Square Enix, known for developing popular JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, has entered into a collaboration with major metaverse investment firm Animoca Brands to create its own crypto-based NFT game called “Symbiogenesis.” The game will feature a collection of 10,000 Ethereum NFTs and will be supported by Animoca Brands Japan, who will provide expertise in marketing, NFT sales, and expanding Japanese products overseas. Players will be able to roleplay as their Ethereum NFT avatars in a devastated high fantasy world and interact with other in-game NFTs minted on the Polygon network. An NFT is required to access the Symbiogenesis game, which is set in a future polluted Earth where humans battle against a fantastical dragon on a floating continent.
This collaboration is not the first between Square Enix and Animoca Brands. In 2020, Square Enix led an investment round in Animoca-owned NFT game “The Sandbox” and later integrated characters and assets from its Dungeon Siege game into The Sandbox’s game-making tools. Square Enix has also previously launched Final Fantasy VII-based NFTs on Polygon and invested in Bitcoin gaming and payment platform Zebedee. Recently, the company made separate investments in crypto-native PC launcher apps Hyperplay and Elixer Games. Symbiogenesis producer Naoyuki Tamate expressed excitement about the partnership with Animoca Brands Japan and the opportunity to bring the Web3 experience to a wider audience in a strategic manner.
The storyline of Symbiogenesis involves players waking up in a prison in a world where they must fight to survive against a dragon. The game’s narrative takes place on a floating continent and players will need Ethereum NFTs to access and play the game. The game is expected to be featured on Animoca Brands Japan’s upcoming NFT launchpad, which will support both Ethereum and Polygon networks. Players will have the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the devastated high fantasy world, interacting with other characters and elements in the game.
Square Enix’s involvement in the crypto and NFT space reflects a growing trend of traditional gaming companies embracing blockchain technology and exploring new opportunities in the metaverse. By partnering with Animoca Brands on Symbiogenesis, Square Enix aims to leverage its world-class content and IP to create a unique gaming experience for players. The collaboration allows Square Enix to tap into Animoca Brands’ expertise in NFTs and marketing, enabling the game to reach a wider audience and expand its presence globally. With the increasing popularity of NFTs and blockchain technology, Symbiogenesis represents a new frontier for Square Enix to explore innovative gaming concepts and engage with the growing community of crypto enthusiasts.
The partnership between Square Enix and Animoca Brands highlights the potential for collaboration between traditional gaming companies and blockchain firms to push the boundaries of gaming and create immersive experiences for players. Symbiogenesis represents a fusion of traditional gaming elements with blockchain technology, offering players a unique and interactive gaming experience in a futuristic high fantasy world. With the support of Animoca Brands Japan and its expertise in NFTs and marketing, Symbiogenesis is poised to make a significant impact in the crypto gaming space and attract a diverse audience of gamers and crypto enthusiasts. As Square Enix continues to explore opportunities in the crypto and NFT space, the collaboration with Animoca Brands signals a new chapter in the company’s commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of gaming.
