900°
vgn245113d ago

Of course it is. EVERY third party game, from Gears of War to Metal Gear is always under consideration for a crossover. It's about money. This is a business. Fanboys don't run these companies, businessmen do. If it is feasible, "IF", then it'll happen.

GWAVE5113d ago

So, "yes, it will be multiplatform, but there will be no performance drop or cuts to the gameplay! I promise! I promise!"

When will people stop taking SE seriously? Their company is a joke run by half-drunk mules at this point.

deafwing5113d ago

how did you even think to type that.

Akagi5113d ago

Post-2000, what good has SE done? Really?

StanLee5113d ago

The internet will explode if or when this is announced.

PS360_375113d ago Show
gaffyh5113d ago

It probably will end up going multiplat and then end up looking blocky in parts like FF13 (seriously, look at the FINGERS). I hope it stays exclusive, but I'll get the game either way.

nix5113d ago

i don't mind as long as it doesn't gimp the PS3 version.

hay5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

@Akagi: The World Ends With You and FF12 for me.

If it'll go on Box this time I'll download it and then buy if it's lesser cr*p than FF13.

Darrius Cole5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

@NIX

If it goes multi-platform then it is going to gimp the PS3 version. Just the same way that being multi-platform gimped the FFXIII.

@EVERYONE IN GENERAL

The thing is I don't think being multi-platform is going to increase the overall sales. FF13 sold about 850,000 units on 360. I am convinced that it would have sold at least 1 million more units on PS3 if it were exclusive.

Pure fan-ism would have been worth an extra million copies. If it(FF13) had allowed the PS3's advantages to actually improve the game it would have sold more than an extra million. A PS3-exclusive FF13 would have done things like leaving the cities and towns in the game, being open-world from the beginning, putting English and Japanese soundtracks and subtitles on every disc, all because it would still have space on the Blu-ray disc. Moveover it would not have nerfed the graphics from the original vision and trailers because PS3 are able to produce better graphics. Those differences alone would have meant better ratings and better sales.

Being multi-platform doesn't always help a game sell more. Actually going multi-platform late in the marketing of a game actually makes it sell worse I believe. You piss of fans who were expecting an exclusive, and you nerf the game for the lowest common denominator; so they never turn-out as good as they were expected to be.

P.S.

On top of all that above, FF13 got no marketing on PS3 in the western hemisphere. All of the FF13 marketing in the US and Europe had 360 logos in it.

All these thing added together convince me that FF13 sales numbers got no significant benefit from being multi-plat instead of PS3 exclusive.

1. The game was lesser than it would have been if it were PS3 exclusive.
2. The PS3 version of the game got no marketing in the US or Europe.
3. Much of the game's natural fan-base, PS3 owners in the US, were insulted because the game went multi-platform....in a way to designed to create maximum shock value, I might add.

Need more bubbles...the more I write, more material I think of, the more convince I become.

Brewski0075113d ago

These guys let this information slip out there so they get offers from both microsoft and sony. Microsoft used all their big bucks to get xiii and now an announcement like this just baits them to do the same again. While it also baits sony to pay up more for exclusivity rights.
This is just a smart business tactic from some suits i think.

mikeslemonade5113d ago

Square Enix is freaking garbage I'm not buying this or FFXIII. Versus 13 is going to be gimped.

As far as Microsoft strategy they obviously payed Square Enix so they can make it multiplatform. The multiplatform prevents 360-only console owners that are Square Enix fans to go out and buy a PS3.

Redempteur5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

When SE is using the assets of a console , the game is sure to be something ...

The world ends with you ( ds )
FF the cristal bearers ( a technical marvel on wii IMO )
Dissidia ( psp )

And so on ...

Se is at his best when they try to exploit the console they are devellopping on .. Going multiplat is wrong and will affect the game it self IMO ...

kalebgray925113d ago

cuz they gave the finger to playstation... the plattform that made them from great developers to legendary.... they just go after money now... which im not blaming them for it... it is a business but they lack the motivation to make the greatest games of all time like they did with ffvii, ffx, and kingdom hearts... yeah i said it kingdom hearts ....... but since 2004 ill say.... they just said screw you playstation... now ff versus xiii is supposed to be the next 7 or 10 but if they comprimise the ps3 version and actually go multiplatt the same will happen to ff that happened to 13.... make it an ok game

JAMurida5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

lol, if FFXIII Versus is announced to come on the 360, WW3 will break out.

