Popular Kick streamer Adin Ross recently announced his plans to create a crypto-infused custom server for the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 alongside gaming influencer and FaZe Clan CEO and co-founder, Richard “FaZe Banks” Bengtson, once the game is released.
During a livestream on Monday, Ross shared his excitement about the project, stating, “When GTA 6 drops, me and Ricky are going to make the biggest server together. And I promise you, it’s going to be completely crypto. Everything pro-crypto about it. It’s going to change the game.”
Banks added that the server would feature an in-game crypto economy powered by a newly-created coin, with both streamers planning to invest heavily in the project.
However, the future of this ambitious endeavor may be uncertain due to Rockstar Games’ previous stance on cryptocurrency use in player-run servers. In 2022, the game developer announced a ban on cryptocurrencies, crypto assets, and NFTs in Grand Theft Auto Online and Red Dead Online servers, leading to the closure of several servers that had integrated crypto elements.
One such server was The Trenches, an NFT-centric GTA server launched by Chicago rapper Lil Durk, which was shut down following legal action from Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive.
Despite these challenges, speculation has arisen that GTA 6 could potentially incorporate crypto features, such as in-game Bitcoin rewards or crypto payments. However, Rockstar has yet to confirm or deny these rumors, leaving the future of crypto integration in the game uncertain.
Take-Two Interactive’s previous involvement in the crypto space through its acquisition of Zynga and the development of the NFT mobile game Sugartown suggests potential opportunities for crypto integration in future projects. However, the recent spin-out of Zynga’s crypto gaming team into a new company, D20 Labs, indicates a shift in focus towards exploring deeper crypto gaming initiatives.
Given Rockstar’s current stance on crypto assets, it remains to be seen whether Ross and Banks will be able to launch their crypto-fueled GTA 6 server as planned. While the outlook may seem uncertain, unexpected shifts in attitude towards crypto, as seen with figures like Donald Trump launching a meme coin, demonstrate that the future is full of surprises.
As Decrypt reached out to Rockstar Games for comment on the matter, it is evident that the intersection of gaming and cryptocurrency continues to evolve, with the potential for exciting developments on the horizon.