NFT in gaming has been ‘focused on profitability’ without positive impact to users yet, PlatinumGames leaders say

The hype around NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, has already made its way to the video game industry -- for some major publishers, at least. But leaders of PlatinumGames, which is currently developing the much-awaited “Bayonetta 3,” implied that the studio is not joining the craze anytime soon.

PlatinumGames president and CEO Atsushi Inaba and vice president Hideki Kamiya were recently interviewed by VGC, where the studio leaders were asked if they have plans to explore NFT and blockchain. While other major publishers and developers have already announced their initiatives in this department, Inaba and Kamiya share the same sentiments about NFTs in their current form.

“I understand it’s a hot topic right now and it’s really starting to gain momentum, but the way that it’s gained momentum has been focused on profitability for the company, but with no positive impact on the creators or the users in any sense,” Inaba said. When asked about NFTs, Kamiya said he agreed with what Inaba said, adding that “he has zero interest” about the matter.

However, both PlatinumGames leaders are not entirely closing the doors to NFTs. Inaba said NFT might become a more important concept in the future, especially as gaming content becomes more digital. However, he maintained that the people and companies that are first to embrace NFTs appear to be doing it mainly just for profit. Kamiya added that NFTs evolved into something useful to consumers. Only then he might start to get interested in them.

PlatinumGames’ stand on NFTs sounds quite similar to what Nintendo said recently. When asked if the company has plans to use the technology on its IPs, Nintendo practically said it is not planning on joining the trend until it becomes a venue where it can provide entertainment.

Inaba’s and Kamiya’s comments on NFTs also echo what Xbox chief Phil Spencer previously said about digital assets. Spencer said NFTs, at the moment, mainly revolve around “speculation and experimentation.” He added, “Some of the creative that I see today feels more exploitive than about entertainment.”