Game developers have been looking into various technologies, such as blockchain, to improve the game experience.

Similar to Electronic Arts‘ SEED division, Ubisoft has a dedicated R&D division, Strategic Innovation Lab, with the sole purpose of finding new ways to integrate next- generation technologies to enhance its game’s experience.

The lab is currently taking into consideration AI, which is already being used in Star Trek: Bridge Crew, and has now has revealed that the studio is also looking into blockchain technology for its games.

According to Lidwine Sauer, Director of Insights and Trends, blockchain technology will enable players to “finally have real digital collectibles that cannot be replicated by anyone and can be 100 percent owned by you. Thanks to the blockchain, we can now have the equivalent of a digital Picasso, with the advantage that it’s a lot more difficult to steal something on the blockchain than to steal a Picasso.”

This specific technology allows for digital items to be unique and one of a kind, in this specific case, in-game items or DLC for gamers. Blockchain usually stirs mixed feelings in gamers; either absolute frustration because of the dry GPU market, or intrigue due to the money-making prospects of cryptocurrencies. But Ubisoft is more interested in other potential use cases.

„It’s one of the use cases of the blockchain, and we want to go further than that. We feel there’s something even more interesting to find [through the blockchain], and we’re in the process of trying to find that interesting thing,” said Sauer.

Sauer will present and highlight the main focus of Ubisoft’s experimental lab division at DICE 2018.

Ubisoft has revealed that there are no plans for Rainbow Six Siege sequel, but there are talks about extending and supporting the game for at least 10 years.

It would be interesting to see the effects of blockchain technology in games such as Far Cry 5 or the rumored sequel to Watch Dogs 2. Ubisoft has already applied Tobii’s EyeX eye-tracking technology, which has been introduced into The Division.

It remains to be seen what practical implications will blockchain technology have in the gaming industry.