Square-Enix Isn’t Done With Blockchain Games Just Yet
•
January 2, 2023 7:53 pm
•
Comments
Square-Enix is, perhaps, the most blockchain-oriented company in gaming.
The Japanese publishing giant, responsible for Final Fantasy and other Japanese role-playing games, is already heavily invested in web 3.0 games and has signaled that this will be their core focus in 2023.
A letter from CEO Yosuke Matsuda indicates that Square-Enix will focus mostly on building out this arm of their business:
Trending: Ripple Spells Out Penalty Terms To SEC
a New Year's letter from the Square Enix president talks about new tech/concepts including NFTs, the metaverse, and particularly how blockchain games "hold the potential to enable self-sustaining game growth" https://t.co/qtdFCvQdeB pic.twitter.com/FOG4S9Hpgb
— Wario64 (@Wario64) January 1, 2022
Responses from the gaming community were overwhelmingly negative, with many calling for a return to game-focused development, rather than relying on play-to-earn schemes.
NFTs in particular were not received to mass fanfare in the gaming community, with many gamers viewing the move as the latest iteration of micro-transactions in games—particularly AAA titles.
Yosuke Matsuda of Square Enix
A company that holds so much talent, so many beloved IPs, so many legends, so many great games, so many great things!
But no all he can talk about are blockchain and NFTs
I swear he has to go, SE has so much value but it's like he cannot see it pic.twitter.com/4ipbgHp6bS
— The Keyblade Master (@MKH13Omasters) January 1, 2023
Blockchain/Crypto/NFTs/Metaverse all crash and embarass themselves in 2022.
Square Enix: "The future is bright, let's quadruple down." https://t.co/maHL0Bjgz2
— YongYea (@YongYea) January 2, 2023
According to Decrypt:
Square Enix is developing “multiple blockchain games” based on original IP, rather than its existing franchises, Matsuda wrote, and the firm plans to announce further games this year.
The firm is also still considering investment opportunities around blockchain. “[We] will continue to take stakes in promising businesses whether we find them in Japan or abroad,” he wrote.
Hey, Yosuke Matsuda? Fuck off.
Resign. Please just resign as CEO of Square Enix.
You’re the problem, Matsuda. It’s *you*.
Let devs just fucking make GAMES, not fucking ridiculous “blockchain” shit!
Sakaguchi’s retired from game dev, right?
Make him CEO.#SquareEnix #FinalFantasy https://t.co/qJEaiMrRnK— Matt Andre (@MattAndre) January 1, 2023
Video Games Chronicle adds:
Matsuda concluded by acknowledging that much of the discussion around blockchain games was previously driven by investors, and as such focussed on the monetisation opportunities the technology could unlock.
He argued that increased discussion among the general public, and lessons learned from recent market turbulence, could now steer blockchain gaming in a direction that is ultimately more appealing to consumers.
Join the conversation!
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.