Japanese game creator Bandai Namco teamed up with a game-focused blockchain network Oasys to launch its first blockchain game. Dubbed RYUZO, the game is co-developed with the Japanese company Attructure and published by the game development firm Double Jump.Tokyo.
Launched on August 2nd, RYUZO is an AI-powered virtual pet game that features in-game dragon-like digital creatures called RYU. The character’s design is inspired by Bandai Namco’s classic Tamagotchi game released back in 1996. In-game creatures are powered by AI and are capable of learning new skills by developing new traits based on user interaction. The developers believe this will significantly improve players’ overall experience.
Before the new game was released, holders of Oasys’ first NFT collection, OASYX, were airdropped 10,000 NFT eggs dubbed MARYU. Once hatched, these digital eggs will transform into RYU in the form of soulbond tokens (SBTs), a type of non-transferable token. These SBTs will give their holders an ownership stake in the RYUZO gaming ecosystem.
Gamers will be able to create more generations of MARYU within the network. There will be a nurturing phase where players can train their RYU dragons in preparation for the game. Although the nurturing phase will end in a year's time, these digital creatures will continue to be active after that time.
Bandai Namco has now joined the growing list of prominent game publishers that have taken a deep dive into the realm. Ubisoft, for example, has launched several gaming non-fungible collectibles for popular IPs such as Raving Rabbids and Assassin’s Creed. Last year, Sega declared its plans to plunge into the NFT waters as a way of embracing innovative and cutting-edge technology.
Bandai Namco’s collaboration with the Oasys Network to launch RYUZO once again shows the budding relationship between gaming and blockchain technology. By leveraging NFTs in the form of soulbond tokens, RYUZO empowers players with true ownership and an investment stake in the game's ecosystem.