But really I don't mind as long as they don't cut content or leave out extras that were original planned to make both versions "equal".

Christopher5113d ago

***If it goes multi-platform then it is going to gimp the PS3 version. Just the same way that being multi-platform gimped the FFXIII. ***

And 99% of the customer base won't even tell the difference, and Square Enix knows that.

CryWolf5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

If Square Enix take FFXIII Versus multiplatform were going to lose gameplay/high quality graphics and didn't they already take 1GB of gameplay from 360 version of Final fantasy 13, I remember reading about on this web site where's the irony at.

Luzce5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Regardless if they can tell the difference or not, people pay for the better quality. How many people do you think can tell the difference between 720p and a 1080p? Nevertheless, many of those people that can't tell pay for the 1080p set. How many people can tell the difference between Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Master Audio? Not many, but people pay for it.

Apart from it being... awesome, I believe this is why GOW3 sold so well. People believed it was the "best looking game". So I'll agree with Darrius Cole, gimping the PS3 version of FFXIII to make a 360 port would possibly hurt more than help the sales of the game.

But then again my opinion doesn't matter and they'll do whatever they want.

Ninja-Sama5113d ago

Looks like I'm gonna rent versus, or borrow it from a friend.

Millah5113d ago

Do people honestly even care about versus at this point? Honestly, who gives a fuck about anything square enix does anymore, they've shown their true colors and intentions with ff13 and every other recent game of theirs. They don't care about making the best jrpg in the business anymore, all they care about is making the most money. So honestly, I would almost guarantee that this will probably be brought to 360 as well, and the game will turn into some shitty Japanese hack and slash type game and not a true action jrpg..

Blaine5112d ago

That's exactly how I feel about Capcom this gen. They used to be almighty during the PS2 era, until they turned around and spat in Sony's face.

I haven't bought a single game of theirs this gen. DMC4 wasn't even close to living up to the series' original; Lost Planet looks good in internet videos but is actually an excruciatingly average game; Bionic Commando, Dark Void, lol; and Dead Rising which was 360 exclusive in its first installment (to name a few).

Capcom and SE both went the way of the $$$, and I have no respect for them anymore. A coincidence that their games suck? I don't think so. And, to anyone who would want to argue with me that their games don't suck, consider how amazing their games used to be and compare with what they are now (and imagine what they could/should be).

+ Show (19) more repliesLast reply 5112d ago
Jamie Foxx5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

..harsh but true

Redrum0595113d ago

Yet, another game gimped... I hope nomura has something to say about this.

ShinMaster5113d ago

Nomura was always willing to keep the game as PS3 exclusive. Even reassured his dev team that the code would stay as it is.

But unfortunately, he doesn't run SquareEnix. So nothing's for sure.

Theonik5113d ago

Nomura did threaten SE taht he would quit if Versus also went multiplat. That is why it hasn't been announced so far. I don't think SE will risk it after the FFXIII 360 sales.

APOFISBORICUA5112d ago

not because it is on the 360, just because Square has lost it. The game is not as good as previous RPGS no matter you are a fanboy of whatever console. Versus for me is going to be the same and it may end being a multiplatform game because as somebody said: "third party exclusives are almost dead". Its up to first party studios to show us what the console they work has to offer, and in this category MS lost no matter how many FF or MGS they get. So to me I dont give a $hit if it goes multiplatform because Im not going to buy it. The same way I didnt bougth FF13.
Look at what happened to Red Dead Redemption...3 years after Rstar started to work on GTA4 and they used the same sub HD engine on the PS3. This is disrespectfull that they even took the time to at least make it on par with the 360 engine. That only means that everybody wants money...and the easier way to get it the better. Thats why the Wii has lots of shovelware and we PS3 players have bad ports and 360 owners are proud they have "stole" the games we made famous...I really dont care!!. You can keep FF versus too if you want, that doesnt change the fact that my best gaming comes from PS3 exclusives.

PEACE AND GAMING!!!

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5112d ago
Abash5113d ago

2012 release confirmed -_-

Etseix5113d ago

haha u wish! it will be a 2013+ release ;] ... crap

Das_Bastardion5113d ago

But c´mon if this stupid japanese whore makes it multiplat... it will turn just like FF 13... REALLY bad thanks to the limitations of the Xbox

BeaArthur5113d ago

I like the way people like you blame the Xbox every time a game doesn't meet your expectations. FF13 was going to be a very similar game whether it was on the 360 or not. The 360 version wasn't even announced until multiple years after production started.

corneliuscrust5113d ago

Sure, 360 got a worse looking version... the game still looks great. Too bad it is a terrible game to playthrough.. let alone more than once.

