Square Enix, the Japanese game developer behind the beloved Final Fantasy franchise, has signed on as node validators for blockchain gaming project Oasis, with the two teaming up to create a blockchain game.
The move has been met with criticism from some crypto- and NFT-hating members of the gaming community, irritated that the firm is continuing to double its focus on blockchain technology.
In Monday’s announcement, Oasis revealed that Square Enix had jumped on board to become the project’s 21st node validator, taking the last slot of the initial validators.
Going forward, the two will also team up to develop new games on Oasis’s EVM compatible Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain, becoming a hub for Triple-A quality games with Play-to-Earn (P2E) integration. expects. ,
Oasis hosts a host of big names in gaming such as Square Enix, Sega, Double Jump, Bandai Namco and Ubisoft to partner with Oasis – the latter also has a troubled history with gamers who have backed down against the firm’s NXT gaming initiative Quartz. has been pushed.
In 2022, Square Enix has done irreparable damage to its image
– Investing in crypto
– No longer prioritizing “fun” in gaming
– Selling all your western studiosI’d call it self-sabotage, but compared to what happened with Warner Bros. this year, it’s honestly nothing https://t.co/TD8d1O1nj9
— Bruh Momento (@JBoop_is_ballin) 12 September 2022
pitchforks are out
While the prospect of reputable gaming giants jumping behind a blockchain project is welcome news in the blockchain world, Square Enix’s move has not been well received by the traditional gaming community.
Gamer reported the news, with the headline: “Square Enix Sets Its Dangerous NFT Schemes In Action By Partnering With Crypto Company.”
“Unlike most video game developers who have decided to announce their forays into the JPEG-filled world of NFTs, Square Enix is only doubling down on it,” notes the article, as it follows Square Enix President and CEO Yosuke. Questions about presenting Matsuda’s previous statements. P2E Elements in Games:
“They probably overlooked the fact that so many NFT games are not just scams, but they also look like they were made by a real bored ape.”
On Twitter, gamer ShyVortex said the partnership was “really disgusting. Never buy a Square Enix game again,” while Eramaster 12 questioned, “What does it take to force them to stop?”
Pilnok also said that it “has become tedious and embarrassing” and ManuelRoamer 2 said, “What’s not quite right now?”
— RecklesFlam1ngo (@RecklesFlam1ngo) 12 September 2022
Square Enix and Blockchain
Despite the pushback, Square Enix is slowly scaling up its blockchain-related plans in 2022.
Matsuda said in a New Year’s letter in January that he was particularly interested in the idea of introducing blockchain-enabled “token economies” in games to encourage both players and users who want to add to the game. to generate content.
“As token economies advance, users will be provided with clear incentives, which will not only lead to greater stability in their motivation, but also create a tangible upside to their creative endeavors,” he wrote.
related: Ubisoft chills on NFTs and blockchain, says it’s in ‘research mode’
While blockchain is yet to come to Square Enix’s game, the firm kicked things off in July by releasing tokenized character figures for $129.99 featuring characters like Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy.
