Konami Marks Castlevania’s 35th Anniversary With NFT Auction

The actual NFT does not have the word “sample” on it. Picture :

As Castlevania’s 35th anniversary was in 2021, Konami, it seems, is excited about NFTs this year. So, to mark the milestone, it’s up for auction some NFT Castlevania.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise if you hang around on Konami’s Riveting Investor Relations Site. In this regard, the chairman of Konami Holdings Corporation, Kimihiko Higashio, states the following:

Additionally, with the evolution of technologies such as AI, 5G, and NFTs (non-fungible tokens), as well as the growing recognition of esport as a sporting event, we expect the market to be revitalized by inventive new ways of enjoying games.

Part of that effort is the Konami Memorial NFT site, which lists four auctions this month for Castlevania’s 35th anniversary NFTs.

According to Konami, “In commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Castlevania series, NFTs featuring game scenes, a BGM, and newly drawn illustrations from the Castlevania series have been released.” There will be a copy of each NFT available for auction. (And then endless copies for everyone with a right mouse button -Ed.) You can see the NFTs on Konami OpenSea page, or see the examples below.

I’m wondering if the copyright mark is also on the actual NFT Image: 株式会社 コ ナ ミ デ ジ タ ル エ ン タ テ イ ン メ ン ト

Okay, so another game company is hoping to take advantage of NFTs. Konami is neither the first nor the last. What is really fascinating, however, are the terms and the Q&A section on Konami’s site.

Here are some highlights:

You will have the right to have any pseudonym of your choice listed as the first buyer of the NFT on our website (https://www.konami.com/games/memorial-nft/).

Corn…

If your nickname [SIC] is socially unacceptable, your privileges in this campaign will be invalidated.

Oh. Well yeah. Logic! But going deeper into the terms gives the following explanation.

The buyer’s pseudonym will be displayed when Konami deems the pseudonym to be reasonable based on social standards (for example, a pseudonym containing information that can be used to identify a specific individual is unacceptable).

So I’m guessing your nickname can’t identify someone else? What about other social norms ….?

Notwithstanding the above provisions, in the event that Konami determines that the purchaser will illegally or inappropriately use the NFT, the purchaser will lose the right to receive the benefits (the displayed nickname will be removed).

“Inappropriately”. Konami determines this, mind you.

The purchaser will not obtain, by purchasing the NFT, any intellectual property rights (eg copyright, trademark rights) relating to the data related to the NFT. Thus, the purchaser cannot use the data related to the NFT (for example the reproductions) for commercial purposes.

But you have an NFT, so there you go! And it is “unique”.

Q. Is there a possibility that KONAMI will resell the same NFT in the future?
A. NFTs containing the exact same data will not be resold, but similar NFTs related to the same game title may be resold in the future.

Uh, how similar is that?

Konami is not in a position to prevent the purchaser from disseminating on social media the fact that he has purchased the TVN or from transferring the TVN to a third party.

Phew. Good.

And finally, there is this:

Konami does not guarantee that the value of the NFT will increase after purchase.

Don’t expect this Castlevania NFT auction to be a one-off thing. According to Konami, “This is an initiative to create artistic NFTs using beloved game scenes from KONAMI titles, and for our fans to preserve them for many years to come.”

I love these graphics. Picture :

Here’s the uncropped version of the NFT at the top of this story. Picture :

So which game is next? Metal gear? If so, I wonder what Hideo Kojima would think of it.

Castlevania has such a great logo. Picture :