Sony Seeks Patent To Bring PlayStation To The Blockchain

This approach hints at a future when Sony games could feature NFTs, enabling players to have true ownership of their in-game assets on platforms like Sony’s console and handheld PlayStations that operate independently of computers, tablets, and smartphones. Typically, in non-Web3 gaming, players purchase in-game assets like skins, battle passes, and armor; however, the money spent on these items is useless beyond the game and are sunk costs.

The patent doesn’t specify whether these NFTs would be managed on a public blockchain (like Ethereum or Solana) or a private ledger controlled by Sony.

A diagram from Sony's patent application. Image: Sony

Whether Sony creates its own private blockchain or leverages a public blockchain, the introduction of SFTs and NFTs by a major industry player like Sony could start a new era of asset ownership and financialization in gaming. This could offer players the ability to truly own, sell, and trade their in-game items. This could significantly enhance the value that players derive from their gaming experiences, turning previously illiquid in-game purchases into potentially valuable assets within the broader gaming economy.