Sega, renowned for its Sonic The Hedgehog franchises, has entered into a licensing agreement with Line Next to develop a new web3 game. This surprising move comes in contrast to Sega’s recent distance from blockchain-based gaming. Just last week, Sega executive Shuji Utsumi publicly criticized play-to-earn titles, deeming them “boring” and questioning the validity of this new gaming model.
While specific details about the IP being licensed by Sega remain undisclosed, a tweet from Line Next has piqued the curiosity of gamers.
In addition to the partnership announcement, Line Next has expressed excitement about introducing fresh web3 gaming experiences.
Line Next, a subsidiary of South Korean firm Line, which operates a messaging service similar to WhatsApp, launched its web3 gaming platform, Game Dosi, in May. The platform focuses on user-centric and game-centered services, aiming to provide a seamless web3 gaming experience for both Sega fans and newcomers.
The partnership announcement follows Sega co-chief operating officer Shuji Utsumi’s recent remarks. Utsumi openly questioned the value of play-to-earn titles, raising doubts about the future of blockchain technology in the gaming industry and emphasizing the importance of enjoyable gameplay.
Sega has also expressed a more cautious approach to allowing its franchises to be associated with blockchain gaming, as it is concerned about the potential devaluation of its intellectual property. Considering this, it is highly likely that one of Sega’s lesser-known franchises will be leveraged in this new collaboration with Line Next.
This collaboration between Sega and Line Next signifies an intriguing development in the web3 gaming space. As Sega embraces web3 technology through this partnership, it will be interesting to see how their new game unfolds and whether it can defy the skepticism surrounding play-to-earn models.
