The Pokémon Company International just hinted they might start making Pokémon non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and Metaverse products soon. This news has Pokémon fans buzzing online. Many are worried, making jokes on Twitter like “dark times are ahead” and saying this move would be “the last straw” for them.
Fans fear that Pokémon going into blockchain products will cause a lot of mistrust. Previous blockchain projects in gaming did not go well. They worry this move could harm the Pokémon brand.
The job ad from The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) is for a Corporate Development Principal. This person will help grow Pokémon’s brand outside Asia and push innovation. The job needs someone with deep knowledge of Web 3, NFTs, Metaverse, and connections in those areas. The ad suggests TPCi wants to invest heavily in NFT and Metaverse for long-term gains rather than quick profits.
Pokémon NFTs popped up over a year ago without official permission. Last December, the company took legal action against a company using Pokémon for an NFT game without approval. They also shut down several projects in China, one of which made over $43.4 million.
NFTs and video games still cause a lot of debates. Square Enix’s CEO Yosuke Matsuda faced criticism for focusing on blockchain games as a business strategy. He was recently replaced, and fans hoped the new CEO would steer away from NFTs and Metaverse. However, it seems Square Enix will still explore blockchain gaming.
It’s still not clear how The Pokémon Company will approach blockchain and NFTs. They haven’t officially announced any blockchain projects, just like Nintendo hasn’t.
This move has definitely caught the attention of the Pokémon community. Many are watching closely to see how this will unfold and what it means for the future of their beloved franchise.