Square Enix Expands Blockchain Game Symbiogenesis to Sony's Soneium Network

Square Enix, the renowned gaming company behind iconic titles such as Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts, has announced its plans to expand its blockchain game, Symbiogenesis, to Sony’s Ethereum layer-2 network, Soneium. This move signifies a significant step in the integration of blockchain technology within the gaming industry, particularly for a company with Square Enix's pedigree.

Symbiogenesis, which initially launched on the Ethereum scaling network Polygon, is nearing the end of its current content season. Despite this, Square Enix is forging ahead with its blockchain initiatives by partnering with Sony. The collaboration will see Symbiogenesis connected with two other games on Soneium: Evermoon, a sleep-to-earn app, and Sleepagotchi, a team-based competitive battler. Players who complete limited-time quests in Symbiogenesis will be rewarded with commemorative NFT collectibles that offer benefits across all three games.

The NFTs earned from completing Symbiogenesis quests will provide players with exclusive community mission perks and in-game benefits. The campaign is already underway, and players must complete the main story epilogues from chapters 1-4 in Symbiogenesis by May 31 to qualify for these rewards. This initiative underscores the growing trend of integrating blockchain technology into gaming experiences, offering players unique digital assets and enhanced gameplay features.

Soneium, developed by Sony Block Solutions Labs—a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and blockchain firm Startale Group—is a decentralized network that allows any team to build on it. This move is not framed as a direct collaboration between Square Enix and Sony, nor does it have any affiliation with Sony’s PlayStation gaming brand. However, the shared history between Square Enix and Sony, including the launch of Final Fantasy VII on the original PlayStation in 1997, adds a layer of significance to this partnership.

Despite the conclusion of Symbiogenesis's current season in July, there is potential for future collaborations. A Soneium spokesperson mentioned that discussions with Square Enix about potential future collaborations are ongoing, although no further details have been shared. This partnership highlights the evolving landscape of blockchain gaming and the potential for major gaming companies to leverage decentralized networks for innovative gameplay experiences.