Sq. Enix are threatening to overshadow the twenty fifth anniversary of Ultimate Fantasy 7 by partnering with Enjin, a cryptocurrency platform, to launch non-fungible tokens (NFTs) based mostly on the long-running JRPG sequence. To coincide with the anniversary, Squeenix shall be releasing a digital assortment of playing cards on Enjin’s Efinity community for homeowners of bodily playing cards which can be anticipated to go on sale in 2023. There’s an NFT linked to a Cloud Strife motion determine too. Be at liberty to look at the trailer for Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth under to take your thoughts off this woeful occasion.
In the event you had been so inclined, you possibly can plonk down $160 (£134) for the Cloud Strife motion determine, which comes with an NFT to gawp at in your smartphone or laptop. That is the ‘Digital Plus Version’ of the statue, nevertheless it’s $30 (£25) cheaper for those who simply purchase the usual determine with no NFT hooked up. Not a very good look, Sq. Enix.
It will get worse, as Sq. Enix have even drawn consideration to the potential for not with the ability to use the NFTs if Enjin’s service was to ever finish. Underneath a bit titled ‘Warning earlier than Buying’ on the itemizing for the Cloud statue, Squeenix say “Warning: In case the Enjin providers turns into unavailable sooner or later, it’s possible you’ll lose entry to the NFT digital certificates of authenticity and digital model of the determine”.
“This partnership marks a coming-of-age part for digital property and leisure; Sq. Enix, an esteemed developer with iconic mental property, is paving the way in which for the trade,” Enjin govt Witek Radomski stated. Enjin say they provide “environmentally-friendly options for constructing decentralised gaming merchandise”, and have dedicated themselves to creating their NFTs carbon-neutral by 2030. Perhaps simply don’t use the know-how within the first place?
One tweet summed the entire NFTs state of affairs up fairly properly:
I imply… pic.twitter.com/RtJIhLffUa
— GameDev Mum (@GameDevMum) July 21, 2022
Squeenix’s president greeted the beginning of the 12 months by setting a course in direction of a way forward for blockchain for the corporate. Yosuke Matsuda didn’t appear to know the way that will work on the time, nonetheless, saying the corporate would “hold a detailed eye on societal shifts on this area whereas listening to the numerous teams of customers that populate it, and ramp up our efforts to develop a enterprise accordingly, with an eye fixed to probably issuing our personal tokens sooner or later”.
It’s not simply Squeenix leaping on the blockchain bandwagon in shambolic trend although. Konami, EA and Take Two have all expressed their curiosity at coming into crypto. Corporations normally cite it as the way forward for gaming, in some appropriately intangible manner.
Sq. Enix and others could have dedicated to NFTs and the blockchain, however some video games corporations are extra cautious of the controversial applied sciences. Solely yesterday, Minecraft devs Mojang Studios issued a press release saying they wouldn’t permit both NFTs or blockchain to “create fashions of shortage and exclusion that battle with our Pointers and the spirit of Minecraft”. Mojang did make clear that they’d control how blockchain evolves to see if it might provide safety or sensible methods to enhance the sport sooner or later, although.
The subsequent instalment of the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake saga, Rebirth, was introduced on a twenty fifth anniversary stream final month. It’s resulting from launch in winter 2023 on PlayStation, however might be a way off on PC given the primary half took a 12 months and a half to reach.