> No, that would require the other game provider to accept your Ubisoft-minted token.

Game providers already accept games from other shops. I can import my Steam games into GoG right now. That feature exists. The issue is that it's very limited due to digital game ownership being a mess.

> having an intermediate token adds _more_ friction.

It adds no friction at all, as you could hide it completely within the client. But it would allow adding a "Backup" button that could backup all your game ownership into a tiny file instead of having to download TB of game data in the hope that you can reinstall them later (which rarely works with modern games due to mandatory updates).

If the publisher who provides the game downloads doesn't honour your store account, why would they honour your text file?

Game services aren't allowed to give away games for free. The game you own on Steam is a different one than the one you own on GoG. So it requires the publisher's permission to allow this kind of import which in turn means it's rarely available. Also this kind of import essentially allows you to duplicate games, as you can import a Steam game into a GoG account and than sell the GoG account while still keeping the game on Steam. Without proper tracking of ownership it's a mess.

With NFTs you have a framework of ownership and both the entry on Steam and the one on GoG become the same thing. If you sell or refund your game-NFT it disappears from both services.

????? Adding a non-steam game on Steam is not transferring it, it's a simple shortcut. Your GoG game will not be installable through Steam. Your Ubisoft game will still launch uplay. It's a damn shortcut. I'm sorry you're in denial about your NFTs being worthless, but you ought to cut your losses now.

> Game services aren’t allowed to give away games for free.

I mean, they obviously are, which is about 95% of the reason I even have an account on EGS, but…

> With NFTs you have a framework of ownership and both the entry on Steam and the one on GoG become the same thing.

Which is why neither Steam nor GoG would have any interest in adopting those NFTs.