A recently published patent suggests Sony Interactive Entertainment actively explored the use of NFTs and blockchain technology in games.

NFTs are unique, non-interchangeable units of data stored on a blockchain (a form of digital ledger), which effectively allow users to buy and sell digital goods such as game items or works of art.

Originally filed last year and released this month, the Sony patent (Going through playful) is titled “Tracking unique in-game digital assets using tokens on a distributed ledger.”

It covers a system that could be used to track the creation, use, modification, and transfer of digital assets created in a game, and/or assets created based on video game gameplay.

“Individuals often find it useful to possess or use unique physical objects related to celebrities or respected activities,” the bottom section of the patent notes states. “For example, fans of skilled baseball player Babe Ruth, or baseball in general, often seek to purchase and own baseballs autographed by Ruth, baseballs hit by Ruth during a major baseball game , trading cards featuring Ruth, etc.”

Sony suggests its system could be used to verify the authenticity of digital assets used by skilled gamers or popular content creators, which other gamers might want to buy, sell or rent.

“Skilled players of multiplayer video games gain popularity in matches or tournaments, which are often broadcast live or otherwise broadcast to large numbers of viewers,” he wrote. “Similarly, well-known gamers often livestream or otherwise broadcast the gameplay of single or multiplayer video games, such as in which players perform or attempt quick runs, in-game challenges, multiplayer matches, or other activities. game. Some particularly talented or charismatic players can develop many dedicated fans, much like the fans of famous athletes, singers, actors, or other celebrities.

“In some video games, a player may use digital assets during gameplay. These digital assets may include, for example, specific characters, costumes, or items. In traditional video games, multiple instances of the same game element exist in the same copy of the video game and/or in different copies of the video game.

“These different instances of the same in-game item are traditionally fungible, as they are indistinguishable from one another. For example, even if a particular in-game item is rare to obtain in the video game, the in-game item is represented in the video game as a string of code identical to representations of other instances of the same item in the game. item in the same video game, and/or in other copies of the same video game. in traditional video games, no digital asset is unique from other instances of the same game item.

“Therefore, in traditional video games, there is no way to know, track, or authenticate the history of a particular instance of an in-game item. For example, in traditional video games, there is no way to differentiate a specific instance of a game item that a famous video game player has used to win a famous tournament from any other instance of the game item.”

Sony said the systems and technologies described in its patent application could be used to track the lifecycle of digital assets on different hardware platforms, including those “from a different albeit inferior manufacturer”, and on titles from various publishers.

He wrote, “The techniques and technologies described here extend the capabilities of digital assets associated with video games, and the systems that create and manage those digital assets, by converting digital assets associated with video games from fungible to non-fungible.

“The techniques and technologies described here extend the functionality of digital assets associated with video games, and the systems that create and manage those digital assets, by tracking a history of the digital assets.

“Tracking the history of digital assets may include, for example, tracking when, how and from whom the digital asset was created, used, modified, rented to, rented by, sold to, purchased by , authorized to, authorized by, traded to, traded by, and/or other actions.

Sony recently launched a new loyalty program called PlayStation Stars, which allows players to earn digital rewards by completing various activities. However, it was quickly moves the program away from NFTswhich has drawn criticism in some quarters due to the format’s high carbon footprint and what many perceive as a cynical implementation.

“It’s definitely not NFT,” said Grace Chen, PlayStation’s vice president of network advertising, loyalty and licensed products. The Washington Post. “Definitely not. You cannot trade or sell them. It does not leverage any blockchain technology and certainly not NFT.

Gaming companies that have launched NFT projects or are planning to do so include Square-Enix, Ubisoft, Konami and Sega.