The first NFT console looks like a cheap scam

NFTs, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, Web 3.0, and so on and so forth. In this day and age, many of these terms, especially Web3, are used very often for rip-offs and the like. Almost every day there is a new crypto scam that makes off with millions of euros. Although crypto and NFTs only recently hit record lows, many people are still clinging to blockchain, and video games are no exception.

There is now an NFT gaming console, at least in concept

Now the Polium One is said to be the world’s first “NFT console” with which you can easily play Web3 games. The overall concept is a bit confusing, and the console doesn’t even exist at the moment. In the official FAQ it is written that a first prototype is currently being worked on, at the moment there is only a concept and a matching image. Pre-orders will be offered in the form of NFTs, of which there are only 10,000 pieces. The finished console should then be developed with the feedback of the pre-orderers.

Overall, there aren’t that many details about the Polium One. on the site you can see which different cryptocurrencies and wallets are accepted, and the controller is supposed to have a dedicated wallet button, which you can also use to quickly access your wallet in-game.

Also, there is currently no proper list of supported games. On the page itself it is written that the company is in talks with various game developers, and in a Twitter conversation Polium states that the console should be able to play Web3 games more efficiently, but no specific example is provided.

On the site itself, however, one finds the concept of a “Clean Dashboard,” which lists the various games. These include Otherside, the “Metaverse” game by Board Ape Yacht Club, for which there is not really any information yet, Decentraland, and Highstreet. These three examples do not currently exist either, and are also difficult to classify as “games”. At least the Battle-Royale Grit has an appearance as well, and it’s supposed to come out later this year.

The first NFT console looks like a cheap scam (2)

Source: Polium




It’s a little strange that Polium doesn’t want to give specific examples, but already lists games in their concept art. Many of these titles aren’t exactly demanding, but interested customers still want to know exactly what the device’s hardware will look like. In the official FAQ, Polium writes:

“Our goal is to build a high-performance console. The specs you see on the website will not be confirmed until we have a working prototype.”

Arguably those specs are: 4K Ultra HD, TouchID, 8K HDR, Ray Tracing, and up to 120 frames per second. So the console will not only support 4K and 8K, but will also use “TouchID”. This is where things get even weirder, because “Touch ID” is Apple’s proprietary technology, which other companies aren’t allowed to use. It’s not known if they’re the same technology, but Polium might have a few problems with the name alone.

Touch ID is supposed to be used for a fingerprint sensor on the controller so nobody can buy an NFT or something like that without your permission. However, if customers wish to purchase the image of a monkey themselves, the console will help with this with a “multi-chain wallet,” and users will be able to purchase and trade NFTs and in-game items.

At this point it should be mentioned again that this console does not currently exist. The games shown do not exist either, and Polium itself does not provide any concrete examples of what you can do with this console at all. Also, the Polium One’s logo looks very similar to the Nintendo Gamecube’s logo, and the controller pictured doesn’t look very high quality either. Additionally, the company behind the console probably couldn’t even secure the name, which is why they’re known as Polium underscore underscore on Twitter.

Polium would like to share more information about the supported games, the specifications, the Polium Pass, which also grants an additional “Playables PFP NFT”, and much, much more in the future. Although there is already a roadmap on the site, it also offers hardly any details worth mentioning. In 2021 there was the idea and planning phase for the console, in 2022 the hardware will be developed. An official release is scheduled for 2024.

Polium itself received some negative comments on its featured console both on their Discord and on Twitter. In response, the company says in a couple of Twitter posts that they will build a finished prototype before accepting pre-orders. Furthermore, they are currently working on a new logo, although they disagree with the criticism about the resemblance to the Gamecube logo. When it comes to games, the company says there will be “games and exclusive games” because “no console can succeed without games.”