Is it possible that we might see an NFT implementation that fulfils the promise the technology originally promised? A new partnership between EA Sports and Nike’s .SWOOSH digital collectibles platform might one day make that a reality.

The team-up, on the face of it, sounds like a great idea — if the participants can pull it off. It will involve creating “new immersive experiences” so that players are able to “unlock brand-new levels of customization within the EA Sports ecosystem”. But we’ll believe it when we see it.

EA Sports takes a swing at NFTs

It’s ambitious, though. .SWOOSH was conceived as a way for Nike fans to buy “virtual creations” based around the brand’s gear. And Nike’s gear, or representations of it, tends to be found in sports games. If you’re able to outfit your favourite footballer with the unique kit that you paid actual money for, you’re probably going to do it. It’s not like you’ll turn an online match into the character creation system for Saint’s Row. It’ll be Nike gear. If the pair can get the feature working.

“All of us at EA Sports are focused on leading the next evolution in sports fandom, and this new collaboration with our longtime partners at Nike sits directly at the intersection of innovation, sport, and culture”, said EA Sports’ Andrea Hopelain. “Working with .SWOOSH, we’ll bring creativity and self-expression to the forefront for fans as they connect, compete, and share their love for sport.”

But, again, nobody has mentioned how any of this will be pulled off. The official announcement notes that Nike’s platform is still in the beta stages, adding that further details for how Electronic Arts and Nike’s little get-together will function will be “…made available in the coming months”. For now, it’s enough to know that someone might actually get non-fungible tokens right. And if that happens, we might see 2021 play out again. Hopefully without the lockdowns, this time.