PlatinumGames says NFTs have "no positive impact on creators or users in any sense" Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. PlatinumGames says NFTs have "no positive impact on creators or users in any sense" "If it smells like money, Konami's going to be there in a heartbeat!". News by Matt Wales Reporter Updated on 17 Feb 2022 78 comments As NFTs continue their insidious creep across the games industry, PlatinumGames - the studio behind the likes of Bayonetta, Nier: Automata, and the imminent Babylon's Fall - has shared its own perspective on the issue, calling the spread of the controversial tech "frustrating", given it offers "no positive impact on the creators or the users in any sense." Platinum's CEO Atsushi Inaba and vice president Hideki Kamiya discussed NFTs and blockchain technology as part of an extensive chat with VGC, revealing that despite growing interest in the tech among gaming publishers, the studio hasn't "really been thinking about that." "I understand it's a hot topic right now and it's really starting to gain momentum," Inaba told VGC, "but the way that it's gained momentum has been focused on profitability for the company, but with no positive impact on the creators or the users in any sense. So that's frustrating to see happening." Watch on YouTube First Look at Bayonetta 3 Gameplay - Nintendo Switch. "The people who are trying to promote NFTs and partner with gaming companies, their conversations seem extremely one-sided," Inaba continued. "'Hey, you're going to make money!'. But how does it benefit the user or the creator? If I want to spend my time on something, I want it to benefit making good games." It's a stance shared by Kamiya, who says he has "zero interest" in NFTs. "I consider myself a user at heart, more than a businessman," he explained. "It doesn't have any benefit for users at the moment. In the future, if it's expanded in a way that has a positive side for users, then maybe I'll start to be interested in what they do with it. But I'm not seeing that at the moment." Asked if he was surprised by how quickly the likes of Konami had jumped on the NFT bandwagon, Kamiya added, "Not really. If it smells like money, Konami's going to be there in a heartbeat!". While players and many developers continue to view NFTs and blockchain with suspicion, if not outright hostility, publishers across the industry remain insistent in their efforts to foist the environmentally damaging and functionally unconvincing technology on the public. Konami, Atari, Ubisoft, Zynga, PUBG creator Krafton, and more have all announced big initiatives focused on blockchain and NFTs, while others - including Team 17 and Stalker 2 developer GSC Game World - have been forced into embarrassing U-turns following immediate, and entirely predictable, fan backlash at their gung-ho NFT plans. Some publishers, including EA and Sega, have seemingly backtracked from earlier NFT enthusiasm in recent months as consumer pushback continues to grow, but it's clear the NFT craze is far from over. Still, maybe Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store