Rovio CEO Alex Pelletier-Normand reveals they are not rushing to integrate NFT or blockchain or any technology not considered ‘sustainable’ into their popular Angry Birds. IP. He revealed that Rovio has explored blockchain technology for a long time, but they plan to make moves in the space in what they feel is the right way.
This is in stark contrast to the huge rise earlier this year of major game companies like Ubisoft, Square Enix, and Team 17 immediately jumping into blockchain integration the first chance they get, often ending in less than favorable to them
In an interview with Pocket Gamer, when asked about the blockchain, Pelletier-Normand said that Rovio is careful not to identify with the technology:
“The Angry Birds brand must remain secure and accessible. It attracts a younger audience. We are very careful not to associate it with technology or tools that are not necessarily considered sustainable at this time. I’m not saying there can’t be any value for Angry Birds players, but we’re in no rush to do so.”
True to its way of looking to the future, Rovio’s blockchain aspirations are still unclear. The company has been exploring this technology for years, even before the current hype that has put it into the mainstream. In the quote above, Pelletier-Normand also seems to acknowledge that the technology could present some kind of value to its player base. However, it seems that Rovio may have taken a step back in what I would call “blockchain-based gaming” when compared to other companies in our industry today, as stated by Pelletier-Normand that the current terminology does not align with the company management.
“We are creators of games. We create games, we create joy. And the only reason we have thought about it is that we believe that there is a way in which this can add value that is not based on speculation but actually brings an intrinsic value to the consumer. Games are used for more than just playing now. They are social networks, and if you give players the tools to create something within these universes, it just creates additional value for everyone.”
“So we don’t call it blockchain, because it’s a technical solution. We call it the designer economy. We are trying to allow our players to be in an environment where they can interact, create, share and even sell some of the things that they are doing.
It’s easy to see how Rovio is taking a different approach when it comes to blockchain gaming. They are not sold on the idea of targeting players who are already involved in the crypto world, instead, they go out of their way for those people who might be looking to get into crypto or token sales at some point while staying loyal. to your current core. audience and what these guys want.
“Although our design economy project doesn’t use the Angry Birds brand, it certainly has broad appeal and is inclusive, and is a bit more immersive than a casual game. We’re excited internally, but we’re not ready to say too much about this title because we’re still in development.”
Rovio also trolled internet denizens in 2018, tweeting a fake NFT project called CryptoBirdies based on the Angry Birds franchise. The tweet linked to the internet symbol of naughty leg manipulation, Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give Up.”
