Hiring spree by the company shows a big interest in web3
Once one of the biggest game developers in Japan , Konami has made news recently for its adoption of web3 and interest in jumping on the metaverse, web3, and blockchain gaming bandwagon. Recently Konami posted a plethora of new job listings all having to deal with production of experiences that include web3 technology in the next batch of games created by the company.
Legacy and intent
Konami is well-known for some of the best games in the last gaming cycle and before. Game franchises such as Metal Gear, Castlevania, Contra, Silent Hill, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Simpsons have all garnered love by gamers and have become legend in the gaming world.
The company is currently looking to fill 13 spots in areas of infrastructure development, production and operations, and support. The new openings will help to ” provide new experiences such as Web3 and Metaverse” worded directly from the news release given by Konami.
There are currently no real statements as to which of their IPs will be implemented in the new technology but the company does have plans for NFT drops in the future.
The company made a statement about the plans to implement NFT technology in the future.
“We have been conducting research and development to incorporate the latest technology into games and contents, and plan to launch a service where players can trade their in-game NFTs (digital items) through a unique distribution platform using blockchain.”
Not new to the game
NFTs are not new to Konami as the company has already released a Castlevania collection to celebrate the game’s 35-year legacy. The collection was successful and raised $165K in January. Konami is joining the likes of Bandai Namco and Square Enix which have both begun major pushes towards web3 and blockchain technology. Bandai Namco is currently working on a multi-IP metaverse and Square-Enix is including blockchain tech for play-to-earn for some of their future games, the company has already launched a Final Fantasy VII quasi-NFT collection. They are also joined by gaming icon SEGA which has announced its own blockchain based game using the Oasys blockchain.
Past, Present, Future
Konami was known as one of the giants of the gaming industry in the past, multiple characters and games came from the company and enjoyed outrageous success, that was until everything ended. Right after a very public altercation sand shady dealing with one of its most prominent developers the company switched its business model to focus more on mobile gaming and less on consoles, one can only assume that is the direction that the company is still going towards. Either way another major gaming company embracing the blockchain and web3 showcases how it will be gaming that drives this new virtual age.
