In a groundbreaking move, EA Sports joined forces with Nike’s NFT sneaker project, .Swoosh. EA and Nike made the announcement and teased the integration of selected virtual assets from .Swoosh, Nike’s Web3 marketplace platform, into future EA Sports titles. Although specific games are yet to be named, the companies confirmed that the virtual assets would encompass footwear and apparel.
Will we finally see FIFA get into NFTs?
The collaboration with EA is seemingly a step towards fulfilling the visions shared by Nike when it introduced .Swoosh in November. The sportswear giant had hinted that its virtual attire could soon feature in video games and other immersive experiences. This partnership may be the first tangible manifestation of this ambition.
Despite technical hurdles and delays, .Swoosh’s inaugural NFT drop of virtual sneakers successfully clocked over $1 million in sales. This is a notable achievement given the ongoing slump in the NFT market and the less-than-enthusiastic reception towards blockchain collectibles within the gaming community. EA’s press release interestingly omitted any mention of NFTs.
Further information on how the .Swoosh NFTs will be incorporated into future EA Sports titles is expected to be released by Nike “in the coming months.”
Nike is hesitant to name its digital collectibles as NFTs
Andrea Hopelain, EA’s Senior Vice President of brand for EA Sports and Racing, said in a press release:
“All of us at EA Sports are focused on leading the next evolution in sports fandom, and this new collaboration with our longtime partners at Nike sits directly at the intersection of innovation, sport, and culture. Working with .Swoosh, we’ll bring creativity and self-expression to the forefront for fans as they connect, compete, and share their love for sport.”
Interestingly, Nike seems hesitant to refer to its blockchain-based digital collectibles as NFTs, even though it acquired RTFKT, a renowned NFT studio specializing in virtual sneakers, in December 2021. The official .Swoosh Twitter account hasn’t used the term ‘NFT,’ preferring ‘virtual creations’ instead.
Will EA follow in Square Enix and Ubisoft’s footsteps?
EA’s exploration of the NFT realm aligns with its CEO Andrew Wilson’s view that NFTs could play a role in the future of the gaming industry. While some gamers have been skeptical about the integration of blockchain collectibles in video games, EA and Nike’s collaboration might just set a new standard in the gaming world.
Ultimately, this partnership brings together three dynamic sectors – gaming, fashion, and blockchain technology, with EA and Nike leading the way. As we await more details about this exciting development, gamers and sneaker enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating the innovative fusion of virtual sportswear in their favorite games.
This information is published by the NFT News media team.
