Valve has added a new rule to its “What you shouldn’t publish on Steam” list that prohibits the distribution of games that use blockchain technology or allow users to exchange non-fungible tokens (NFTs) or cryptocurrencies.
The change was noticed by SpacePirate, a developer working on an NFT-based game, who explained that the change was made because the company does not allow game items that have real-world value.
However, MoonNation has come to the rescue. @MoonNation0 has said that it is open for all games to use the native token Moon Nation Bridge, or MNB, and it will be the largest platform used by crypto gamers with their API, blockchain tech and P2E, allowing crypto enthusiasts to create games and so much more.
MoonNation, which promised that the Moon Nation Bridge will have its API for game developers, is now ready to be the “Steam of Cryptocurrency.” Reportedly, they are now fast-tracking the development of MNB to be the actual player in online gaming — bridging cryptocurrency, play-to-earn & gaming in the metaverse.
The Moon Nation Bridge allows users to access the MNG balance directly by connecting the user’s wallet to the platform. Users may exchange their MNG token into MNB, the local currency, and then spend that money to purchase games, use spent points to play games on an hourly basis, in-game exchange currency, and many more.
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Moon Nation is the biggest space-based role-playing game ever created on the Binance Smart Chain. MNG is the entry point into this space adventure, and it is a rock-solid utility token with reflections and burns on every transaction. Users holding MNG tokens are considered native residents of Moon Nation. To travel to other countries or other planets, players require a passport that may be acquired by collecting tokens or by participating in events like pre-sales.
The passport is in the form of NFTs. These NFTs are the determinants of a user’s rank in the game. The reward system is intended to maintain the game competitively and make it possible to explore other worlds, even for those players who are not particularly active. Sometimes, conflict may break out between various groups in the game. The winning community receives advantages from the homeless community. In this manner, it looks more like an online virtual casino where the in-game currency acts as chips, and MNG functions as the fiat money. Talking about visuals, MoonNation’s drawings and the animation looks pretty genuine, which immerses the player in the game, drifting in the infinite space aboard an alien spacecraft.
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The MNG token has been meticulously constructed to be an excellent investment vehicle that will grow for decades rather than days while acquiring additional usefulness over time due to ongoing growth and improvement.
Transaction fees for MNG will be critical to its success and sustainability over the long term. The payments collected will result in price stability, consistent deflation, and token holders receiving incentives. The total quantity of tokens will be a whopping 384 million. Its value is the distance between the earth and the moon. To ensure stability and functioning, a total of 10% of the transaction fees will be paid to the liquidity pool. These costs will apply anytime tokens are purchased, sold or transferred between players and holders.
It is also stated that an additional 3% of the tokens would be dispersed to all token holders. Another 3% will be burned down and delivered to a burn location to induce deflation. A 2% portion will be spent on marketing and development, and the remaining 2% will be put into the project’s growth and improvement.
Ben Todar (IG & Twitter: @bentodar) expressed his belief in the crypto gamifying project long before this incident and started MoonNation to provide better options to users who wanted to explore the gamification of cryptocurrencies. With such good opportunities for MNG, the project is currently on a very promising track and is likely to grow even further.
Business
IKEA announces decision to close popular Greater Manchester site
Emily Sergeant
It’s the end of the road for one of IKEA’s popular Greater Manchester sites.
The Swedish furniture giant has announced its decision to close its ‘Plan and Order Point’ over in Stockport in a couple of weeks time.
The store – which is located in Stockport town centre’s Merseyway Shopping Centre – launched to huge success back in March 2023, and at the time, was the second of this ‘test and trial’ format to open in the UK, becoming a smaller space dedicated to kitchen and home planning, as well as ordering items.
IKEA says the closure comes as a result of ‘valuable learnings’ which plan to take this conceptual format in a direction to ‘better suit the needs of UK customers’.
IKEA is closing its close popular Stockport site this month / Credit: Jon Super (via IKEA)
Since the opening of the Stockport Plan and Order Point, IKEA claims it has seen an increased demand for Click and Collect services, a desire by customers to shop a smaller selection of home furnishing accessories, as well as the ability to return goods to physical IKEA units, and this is all something which the current location is unable to offer.
Learning from this change in consumer habits, the company says its future Plan and Order Point openings – including in those in other northern cities like Hull and York – will offer these services.
IKEA says it also remains ‘committed’ to trialling new formats, such as its upcoming small stores, one of which will open in nearby Chester later this year.
Luckily for IKEA fans, the retailer has confirmed that its major Greater Manchester store in Ashton-under-Lyne, as well as the neighbouring store in Warrington, will remain open as normal, offering all the services available at Stockport and more.
The Swedish furniture says the closure comes as a result of ‘valuable learnings’ about customer needs / Credit: Jon Super (via IKEA)
In addition to the upcoming opening of a smaller store in Chester, IKEA has revealed that the North West continues to be an area of interest for future expansion.
“After careful evaluation, we’ve made the difficult decision to close the IKEA Plan and Order Point at Merseyway Shopping Centre,” explained Salma Azad, who is one of IKEA’s Area Managers.
“In the two years since opening, we’ve taken valuable learnings, including how our customers prefer to meet IKEA, and we’ll take these insights into future openings, to serve shoppers in a more impactful way.”
Thanks to last year’s Click and Collect expansion, Stockport residents can now pick up purchases from Tesco Extra Stockport and Tesco Extra Stretford, as well as the Manchester store and the upcoming small store in Chester.
Stockport Plan and Order Point’s final day of trading will be on 16 June.
Guide Dogs desperately needs people in Greater Manchester to ‘foster’ its dogs while they’re in training
Emily Sergeant
Guide Dogs desperately needs Greater Manchester residents to take on the volunteering role of Fosterers.
The charity – which has been providing mobility support, and raising awareness of and campaigning for the blind and partially sighted since 1934 – relies on the help of its network of its more than 14,000 volunteers across the UK to help it make a difference and improve the lives of those with visual impairments.
And Fosterers are a vital part of the journey for the hundreds of dogs trained each year.
As a Training Dog Fosterer, you’ll be giving a dog in training a loving home whilst they embark on their journey to become a guide dog.
You’ll get to see the progress your furry companion is making in their training and be a vital part of their journey, all without the commitment of looking after a dog full time.
Guide Dogs North West – which is based at the state-of-the-art training school in Atherton – has taken to social media this week to issue a desperate plea for new Fosterers to join its volunteer network in our region, and is calling on dog lovers who can commit to the important role to get in touch.
“Calling dog lovers around Atherton,” the post on Instagram reads.
“We desperately need volunteer Fosterers to look after our trainee guide dogs during the evenings and weekends. We take care of the training and costs, such as food and vet bills, and you take care of the play time and cuddles.”
One of the most crucial parts of the Fosterer role is being able to drop the dog off between 8-9am and pick them up between 5-6pm at a Guide Dogs site or a site near a trainers’ home each weekday – which means you will likely need to live nearby to the Atherton training centre or be fully-committed to travelling.
Guide Dogs desperately needs people in Greater Manchester to ‘foster’ its dogs while they’re in training / Credit: Guide Dogs
What will you get in return? Well, volunteering is a two-way street, so in return for your time, you’ll get a dedicated volunteer manager / key contact who will help you settle in and support you during your time with the charity.
And of course, you’ll get lots of cuddles from the new four-legged friend you’ve welcomed into your home.
This could be a chance to play your part in changing lives.