Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda has promised 2023 can be considered one of “major evolution and transformation” as the corporate focuses on blockchain leisure.
Back in 2021, the studio confirmed it deliberate to spend money on blockchain and NFTs after the profitable launch of a sequence of Million Arthur tokens.
At the beginning of 2022, Matsuda as soon as once more reiterated plans to discover blockchain, NFT and metaverse-based video games. Despite backlash from gamers, Square Enix’s share worth elevated by eight per cent.
However in June, Matsuda stated: “It’s still too early to consider making Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy blockchain games.”
In his annual New Year’s message although, Matsuda confirmed that 2023 can be a 12 months of “major evolution and transformation” with the studio “most focused” on blockchain leisure.
“We are expanding our functions so that we can capture as much of the upside as possible from the digital shift that has been gaining momentum since the outbreak of the pandemic,” wrote Matsuda, earlier than confirming that Square Enix had already “devoted aggressive investment and business development efforts” into blockchain.
“Following the excitement and exhilaration that surrounded NFTs and the metaverse in 2021, 2022 was a year of great volatility in the blockchain-related space,” he continued. “However, if this 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.”
Following the “turbulence in the cryptocurrency industry” Matsuda believes these individuals who had been solely within the area to show a fast revenue have moved on.
“There is now a trend to view blockchain technology as a mere means to an end and to discuss what needs to happen to achieve the end of delivering new experiences and excitement to customers,” he wrote. “I see this as a very beneficial development for the future growth of the industry.”
It’s been a tremendous 12 months of video games and 2023 is trying even higher!❄️
Here’s a message from all of us at Square Enix wishing you a Happy New Year!
📽️ https://t.co/C9hdvi1GwZ pic.twitter.com/AOSRXdjizg
— Square Enix (@SquareEnix) December 31, 2022
Matsuda then confirmed Square Enix had “multiple blockchain games based on original IPs under development”, a few of which have already been introduced. “We are undertaking preparations that will enable us to unveil even more titles this year.”
“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,” he added.
Away from the metaverse, Square Enix is gearing as much as launch Final Fantasy 16, with the most recent within the long-running sequence coming in June.
In different information, the remake of System Shock has introduced a 2023 launch window, almost seven years after the undertaking was first introduced with a Kickstarter marketing campaign.
