Futurum Gaming’s “Race to Infinity,” with its claims of building better math skills through interactive play, looks wonderful on surface paper. A 59% improvement? And who wouldn’t want that for their children—or their own learning, for that matter? Hold on, before we send this ed-tech rocketship blasting off into the great beyond. We've seen this movie before: shiny tech promising radical change, only to leave a trail of broken promises and empty wallets in its wake.

Is Education Truly Democratized Here?

The real question is not whether this video game will make our students better at math, but rather who gets to benefit from such an improvement. Futurum claims to solve disengagement found in traditional, in-person learning. Isn’t financial exclusion simply another variant of disengagement, but more perniciously?

Think about it. This isn't your grandma's Tetris. Race to Infinity resides in the universe that is Web3, a space filled with crypto wallets, NFTs, and blockchain buzzwords. There are inherent barriers that even a partnership with Immutable for easy onboarding can’t remove. Too many families don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Even if they’re interested, it’s hard to imagine they can afford the complexities and costs of setting up a crypto wallet, figuring out gas fees, and buying “Paddles! NFT” to improve their in-game experience.

We’re not just referring to a digital divide here. This is quickly turning into a crypto chasm. Indeed, the very people who would benefit the most from a more accessible, engaging education may be the ones priced out of this "revolution." Rather than democratizing education, have we just provided a velvet rope to an exclusive realm for the tech savvy and cash laden?

Genesis NFT and Token: Red Flags?

Let's talk about the money. Initial mint of the “Paddles! NFT” collection, and upcoming TGE for the FTRM token. However, these two moves should be making some major red flags go off. These mechanisms are designed to add depth to the game. They create the impression that they are designed to allow early investors to reap profits at the expense of later adopters.

Imagine this: you're a parent excited about the educational potential of "Race to Infinity." You drink the kool-aid, make an NFT purchase, and count the days to the TGE with goosebumps. What if the game isn’t able to sustain its popularity, the token price tanks and your investment goes up in smoke? All of a sudden, that educational tool has turned into a costly liability.

This isn't just hypothetical. We don’t have to accept the crypto world dominated by pump and dump schemes. In these scams, unlikely early adopters create the value of a token and themselves sell at the top while everyone else is left holding an asset that becomes worthless. Futurum, I believe, has every intention to do their best. The crypto market’s built-in volatility is a big danger. So ask yourself, is a possible 59% boost in your child’s math skills really worth the risk of sacrificing your hard-earned money?

We know that the current regulatory and policy landscape is the Wild West. Consumers have little protection, and fraud is through the roof. But nothing short of a CEO disclaimer and “do your own research” should cut it. We must deploy strong, meaningful safeguards to protect vulnerable people from the opportunistic harm caused by dishonest bad actors. It is on Futurum to demonstrate how they will ensure the safety of their users.

Beyond Crypto: A Better Path Forward

Integrating education and gaming is a brilliant idea. Tying it to the volatile world of crypto is a reckless gamble. There are more effective ways to do the same thing without putting users at this kind of predictable financial risk.

Imagine if Futurum provided the educational aspect of “Race to Infinity,” completely divorced from any of the crypto-related content. Imagine if the game instead incentivized learning and stakeholder engagement with in-game achievements and recognition instead of high upfront cost.

These models are much less risky and more accessible than today’s crypto-first model. They prioritize education over speculation and ensure that everyone has a fair chance to benefit from the game's learning potential.

  • Subscription Model: Offer access to the educational content through a monthly or annual subscription fee.
  • Freemium Model: Provide a basic version of the game for free, with optional in-app purchases for additional features or content.
  • Partnerships: Collaborate with schools and educational institutions to integrate the game into their curriculum.

Instead, we need to demand intelligent innovation as the Web3 space continues to develop. In order to create these more equitable outcomes, developers need to value the wellbeing and financial security of their users over chasing short-term profits. Transparency, education, and strong consumer protections go a long way. Futurum Gaming stands poised to be first-mover here. It can help produce a truly revolutionary educational and productive tool that does not depend on the crypto gambling enterprise. The question is, will they take it?

We need to demand responsible innovation in the Web3 space. Developers must prioritize the well-being and financial security of their users over short-term profits. Transparency, education, and robust consumer protections are essential. Futurum Gaming has a chance to lead the way, to show that it's possible to create a truly revolutionary educational tool without resorting to a crypto gamble. The question is, will they take it?