NFTs have been slowly creeping into the gaming world. Recently, Ubisoft implemented NFTs in the form of Ubisoft Quartz, a platform for earning and trading NFTs called Digits that can be used in-game. The first Ubisoft game to feature Digits is Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint. A few other game companies, including Electronic Arts and Square Enix, have also embraced NFTs, although gamers have displayed a mixed-to-negative reception to them.
One of the next games to get NFTs is STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl, an upcoming FPS being developed by GSC Game World. The implementation of NFTs in STALKER 2 is a little more complex than Ubisoft's plans, and it introduces a "metaverse" where NFTs appear in-game. It may be a unique idea, but only time will tell whether it will receive a positive reception from gamers.
NFTs in Gaming
Explained as briefly as possible, NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a form of cryptocurrency that makes use of blockchains. However, NFTs promise a little more utility than typical cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. NFTs can appear in the form of digital art which retains the proof of ownership. This is possible through blockchains that form a unique timeline of information that verifies the NFT's uniqueness. Hence, unlike a dollar that can be replaced by an identical dollar, NFTs cannot be authentically replaced with an identical asset.
The use of NFTs in gaming has been met with pushback from gamers. Some believe that NFTs open up avenues for gamers to be exploited and that they may end up encroaching on gameplay. Most importantly, however, NFTs have the potential to have a catastrophic effect on the environment. Nevertheless, the CEO of DMarket, which serves as a platform for gaming NFTs, is adamant that NFTs are part of gaming's journey going forward and claims that STALKER 2's use of NFTs will add a unique layer to the game and will make it "a game of the future and a game for the community."
STALKER 2 and NFTs
According to GSC Game World, NFTs will be implemented in STALKER 2 in the form of "metahumans" via a "Metaversial bridge." In January, the studio will auction off NFTs to three players through the DMarket digital marketplace. The NFT owners will have their face scanned using photogrammetry onto the metahuman, which will show up in the game as an NPC that will be visible to other players. The NPCs will be part of the story and the online experience. GCS Game World also claims that a portion of the profits from the sale of the NFTs will be given to charity.
As GSC Game World CEO Evgeniy Grygorovych says, the inclusion of NFTs in STALKER 2 is meant to give players a deeper presence in the game. The metahumans will not be the only NFTs in the game; in February, gamers can expect NFTs in the form of highly secretive "genesis packs." No further information has been given on these packs, although gamers can expect more announcements on future NFT drops in the future.
The main selling point of the NFTs is the opportunity to be a part of STALKER 2, and the chance to be part of the gaming experience of millions of gamers. There is also the appeal of owning a unique in-game asset that cannot be replicated authentically. For those who have no interest in NFTs, the studio does claim that the NFTs will not affect gameplay or give players any in-game advantage.
The use of NFTs in STALKER 2 introduces some strange and interesting concepts such as the "metaverse" and "metahumans." However, gamers are aware of the potential downsides to NFTs. With STALKER 2 being a highly anticipated game, its implementation of NFTs may springboard the concept of in-game NFTs into the mainstream, or it could be the downfall of the game.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chernobyl releases on April 28, 2022, on PC and Xbox Series X/S.