Bandai Namco Executive Optimistic Blockchain Becoming ‘Standard’ for Asia’s Gaming

Japanese game publisher Bandai Namco’s executives are positive that blockchain infrastructure is gradually becoming the standard for the budding Asia gaming industry. The firm’s vice president for corporate development, Karim Farghaly, is optimistic that blockchain will soon realise its potential in video games. 

Farghaly considers that Asia offers a receptive platform for Web3 development, unlike the West, which exhibits stigma. The executive added that the Japanese game publisher plans to expand existing research and development into the mobile-based blockchain gaming sector targeting the Asia market. 

Asia Gaming Market Set for Blockchain Infrastructure as Standard

The publisher behind the Elden Ring and Dark Souls seeks to build on its nurtured expertise in gaming to pursue the Asia gaming market that Farghaly considers harbouring huge potential. Farghaly admitted during an interview on the sidelines of the Las Vegas Esports and Gaming Business Summit last week that the Japanese studio is pursuing blockchain-based video games.

The firm behind retro classics – Tekken and PacMan would also keep keen scrutiny of the ongoing developments in the global crypto industry.

Farghaly pronouncements align with his previous statements portraying optimism in the mobile-oriented business model. The executive who served in Bandai Namco’s US for over eight years is positive on blockchain integration within the Japanese publisher’s mobile-focused business model.

Farghaly confessed to dabbling internally to research the functioning of Web3 infrastructure. He reiterated that Asia displays readiness to embrace Web3 and blockchain infrastructure. He admitted working closely with the Tokyo-based team to expedite corporate planning on blockchain-based gaming. The team explores the variations arising in Western and Asia gaming markets in Web3. 

Farghaly ruled out Web3 in Asia, facing a similar backlash that gamers in the West battle. As such, the executive opines that Asia presents a receptive audience that would ultimately facilitate Web3-based and crypto-related gaming. The games would pull bigger audiences in Asia than in the West. 

Asia Receptive to Web3 Development

Farghaly indicated that the less stigma witnessed in Asia nurtures a supportive ground that would increase activity around the blockchain games. The projection is proving true, given the emergence of Japanese and Korean publishers actively developing more blockchain-based games than their Western counterparts. 

Farghaly is optimistic that blockchain gaming activity will witness more uptake in Asia. He decries the challenges Bandai Namco faces in the West owing to the widespread backlash towards web3. He admits disappointment, considering several big IPs were eyeing the Web3 space. 

Farghaly indicated that Bandai Namco replicated a move by Sega to work with Double Jump, a blockchain firm, in the Tokyo operations to develop games on the infrastructure. The admission by the senior vice president of corporate development coincides with the revelation that Bandai Namco recently unveiled the AI-powered virtual game identified as Ryuzo. The pet games allow the players to own Ryu creatures as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). 

The Ryu NFTs are running on the Oasys blockchain, where Bandai Namco has previously confirmed investing. Ubisoft and Sega recently restated their devotion to creating projects on the Oasys blockchain. 

Bandai Namco’s Readiness for Blockchain is Evident in Investment in Web3-based Platforms

Farghaly revealed that Bandai Namco invested in several Web3 companies via its venture capital fund in Japan. His confession alluded to the investment in Oasys, Web3-based platform Guadiy, NFT wearables Genies and Double Jump Tokyo.

The executive shares the prospect of blockchain games he labels as the whales of the gaming world. He considers gamers interested in realising the capacity to own, trade, and hold on to digital assets. 

Farghaly supports the projection that the mobile-based gaming sector would lead the way. The executive will readily push Web3 and crypto-related gaming. Linking blockchain infrastructure to iOS and Google’s Android would allow the games to optimise gaming experiences. 

Farghaly supports the priorities portrayed in mobile-based gaming, arguing that it will bring Bandai Namco closer to the audience.  

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