Team17 U-turns on controversial Worms NFT project following intense backlash Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Team17 U-turns on controversial Worms NFT project following intense backlash Will now "step back from the NFT space". News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 2 Feb 2022 105 comments In light of the intense criticism following yesterday's news that Team17 was launching an "environmentally friendly" Worms NFT project, the publisher has announced it will no longer be going ahead with its plans. "Team17 is today announcing an end to the MetaWorms NFT project," the company wrote in a statement on Twitter. "We have listened to our Teamsters, development partners, and our games' communities, and the concerns they've expressed, and have therefore taken the decision to step back from the NFT space." Eurogamer understands some within Team17 had already aired their disproval of the company's NFT plans ahead of their reveal, but Team17 management chose to forge ahead with the announcement regardless. Reaction to the project was, predictably enough, overwhelmingly negative, with Aggro Crab, developer of Team17-published rogue-like Going Under, even going as far as to say it would never work with the publisher again. Watch on YouTube Worms Rumble - Battle Royale Reveal Trailer. Team17 isn't the first company to do a U-turn on its NFT plans following an intense industry and consumer backlash, of course; Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World reversed course on its plans to introduce its own blockchain-driven "metaverse" awash with NFTs after the announcement was less than warmly received. Similarly, prolific voice actor Troy Baker yesterday abandoned his plans to partner with a controversial voice NFT company. Still, plenty more video game companies remain perfectly happy foisting NFTs on the public, shamelessly deploying planet-burning blockchain-based technologies in the process. Atari recently released giftable "surprise" NFT lootboxes to celebrate its 50th anniversary, while Konami (rather depressingly) earned over £118,000 from its Castlevania NFT auction. Meanwhile, EA boss Andrew Wilson believes NFTs are the future, and Ubisoft is already waist-deep in the stuff, having launched Quartz, its "energy-efficient" NFT platform for AAA games, last year. And if any of that makes you feel a little bit nauseous, don't worry - according to one Ubisoft boss, it's just because you "don't get it" yet. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store