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Square Enix Under Fire For NFT push
OMG, it's Friday again. Welcome to Lootbox your one-stop shop for all things web3 gaming news.
For today
Activision Blizzard COO joins web3
Square Enix Under Fire For NFT push...again
The New Spatial Toolkit Has Landed
The Sneakies
Activision Blizzard President And CEO To Web3
Daniel Agere just dropped a bombshell.
He is leaving Activision Blizzard to join Yuga Labs as CEO. 🎉
Today is my last day as President and COO of Activision Blizzard. Thank you to the incredible teams who create truly epic games. Tomorrow I officially start at CEO of Yuga Labs. Couldn't be more excited for this next chapter.
— Daniel Alegre (@dalegre)
1:23 PM • Mar 31, 2023
We should have seen the writing on the wall with gushing tweets about Yuga like this
Expect the unexpected...creativity at its best.
— Daniel Alegre (@dalegre)
9:46 PM • Feb 28, 2023
And this...
On to the boundaries of the wildest imagination. Anticipation for the 2nd trip of Otherside.
— Daniel Alegre (@dalegre)
2:41 PM • Mar 9, 2023
Welcome to web3 ser. Excited to see Yuga Labs' growth in gaming now.
Square Enix Under Fire For NFT Push... Again
Oh boy, Square Enix is going through the wringer with their fans!
This time, gamers are roasting them for their Final Fantasy VII NFT trading cards and the upcoming NFT game Symbiogenesis.
Let's dive into the drama, shall we?

What's the deal?
So, Square Enix dropped Final Fantasy VII Anniversary Art Museum: Digital Cards Plus (who thought up this name?).
It's a collection of physical trading card packs with a digital exchange card you can buy for $3.30. That digital exchange card can be swapped for an NFT card, one of the 207 types.
The general consensus? Fans are fuming, saying NFTs have no place in the cherished franchise. Critics are also bringing up environmental concerns and the exclusivity factor creating barriers between players. Check out this Reddit user's opinion.

Yup, Reddit is filled with ticked-off Square Enix fans...
Despite introducing the NFTs as Digital Exchange Cards, using the Reddit playbook, this didn't shield Square Enix from criticism. Here's why.
Square Enix is well aware of their fanbase's strong aversion to NFTs, yet they continue incorporating NFTs into their TOP games. Bold, I like.
They warned that if the Enjin (the blockchain the NFTs will be on) service were to cease operations, holders "would lose the ability to view or utilize the digital card in the future." If you ain't sure about the chain, why not select one you believe in? 🤷
There is no upper limit to the number of digital cards that can be redeemed until the exchange ticket runs out, and they can't be transferred or sold. It's like the federal reserve making the money printer go brrr but you are forced to hodl.
Then there's Symbiogenesis
Guess what? Gamers aren't thrilled about that, either.
Many feel the company is cashing in on the NFT craze, sacrificing quality gaming experiences. And that NFTs in games create division among players and foster an unwelcome sense of exclusivity.It wasn't just the NFTs, though...
Even gameplay and graphic quality were being ripped to shreds by long-time fans of the franchise. Symbiogenesis fans rn

Lootbringer's take:
Honestly, Square Enix deserves some of the criticism it received. They didn't help their cause by picking a chain they aren't confident about, and no marketplace to trade the cards.
The New Spatial Toolkit Has Landed
Spatial, known for its VR and AR platform, recently released its Creator Toolkit, piquing the interest of Web3 developers.
Why? Because it's loaded with features that could potentially enhance gaming experiences in the Web3 space.
So, let's unpack it...

A dev's dream tool
Spatial's Creator Toolkit is a versatile set of tools for developers.
Custom assets? Check.
Interactive environments? Double check.
And the best part? It integrates seamlessly with Spatial's platform so that you can easily bring your creations to life.
Boost for web3 gaming?
Although not specifically designed for web3 gaming, the Creator Toolkit could offer developers a way to push the boundaries of their games. Providing richer, more immersive experiences that might just be the catalyst web3 gaming needs to level up.

Here's how
Web3 developers can potentially leverage Spatial's Creator Toolkit to create unique, immersive experiences that engage players on a new level. I'm no game dev, but a few things come to mind:
Easily creating experiences across multiple metaverses using the drag-and-drop features.
Seamlessly integrating NFTs into AR and VR environments for enhanced gameplay.
Developing immersive, interactive blockchain-based games that merge the physical and digital worlds.
Time to test out new tools.

Try out the toolkit HERE.
The Sneakies
Web3 isn't dead, here are 3 brands building the blockchain in 2023 - The Drum reports on three innovative brands that are making moves in the Web3 space. Will they be the ones to bring blockchain mainstream?
Metapixel launches beta testing for Gran Saga, taking its first step towards a Web3 gaming ecosystem - BSC News covers the latest update from Metapixel as they dive deeper into the world of Web3 gaming. Will Gran Saga be the breakthrough that sets Web3 gaming on fire?
Alibaba Cloud sets up a blockchain and gaming lab in Japan - Royals Blue shares news of Alibaba Cloud's latest move into the gaming world with the creation of a new blockchain and gaming lab in Japan. Will this lab lead to the next big thing in gaming?
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