Video game publisher Ubisoft (NASDAQ: UBSFF) has announced a return to non-fungible tokens (NFTs) following a new partnership with Immutable, a blockchain-based game developer.
According to a report from PC Gamer, Ubisoft’s new deal with Immutable will see the integration of NFTs into a “full-fledged game,” although details remain scarce on the type of video game planned. However, multiple reports confirm that players will be able to own in-game elements in the upcoming game.
Both Ubisoft and Immutable have previously worked with digital collectibles in their games, bringing a wealth of experience to the collaboration. Immutable has found a measure of success in blockchain gaming with titles like Guild of Guardians, Shardbound and Infinite Victory, introducing gamers to Web3 experiences.
“We couldn’t be more excited to explore the benefits of Web3 and digital ownership for players with Ubisoft,” said James Ferguson, co-founder of Immutable. “We intend to leverage the full weight of our ecosystem to ensure the success of the partnership.”
On the other hand, Ubisoft hasn’t had a rosy relationship with NFTs in its recent titles, with an attempt at helmet collectibles in Ghost Recon: Breakpoint falling short. In partnership with Integrated Reality Lab, the company took another stab at digital collectibles through “Smart Collectibles” using the Assassin’s Creed theme.
Rather than half-heartedly integrating NFT elements into video games, the partnership with Immutable will deliver a whole new gaming experience “that will further unlock the potential of Web3.” The partnership is widely expected to enable the development of an entirely new title with in-game ownership of items and support trading on secondary markets.
“As the platform of choice for many leaders within the Web3 community, Immutable offers both cutting-edge technology and unique expertise in seamlessly integrating decentralized technologies into games,” said Nicolas Pouard, vice president of Ubisoft’s Strategic Innovation Lab. “We’re excited to work with them and look forward to bringing that level of fluidity within a full-fledged game, so players can just focus on enjoying the experience.”
Ubisoft’s NFT initiatives
Experts note that the new deal with Immutable changes the company’s ambitions to continue its internal digital collectibles initiative. Ubisoft had previously rolled out Quartz to spearhead the game publisher’s NFT drive, but after the lackluster launch of digital collectibles for Ghost Recon: Breaking Point, activity around Quartz has dwindled to an all-time low.
The company appears to be relying on outside help to launch its foray into digital collectibles, at the expense of homegrown initiatives. Still, the company says Quartz remains an integral part of its offering, shutting down claims that it plans to drop the curtain on the device.
“Ubisoft Quartz remains an underlying infrastructure for us and we continue to work with industry partners to deliver the best possible experiences to players interested in these features,” a company representative said.
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