Final Fantasy creator Square Enix is set to double down on blockchain game development despite turmoil in the crypto market, according to a January 1 letter from the Japanese company’s president, Yosuke Matsuda.
The letter is titled “New Year’s Letter from the President,” with the aim of summarizing the company’s main achievements in 2022 and explaining its plans for 2023. Of the 15 paragraphs, seven are about blockchain games, indicating that blockchain games are the main focus. the company’s investment strategy is advanced.
⚔Introduction of SYMBIOGENESIS ①⚔
From today we will start introducing Symbiogenesis, starting from the concept✨
Symbiogenesis is a new franchise by SQUARE ENIX, which brings real game utility ⚔ up to 10000 collectible NFT artworks #symgeNFT #NFT pic.twitter.com/1ukBEgOmfv
— SYMBIOGENESIS (@symbiogenesisPR) December 21, 2022
Matsuda stated that “blockchain entertainment” is an investment field that will be the team’s focus in the medium term, which has been “aggressive investment and business development efforts.”
After summarizing the ups and downs of the crypto market in 2021 and 2022, Matsuda tries to make sense of the downs. He said new technology often causes “confusion” but is eventually accepted as a normal part of everyday life. So, if there is turmoil in the crypto market, this should not cause investors to doubt its potential, he said, adding:
“New technologies and frameworks are driving innovation, but they’re also creating a lot of confusion.”
Matsuda added that any technology that can overcome “social waves” will gradually become a part of people’s lives and will eventually create new businesses and growth.
“After the excitement and excitement surrounding NFTs and the metaverse in 2021, 2022 is a year of great volatility in the blockchain-related space,” he said.
“However, if this proves to be a step in the process that leads to the creation of a more transparent business environment and rules, it will surely be a boon for the development of blockchain entertainment.”
It’s been an amazing year for gaming and 2023 looks to be even better!❄️
Here’s a message from all of us at Square Enix to wish you a Happy New Year!
️ https://t.co/C9hdvi1GwZ pic.twitter.com/AOSRXdjizg
– Square Enix (@SquareEnix) December 31, 2022
Matsuda concluded the letter by stating that Square Enix has several blockchain games in development and will announce more during 2023.
related: 2023 will be the death of play-to-earn games
Square Enix is making several moves in the blockchain gaming space throughout 2022. In July, they announced that they will be releasing a Final Fantasy collection on the Enjin platform. In September, he joined the Oasys block as a node validator. In December, Square Enix invested 7 billion yen ($52.7 million) into mobile game developer Gumi Games, to help develop mobile play-to-ear titles.
This new letter shows that the company has no plans to reduce its investment in the space in 2023, despite the turmoil in 2022.