Xbox's parent Microsoft is always seeking new tech and gaming avenues, and the latest news doing the rounds is that it's invested in the Korean game company Wemade, which specialises in blockchain technology.
According to an official PR by Wemade (via a story on VGC), the developer has received an investment of "around $46 million" from multiple companies including Microsoft, but it's unclear how much the maker of Xbox has actually added to this total.
In a statement, Wemade CEO Henry Chang praised the investment and noted how the company would continue to "exert effforts to attract more capital and actively invest to build the global and digital economy platform".
The Korean-based Web3 game developer started out in the year 2000 and is focused on PC and mobile - including the blockchain-driven MMORPG series, Legend of Mir. Wemade claims MIR4 has become "the world's first well-made blockbuster blockchain game" since entering the market.
Wemade also has its own blockchain mainnet titled Wemix 3.0 - which ties in with cryptocurrency transactions. The company has an NFT auction website, too.
It's unknown what Microsoft's plans are here, but again, it's just one of many investors. Xbox has also spoken out against NFTs before - so there's probably no need to worry about them and related tech infiltrating your favourite games anytime soon.
What are your thoughts about this one? Comment below.
[source wemade.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 10
Nope don't like that...
Thankfully for MS it's more like throwing a few pennies to someone - guess if ever generates any useful tech or an actually good game that didn't rely on NFTs then they'd have some access...
I remember seeing Legend of Mir on Game Network years ago. Also Myth of Soma.
dumpster fire
This is certainly in direct conflict with previous statements made by Phil. I really don't know what to think about this news. The reasoning behind this investment needs to be clarifed.
Wow, legends of mir is still a thing can remember playing when it first launched in Europe.
I'm not a huge fan of anyone investing in blockchain of any kind.
If this is a sign of things to come then I'll make some big changes in what I consume.
@JON22 @SacredPYRO I used to love Legend of Mir and Myth of Soma (to a lesser degree) and couldn’t believe it as a kid when it made it onto TV. Hehe.
I played on the Phoenix server on Mir 2 and I think Gelu on Mir 3 and even now occasionally play on private servers of Mir 2 and 3.
Great times.
@Kaloudz Blockchain itself is hard googling its so open ended.
But in gaming terms. Essentially rather than just obtaining an item in a game and that item being limited to your use. You effictively own the item outright and can opt to sell/trade with other players and the game publisher takes a cut. Like an in-game ebay almost.
Its another way of forcing microtransactions on the basis it can actually make money for the player as well as the publisher, so understandably most gamers hate it, goes into NFT territory.
@Kaloudz in a nutshell yep.
Nothing to see here, just another 'peek' at the rotten core of modern gaming. Now I must get back to championing one corporations gaming division over their rivals on social media, I must be good consumer.
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...