When blockchain and digital currency first surfaced, many people dismissed its longevity. However, fast-forward to 2024 and technology is emerging as a game-changer in various industries, the gaming sector is no exception.
Ubisoft, one of the leading AAA developers, is once again testing the blockchain waters. This is after its initial attempt faced rocky waves. While the first foray—dubbed Ubisoft Quartz—was met with widespread criticism, the company appears to have learned from its missteps.
The company is now with renewed ambition, and Ubisoft is repositioning itself in the blockchain space. However, there’s another major player in the frame. Square Enix is also on record for making strategic moves with its blockchain initiatives. Read on as we explore what derailed Ubisoft’s Quartz, what the company is doing differently, and the steps Square Enix is taking to dive into blockchain gaming.
Ubisoft’s Quartz
When blockchain technology rolled out, many people underestimated its power. However, Ubisoft was one of the first AAA studios to experiment with the technology through its Ubisoft Quartz initiative.
Launched in 2021, Ubisoft Quartz aimed to integrate non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into its gaming ecosystem. First was the in-game assets for “Ghost Recon Breakpoint.” The NFTs, called “Digits,” were designed to be tradable across Ubisoft’s platform, allowing players to own and resell their in-game items.
However, the launch of Quartz faced immediate backlash from the gaming community. Many players were skeptical of NFTs and saw the introduction of blockchain elements as a money grab rather than a true enhancement to the gaming experience.
Furthermore, Ubisoft Quartz failed to gain significant traction due to a combination of poor timing, lack of community engagement, and the overall volatility of the NFT market at the time.
As 2022 leaped in, Ubisoft Quartz was a case study of how not to implement blockchain in games. Consequently, the company was forced into early retreat.
Ubisoft’s Learns from Failure
After a failed attempt at introducing blockchain technology in the gaming market, Ubisoft learned from its mistakes, went back to the drawing board, made changes, and came back with an improved attempt.
In 2024, Ubisoft re-entered the blockchain gaming market. Through a cautious and thoughtful approach, the company’s main focus settled on delivering tangible benefits to players instead of simply jumping on the NFT bandwagon.
One way Ubisoft tries to avoid previous mistakes is by incorporating decentralized marketplaces and more player-driven economies. Additionally, they’re focussing on making the integration of blockchain elements options. As such, this will allow players to engage with it if they find it appealing. This is opposed to the initial approach of forcing it on the entire player base. By doing so, Ubisoft hopes to win back the trust of the gaming community and present blockchain as a value-added feature rather than a disruptive one.
Square Enix’s Symbiogenesis and Soccerverse
Other than Ubisoft, Square Enix has also been making significant waves in incorporating blockchain technology. The company is popular for exciting RPG franchises, such as Final Fantasy.
Symbiogenesis is the developer’s entrance into the use of blockchain. This project merges storytelling with blockchain-based assets. Additionally, it’s designed as an interactive narrative experience where players can own and trade key story elements in the form of NFTs. As a result, this introduces a dynamic and personalized gameplay experience.
However, Square Enix’s commitment to blockchain goes even further. The company has invested in Soccerverse, a crypto-powered football management simulation game. In Soccerverse, players can manage football teams, make transfers, and engage in competitive leagues. And what makes this all so exciting? Everything’s powered by blockchain technology.
The Blockchain Future of AAA Gaming
It’s clear both Ubisoft and Square Enix are pioneering the adoption of blockchain technology, albeit at a slower and rather more calculated pace than smaller developers or dedicated blockchain gaming companies.
But there’s a reason for the cautious approach of these AAA developers. That is the complexity of incorporating blockchain into large-scale gaming ecosystems. As you might have already deduced, the success or failure of these initiatives could have a significant bearing on the future of blockchain gaming. This has the potential to influence other major developers to follow suit or stay away.
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Conclusion
As Square Enix and Ubisoft move even deeper into incorporating blockchain, the gaming industry has its eyes firmly fixed on the next moves. Ubisoft’s return to blockchain, following the failed Quartz experiment shows that even major developers are yet to break the code of how to implement blockchain technology in gaming.
On the other hand, Square Enix’s dive into crypto gaming with Soccerverse and Symbiogenesis demonstrates that blockchain’s potential extends beyond NFTs into innovative new gameplay experiences.
Blockchain adoption may still be in its early stages for AAA developers. However, the groundwork is already laid courtesy of these industry giants and this may sha[e the future of gaming. But whether or not these ventures prove successful, there’s no doubt the steps already made have a massive impact on how players interact with games and digital assets.