2022 is all about NFTs and the metaverse. Literally, those are the two biggest buzzwords in current existence, and now Bandai Namco wants to go all in on the trend.
If you're into NFTs, good for you. Keep it to yourself. NFTs are like the new vegan: Everybody is a part of it, and everybody wants to talk about it. Or rather: Everybody wants to share their half-baked wisdom on how to make money, or what direction the NFT trend should take or will take. It's exhausting – more exhausting than the term 'metaverse', which is saying something. Now, Bandai Namco chose to combine the two, within an upcoming $130 Million metaverse game.
Bandai Namco Building $130 Million "IP Metaverse"
This news broke via VGC, who spotted that Bandai Namco's plans until March 2025, include the above-mentioned "IP metaverse". The plan here is the same as any plan of anyone that's ever tried to make money with NFTs: Build a community. In corporate terms, Bandai Namco calls this: Connecting with fans through IPs, and enhancing said IP value through the metaverse and the NFTs. Ready? Here it goes – the most corporate pitch, ever:
In this IP Metaverse, we are anticipating virtual spaces that will enable customers to enjoy a wide range of entertainment on an IP axis, as well as frameworks that leverage Bandai Namco’s distinctive strengths to fuse physical products and venues with digital elements. We are aiming for open frameworks that provide venues for connections with and among fans and business partners. Through the IP Metaverse, we will establish communities among Bandai Namco and fans, as well as among fans themselves. Through these communities and content, we will build deep, broad, multifaceted connections that continue for long periods of time, and we will focus on the quality of those connections. In this way, we will work to maximize IP value over the medium to long term.
Yawn. Everybody is changing the world with their communities. Everybody. "Deep, broad connections"? Yes, thank you for saving me from loneliness and solitude, Bandai Namco, I can't wait to be a part of your community... Jesus... why don't these companies ever tell it like it is? 'We're building a badass metaverse, that's totally gonna be like Ready Player One, where you can mess around all day, forget what time it is, and have a f****ing blast.' That's what we're trynna do: Have fun. Imagine nightclub owners selling their sh*t as a 'community'. Communities are built naturally, through fun, you corporate suits.... god.... damn...
On the positive side: If a company does pull off a Ready Player One-like metaverse... it'd easily be the greatest game of all time. So, I'm cheering for you, Bandai Namco. I got my side-eye on, but I'm cheering for you. Just get a different copywriter. Seriously.