A recent Early Access game on Steam has gotten some degree of attention, but it’s not for the reasons you think. An old RPG/RTS title is currently available for free on the platform, but it apparently contains blockchain software bundled with the game.
The title in question is Kingdom Under Fire: A War of Heroes; a Korean game that was released way back in 2001. The store page claims that the game will receive a graphical update, hence the Early Access. It was released last December, though it’s only recently garnered more attention.
Here’s what the blockchain app, named Locus Game Chain, looks like:
Wait, I didn’t notice it before, but the game opens a crypto mining app in the background!
Nothing about this is mentioned on the Steam page!
Googling it, seems like a blockchain multiplayer system… on a 22 year old game. Screw them, I’m reporting it: https://t.co/K0ZHETZ8i2 pic.twitter.com/rwQ3Bnrlrz
— Felipe Pepe (@felipepepe) January 21, 2023
There are a couple of things worth noting here. Firstly, the Steam Store page has no mention of the blockchain technology used in this version of the game. Secondly, Steam does not allow blockchain games on the platform. Here’s the last item under a list of “What you shouldn’t publish on Steam” found via Steamworks documentation:
Applications built on blockchain technology that issue or allow exchange of cryptocurrencies or NFTs.
According to discussions in the Twitter thread, it is possible to close the blockchain app and keep the game running, though it’d likely be more hassle than it’s worth. We’ll let you know of any developments surrounding this whole ordeal when we get them.
If you want to report the game’s shady blockchain wrongdoings, you can report it via it’s official Steam page.