More than two years ago, Sega was one of the biggest advocates of blockchain gaming’s play-to-earn titles. Still, now things have changed as Sega co-chief operating officer Shunji Utsumi reveals that the publisher is rethinking its blockchain gaming strategy by shelving its plans to develop its own big IP games with the technology for now at least, according to a Bloomberg Interview.
The reason behind Sega reshuffling its deck is that it doesn’t want to devalue its money-making IPs like Sonic and Yakuza/Like a Dragon, with Utsumi adding that “the action in play-to-earn games is boring… what’s the point if games are no fun?” That’s not to say that Sega isn’t totally out of the [blockchain] game, as the publisher is still willing to work with external partners to create NFTs based on lesser-known franchise characters from Three Kingdoms and Virtua Fighter.
As for the company’s plan for its “Super Game” project is uncertain as Utsumi didn’t add or deny if the company’s online multiplayer plans would utilize Web 3.0; tech incorporates concepts at the crypto, including decentralization, token-based economies and blockchain. Sega’s Super Game initiative is described as a series of “new and innovative” blockbuster games that utilize its biggest IPs, focusing on global online communities with a lineup set to roll out in 2026.
“We’re looking into whether this [Web 3.0] technology is going to take off in this industry, after all,” Utsumi added.
Even with all that said, Sega is still very much open to using blockchain in its games, but only if it’s successful. Hence, this has nothing to do with the morality of the controversial tech but more so with the “what’s best for business?” mindset.
“For the majority of people in the video game industry, what blockchain advocates say may sound a bit extreme, but that’s how the first penguin has always been. We should never underestimate them,” Utsumi said at the end of his Bloomberg interview.
