We will let you know of any developments surrounding this whole ordeal when we have them.
If you want to report shady gaming blockchain misdeeds, you can report it via this is the official steam page.
