Square Enix has a new Final Fantasy VII action figure that comes with an NFT, which may become useless in the future.
Square Enix has unveiled a lot of new merchandise today. From Dragon Quest drink bottles to cute chibi versions of your favourite Final Fantasy characters, there’s something for everyone. But one figure, in particular, is causing backlash from fans.
The ‘Final Fantasy VII Cloud Strife’ figure is part of their celebration of the 25th Anniversary. Final Fantasy VII, originally released in 1997, has since gone on to become a hugely popular franchise. Its new figure of protagonist Cloud Strife, yellow spikes in all, sports his appearance from the original game’s cut-scenes.
There are two versions of the figure available to pre-order. One costs $129.99, but there’s a ‘Digital Plus Edition’ costing $159.99.
It was noticed that the ‘Digital Plus Edition’, which is exclusive to the Square Enix Store, comes with an NFT.
“The figure is given a digital certificate”, Square Enix explains on the product listing.
They use different terminology, but they explain that a “digital genuine certificate is NFT data managed by blockchain technology”.
In order to redeem your NFT, you’ll have to create an account on Enjin, an NFT platform, and download their Enjin wallet app.
Including with the figure product information is an entire section under the sub-heading, “Caution before Purchasing”. This is where Square Enix explains that your NFT could disappear altogether without notice.
“In case the Enjin services become unavailable in the future, you may lose access to the NFT digital certificate of authenticity and digital version of the figure.”
The ‘Digital Plus Edition also comes with an “exchange ticket” to redeem a digital version of the figure for your PC or Smartphone. So, instead of admiring a physical figure on your shelf, you can look at a pretend one on your phone instead.
Square Enix’s Support of NFTs Isn’t Stopping
The Cloud Strife figure does look fantastic, and it’d look great in anyone’s Final Fantasy collection. But an FF7 NFT goes against everything we know about the original game.
FF7 is about a group of eco-terrorists, named AVALANCHE, who try to take down a huge corporation. ShinRa is taking energy from the planet, and destroying it for profit. It doesn’t take a genius to relate how ShinRa operates in the world of FF7, to how NFTs and Blockchain technology is used.
Square Enix themselves aren’t stopping at just giving NFTs away with action figures. President of the company, Yosuke Matsuda, released a letter at the beginning of the year, highlighting the company’s enthusiasm for NFTS and Blockchain technology.
“I believe that the new technologies and concepts that I have discussed and the changes that they bring to our business environment will provide us with numerous opportunities to enrich people’s lives through digital entertainment”, he states in his letter.
Furthermore, Bitcoin gaming startup Zebedee recently garnered $35 million from investors, and one of them was Square Enix. Zebedee created its platform to make it easier for developers to implement blockchain technology into their games. And it seems Square Enix wants a part in that.
It’s not all doom and gloom, as Minecraft’s developers, Mojang, recently took to the internet to announce its ban on NFTs and Blockchain technology. With as huge a game as Minecraft is, maybe will see other companies following by example.
Until then, Square Enix definitely seems set on a future of NFTs and Blockchain technology.
If, like AVALANCHE, you’re set on helping protect the planet, maybe double-check that the next Final Fantasy figure you purchase doesn’t come with an NFT.
Featured Image Credit: Square Enix. Source: VideoGameChronicle.
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