Square Enix remains fully committed to blockchain gaming
“Blockchain has been an object of exhilaration and a source of turmoil, but with that in the rearview mirror, we hope that blockchain games will transition to a new stage of growth in 2023”
By Milos
Square Enix have kicked off the new year with a reaffirmation of their commitment to the new blockchain gaming sector. The company’s annual New Year’s letter saw the CEO Yosuke Matsuda stating that Square Enix intends to release multiple blockchain-based games in the (near) future.
“Our Group has multiple blockchain games based on original IPs under development, some of which we announced last year, and we are undertaking preparations that will enable us to unveil even more titles this year,” writes Matsuda. “We are also engaged in global sourcing from an investment perspective and will continue to take stakes in promising businesses whether we find them in Japan or abroad.”
Despite the fact that the blockchain and NFT market is highly volatile and many investors losing their money, Matsuda states that the negative publicity had no impact on his company’s plans. On the contrary, he believes the future looks bright for the cryptocurrency market.
Blockchain has been an object of exhilaration and a source of turmoil, but with that in the rearview mirror, we hope that blockchain games will transition to a new stage of growth in 2023. If this [controversy] proves to have been a step in a process that leads to the creation of rules and a more transparent business environment, it will definitely have been for the good of the growth of blockchain entertainment.”
As I said in last year’s New Year’s letter, if we consider traditional gaming to have been centralized, then blockchain gaming must operate based on a self-sustaining decentralized model. It is that concept, that philosophy that I see to be key.”
Meanwhile, Square Enix have announced that they will be shutting down Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights and Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier while Chocobo Racing GP will not get any further major updates with season 5 being the title’s final updated season.