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Square Enix's New Plan: Spend way less money, work on smartphones, dev regional games
- Thread starter Pooya
- Start date
Corleth the Fey
Member
Whilst I want you to be right, Dragon Quest goes to the biggest platform. Ready yourselves.
Square-Enix has pretty much fallen out of favor from me and any confidence I’ve had in them, as well as any games I’ve wanted.
But with this announcement of their plans pretty much seals that my future in buying games will not be with them.
1) The smart device market does not interest me at all. I don’t have one, and don’t have any plans on purchasing one. If that is going to be their focus, then I guess I am not going to be buying SE games.
2) Their last check-mark sounds like a continuation of what they have already started, and that’s not bringing over their JRPGs. We’ve had to rely on Nintendo for us to see a lot of SE’s latest offerings, apparently that isn’t going to change. Or, we just won’t see them at all. So fuck you SE.
The only thing I agree with is their first check-mark in is the turnaround time for releasing games.
But considering their other goals cause me to have no interest in their company or their games, I really don’t care how fast they release them.
But with this announcement of their plans pretty much seals that my future in buying games will not be with them.
1) The smart device market does not interest me at all. I don’t have one, and don’t have any plans on purchasing one. If that is going to be their focus, then I guess I am not going to be buying SE games.
2) Their last check-mark sounds like a continuation of what they have already started, and that’s not bringing over their JRPGs. We’ve had to rely on Nintendo for us to see a lot of SE’s latest offerings, apparently that isn’t going to change. Or, we just won’t see them at all. So fuck you SE.
The only thing I agree with is their first check-mark in is the turnaround time for releasing games.
But considering their other goals cause me to have no interest in their company or their games, I really don’t care how fast they release them.
I really honestly believe DQXI could be a mobile release. It seems very possible.
Glass Rebel
Member
What I find surprising is how poorly SE supports handhelds. They make JRPGs, which are popular in Japan, which plays a lot on handhelds. I mean, I can't be the only one who sees it. Proper SE support would do wonders for 3DS and especially the Vita.
I guess that's why the 3DS is seeing DQ games these days.
I guess that's why the 3DS is seeing DQ games these days.
Vinterbird
Member
I honestly doubt it would sell better then a typical FF game, be it 15 or Versus. I just don't think the broader market would care enough. Fans would still buy FF15 when it comes out, so I doubt it is worth the sizeable investment.
The third point intrigues me. I think we can reasonably speculate what they have planned for the Japanese market, but what about US/Europe? S-E developed handheld games for Japan, more Eidos for the West? They really need to get the first and third points aligned. With the West being more console & PC centric than Japan, I would like S-E to hit PS4/Durango/PC (and Wii U if feasable) with same week release as Japan for Japanese games. Eidos shouldn't have a problem with this.
They must be making serious bank (compared to their big losses on the HD consoles) on all their endless SNES ports on iOS. No other explanation I can think of.
So what you're saying is that Vita nor PS4 are going to do jack shit against the 3DS? And Sony's just going to live with that and not (try and) do anything about it?
It's not like square making RPGs would be good news for JRPGs anymore. They are simply not relevant anymore, luckily there are other developers around.
electroplankton
Banned
I don't think so. In fact, I think those iOS games didn't sell well; they're just cheap to make, but shitloads of money? Naa. I just think that they think iOS and mobile phones are a wagon to jump on.
RPGCrazied
Member
Oh good, more iOS games. I really wish those wouldn't sell. I don't think phone and tablet games should even be labeled game devices. That's just me though. Have you ever seen a hardcore game on one? I don't think I have.
There have been hardcore games on them, but I think they are all ports.
But I am with you, I have no interest in iOS games at all.
Angry Birds today is where Pokémon was in the late 90's. It has a pretty sizable game audience.
UberTag
Member
I think the VITA will continue to carve out a healthy niche for itself in Japan incrementally.
Sony can't do anything to "catch" the 3DS in Japan if that's what you're driving at... that ship has already sailed.
Depends on what you consider hardcore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IdOH6FyL_4
If you don't consider that "hardcore", then by all means, don't label it a game device.
Glass Rebel
Member
To put things into perspective, original Japanese Square-(Enix) games released in North America:
PlayStation 2
Dawn of Mana
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Drakengard
Drakengard 2
Driving Emotion Type-S
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XII
Front Mission 4
Grandia III
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Musashi: Samurai Legends
Radiata Stories
Romancing SaGa
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Unlimited Saga
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
PlayStation 3
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Mindjack
Nier
Star Ocean: The Last Hope International
(Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn)
(Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix)
(Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII)
(Dragkengard 3?)
(Final Fantasy X + X-2 HD)
(Final Fantasy Versus XIII?)
so sad
PlayStation 2
Dawn of Mana
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Drakengard
Drakengard 2
Driving Emotion Type-S
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy XI
Final Fantasy XII
Front Mission 4
Grandia III
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts II
Musashi: Samurai Legends
Radiata Stories
Romancing SaGa
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time
Unlimited Saga
Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria
PlayStation 3
Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII-2
Mindjack
Nier
Star Ocean: The Last Hope International
(Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn)
(Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix)
(Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII)
(Dragkengard 3?)