I am still waiting for a good FFVI remake...psp, ds, HD, whatever. Bring back FF to the good old days.

Milamber5113d ago

The Xbox version was just a lousy port of a PS game; FFXIII's execution on the PS3 would have been the same with or without said port. They made better FF's on hardware far, far inferior to the 360 so it's silly to blame hardware limitations for FFXIII's failings.

Luzce5113d ago

Why all the disagrees with the above posts? Nothing wrong there... seems like N4G users are saying "All PS3 exclusive are awesome, all multi-plats suck".

No...
It's possible to make a crappy game, no matter what console you are on. Yes, it's possible to have a crappy PS3 exclusive. (Release day Lair anyone?)

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5113d ago
vhero5113d ago

They got one ff out on 360 to get all the FF fans 360 was gonna get MS dont need to pump more money into SE for another game as it won't sell any more consoles.

Hellsvacancy5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

MS will, just to get one over on Sony

booni35113d ago

am i the only one who thinks that maybe FFXIII just wasnt that good of a game and thats why it sucked?

ALFAxD_CENTAURO5113d ago

Another Gimp version.

It will sell more for PS3.

dabri55113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

They don't need FFXIII to sell more consoles. The people who would bought the game for 360/ bought XIII version console will prob purchase Versus XIII as well. It's really up to square. They now know about what they can sell if they take that path again.
With that information they can rationalize which choice is better for the direction they want to take. At the end of the day, SE can't make games if they aren't making a profit on the games they are selling.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5113d ago
Cold 20005113d ago ShowReplies(4)
freeblue5113d ago

the moment verus announced mutliplaf, is the moment i cancel my pre-order. not becuase i wont' buy. I'll for ps3. knowing what ff13 turned out to be.. it will not worth the full price for me. I'll wait for it to drop to 30.

Nike5113d ago

You're telling me you pre-ordered the game, not seeing any gameplay footage whatsoever? And you're going to cancel that pre-order only because it could be (as in, "hard to tell") multi-platform? And then you'll still buy it? And you don't even have a pre-order to begin with?!

(Head explodes)

dabri55113d ago

Multiplat didnt kill XIII. Trying to make the game appeal to a greater audience, working with a new engine, and new consoles is what *changed FFXIII. Versus XIII should be a lot more than what XIII was in terms of what people were hoping XIII would include.

*changed = didn't mean the game was bad, just not what people expected a game to play like with the FF title.

sikbeta5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

@TrapperDan

True, but SE better don't Push hard cos it'll make Real FF Players Mad and they'll without of doubt Show the Finger, no-1 will stand another Lame FF game ala FF13

Edit:

This got nothing to with Being Multilat, the point is, we're Expecting the BEST FF, so if they can't deal with 2 versions and everything end up like FF13, people will feel disappointed

vgn245113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Because if I remember correctly, they didn't go out of business after jumping from SNES to PSone. The hardcores followed. And FF XIII is this generations VIII.

Godmars2905113d ago

When they made the move from SNES to PS1 there were marked improvements to how they presented much less told a story.

Going multiplatform, openly endorsing the 360 while still making games for the PS3, bringing no notable improvements, has only brought stigmas to their rep.

Nike5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Yeah, I voted this "hard to tell" for a reason.

"If" is a perfect one-word answer because it masks an infinite number of variables.

But man, some people (commenting below) are really taking this hard. o.O

Also, I find it funny how people are saying SE can't handle two versions of the same game. Didn't hear any complaints when FFXIII and Versus XIII were both exclusive to PS3 about SE perhaps not being able to handle both of those games at once. How you felt about playing FFXIII (which I have not) is purely one's own opinion, as always.

bpac1234567895113d ago

There goes any chance of this being a truly great game. Square Enix isn't going to put the type of effort it takes to make this an excellent game across both platforms. I wish it would stay PS3 exclusive so they don't have to compromise quality by working on two systems, but I guess money rules the world...

Commander TK5113d ago

SE, when will u give a guy a break?

Commander TK5113d ago

SE´s chance of coming back to mainstream. Hope Nomura is against this.

dabri55113d ago

I've said this before and I'll say it again. If this goes multi-plat, you will see an angry group of people claiming that the stuff shown so far was all in game (primarily talking about the cgi shown) and that the game as it will look at the time is dumbed down because of it going multiplat (because it will be compared to the original cgi footage).

