Square Enix and Animoca Brands Team Up to Expand Symbiogenesis NFT Game

Video game publisher Square Enix has partnered with metaverse investor Animoca Brands to expand the reach of its Ethereum NFT game Symbiogenesis. Animoca's Japanese subsidiary will collaborate with Square Enix on marketing efforts, leveraging Animoca's portfolio of projects. This follows Square Enix's previous investments in NFT and blockchain initiatives, including a tie-up with Animoca's The Sandbox and investments in NFT platform Efinity and Bitcoin gaming platform Zebedee.

Square Enix and Animoca Brands Forge Alliance to Expand Ethereum NFT Game

Tokyo, Japan - January 23, 2023 - Square Enix, the renowned video game publisher behind the legendary Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts franchises, has entered into a strategic collaboration with prominent metaverse investment firm and crypto game publisher Animoca Brands. This partnership marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Symbiogenesis, Square Enix's Ethereum-based NFT game, as it aims to reach a wider global audience.

Specifically, Animoca Brands Japan, a newly established subsidiary of Animoca Brands, will join forces with Square Enix to implement comprehensive marketing initiatives. These collaborations will encompass extensive cross-promotions with projects from Animoca Brands' expansive portfolio, which boasts over 400 ventures.

Symbiogenesis, launched in December 2022, is a captivating narrative adventure game that revolves around 10,000 Ethereum NFT characters, complemented by an array of in-game NFTs that are minted on Polygon, an Ethereum scaling network. The game unfolds in a futuristic and dystopian setting, where humanity battles for survival against a formidable dragon on a "floating continent" amidst a polluted Earth.

To further amplify the reach of Symbiogenesis, the game will be showcased on Animoca Brands Japan's upcoming NFT launchpad. Unveiled earlier this month, the launchpad is scheduled to go live this summer and will provide support for both Ethereum and Polygon. This integration will offer a seamless platform for players to immerse themselves in the world of Symbiogenesis.

"This collaboration holds immense promise, and we are eager to collaborate with Animoca Brands Japan to introduce the Web3 experience to a broader audience in a highly strategic manner," stated Naoyuki Tamate, the producer of Symbiogenesis.

Square Enix's partnership with Animoca Brands extends beyond the Symbiogenesis collaboration. In 2022, Square Enix announced a partnership with The Sandbox, an Ethereum metaverse game owned by Animoca Brands, to bring its Dungeon Siege franchise to the platform. The relationship dates back to 2020, when Square Enix participated in an investment round for the NFT game project.

In recent years, Square Enix has embraced a proactive approach towards NFT and blockchain technologies. The company has previously launched Final Fantasy VII NFTs tied to collectible action figures via the Efinity network on Polygon. Additionally, Square Enix has invested in Zebedee, a Bitcoin-centric gaming and payments platform geared towards play-to-earn games.

Most recently, Square Enix announced separate investments in HyperPlay and Elixir Games, two crypto-native PC gaming launcher apps. Symbiogenesis has also been released via HyperPlay, further solidifying Square Enix's commitment to the crypto gaming landscape.

This collaboration between Square Enix and Animoca Brands Japan signals a pivotal moment in the convergence of traditional gaming and the burgeoning world of Web3. As Symbiogenesis expands its reach through Animoca Brands Japan's marketing capabilities and the upcoming NFT launchpad, it is poised to captivate a global audience, introducing them to the innovative potential of NFT-powered gaming experiences.