Ever since NFTs were introduced in the past few months, there’s been a lot of talk about their impact on the future of gaming. Some say that it’ll usher in an era of unprecedented player creativity and involvement. Others are skeptical, wondering how such a radical change could possibly work for established games like FIFA and Madden.
What are NFTs? A brief explanation
An NFT (non-fungible token) is a virtual asset that can be identified individually. These assets are also transferable, not limited to just one game, and can be bought, sold, or exchanged freely. The technology is based on a blockchain, the same tech used by cryptocurrencies. In the same way that it is possible to see the live prices of cryptocurrency, an NFT can have its own monetary value.
Gone are the days of only being able to use these items within the game itself. Now they can be used in any way we choose; like a real-world item, they can be sold or traded, or even given away. Perhaps the most notable example of this is CryptoKitties: a blockchain-based collectibles game where you can buy and sell various cats based on their “genetics”.
Kikuchi’s thoughts: The Sega producer’s thoughts on the potential of NFTs
Initially, Masayoshi Kikuchi, who is behind the production of Sega titles Yakusa and Binary Domain, was opposed to NFTs in games if players perceived NFT inclusion simply as a way to make money. However, realizing that NFTs could also be used to encourage more creative and active gameplay, he came to accept them and even support them.
In his opinion, NFTs can be used as a way to allow players to participate more actively in games if they give them the ability to do so (for example, by allowing players to make their own unique weapons in a game).
Furthermore, each NFT will have its own history associated with it: information such as what other players it’s been traded with and how much they paid for it. This information can then provide game developers with valuable data about how the game is being played by its community. This data can then be incorporated into future updates or new installments.
The risks of NFTs:
Despite Kikuchi’s support of NFTs, there are some reservations about investing in NFTs for two main reasons:
There is the possibility that NFTs will become too popular, making their value inflated, and there is always the potential for scams.
The future of NFTs: Kikuchi’s predictions for the future of the technology
When asked about the future of NFTs, Kikuchi predicts that in the next five years, gaming will become more connected than it is currently. Gamers will be able to exchange virtual items on a networked system rather than just as transactions within a single game.
He also guesses that NFTs will be expanded to include more real-world items and allow players to buy, sell, or trade them with other games.
As mentioned above, NFTs are still in their nascent stages and the technology is very new. Kikuchi’s predictions are somewhat mixed with the possibility that they could raise the bar for what we can expect in the future. On the one hand, NFTs could become too popular, leading to a boom and bust bubble. On the other hand, it’s also possible that NFTs will become more widespread and accepted, opening up incredible potential for gaming and encouraging people to engage even more. The final outcome of this revolutionary form of technology will depend on how people choose to use them; yet it is clear that Kikuchi believes NFTs have a bright future ahead of them.