If it goes multiplat, whatever. They have already said the game will have a world map, air ships, etc etc so it will already be way more expansive than XIII. Ill buy it for whichever system it looks/runs better on which will prob be the PS3 since XIII uses the same engine.

Jab-dees-nuts5113d ago

I dont have a problem with 360 getting versus, my problem lies when SE tries to dumb the ps3 version so that the 360 doesnt redring. Sorry to say fanboys but Xbox sucks in terms of hardware and we (ps3 owners) have to suffer. If they go multi plat and dumb it down ill see to it to tell everyone i know that the game is a failure much like FFXIII.

8thnightvolley5113d ago

hahahahahha this is funnny.. i need my popcorn BADLY.!!!

Christopher5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

With how well FFXIII did on the 360, I don't see why they wouldn't go multiplatform with all of their releases outside of Japan.

PS3 Sales outside of Japan: ~2m
360 Sales outside of Japan: ~1.3m

Keeping it on PS3 in Japan will result in killer sales there, but putting it out on 360 in Europe and America will result in a lot of additional profit. Especially since they already have the engines set-up for doing parallel development.

Eamon5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

It's amazing how this is just a rumour yet there's over 160 comments.

Even professional articles don't get this much!

kratos1235113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

ill help you man
this is the total sale at the moment
360: 1.29m
and here it comes guys
ps3 :4.00m
look at the difference my god man why would you even put the effort to make this title multiplatform and anger your fanbase just why
and dont give my the lame argument the 360 version didnt come out in japan here ask yourself this is the 360 selling in japan
answer a big no no

Christopher5113d ago

It doesn't matter the percentage of difference, what matters is the potential for additional profit. 1.3 million additional sales is all about profit and more than enough to justify a 360 release of their future AAA titles outside of Japan. Japan will remain exclusive to the PS3 because of the dominant market there, but comparing the ~2 million sales on the PS3 outside of Japan to the ~1.3 million on the 360, there's more than enough reason to extend your customer base by going multiplatform.

kratos1235113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

but why would you want to hourt your fanbase at this moment if this is treu i will only support SE with my psp thats the only thing they got right this gen everything else is just meeh or garbage and also why make 360 exclusief and not 1 ps3 they now it would sell more on ps3 just answer that qeustion and i will be happy

Christopher5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Not sure I understand your full question, but let me answer what I can:

***but why would you want to hourt your fanbase at this moment***

Xbox 360 sold to 1.3 million users outside of Japan. Taking into account the recently reported sales of 5.5 million worldwide, you're talking about cutting off 20% of the fanbase by going just PS3 exclusive worldwide.

***why make 360 exclusief and not 1 ps3***

Nothing about making any game platform exclusive except for all FF games just for the PS3 in Japan since the 360 market is extremely small in comparison in Japan.

***it would sell more on ps3***

Worldwide, yes. But, take out Japan and it would likely sell at least half as many as the PS3 version. Why? Because of the current dominance of the Xbox 360 in the market, especially in the second largest FF market, the U.S.

===

The point here is that it's a sound business decision that leads to higher profit potential to take it multiplatform outside of Japan.

Darrius Cole5113d ago

You can't ignore the fact effect of exclusive marketing for the 360 version. The exact effect it would have had is unknowable however, we know that marketing is signficant.

You also can't ignore the effect of releasing the game withing one week of God of War III's release, something that would not have happened had the game been a PS3 exclusive.

What is also real but unknowable is the effect that the multi-plat announcement (and the way it was announced) has on the PS3 fans.

Lastly there is the effect that the multi-plat development has on the game quality and the effect that the quality has on the sales.

All these things work in favor of the 360 as much as possible and if they were any different would have resulted in higher PS3 sales and lower 360.

JAMurida5113d ago

@cgoodno

I still wonder though how many more would of sold on PS3 if FFXIII was still exclusive. When FFXIII was advertised it only showed MS's 360 logo on it, so the people out there who don't know what system it will come on would go for 360, as well with them making a 360 bundle for FFXIII. But even with the exclusive advertisement, the PS3 version still sold more, even when SE decided to tell the world at the last two hours before release that FFXIV beta code would be on the PS3 version, (which I think was a low move on them announcing this in the LAST two hours before release). So, IMO, I don't think the 360 version sold that well, seeing to how it had exclusive advertisement and still sold less then PS3.

