The gaming scene is all about Paradise, a new open-world game that’s been promoted as a fantastic alternative to the much-awaited Grand Theft Auto VI. It mixes free-to-play features, smart AI interactions, and its own cryptocurrency, grabbing a lot of interest at first. But now, there’s growing proof that Paradise might not be the game-changer it says it is, and could actually be a trick aimed at gamers who aren’t paying close attention.
Paradise launched with a flashy trailer that got over 650,000 views. It showed off cool sports cars, AI-driven character interactions, and huge city landscapes, making people think of Grand Theft Auto and The Sims. However, investigations soon pointed out some worrying issues. Many items in the trailer were either used without permission or taken from the Unreal Engine Asset Store, causing questions about the game’s originality.
Paradise and $PAR scandal
One of the big concerns with Paradise is its link to cryptocurrency. At first, the game was marketed with a focus on earning in-game currency called ParadiseTap or $PAR, which was said to be exchangeable for real money. Reports indicate that $PAR was sold months before the game’s release through informal channels like Telegram, avoiding platforms like the Google Play Store. Buyers were lured with promises that $PAR would gain value as the game became more popular.
🟣 How to earn $PAR ?
As a reminder, you can earn the in-game currency $PAR in ParadiseTap in advance of the game's release.
👥 Friends
This is currently the fastest way to accumulate $PAR. Invite your friends to develop empires together! For every… pic.twitter.com/iD9qcymkPJ— PARADISE (@paradisevscom) December 8, 2024
But the truth seems less rosy. Investigations showed that while you could buy $PAR, selling or transferring it wasn’t possible, meaning users couldn’t get their money back. Experts say this is like a “pump-and-dump” scheme, where excitement is artificially increased to sell more cryptocurrency, allowing the developers to profit without delivering a working game.
Further adding to the mystery, Paradise’s Steam page recently removed all mentions of cryptocurrency, which suggests they might be trying to hide this controversial part of the game. On top of that, Epic Games has completely removed Paradise from its store, leading to a 404 error when you try to visit the page. Despite these issues, Paradise is still one of Steam’s most-anticipated upcoming releases, with about 150,000 followers eagerly waiting for it.
Paradise’s developer doubts rise
Concerns about Paradise’s creators, Ultra Games Ltd., have grown. They have an address in Hong Kong, but investigations found no proof they work there. When asked, the developers gave vague answers, making them seem less trustworthy.
Popular influencers like streamers Pokimane and Lachlan Power were initially shown as partners, which made the project look more legitimate. However, they have denied being involved. Some key promotional materials were also taken down, hinting at disagreements or contract issues.
The game’s use of powerful anti-cheat software is another worry. This software can access users’ PCs deeply, raising privacy concerns. Experts say it could be a risk to your personal data. This, along with the questionable $PAR practices, leads some to see Paradise as a possible tool for data misuse.
Steam’s oversight in question
The controversy around Paradise points to bigger problems in the gaming world, especially on sites like Steam. Even though the game has many warning signs, it still managed to become a top-trending upcoming title. This shows a lack of careful checking. Gamers can be easily fooled by tricky marketing and financial traps, with few options if the game fails.
Valve, which runs Steam, has not responded to the rising worries about Paradise. Their silence has been criticized by those who believe platforms need to check games more carefully. On the other hand, Epic Games quickly removing Paradise has been seen as a good move to keep its users safe.
Takeaway
As gaming and financial ventures increasingly overlap, it’s important for players to be extra careful with new releases. Be wary of promises of making easy money, trusting unknown internet influencers, and dealing with secretive developers. It’s crucial to do your homework before spending time or money on a new game and to watch out for possible scams in the gaming world.
