Ubisoft admits to still researching Web3 and NFTs

Despite its initial bullish approach to Web3 and NFTs, French video game giant Ubisoft looks like it is slowing down its campaign in blockchain technology.

In a recent interview, Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CEO, discussed the company's relationship with blockchain technology and tried to clarify that they are "still in research mode" concerning Web3.

"We probably were not good at saying we are researching," he said. "We should have said we were working on it, and when we have something that gives you a real benefit, we'll bring it to you."

He was referring to last December when the company first introduced its NFT platform Ubisoft Quartz and tried integrating its NFTs (called Digits) with some of its popular titles like Ghost Recon Breakpoint. 

At the time, the move was met with strong criticisms from fans online who believed Ubisoft was trying to milk more money out of them and concerns about how NFTs were bad for the environment.

Nicolas Pouard, an executive at Ubisoft, replied to the backlash by saying, "I think gamers don't get what a digital secondary market can bring to them."

Guillemot admits they didn't communicate their intentions clearly back then.

The Ubisoft boss also explained that the company is always keen to try out new technologies to keep things interesting for its players, although it may not always have the desired effect.

'Exploring doesn't mean launching,' Guillemot added. 'This industry (Web3) is evolving quickly, and it's very cautious about the impact it will have. Like so many things, at the beginning, it's not as good as it could be, but like other new technologies, they will find the right way.'

Guillemot also tried to address the environmental concerns surrounding NFTs, explaining that they chose the Tezos blockchain because it uses the more energy-efficient proof-of-stake protocol rather than the popular proof-of-work technology.

Even though the company has already discontinued NFTs for its Breakpoint game – since April, it still isn't done with Web3 and says it is still 'testing ground with some games, and we'll see if they really answer the players' needs.' It is also currently one of the corporate validators for the Tezos blockchain and remains one of the most active game companies in the blockchain space.

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