Square Enix announced not too long ago that it would be implementing NFTs into its games. NFTs, which are non-fungible tokens, have been always a controversial talking point in the gaming community. Many companies like Steam and Mojang have taken a stand against NFTs, but others like Square Enix have embraced the blockchain technology.
Square Enix has partnered with Enjin, an NFT company that will store Square Enix’s tokens on Efinity blockchain. Consumers will be able to pre-order a physical action figure along with a code redeemable for a digital NFT. Additionally, trading cards will be releasing with NFT components as well. Currently, the NFTs are being released for Final Fantasy VII.
The physical trading cards will be releasing in Spring 2023 and will sell in packs of six cards for $4. The physical action figure is of Cloud Strife. The figure will sell for $130, but the Digital Plus Edition that comes with the NFT code will sell for $160.
This is not the only blockchain effort that Square Enix has engaged with in the past few years. Back in 2020, Square Enix invested in an Ethereum-based metaverse game called The Sandbox and early 2022, Square Enix announced plans to bring the Dungeon Siege franchise into the NFT world.
The reactions to the Square Enix NFT venture has been generally negative, with many pointing out the irony of using a game like Final Fantasy VII to promote blockchain technology.
In the fine print however, Square Enix warns buyers that if Enjin does shut down, “users will no longer be able to view or use the digital cards, digital certificate and digital versions of the figure.” Which would mean that the only use would be the physical figure.
Others have pointed out that the introduction of physical figures defeats the purpose of the NFTs, which are typically known for the concepts of digital scarcity. However, it looks like Square Enix is trying to play on the safe-side for this new addition.
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Zainah Yousef
Zainah Yousef is the author of The Fallen Age Saga and specializes in gaming, social media advice, and reviews. She's been writing all her life and she probably won't stop anytime soon.
