Line Next, the web3 arm of Line Corporation, is advancing its relationship with Sega by introducing a blockchain-based adaptation of the classic Sega game Rent a Hero. The updated title, Rent a Hero Z, will integrate web3 technology as part of Line Next’s DOSI platform and is scheduled for a 2025 release.

Rent a Hero Z

Rent a Hero Z

Rent a Hero Z draws from the original Rent a Hero, an action RPG first released by Sega in 1991. This updated version of the game will feature blockchain elements, making it a pioneering step in the intersection of web3 and classic gaming. The collaboration between Sega and Line Next marks Sega’s entry into blockchain gaming, with Rent a Hero Z being the first Sega-licensed title to feature blockchain integration.

As a preview of the upcoming game, Line Next will debut the official theme song for Rent a Hero Z during the Tokyo Game Show 2024. Sega will host the event at its booth, with a live performance of the song scheduled for September 28, 2024, offering fans an initial look at the project's creative direction.

Line Next x Sega: Expanding Partnership

This initiative is part of a broader strategic collaboration between Line Next and Sega, which began in July 2023 when the companies entered into a partnership aimed at bringing Sega intellectual properties (IP) into the world of web3 gaming. Line Next’s platform, DOSI, serves as the foundation for these ventures, enabling blockchain-based games for mobile users. The platform has secured $140 million in funding, highlighting the growing investment in web3-enabled gaming.

Game DOISE and Sega

Blockchain Innovations Through Kaia

Rent a Hero Z will be supported by Kaia, a newly formed L1 blockchain resulting from the merger of Line Next’s Finschia blockchain and Kakao’s Klaytn network. The merger aims to enhance scalability and blockchain governance, with Sega Singapore—a subsidiary steering Sega’s web3 initiatives—playing a key role as a governance member and node validator for the Kaia network.

The collaboration between Line Next and Sega Singapore is part of a larger effort to incorporate blockchain technology into gaming, leveraging Kaia to support decentralized applications (dApps) and NFTs within games like Rent a Hero Z. As the industry moves towards greater integration of blockchain in gaming, this partnership could set a precedent for future developments in the space.

Kaia Network

Looking Ahead to 2025

The release of Rent a Hero Z is slated for 2025, with fans eagerly awaiting more updates as the project progresses. With the combination of Sega’s storied gaming legacy and Line Next’s web3 expertise, Rent a Hero Z could serve as a blueprint for blockchain-powered gaming experiences in the future.

As the web3 ecosystem continues to evolve, partnerships like that of Line Next and Sega underscore the potential for blockchain technology to reshape traditional gaming models. Through ventures like Rent a Hero Z, Line Next aims to bring classic game franchises into the digital age, offering innovative experiences to both old and new players alike.

Source: blockchaingamer.biz