Are NFTs and Blockchain really the future of gaming?
Note: I've hyperlinked relevant articles for those wanting a deeper news dive into recent/current events.
Mention of NFTs (non-fungible tokens), blockchain, and cryptocurrency generally elicit strong opinions and heated discussions in nearly every industry. The gaming community is no exception to this, with many torn, worried, or excited about how NFTs will affect the future of gaming.
Between Ubisoft and Square Enix's excitement around NFTs, compared to the more reticent and even negative reception from Xbox and Steam, it seems there's not a clear consensus amongst gaming industry execs on how to handle NFTs.
Discourse is also fairy spicy among your average gamer; a quick scroll through Reddit or Twitter is enough to confirm that there's no shortage of hot-takes and opinions on what the best course of action is. Dead by Daylight's Pinhead NFTs were a sore spot for many fans, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2's NFTs got derailed, and many feel it's only a matter of time before Ubisoft's NFT venture unravels.
Still, this hasn't deterred further NFT ventures or discussions from happening. The most recent game company to take the hot seat is Konami. In celebration of Castlevania's 35th anniversary, the company has released a set of "memorial" NFTs to auction off. The company has received a lush variance of responses, including some quality memes critiquing the project.
So, I'm going to ask the community: What are your thoughts on NFTs? Are they a viable avenue for the future of gaming that many are too stubborn to see? Or are they an annoyance that will ultimately be just another way games try and grab more cash from players?