A patent published this month by Sony reveals that the company looks to expand into developing NFTs and its own blockchain. This is separate from the PlayStation Stars program, which is already underway and launched new rewards for November.
While the patent was published this month, it was actually filed a full year ago, which makes a lot of sense. The NFT landscape was significantly different a year ago, with hopes for the emerging field much higher than they are now. Since then, both public and player opinion have largely turned against NFTs for reasons ranging from artificial scarcity to environmental impact.
Sony’s approach to NFTs focuses on an area that many others have yet to tap into: the eSports scene and all the fame, prestige and fan culture that comes with it. Unlike the PlayStation Stars program with its missions and collectibles, Sony’s NFT patent focuses on specific items that players want for the same reason fans want items associated with sports stars. It compares these NFTs to baseballs either signed or hit by baseball stars like Babe Ruth, or similar memorabilia but related to in-game items that can be transferred across platforms or blockchains.
The implication is that these NFTs will be the actual digital items used by eSports stars or other celebrities from the gaming sphere of influence as well-known content creators. A gun used by Dr. Disrespect, for example, or another part of his character set used by the actual Dr. Disrespect at some point. Maybe Ninja’s skin is in Fortnite with a unique digital signature written by his hand on each of the rails, each a different NFT. Instead of appealing to the fact that an NFT is a unique thing that a player can own, Sony appeals to the reasons why players actually want to own them.
Of course, items inspired by professional players have been available to players before, with a prominent example being the skins made for championship teams in League of Legends, so this idea is not entirely unique. Additionally, with the current attitude towards NFTs there is a good chance that players will not embrace Sony’s vision. Reveals that Square Enix is making a new NFT instead Parasite Eve is not often met with praise.
But despite the general attitude of dislike, many companies are moving ahead with NFT plans. Konami is looking to build an NFT marketplace, and if Sony’s plan works, it will have one of its own. Only time will tell if Sony’s plan is successful, but with a currently unique premise, it could at least have a head start on a new NFT market.
Source: Video Game Chronicle
