Sony’s venture into the Ethereum ecosystem took a significant leap this week with the launch of Soneium, a new blockchain network designed to scale Ethereum’s capabilities. This marks a pivotal moment in Sony’s ongoing exploration of blockchain technology, and while games are part of the vision, it remains uncertain whether iconic PlayStation franchises like God of War, Gran Turismo, or Uncharted will ever be integrated into this new ecosystem.
Introducing Soneium: A Gateway to Mass Adoption?
Launched on Monday, Soneium is a product of Sony Block Solutions (BLS), a Singapore-based subsidiary of the tech giant, which was established in 2023 as a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Startale Labs. The network is being promoted as a potential gateway for mainstream users to enter the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.
Sota Watanabe, Director of Sony BLS, previously told Decrypt that Soneium aims to simplify blockchain for everyday users, operating behind the scenes to enhance experiences in industries like music, film, and gaming. On the Soneium website, visitors can browse a variety of applications being developed on the platform, including a “gaming” section under its consumer category. This inclusion has naturally sparked speculation—could PlayStation’s iconic franchises one day be part of this blockchain ecosystem?
Could PlayStation Titles Move to the Blockchain?
While Soneium’s launch opens the door for various industries to explore blockchain, PlayStation’s involvement remains ambiguous. A Sony BLS spokesperson told Decrypt that, while there is excitement about the potential of blockchain to transform gaming, there are no specific updates regarding integration with PlayStation games at this time.
“We’re excited about the possibilities blockchain technology brings to gaming,” the spokesperson said, “but we don’t have any specific updates to share on that front at this time.”
Despite this, the possibility of Sony leveraging Soneium to incorporate blockchain elements—such as NFTs, in-game tokens, or other digital assets—into its popular games remains a point of interest. However, the spokesperson made it clear that no direct integration is currently in the works.
The Blockchain-Gaming Intersection: A Slow and Steady Approach
Soneium’s current offerings include several games built on the network, most of which are still in early development. Examples include Derby Race, a “pick-to-earn” horse racing game on Telegram, and OverTrip, a battle royale shooter that incorporates staking with meme coins and NFTs. However, these titles are not developed by Sony or its partner, Startale Labs. Instead, Soneium is a permissionless platform, similar to other blockchains like Solana, allowing independent developers to create games based on the network.
Currently, there are no PlayStation console games that integrate crypto elements on a large scale. The Off the Grid battle royale shooter—available in early access on PS5—has already integrated blockchain technology to track user-owned assets and other in-game elements via the Avalanche L1 blockchain (specifically through the GUNZ testnet). However, Off the Grid’s integration is handled differently on PlayStation due to platform constraints, with more details expected as the game approaches its mainnet launch.
Similarly, other crypto-focused games slated for PS5 are either cutting or overhauling their blockchain elements to fit the platform’s requirements.
The Crypto and Gaming Landscape: A Tentative Relationship
The potential for crypto integration within Sony’s gaming ecosystem has been a subject of speculation for some time. Sony’s patent filings from prior years suggest the company is exploring blockchain’s role in gaming, including the tracking of in-game assets through NFTs and the creation of “super-fungible tokens” that bundle multiple NFT items.
While Sony’s Soneium network represents a bold step into Ethereum’s scalable future, it is still unclear whether it will play a direct role in PlayStation’s gaming future. The rumors surrounding Rockstar Games and the possibility of blockchain integration into Grand Theft Auto 6 have persisted for over a year. Still, official confirmation from Rockstar remains elusive, especially after the company banned the use of crypto and NFTs in Grand Theft Auto 5 player-run servers.
In the case of Soneium, Sony BLS has already taken a proactive stance on maintaining brand integrity, as evidenced by the recent “blacklisting” of a meme coin that leveraged the name of a popular PlayStation character.
Looking Ahead: The Future of PlayStation and Blockchain
While the future of blockchain in gaming remains uncertain, Sony’s investment in Soneium suggests the company is keeping a close eye on the evolution of this technology. The integration of digital assets into gaming is still in its early stages, and PlayStation’s involvement may depend on how blockchain gaming continues to develop.
For now, Soneium is building a foundation for future blockchain innovations, but it’s still unclear whether PlayStation’s most iconic games will embrace this new frontier. Fans will need to wait and see if Sony chooses to take the plunge into blockchain gaming with its flagship titles or if the company will continue to explore blockchain behind the scenes as a complementary technology.
As the landscape evolves, one thing is certain: blockchain’s role in gaming is still in its infancy, and the possibilities—though speculative—are vast.
