Video game publisher Square Enix created a stir within its own fanbase after announcing that it will be investing in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and metaverse technology in 2022.The announcement, which came by way of an open letter from Square Enix's president Yosuke Matsuda, earned a great deal of criticism from fans who chastised the decision. Matsuda notes that in the coming year, Square Enix will begin focusing on blockchain gaming, stating that while he realizes that most players "have voiced their reservations toward these new trends," the company will continue to explore these avenues. Fans quickly took to social media to air their grievances, noting that the announcement reads as tone-deaf and disregards the wants of most customers.
Most fans of Square Enix's vast catalog of titles are expressing frustration with the company, while a few others are praising the publisher for embracing new forms of computing technology. Many are drawing comparisons to Shinra Electric Power Company, a fictional corporation that acts as one of the antagonists in Final Fantasy VII who notably attempts to destroy the environment of Gaia in an effort to boost their profits. Many think the comparison is apt due to how much electricity is required to create a single NFT. Others are wary of how the publisher will implement the technology, citing concerns that NFTs may be used as another unwanted form of microtransaction.
While NFTs as a concept are relatively new, they have quickly gained a notorious reputation. Achieved through blockchain technology, a non-fungible token can provide a user with a serial number for a digital commodity, acting as a form of authentication. This practice is largely used by virtual artists but is quickly finding its way into the video game industry. Ubisoft recently found itself in hot water following the announcement it that would be adding NFTs to Ghost Recon: Breakpoint, a practice that is seemingly not going as well as intended.
Square Enix has a large roster of beloved video games within its catalog of titles. The publisher is responsible for Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest, Tomb Raider and Marvel's Avengers as well as the wildly popular role-playing series Final Fantasy. The company recently experienced a stellar 2021 following the launch of critically successful games like Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker and the PC port of Final Fantasy VII Remake.
Square Enix has yet to respond to the backlash regarding its latest announcement.
Source: Twitter