Former Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aimé has backed blockchain for gaming, saying he is “a believer” in the technology.
A blockchain is a digital ledger of transactions that allows users to own and sell digital goods such as NFTs.
Several gaming companies have already started selling digital items such as NFTs, including Konami and Atari, although this has attracted criticism from some due to the format’s high CO2 footprint and what many perceive as a cynical implementation.
During a SXSW panel this week, former Nintendo Boss Fils-Aimé said he believed blockchain could work in games if implemented from a player’s perspective.
Fils-Aimé used the Nintendo title Animal Crossing as an example and stated that he believed it could appeal to gamers if they were able to take advantage of some of their creations in the game.
“I believe in blockchain,” he said. “I think blockchain as a technology is really compelling. I also believe in the concept of ‘games to own’ in video games.
“I say it as a player where I may have invested 50 hours in a game, 100 hours in a game, or there are some games where I have invested 300 hours … when I’m ready to move on to something second, I would Is not it great to make money on what I have built?
“I bet I would have some participants here today if I were to sell my Animal Crossing island from the latest Nintendo Switch version. I would like to be able to make money on that. Blockchain technology embedded in the code and in the development would enable me to do that. “
He added: “So I believe in the technology and where it’s going. But I say that in terms of making sense for the player, it can not just be an approach from the developer that it’s interesting or a way for them to make more money.
“Ultimately, it should be good for the player, but I see an opportunity.”
Nintendo said it ‘has an interest’ in non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and ‘The Metaverse’ during an investor Q&A earlier this year, but suggested it has not yet defined what it can do in the areas that would appeal sufficiently to users.
Fils-Aimé joined Nintendo in December 2003 as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Months later, he became known as the public face for Nintendo of America when he stood in front of their E3 2004 press conference announcing the GameCube titles Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Metroid Prime 2.