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Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a patent application to enhance the NFT framework within its video games and consoles.
Despite the popularity of NFTs waning since the boom of 2021, Sony — one of the gaming industry’s most prominent players with a current market capitalization of $109.1 billion — has so far remained cautious on whether to enter into the NFT space.
NFT framework for transferring digital assets between devices
The company’s newly-published patent — published by Sony Japan — examines the potential of how interoperability can flow between different games within its ecosystem.
“Current systems are technologically inadequate for the owner to use the asset across different games and platforms.”
“Accordingly, as further recognized herein, the functionality of the game may be enhanced by enabling gamers and/or spectators to exclusively use the asset and possibly transfer its rights to others via NFT.”
Though the technology is not currently deployed, Sony appears keen to explore how NFT technology can be used within its wider gaming ecosystem.
“Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged, or excluded from other embodiments.”
The patent also expressly outlines how these NFTs would be valid across all hardware — from virtual reality headsets, to tablets, computers, mobile phones and consoles.
“The digital asset is then usable via the NFT by the first end-user entity across plural different computer simulations and/or across plural different computer simulation platforms.”
The patent also discusses the possibility of minting progress in a particular video game, such as a certain level, score, or points accumulation, and then transferring or selling it via NFT — allowing players to advance their gameplay.
All of this signals a likely push towards a more favorable Web-3 business model for one of the world’s largest gaming corporations.
Sony’s Web3 push
Despite Sony’s latest patent, gamers seeking to utilize NFTs for enhancing their gameplay and gaining a more personalized experience will have to exercise patience. While Sony seems to be exploring the potential of integrating NFTs within its gaming ecosystem, it may take some time before any significant Web3 push is announced.
Nevertheless, with the increasing prominence of high-definition digital collectibles, skins, and other elements in mass-multi-player games, metaverse, and Web3 technologies, most analysts believe is likely that NFTs will play a more significant role in the future of gaming.
Read more: 26 exciting stats about the GameFi industry from 2022