Sakaba game report: Million Arthur by SQUARE ENIX
Unveiling the Allure of Web3 Gaming: SQUARE ENIX’s Foray into the Metaverse
As a gaming behemoth, SQUARE ENIX has been making waves in the Web3 domain in recent years. Their ventures include:
- Launching the NFT project Million Arthur, a fusion of game content and collectibles
- Collaborating with Web3 PC game launcher Elixir, which also supports Web2 games and recently integrated the Epic Games Store library, garnering significant attention
SQUARE ENIX has boldly identified “blockchain game entertainment development” as a novel challenge within its medium-term business strategy. Two captivating Web3 projects have emerged:
- Million Arthur Official website:
https://shisansei.million-arthurs.com/ - SYMBIOGENESIS Official website:
https://symbiogenesis.app/
Each project exemplifies the essence of Web3. This article delves into the captivating allure of SQUARE ENIX’s Web3 ventures.
1. Million Arthur: A Quirky NFT Odyssey
Initiated in 2021, Million Arthur is a digital seal collection marrying the popular SQUARE ENIX IP Million Arthur series “Weak Acid Million Arthur” with NFTs.
On April 20, 2023, the whimsical game content “Seal Research Institute” was unveiled. Engage in gameplay to acquire Gear Seal NFTs, and enhance your character seals by adding dazzling backgrounds and animations.
This engaging clicker game unfolds as follows:
- Embark on thrilling adventures to amass sushi
- Transform sushi into pants at the factory
- Toss pants into the spring, conjuring Gear Seals
This eccentric universe is creating a buzz.
As expected from SQUARE ENIX, the pixel art, BGM, and seal design boast exceptional quality. Players will be instantly captivated by the enthralling gameplay and the joy of crafting seals.
Million Arthur also showcases intriguing elements from a Web3 product standpoint:
Innovative NFT Initiatives:
- Combine character and gear seal NFTs to create unique tokens
- Users can effortlessly modify seals, fostering user-generated content (UGC)
Seamless Blockchain-Unaware UX:
- No gas fees required with LINE Blockchain
- Custodial wallets created via LINE accounts (akin to authentication for popular web services) (LINE is a messaging app prevalent in Japan, similar to WhatsApp and WeChat)
- Facilitate user-to-user transactions with Line Pay
- Seal collection purchases supported by credit cards and Line Pay
Game Ecosystem Innovations:
- Exclusive focus on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) instead of fungible tokens (FTs)
- Users can generate income by selling seals to other players
- No cash flow from game operators to users, as seen in many Play-to-Earn games
- Engaging content ensures long-term value for digital seals, with fair market prices
- Season system implementation
- Gear Seal types vary each season, limiting supply
- Many stats reset each season, mitigating early player advantages
- Character seals priced at a reasonable 800 yen each, sold by game operators as NFT collectibles
2–1. SYMBIOGENESIS: A Dazzling Fusion of Art and Gaming
Immerse yourself in SYMBIOGENESIS, a groundbreaking NFT project that masterfully merges “10,000 NFT collectible art pieces with game utility for an unparalleled entertainment experience.” Hold on tight, as the release is just around the corner.
Venture into a mesmerizing fantasy world called the Floating Continent, where an array of diverse characters spanning various races and occupations grace the NFT collection as Profile Picture (PFP) tokens.
Dubbed as “story-unlocking NFT entertainment,” this captivating game invites players to unravel the enigmas of this extraordinary world while progressively uncovering the main story and the individual narratives of each character.
Embark on this thrilling journey that unfolds as follows:
1-a. Delve deeper into the main story while unveiling the intriguing tales of the characters
1-b. Scour the Floating Continent for hidden treasures
2. Strive to partake in the climactic “World Mission” that will ultimately seal the story’s fate
SYMBIOGENESIS boasts a unique theme: “Monopoly or Distribution?” This innovative game concept revolves around the exhilarating aspects of information bargaining and strategic communication. With a daring focus on elements beyond Play-to-Earn, this venture boldly explores the fascinating realm of GameFi.
Let’s dive into what makes the game a thrilling showdown between “Monopoly or Distribution.”
This multiple-ending game invites only three players to participate in the World Mission that determines the ultimate outcome. Meanwhile, other players bear witness to the unfolding finale. The World Mission not only empowers you to dictate the story’s conclusion but also rewards you with coveted NFTs as clear rewards.
Conditions to embark on the World Mission
- Triumph over all missions in the main story, from Chapters 1 to 6
- Accumulate items under specific conditions
Three exhilarating ways to amass items
- Decipher hidden locations through hints gleaned from the story, accessible by owning character NFTs
- Rely on intuition to tap and unveil items on the map
- Engage in electrifying user-to-user trading of item NFTs
Unearthing the items is a formidable challenge that demands cooperation from various players. As you gather the essential items and information, you can choose to conquer the game either by monopolizing resources individually or with allies or by forging powerful alliances with other players. However, only three chosen players can confront the final mission.
The game demands strategic communication to determine the perfect balance of cooperation and negotiation needed to achieve victory.
Drawing parallels between the centralized Web2 business model and monopoly, the decentralized essence of blockchain — a hallmark of Web3 technology — is likened to distribution. The concept is undeniably thought-provoking.
Though detailed information is scarce, the game’s UI is anticipated to resemble an engaging clicker game played in a web browser. However, this audacious project transcends a mere clicker game, promising an unforgettable entertainment experience that captivates players.
Both products, even those influenced by past GameFi projects or renowned existing projects like Axie Infinity and Stepn, boast distinctive designs that showcase Web3’s features, breaking free from the confines of existing categories. It’s no surprise coming from the creative powerhouse, SQUARE ENIX.
Reference
SQUARE ENIX HOLDINGS CO., LTD. Financial Results Briefing Session Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2022
