Square Enix, the game developer behind hit game franchises such as Dragon Quest, Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy, has revealed that it is considering entering the metaverse as part of its future plans.
In the New Year’s Letter penned by company president Yosuke Matsuda, Square Enix states that they have been aggressive in their R&D efforts and investments in blockchain games, cloud technology, and A.I.
Matsuda also enthusiastically states that NFT and Blockchain Games “hold the potential to enable self-sustaining game growth” with its diversity, community engagement and how it incentivizes the Play To Contribute concept.
User-generated content has existed even in traditional game titles but blockchain games have found a way to incentivize and reward users for their creative efforts. Matsuda believes that this model will help bring about major changes to how users or gamers devote their time and effort to engage and contribute content.
As hopeful and exciting as it sounds, this move from Square Enix has been met with mixed reception from fans. Some of the feedback has pointed out that Matsuda’s stance on “playing for fun” as a thing of the past goes against the concept of video games in the first place which were made for “having fun”. Others have also pointed out that NFT or blockchain games are just a fad and may not last for a long time.
While it may seem random and unwarranted, the skepticism surrounding NFTs and NFT Games is not completely without basis. Common problems and issues cited with the use of NFTs include the huge energy that it consumes during the minting process contributing to carbon emissions and as well as allegations of theft and copyright infringement. Although many of these issues are far more complex than either side is willing to admit, NFT, blockchain and and even fintech groups and companies have been trying to tackle these concerns though by working and introducing new technologies to decrease carbon footprint and exploring new legal options to help ensure that copyrights and IPs are well protected.
Square Enix and blockchain possibilities
Square Enix currently holds iconic IPs and franchises under its banner which means that the possibilities that they can bring into the metaverse can be very diverse. From experiences like Action RPGs, mobile games and even MMOs, Square Enix’s experience and portfolio can be a big addition to the blockchain. But it’s not just games that can be ported, as other multimedia experiences under Square Enix IPs can be integrated as well. Media such as artwork, cinematics or even music can be part of their offerings and they can even invite previous and new collaborators for these new creations as well.
Still, with the current reception around NFTs and NFT Games from the larger gaming community, Square Enix may find themselves walking on eggshells as they push for their blockchain plans this 2022.
You may check out the full letter from Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda here.