Game companies seem to have a love-hate relationship with non-fungible tokens or NFTs. In this article, we’ll explore the thoughts big game developers and gamers alike have expressed concerning NFTs in games.
Ubisoft was bold, but fans didn’t like it
Ubisoft was the first to incorporate NFTs in one of its games, Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Sadly, the company had to stop improving the game after 11 updates since the game’s 2019 launch. Quartz Digits, the game’s NFTs, saw its final release in March this year.
While Ubisoft was bold enough to make the first NFT move, its existing gamers didn’t seem to like it. Ghost Recon Breakpoint, for instance, only had a very limited player base. So, it didn’t make sense, financially speaking, for the company to continue supporting the game.
Still, Ubisoft is willing to add NFTs to its future games. It insists that “gamers don’t get what a digital secondary market can bring to them.” Apparently, the Ubisoft leadership is hopeful for an eventual wider adaptation for NFTs in traditional AAA games.
EA Games are having second thoughts
EA CEO Andrew Wilson has once expressed his interest in “collectible digital content,” saying it could play a meaningful part in the company’s future. But, over the course of 2022’s second half, he seems to have been reevaluating things.
Wilson says the NFTs and the blockchain, as applied in games, are not something they’re focused on. For now, they just want to give players the best experience possible. And, if players don’t like having NFTs in games, then EA will rather have nothing to do with them, too.
Nintendo is interested but confused
Reportedly, Nintendo has some interest in the metaverse and non-fungible tokens. But, like EA, it wants to prioritize players. In particular, Nintendo isn’t sure about what kinds of “joy” the NFTs could bring to its players.
Nintendo wants to continue to be a company that proposes entertainment, and if they’re still confused about how to deliver that through NFTs, then they’ll likely not make the move.
Square Enix is finally making Final Fantasy NFTs
Previously, Square Enix has only been toying with the idea of non-fungible tokens in its games. Fans have been concerned, that’s why the game company has to put off pushing NFTs.
Luckily for blockchain and NFT believers, Square Enix is partnering with the blockchain company Enjin to create a digital card collection. These NFT cards will serve to celebrate Final Fantasy VII’s 25th anniversary.
There’s also a physical action figure to accompany Enjin’s NFT digital certificate of authenticity and the digital version of the figure. By the way, you can pre-order this action figure here.
Why are big game companies hesitant about NFTs?
For those who aren’t fangirling over non-fungible tokens and play-to-earn games, NFTs are just another way for game companies to make money out of players. But, those who see the potential and want to take advantage of GameFi are willing to take chances.
Big game companies, especially those with millions of fans, would understandably want to take careful steps, or else they could lose a huge chunk of their player base.
If you find it a little disappointing that game companies seem to be slow adaptors of NFTs in games, you don’t have to waste your energy on hoping they would.
What you can do is try to explore emerging blockchain-focused game companies, such as Gala Games. With such companies, you’re sure to see the fun and the play-to-earn potential coming together.
So, what kind of gamer are you? Are you bullish on NFT games? Do you think mainstream game companies should better leave the play-to-earn space to blockchain-focused game platforms? Tell us what you think in the comments!
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