Gaming Giant Square Enix Invests in Crypto Game Launcher HyperPlay
Gaming giant Square Enix, known for franchises like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, has announced its investment in HyperPlay, a crypto-native game launcher. The Japanese publisher sees this strategic fundraising as an opportunity to collaborate with a forward-thinking platform that is at the forefront of innovation.
Square Enix’s Journey in the Blockchain Space:
- Square Enix has been exploring the blockchain space for several years now.
- In 2020, the company invested in metaverse game platform The Sandbox.
- They experimented with NFT stickers in Japan and later introduced NFTs tied to premium Final Fantasy VII physical toys.
- Last year, Square Enix debuted Symbiogenesis, a narrative role-playing adventure built around Ethereum NFTs and tokenized in-game items on the Polygon scaling network.
The Collaboration between Square Enix and HyperPlay
Square Enix’s collaboration with HyperPlay includes bringing their game Symbiogenesis to the crypto-native game launcher. This partnership aims to explore new distribution options and move away from monopolistic platforms that may not prioritize the best interests of players and developers.
Why Traditional Gaming Platforms Don’t Support Blockchain Games:
- According to JacobC, founder of HyperPlay and former operations lead for Ethereum wallet MetaMask, many traditional gaming platforms and marketplaces do not support blockchain games due to conflicting policies with composable smart contracts and Web3 innovation.
Square Enix’s Perspective on HyperPlay:
- Hideaki Uehara, General Manager of Investment & Business Development Dept. at Square Enix, expressed excitement about investing in and partnering with HyperPlay.
- Square Enix believes that HyperPlay has created an extraordinary product that improves game distribution and creates more beneficial business models for game developers.
HyperPlay’s Progress:
- HyperPlay previously raised a $12 million Series A round in June.
- The platform currently features over 70 blockchain games and also aggregates titles from the Epic Games Store and GOG.com.
Hot Take: Square Enix’s Investment in HyperPlay Boosts Crypto Gaming
Square Enix’s investment in HyperPlay is a significant move that showcases the gaming giant’s belief in the potential of blockchain technology and crypto-native game platforms. This collaboration opens up new opportunities for both Square Enix and HyperPlay, as they work together to revolutionize game distribution and create more favorable conditions for developers.
By embracing blockchain technology, Square Enix demonstrates its commitment to innovation and staying ahead of industry trends. As more major game studios explore the possibilities of crypto gaming, it’s clear that this emerging sector has immense potential to reshape the gaming landscape.
With HyperPlay’s expanding collection of blockchain games and its integration with traditional game titles, it provides a seamless experience for gamers interested in exploring both worlds. The partnership between Square Enix and HyperPlay signals a step forward in bridging the gap between traditional gaming platforms and crypto-native ecosystems.
The investment from Square Enix not only validates HyperPlay’s vision but also encourages further growth and development within the crypto gaming space. As more investors recognize the value and potential of blockchain-based games, we can expect to see continued innovation and expansion in this exciting sector.
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