Square Enix, the Japanese video game publisher known for its iconic role-playing games, is signaling its ambitions to expand into the blockchain gaming space with the announcement of a new president. Yosuke Matsuda, who has been with the company for several years and has been a vocal proponent of blockchain gaming,
will step down as president in June 2023. His successor will be Takashi Kiryu, who joined Square Enix in 2020 and currently serves as chief strategy officer.
The move to appoint Kiryu as president is aimed at "reshaping the management team with the goal of adopting ever-evolving technological innovations and maximizing the creativity of the company's group," according to a statement by Square Enix. The company has faced challenges in recent years, with several high-profile releases failing to meet sales forecasts. This move comes as Square Enix seeks to pivot its focus toward blockchain gaming.
Last year, Square Enix launched its first NFT game, Symbiogenesis, signaling its entrance into the blockchain gaming space. The game was launched on the Polygon blockchain and featured collaborations with major brands such as Starbucks and Reddit. Square Enix is also a node operator for the Japanese gaming-focused blockchain Oasys network and has invested in the bitcoin-focused payment protocol Zebedee.
Square Enix's move into the blockchain gaming space is a reflection of the growing interest in the technology within the gaming industry. With blockchain technology, game developers can create in-game economies and digital assets that are owned and controlled by players. This opens up new revenue streams for game developers and provides players with new ways to engage with their favorite games.
While Square Enix's first NFT game received mixed reactions from the community, its choice of Polygon as its blockchain partner could help it gain traction with web3 communities. As the industry continues to evolve, Square Enix's focus on technological innovation could help it stay ahead of the curve and continue delivering entertainment to its customers worldwide.
Square Enix is a Japanese video game developer and publisher known for its RPG franchises, including Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts. In addition to video games, Square Enix produces manga, anime, and other forms of media. With Kiryu's appointment, Square Enix is signaling its intention to lead the charge in the blockchain games space and leverage the technology to deliver innovative gaming experiences to its customers.
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