Konami has announced plans to launch a platform for trading in-game NFTs

Konami has announced that it is expanding its plans for NFTs and other Web3 services such as the metaverse.

In a press release, the Japanese publisher stated that it will be recruiting a “wide range of talent for system construction and service development to provide new experiences such as Web3 and Metaverse”.

One of the main aims of this is to create a new platform in which players can trade in-game NFTs .

“We have been conducting research and development to incorporate the latest technology into games and contents, and plan to launch a service where players can trade their in-game NFTs (digital items) through a unique distribution platform using blockchain,” it stated.

According to Konami, the system being developed is “a unique digital item distribution platform that conforms to the ‘Guidelines for Blockchain Games’ set forth by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association, Japan Online Game Association, and the Mobile Content Forum”.

NFTs are unique non-interchangeable units of data stored on a blockchain (a form of digital ledger), which effectively allow users to own, buy and sell digital items such as in-game items or artwork.

Konami says its NFTs “can be used in-game as items, as well as [to] participate in fan communities and events, and interact with other services and communities to further expand the user experience”.

The publisher has been dabbling with NFTs for a while now. Back in January, it auctioned off 14 pieces of digital artwork based on classic Castlevania games, as part of its ‘Konami Memorial NFT collection’, earning over $162,000 in sales.

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Other companies embracing NFTs – which have attracted criticism from some due to the format’s high carbon footprint and what many perceive to be cynical implementation – include Square Enix, Ubisoft and Sega.

In July, Microsoft-owned studio Mojang stated that it has no plans to support NFTs in Minecraft, in an article which has been celebrated by players.

However, in response to this, Epic boss Tim Sweeney said that his company won’t ban the sale of games featuring NFTs on its Epic Games Store platform, claiming it’s wrong to “interfere” in how developers make their games.