Depending on who one asks, “Web 3.0” is either the internet’s blockchain-powered future or a meaningless buzzword slapped on cryptocurrency, NFT, and Metaverse scams. Many are thus suspicious of the recently announced Web 3.0 NFT Console Polium One, which some commentators doubt will ever exist. However, Wasteland 3 developerinXile Entertainment at least managed to have some fun at Polium One’s expense.
Earlier today, inXile Entertainment tweeted their “new logo,” a purple cube with the company’s name inexpertly slapped on the side. This is a direct parody of Polium’s logo, which many feel is a shameless rip-off of GameCube’s.
The parody logo is a purple cube with the “inX” part of the company’s name carved out of it and the “ile” looking like someone drew it on the side with the brush tool from MS Paint. “Thinkin about changing to a new logo,” inXile’s tweet reads, “(kind of ran out of room).” Unfortunately, not everyone got the joke, with other users having to explain the context in the Tweet’s replies. Still, anyone aware of Polium One’s announcement will likely pick up on the joke reasonably quickly.
For anyone who missed out on this bit of news, tech startup Polium announced the Polium One on July 4th. However, the world’s first NFT console almost immediately took flack for its logo. The emblem resembles a white and grey cube with a stylized black “P” cut out of it so that the letter has a smaller cube inside. This is remarkably similar to the GameCube logo, which does the same thing but with a purple cube and the letter “G.”
Polium denies copying the logo from Nintendo’s GameCube, arguing that many companies use similar designs. While the GameCube logo comes from the name and shape of Nintendo’s popular console, Polium claims its cube represents the blockchain technology. Still, the similarities are striking. The company also didn’t fight hard to defend its design, quickly changing to a self-described “original” logo. However, Polium’s admission of the old emblem’s unoriginality did not go unnoticed by the console’s detractors.
Logo design isn’t people’s only criticism of the Polium One. NFT games are already controversial, so an NFT console will be a step too far for many. The company also makes some pretty big promises despite only having about four people working on the console. These factors, combined with the lack of a working prototype, and the fact that customers can pre-order Polium One by buying into a “Polium Pass” NFT, are enough to have many internet users calling it a scam.
Naturally, Polium denies these allegations and insists that it can fully deliver on its promises. However, all the company’s shown off is a 3D render, a mockup of the console dashboard, and a sparse “roadmap.” Thus, it’s understandable that many people are suspicious of Polium One.