Nike, the renowned brand known for its footwear and apparel, has recently hinted at the possibility of releasing a collection of sneaker nonfungible tokens (NFTs) within the popular online game Fortnite, developed by Epic Games. This strategic move could open up a significant opportunity for adopting Web3 technology among traditional gamers. With over 242.9 million active players in the last 30 days, according to Active Player, Fortnite’s vast user base provides a fertile ground for exploring the potential of NFTs.
On June 16, Nike announced its various social media platforms, revealing that the “ultimate Sneakerhunt” will commence on June 20. Accompanying this announcement was a brief video featuring the prominent logos of Fortnite and Nike’s Air Max against a backdrop of floating clouds in the sky. The video further disclosed the name of the sneaker hunt, “Airphoria,” and showcased Nike’s logo for its Web3 platform,SWOOSH, alongside Epic Games’ Unreal Engine logo.
Although specific details are currently limited, members of the NFT community have speculated that Nike may have utilized Fortnite Creative 2.0 to create an NFT-related game. Fortnite Creative 2.0 empowers users to construct virtual island game maps utilizing Fortnite’s diverse assets. One observer, @clone_news_cn, noted that Nike previously created a game on ROBLOX two years ago, but it did not incorporate NFTs at that time. Given the recent launch of Fortnite Creative 2.0, which shares similarities with ROBLOX’s self-built map mode, it is plausible that Nike leveraged this functionality to develop a game for Airphoria.
Although the incorporation of NFTs into Airphoria has not been officially confirmed, the involvement of .SWOOSH and the favorable stance of Epic Games towards NFT gaming strongly suggest its possibility. Nike’s NFT unit has been striving to establish a presence in the traditional gaming domain. On June 1, .SWOOSH announced its plan to integrate NFTs into games developed by EA Sports, the company behind the immensely successful FIFA soccer game franchise and other popular titles. However, the specific EA Sports games that will eventually feature Nike NFTs have yet to be disclosed.
Nike’s potential collaboration with Fortnite in releasing sneaker NFTs presents a remarkable opportunity to introduce Web3 technology to a massive audience of gamers. As Nike continues to expand its NFT endeavors, partnering with established gaming platforms like Fortnite and EA Sports showcases the brand’s commitment to exploring innovative intersections between fashion, sports, and digital experiences. The unveiling of Airphoria and its integration with NFTs promise an exciting new chapter for both Nike and the gaming community.
