Sega Exec Shuji Utsumi: ‘Blockchain Gaming Is Still an Unknown World for Us’

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In a recent interview, Sega co-COO Shuji Utsumi talked about the company’s stance on blockchain games. For Utsumi, this new gaming field is still uncertain, and Sega is prepared to protect its franchises and learn about how these new games are being made via its partnership with Double Jump Tokyo, a blockchain games company.

Sega Still Considers Blockchain Gaming an ‘Unknown World’

Sega co-COO Shuji Utsumi has stated that, for the company, the blockchain gaming field is still unknown. In a recent interview, the executive explained the stance of Sega regarding blockchain games due to the upcoming release of Sangokushi Taisen, a game being licensed by the company and developed by Double Jump Tokyo, a blockchain gaming company and non-fungible token (NFT) solutions provider.

When asked about his thoughts on blockchain gaming, Utsumi stated:

Blockchain gaming is still an unknown world for us, so we want to protect what needs to be protected and take a new look at what needs to be captured in a new way.

This opinion is consistent with Utsumi’s earlier statements, in which he declared that play-to-earn games were “boring” and that the company would change its blockchain strategy, pulling the plug on in-house projects developed with this technology and protecting AAA franchises.

However, at that time, he acknowledged that lesser-known franchises could be licensed to third parties, including Sangokushi Taisen, considered an “IP that would be accepted by fans in Japan and other Asian countries and would harmonize effectively with blockchain technology.”

Transitional Period

Utsumi emphasized a need to engage and appeal to users with blockchain-based content designed to serve as an entry point for this gaming field, just like puzzle games for the mobile gaming industry.

He declared:

Within blockchain games, owning assets and, in some cases, earning money, could become player wants that haven’t existed before. In this regard, this is indeed a transitional phase for the industry.

Also, as one of the hurdles of blockchain gaming, Utsumi mentioned setting up wallets, stressing that games should allow users to set these up later in the game.

Despite Sega’s posture, blockchain gaming has continued to gather interest. Blockchain gaming projects have gotten investments for $600 million during Q3, according to Dappradar’s Third Quarter Blockchain Gaming report. Also, by Dapprardar’s numbers, companies have invested $2.3 billion in these initiatives in 2023.

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