Square Enix has released the first trailer for its controversial upcoming game Symbiogenesis.
At first glance, the title seems to have all the high fantasy you could expect from the folks behind Final Fantasy 16. The trailer greets us with an idyllic floating continent and a thumping J-pop tune. However, Symbiogenesis is the first game to implement what the developers called "a whole new form of NFT-based entertainment."
NFTs or "non-fungible tokens" are supposedly non-copiable digital items that people exchange, often for real money.
The official website (opens in a new tab) goes on to describe the game's genre as "unlocked NFT narrative entertainment." Although "the main story...can be played through to the end without having any character NFTs", the title includes an NFT marketplace where players can redeem the necessary character NFTs to "access the in-game character stories ".
The developers are eager to see a conflict between the need to "monopolize the necessary items" and "share NFTs with other players." Despite its pastoral JRPG exterior, it appears that Sybiogenesis will contain a fierce internal market, a decision that, as a long-time Square Enix fan, I find quite troubling.
gil-ty conscience
Although expressed in abstract and conceptual language, it would appear that Symbiogenesis intends to use an internal NFT marketplace as a stage through which players can purchase the means to progress in the game.
According to the game's ev project evaluation report (opens in a new tab), "income" and "perk points" are important aspects of the game's structure. According to the report, NFTs purchased by Symbiogenesis players give them access to the otherwise hidden backstories of any of the game's 10,000 characters, creating an "information gap" between players with NFTs and those without.
The title appears to be an NFT market wrapped up in a story-driven RPG. It breaks my heart to see Square Enix using charming JRPG tricks to sell their attempt at a blockchain-based financial marketplace.
It seems like all the coolest features in the title could exist regardless of this strange change to cryptocurrency. Perhaps the most interesting facet of the game, the World Mission will have three players from the player base selected to complete the final mission of the game while the others watch.
The inclusion of a profit-driven NFT market seems like an oddly cynical move on Square Enix's part.
It's ambitious to place the fate of an entire game world on the shoulders of just three people. Still, it's a fascinating compromise that does a lot to pique the interest of my inner MMO fan. The idea of building an in-game economy by using a persistent market is also a compelling idea on paper. Eve Online is rightly known for its vibrant player-driven market and its impact on the gaming world in general, a facet that makes it one of the best MMO games out there.
However, the specter of the NFT market looms large over any Symbiogenesis feature, which at first glance will require players to risk real money on blockchain assets. The inclusion of this feature seems like an oddly cynical move on Square Enix's part. Symbiogenesis could be a fascinating project, but the inclusion of an NFT marketplace is superfluous at best and downright predatory at worst.