Robot Cache early access signups are now open

Robot Cache, the blockchain-based digital distribution platform that will enable its users to resell their games and mine cryptocurrency that can be used to purchase new ones, announced today that it will go into an early access period in October. Signups to take part are now open, and anyone who registers prior to the early access kickoff will be added to the Robot Cache Founders' Club, which provides special offers and unique rewards including a Founders' Club profile badge.

That is perhaps not the most compelling motivator ever, but Robot Cache said (without getting into specifics) that other rewards would come from developers, publishers, and Robot Cache itself. More compelling, I think, is the cryptomining aspect, or more precisely the ability to put mined currency toward new games. You're not likely going to end up rolling in the dough (one "Iron" token will be valued at roughly €1, although if values fluctuate like they do with Bitcoin, who knows where it could end up) but every little bit helps, as they say.

The ability to resell games, for 25 percent of their value in Iron tokens, is appealing too: I've got a lot of stuff sitting on Steam that I'm never going to look at again, and it would be awfully nice if I could spin some of that into new games.

To be clear, the Founders' Club is not a paid subscription service: "Membership" is free. A hard kickoff date for the Robot Cache early access period hasn't been set, but if you want that founder badge you should probably hit it up while you're thinking about it. Hit robotcache.com for details and the signup link.

Update: A Robot Cache rep clarified that the 25 percent in Iron tokens earned through the resale of preowned games is based on the current price of a preowned copy on the platform, which is set by the developer or publisher. So if a "new" copy of a game goes for $40, and a preowned copy is $30, reselling will earn a minimum 25 percent of $30. Developers and publishers can opt to give resellers a higher percentage, however.

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Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.