GameStop NFT Marketplace faces backlash for minting “horrific” 9/11 image
In early July, GameStop (GME) launched its own NFT Marketplace, but a token featuring a design eerily similar to a tragic 9/11 image has put the platform in hot water.
On July 11, GME launched GameStop NFT Marketplace in its “public beta” form allowing select artists to mint their designs. While buyers can purchase NFTs minted on the platform, GameStop NFT Marketplace can’t be used to trade tokens that originated off-platform.
This makes GameStop NFT a closed ecosystem of buyers and creators, but the pool of creators is much smaller than platforms like OpenSea. Artists have to apply to become a creator for GameStop, and can only sell their work if accepted.
Amid a crypto crash, GameStop NFT has also faced issues with creators violating their terms of service resulting in numerous suspensions. And now, the platform is under fire for hosting an NFT that looks near identical to a photo taken on 9/11 of a man jumping to his death.
GameStop is now selling an NFT version of a man falling to his death from 9/11…
— The Spiffing Brit (@TheSpiffingBrit) July 23, 2022
If this is what your company needs to do to stay afloat then sincerely fuck your company pic.twitter.com/dePz0rgdlD
The token – titled ‘Falling Man‘ – was created by GameStop NFT creator Jules as a part of the Astronaut collection. Internet users were quick to notice its stark similarities to the famous ‘The Falling Man’ photo taken by Richard Drew which captured 9/11 victim Jonathan Briley as he jumped from the World Trade Center to his death.
The Jules NFT features an astronaut falling in a similar position to Briley. However, the striped background is almost an exact copy of the one seen in Drew’s photo.
The two photos have been shared in tandem across Twitter with many users asking for GameStop to remove the NFT. They called the token “horrific”, “disgusting”, and “disrespectful”. And many comments were met with automated replies from the GameStop NFT account.
Having any difficulties, complaints or questions? Kindly send a direct message and we will ensure it will be resolved. Thank you.https://t.co/v1rQ8gCn3g
— GameStopNFT (@GameStopNFT_dev) July 23, 2022
One user claimed, “It has been up for 10 days and is still currently up despite numerous reports.” This comes after a wave of creators were suspended for making NFTs of copyrighted material.
GameStop has yet to respond to the outcry from people who feel the NFT should be taken down. However, we will keep our readers updated is and when they issue a response.