Square Enix’s Venture with Animoca Brands
Square Enix, the developer renowned for creating JRPG classics such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, has decided to step into the realm of crypto-based NFT games. Partnering with a significant metaverse investment firm, the company has unveiled its latest project, “Symbiogenesis.” This collaborative effort with Animoca Brands focuses on marketing and launching a collection of 10,000 Ethereum NFTs tied to the game.
Animoca Brands Japan expressed excitement about the collaboration, with COO Kensuke Amo stating, “Animoca Brands Japan is pleased to be working with SQUARE ENIX, an entertainment company that provides world-class content and IP that Japan can be proud of.”
Symbiogenesis is set in a PC narrative adventure that unfolds in a post-apocalyptic high fantasy world. Players take on the role of their Ethereum NFT avatars as they navigate through the game. Additionally, players have the opportunity to engage with other in-game NFTs built on the Ethereum scaling network Polygon. The possession of an NFT is crucial for accessing the Symbiogenesis game, which is based on a ‘floating continent’ in a dystopian version of Earth besieged by mythical creatures.
- The game is set to be highlighted on Animoca Brands Japan’s upcoming NFT launchpad, slated to be operational this summer and supporting both Ethereum and Polygon networks.
Further Collaborations and Investments
This collaboration marks not the first time that Square Enix and Animoca Brands have teamed up. In the past, Square Enix played a pivotal role in an investment round for the popular NFT game “The Sandbox,” under Animoca’s ownership. This partnership led to the integration of characters and assets from Square Enix’s Dungeon Siege game into The Sandbox’s creative tools.
Moreover, Square Enix introduced Final Fantasy VII-themed NFTs on Polygon in 2022 and made a substantial investment of $35 million in the Bitcoin gaming and payment platform, Zebedee. Recent endeavors also include separate investments by Square Enix in crypto-centric PC launcher apps Hyperplay and Elixer Games.
Symbiogenesis Producer Naoyuki Tamate expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Animoca Brands Japan, stating, “We are very excited about this initiative and look forward to working with Animoca Brands Japan to bring the Web3 experience to a wider audience in an even more strategic way.”
