TokenSky 2018 was the go-to event for Asian-Pacific companies and individuals to meet and discuss about blockchain technology. During the conference, Japanese company ASOBIMO,Inc. announced their next project, dubbed Asobi Coin, which aims to combine aspects of blockchain technologies and MMORPGs for the mobile market.
The company is most notable for publishing smartphone MMORPGs such as Avabel Online and Toram Online, and they have had an extensive amount of experience with MMORPGs since 2007. To make matters even more unique, it is not typical of Japanese game developers to create MMOs for mobile phones. With their niche grasp on the Japanese smartphone MMORPG market, they are attempting to capitalize on their presence with the unique integration between blockchain and mobile MMORPG.
You might be asking what blockchain technology is. To put it simply, it is a peer-to-peer system of data that is most widely and popularly used for cryptocurrencies, such a Bitcoin, Litecoin, or Zcash. Cryptocurrency is like any type of currency; it can be used to make purchases and has value among a wide scope of people. The catch is that it can be created and earned by anyone online, is an electronic-only currency, and is invested by many as its value fluctuates heavily.
The reason for this blockchain MMORPG mix might be because of the peer-to-peer aspect required for an effective use of blockchain technology. Although details are scarce, the upcoming project is expected to utilize this technology directly in-game and will most likely create one type of in-game currency. Whether or not you can obtain this currency intuitively, be required to grind for it, or be able to trade it with other people or players is currently unknown.
In addition, Asobi Coin is slated to be an ICO title, or an Initial Coin Offering. At some point before the game comes out, people will be able to invest in an in-game currency at a reduced price in the hopes that it will increase in value exponentially or pay itself forward once the game has launched. These types of currency are more typically used to purchase exclusive in-game items tied to the currency, buy other items that would normally cost a fortune, or accelerate player progress in some way. However, with such a unique fusion of ideas, it is impossible to tell exactly what the end result will be, but something along those lines of those in-game purchases will most likely be the case.
Those interested in Asobi Coin can register for more information at the game’s official website. More information on the upcoming MMORPG will soon come forward.