(Final Fantasy X + X-2 HD)
(Final Fantasy Versus XIII?)
so sad
DQ action game by PG* before they sell the IP or burn it to the ground.
I still want to know how they intend to make regional games and cut that much R&D.
I mean that's like half the company (presumably 50% shutdown in both East and West?) unless that is just on a per game basis (like switching from $40-$60 million budgets to $20-$30 million).
Hopefully they put up a transcript soon.
sublimit
Banned
You forgot to list some Wii and 360 exclusive games though.
entremet
Member
Well to be fair they shifted to portables since last generation. Home console gaming is done in Japan.
ii Stryker
Banned
The Eidos IP are the only ones worth a shit right now, this strategy sounds horrible.
So basically Square Enix to be the next THQ and have their IP sold off piecemeal confirmed.
So basically Square Enix to be the next THQ and have their IP sold off piecemeal confirmed.
Serious bank, I don't think so. Profitable, yes (and probably with a good profit margin) but way too small to sustain a company like Square Enix.
Which is why they have been lacking in 3DS/Vita support, imo.
The West doesn't seem to have output problems, its Japan. Maybe the similar architecture of the PC/Durango/PS4 will make HD development faster for Japan.
This is so much bullshit, I will never spend 10+ for any mobile game, but I'm interested in their stuff.
Their problem is they don't release their interesting stuff or just seem to work forever on such a title.
Square takes so much time to work on some titles and all the hype for the game vanishes till it releases.
Splitting a franchise over many handhelds was also really idiotic (Kingdom Hearts) Even as a fan of the series I won't buy all these consoles only to play these ports. Just release Kingdom Hearts 3 god damn.
Also they are still one of the few devs which a have a crazy difference in release dates worldwide.
All my hope for Square has already left.
Their problem is they don't release their interesting stuff or just seem to work forever on such a title.
Square takes so much time to work on some titles and all the hype for the game vanishes till it releases.
Splitting a franchise over many handhelds was also really idiotic (Kingdom Hearts) Even as a fan of the series I won't buy all these consoles only to play these ports. Just release Kingdom Hearts 3 god damn.
Also they are still one of the few devs which a have a crazy difference in release dates worldwide.
All my hope for Square has already left.
PaulExcellent
Member
And not a single thing was learned.
Their output on handhelds went from a smattering on the GB early on, nothing during their PSX heyday to big name ports and remakes and original efforts on the GBA, to basically developing primarily for the DS for a few of those years.
Now they develop mobile games and finish up ports for the HD systems while they try and fix their drowned in the bathtub of incompetence MMO and a game they announced at the beginning of last gen.
Unknown One
Member
I think it's a problem with budget and management. Plenty of Sony developed games cost much lower then the other games. Like Uncharted 1/2 costing only 20 mill to develop, excluding advertisement and packaging. Heavy Rain did great as well.
For a game that manages budget really well and not push boundaries in graphics, but in gameplay instead would be the Soul series. Demon and Dark Souls didn't cost that much compared to other games, yet it's packed with tons of content.
I can't believe some of the games made by the big publishers have literally over 200 people working on it. RE6 has what 300?
Glass Rebel
Member
I wanted to focus on HD platform but you're right, they also published The Last Remnant and Project Sylpheed for 360
Looking at release lists, they have abandoned handhelds as well.
FateBreaker
Member
Unbelievable.
yup. Too many companies treat game design like toaster design. Look at the big surprise hits over the last few years: Minecraft, Journey, Fez, Dota2, etc. What sets them apart? Did the devs say 'hey, lets target smartphones and design a game like it was a toaster.' Of course not.
Even games like COD and Halo became mammoth because the devs targeted killer gameplay, not other crap like story. And of course there are the huge Ninty franchaises like Mario 3d, Mario Bros., etc...
Square looks like instead of wasting money on giant stupid epic story based like FF & Tomb Raider and Hitman:A, they are going to waste money chasing smartphones and regional focus tested games. I wouldn't touch their stock with a 10 foot pole.
sublimit
Banned
And Infinite Undiscovery.
Well to be fair that's what they think they are doing. Lots of people have smartphones and want (or would) play games on them. Also, it is abundantly clear that the west wants some games and Japan wants others and they want to serve that.
The problem is audience pandering is probably the single largest problem in gaming because there is only a single recognized audience: 16-35 males. Also Westerners don't like androgynous pussy men with bad haircuts and Japan doesn't like old men in power suits. Or so that's what everyone's marketing team has decided. It's almost self-fulfilling prophecy at this point.
Glass Rebel
Member
lunchwithyuzo
Banned
Plus digital titles like Gyromancer, Moon Diver, Death by Cube, etc.
Guess it shows pretty well where the trouble is for the big companies of the industry
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