Japanese game publisher, Square Enix, has announced a strategic partnership with PC gaming platform Elixir to explore the exciting realm of blockchain technology and Web3 gaming. This collaboration aims to push the boundaries of their traditional offerings and drive the adoption of Web3 games for mainstream gamers.
Hideaki Uehara, Square Enix’s Director of Business Development, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that it is another step for Square Enix to delve into the world of Web3 decentralized gaming. While the specific details of the partnership are yet to be revealed, Square Enix is expected to leverage Elixir’s previous successes in the Web3 gaming sector. Elixir recently integrated the Epic Games Store on its platform, bringing together traditional and blockchain-based games.
Elixir’s CEO, Carlos Roldan, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting the increasing number of industry leaders entering the space with impactful projects in 2023. Elixir has made significant progress in blockchain-based gaming, offering users various MMORPG titles across distributed ledgers like Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, and BNB.
Square Enix has already demonstrated its commitment to Web3 gaming by leading an investment round for the metaverse game The Sandbox in 2020 and releasing several blockchain games under its brand. Yosuke Matsuda, the president of Square Enix, has consistently emphasized in his annual letters to shareholders the company’s intention to continue venturing into Web3 gaming, recognizing it as a major trend in the gaming industry.
However, not all traditional game publishers have embraced the blockchain trend. Mojang Studios, the developers of Minecraft, have banned non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on its platform, citing concerns that they contradict the game’s policies. The studio believes that the speculation surrounding digital collectibles promotes profiteering, which could undermine the long-term enjoyment and success of players. Similarly, Rockstar Games has prohibited NFTs on all fan-operated servers, leading rapper Lil Durk to shut down his role-playing server. OTF Gaming expressed disappointment in this decision and hopes to find a resolution with Rockstar Games.
Overall, Square Enix’s strategic partnership with Elixir signifies a significant move towards decentralized gaming and further establishes the growing presence of Web3 gaming in the industry.