Konamiis planning to build its own platform for the trading of in-game NFTs and is recruiting a “wide range of talent” to support that marketplace. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have been working their way into the gaming industry for some time now, and while gamers are resistant to the inclusion of the tehcnology in their favorite titles, some companies believe that they are a good step forward for business. Even while it was reported thatNFT sales plummetedin the first half of 2022, gaming publishers and developers are still interested in their potential.
One company that has been open about its interest in NFTs is Konami. In January of this year,Konami celebrated the anniversary of theCastlevaniaby selling a collection of NFTs related to the franchise. Most of the collection consisted of GIFs from the first threeCastlevaniagames, but there were also some renditions of art that fans could buy as well. Following the first dip of its toe into the NFT world, it seems Konami is moving forward with much larger plans revolving around the technology.
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In a recent press release,Konamiannounced that it is working on providing “new experiences” utilizing Web3 and the metaverse. One of these new experiences will be a platform that allows players to trade in-game NFTs. Konami calls this a “unique distribution platform” and does not yet have a name for the service or a planned release date. From the press release, it seems as though this platform is still in its early stages, as Konami is looking to hire people for multiple new positions in order to help build the service.
It was clear thatKonami was going to move forward with its NFT planseven back in February, when the company offered more classic art from its IPs in order to “preserve gaming content.” Whether Konami truly holds gaming preservation at the heart of its NFT plans or not, plenty of gamers online aren’t happy with any use of blockchain technology in their favorite titles. Previous concepts by companies such as Ubisoft Quartz were immediately panned by many due to the controversial nature of NFTs.
It isn’t just fans who aren’t too pleased by Konami’s interest in the NFT markets. Back in February, when it was became known that Konami was going ahead with its NFT plans,Bayonettadeveloper PlatinumGames threw shadeat theSilent HillandCastlevaniacreator, calling out other gaming companies for “greedy behavior.”
