In July 2023, Sega executive Shuji Utsumi announced that the company would be suspending its plans to develop blockchain games. Utsumi cited a number of reasons for this decision, including the fact that he found the current crop of play-to-earn games to be "boring."
"The action in play-to-earn games is boring," Utsumi said in an interview with Bloomberg. "What's the point if games are no fun?"
Utsumi also expressed concerns about the environmental impact of blockchain technology. "We're concerned about the energy consumption of blockchain games," he said. "We don't want to do anything that could harm the environment."
Sega's decision to abandon blockchain gaming is a significant one, as the company is one of the biggest names in the video game industry. However, Utsumi's comments suggest that the company is not alone in its skepticism of the technology.
In recent months, there has been a growing backlash against blockchain gaming. Critics argue that the games are often repetitive and grindy, and that the play-to-earn model encourages players to treat games as a job rather than a form of entertainment.
There are also concerns about the environmental impact of blockchain gaming. The process of mining cryptocurrency, which is used to power many blockchain games, requires a significant amount of energy. This has led to accusations that blockchain gaming is contributing to climate change.
In response to these concerns, some blockchain game developers have begun to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. For example, some games are now using renewable energy sources to power their mining operations. Others are using less energy-intensive blockchain protocols.
However, it remains to be seen whether these measures will be enough to convince gamers and environmental groups that blockchain gaming is a sustainable industry.
In the meantime, Sega's decision to abandon blockchain gaming is a sign that the technology is still facing significant challenges. It remains to be seen whether blockchain gaming will ever become a mainstream gaming trend.
Is blockchain gaming the future?
The future of blockchain gaming is still uncertain. Some experts believe that the technology has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry, while others are more skeptical.
There are a number of potential benefits to blockchain gaming. For example, blockchain technology could allow players to own their in-game assets more securely. This could lead to a more player-centric gaming experience, where players have more control over their game progress and can trade or sell their assets with other players.
Blockchain technology could also make it easier for developers to create more complex and immersive games. For example, blockchain could be used to track the ownership of virtual land or property, which could open up new possibilities for multiplayer games.
However, there are also a number of challenges that need to be addressed before blockchain gaming can become mainstream. One of the biggest challenges is the environmental impact of blockchain technology. As mentioned earlier, the process of mining cryptocurrency requires a significant amount of energy. This has led to accusations that blockchain gaming is contributing to climate change.
Another challenge is the lack of consumer awareness. Many gamers are still unfamiliar with blockchain technology and how it works. This could make it difficult for developers to attract players to blockchain games.
Overall, the future of blockchain gaming is still uncertain. However, the technology has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry. If developers can address the challenges that blockchain gaming faces, it could become a mainstream gaming trend in the future.
Is blockchain good for gaming?
Blockchain technology has the potential to be a valuable tool for the gaming industry. It can be used to create more secure and transparent gaming experiences, and it can also help to facilitate the trading of in-game assets.
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to blockchain gaming. For example, blockchain games can be more expensive to develop and maintain than traditional games. Additionally, the environmental impact of blockchain technology is a concern for some gamers.
Overall, blockchain technology has the potential to be a positive force for the gaming industry. However, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before making a decision about whether or not to adopt blockchain technology for a particular game.
