Nike’s NFTs are set to reach a wider audience as they make their way into EA Sports games, captivating millions of fans. The sportswear giant’s nonfungible token platform, .Swoosh, will be seamlessly integrated into EA Sports games, allowing virtual Nike footwear and apparel to appear within the gaming experience.
In a statement on June 1, Nike announced that its “virtual creations,” referring to NFTs, will be incorporated into various EA Sports games in the coming months. While specific titles featuring Nike’s virtual goods have not been disclosed by Nike or Electronic Arts, popular games like FIFA, the Madden NFL series, and the NBA Live series are expected to embrace Nike NFTs. Players will likely have the opportunity to personalize their in-game avatars by purchasing and customizing wearable Nike NFTs.
Ron Faris, the general manager of Nike Virtual Studios, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This collaboration will unlock incredible new experiences for our .SWOOSH community and the vast EA SPORTS fan base.”
Nike introduced its .swoosh NFT platform back in November 2022, followed by the release of its first NFT collection, titled Our Force 1, in early 2023. This collection features virtual shoes inspired by Nike’s iconic Air Force One line. Currently, over 97,000 sneaker NFTs have been sold to nearly 53,000 addresses, as reported by Polygonscan.
In December 2021, Nike entered the metaverse by acquiring the virtual sneakers and collectibles brand RTFKT. It also launched Nikeland, a virtual world. While .Swoosh shares similarities in tools and technologies with RTFKT and Nikeland, each project operates independently within the company.
Nike’s integration of NFTs into EA Sports games marks a significant milestone in the wider acceptance of cryptocurrencies within the gaming community. With the immense popularity of EA Sports titles and Nike’s brand appeal, this collaboration is poised to captivate a massive audience of gamers and virtual fashion enthusiasts alike.
