The gaming blockchain group Oasys just announced Square Enix has invested in its project as the 21st initial node validator on its platform. Square Enix joins several other major game developers, including Ubisoft and Bandai Namco, in the investment of the divisive gaming technology.
Square Enix is best known as the developer of gaming franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Its investment in Oasys will be to explore the feasibility of NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and play-to-earn models in future Square Enix titles. Square Enix has not yet revealed anything specific with its partnership, but players can assume blockchain games will be in its future.
Oasys is a gaming blockchain started by executives of several game companies, including Hajime Nakatani, president and CEO of Bandai Namco, and Shuji Utsumi, Co-CEO of SEGA and CEO of SEGA of America. It claims to be creating an “environmentally-friendly, gaming-optimized Proof-of-Stake blockchain built for gamers, by gamers.” Though Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, and SEGA are the biggest gaming conglomerates supporting Oasys besides Square Enix, it has over a dozen other node validators from new crypto-focused game developers.
Earlier this year, Square Enix declared its intent to explore Web3 gaming in its future. It even launched its own Blockchain Entertainment Business division in April. “Our shared enthusiasm for Web3 gaming makes this an exciting partnership for us,” Yosuke Saito, director of this new division of Square Enix, said, “and we look forward to gaining insights that can advance the creation of all-new play experiences for gamers across the globe.”
The initial decision by Square Enix to invest in blockchain gaming was met with a polarized response, and this most recent development was no different. NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and play-to-earn games are things few players asked for. Many games who have already tried to implement blockchain technology into their games have had lukewarm success so far. What’s worse, most blockchain technology is hazardous to the environment, and causes a strain on hardware, leading to price hikes and supply deficits, like the semiconductors shortage which has plagued the gaming industry for over a year, or the ever-raising costs of video cards.
That said, Oasys has claimed it wants to make greener blockchain technology than existing methods. It also claims its systems will be resistant to scams, another problem endemic to many cryptocurrency models. While it is still uncertain what these methods will look like, nor what games Square Enix’s investment in Oasys will create, it seems the company is intent on doubling down on crypto-gaming. It remains to be seen what some Square Enix game developers resistant to NFTs and cryptocurrencies, like Final Fantasy 14 director and producer Naoki Yoshida, will have to say about the company’s decision.
Source: Medium/Oasys