Mention NFTs to a gamer and the reaction will likely be a negative one, so it’s interesting to hear that Sega (in Japan at least) is toying with the idea as part of its “SuperGame” initiative. Details have recently surfaced via an interview last month by Sega Japan executives on the company’s recruitment and careers website.
First spotted by VGC (and translated by the website), Sega’s Super Game project is a five-year strategy involving multiple AAA titles: “that go beyond the traditional framework of games,” says Sega executive VP Shuji Utsumi. Several projects are already in the works covering Super Game’s four main criteria; multiplatform, multi-language, simultaneous worldwide launch and AAA quality.
“Sega offers a wide range of game content, including hardware and arcade content, which is made possible by its diverse range of technologies. We have defined ‘SuperGame’ as the development of AAA titles that cross over SEGA’s comprehensive range of technologies, and we will aim to achieve this in our five-year plan,” adds Utsumi during the interview.
As this is a five-year plan, Sega is looking into future-proofing these projects, likely incorporating cloud and NFT technologies during development.
“Gaming has a history of expansion through the connection of various cultures and technologies. For example, social networking and game video viewing are recent examples,” Sega producer Masayoshi Kikuchi explained. “It is a natural extension for the future of gaming that it will expand to involve new areas such as cloud gaming and NFTs. We are also developing SuperGame from the perspective of how far different games can be connected to each other.”
While there’s no confirmation that Sega will deploy NFTs as part of this SuperGame initiative, the news carries on from details released earlier in the year when the company trademarked ‘Sega NFT’ in Japan.
Just the mention of NFTs in the gaming space has most taking a very dim view of the mere idea, let alone what the application might be. For example, Team17 announced plans to release NFTs based on the Worms franchise but reversed that decision within days. And then there was the Ronin Bridge hack which saw over $600 million USD stolen from P2E title Axie Infinity.
As Sega reveals more regarding its SuperGame plan, gmw3 will keep you updated.