Nike plans to merge its digital assets, known as “virtual creations,” with EA Sports games, marking a significant advancement towards wider acceptance of cryptocurrency in the gaming community. The integration of Nike’s nonfungible token (NFT) platform called “Swoosh” with EA Sports games will potentially allow players to enjoy Nike’s virtual footwear and apparel within the gaming experience.
While the specific game titles featuring Nike’s digital goods have not been disclosed by either Nike or Electronic Arts, the collaboration is expected to unfold in the upcoming months, as stated by Nike on June 1.
Among the highly popular EA Sports games are FIFA, which was honored as the “most popular game” in 2022, along with the Madden NFL series and the NBA Live series, drawing in a massive fan base of millions of gamers. As Nike NFTs make their way into these games, it is anticipated that players will have the ability to acquire customizable wearable add-ons. These Nike NFTs will allow players to purchase and modify their in-game character avatars, providing them with a personalized and unique gaming experience.
.SWOOSH Making Way Into NFT’s
Ron Faris, the General Manager of Nike Virtual Studios, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it would enable the .SWOOSH community and the extensive fan base of EA SPORTS to access extraordinary new experiences. The collaboration between the two entities holds the potential to unlock innovative and thrilling opportunities for both Nike’s virtual community( NFT’S) and the millions of dedicated EA SPORTS fans.
Nike introduced its .swoosh NFT platform in November 2022, but it wasn’t until the start of 2023 that they actually launched their first NFT collection.
On May 15, .Swoosh unveiled its initial collection of NFTs, which consisted of virtual shoes known as “Our Force 1.” This collection paid homage to Nike’s renowned line of sneakers, the Air Force One. As of now, data from Polygonscan indicates that over 97,000 sneaker NFTs have been sold to nearly 53,000 addresses.
In December 2021, Nike made its foray into the metaverse by acquiring RTFKT, a brand specializing in virtual sneakers and collectibles. Additionally, Nike introduced its own virtual world called Nikeland. Although .Swoosh, RTFKT, and Nikeland employ similar tools and technologies, it is important to note that they are distinct projects operated by Nike. Each initiative serves as an independent venture within the company’s overall metaverse strategy.