Regardless though I'm sure it was profit for SE, so I wouldn't be surprise to see XIII versus go multiplat. Like I said above though, I just hope they don't cut content or what not to make both versions "equal".

kratos1235113d ago

like the people above my have stated the only reason it sold that well was because first of all it sold next the god of war 3 and 360 had exclusief advertising in eu and us hmmmmm why did it sell sooo oke in eu and us this is trully hurting my brain

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 5112d ago
colonel1795113d ago

is that right after they announced FFXIII for 360 they released a trailer of FFversusXIII saying FOR PLAYSTATION 3 ONLY WORLDWIDE, then, after some time, they released another trailer saying, EXCLUSIVE FOR PLAYSTATION 3 WORLDWIDE.

I just don´t know how this POS Wada has the balls to be this cynical. This guy deserves to rot just like Bobby Kotick

Heisenberg5113d ago

After the crap they've been putting out, SE's gonna have to convince me they can even make a decent RPG again before I would even consider buying another FF. Eat a dîck Wada, ya greedy prîck.

TechnicalBS5113d ago

If SE decides to release versus on the 360, more power to them.

Pika-pie5113d ago

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dont do it Mr Square-Enix

Hallmark Moment5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Well we all know it's coming. It will be revealed at E3. The developers are just trying to break the ice getting people use to the idea.

Dam you can feel the wind changing due to E3/Natal/game changer

UltraNova5113d ago

After FF13 I dont care about SE's games anymore let them do what ever they want.

I would even suggest them to make it multi-platform because people are beginning to realize their steep downhill course from 2000 until today and they need to cater to as many people possible just to make sure they make the development money back.

topdawg1225112d ago

It will happen for sure, but honestly my hype died for this game a long time ago.... Square Enix sucks now.

JonnyBadfinger5112d ago

Im just in here for the lols... i never liked any of the Final Fantasy games... then again i have never played them, only watched... but still not slightly interested.

Oh no could it possibly be that Sony fanboys are about to lose an exclusive?...OH NO hell must have actually froze over...

Seriously whether a game is multiplat or not, it shouldnt effect your love for the franchise.

I couldnt give a rats arse if Gears or Halo went multiplat... so why would the PS3 community care if the worst jrpg of all time went mutliplat?

UltraNova5112d ago

Maybe because Versus was SE's last chance to actually make a good FF game if it was exclusive?

Viper75112d ago

people should not take these "this game is exclusive to *insert system here" things seriously. We all saw how exclusive games Star Ocean4, Final fantasy XIII where. There are probably far more examples than these.

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Pozzle5113d ago

Sad to say, I saw this coming.
Nomura might have wanted it to stay PS3 exclusive, but in the end, it's the big bosses of Squre Enix who get the final say.

zetsuei15113d ago

If FXIII was still exclusive, we would have have japanese voice acting (which IMHO is way better than the english dub)at launch, which would make the game much more interesting for hundreds of people.

I have at least three friends that are waiting for a International version to come out (with no hope) and then buy this game.Imagine how many people out there is in the same condition.

Square Enix is going to make the same mistake, which is dumb, RPG in this generation is a genre with minor public which have a better history in Playstation consoles, making at least timed exclusive will make people to not lose interest in the game cuz believe it or not, when it come to fanboys (huge part of hardcore gamers) when a game its not exclusive they don't even care about the game anymore.

Just give a look on how many people just gave a rent on FFXIII instead of buying.

BeaArthur5113d ago

That's what Square Enix cares about, the hundreds that missed out on the Japanese voice acting.

Cold 20005113d ago

Um I'm not sure a lot of people out there are fanboyish enough to skip on a FF just because its multi and SE knows that

5.5 million already for FF13 http://www.videogamer.com/n...

I dont think fanboy anger is of the slightest problem for SE.

Myze5113d ago

Nomura may not have the final say on paper, but they sure don't want to make him mad. After all, SE has already lost a lot of the big developers that helped make their companies great, and as stupid as Wada has proven himself to be, I think he knows not to piss off the few big names he has left. Of course, that might be giving him too much credit.

Gabe EatsWell5113d ago

Oh please no. Just keep it exclusive so it wont get delayed just like XIII.

bobdog6265113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Just keep making good shooters for the Xbox and let the PS3 have versus.They don't sell very well 0n the 360 anyway's

Heaven_Or_Hell5113d ago

Sony could always make an arangement ...

GWAVE5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

And SE could always back out of it...

I could be mistaken, but I believe Sony helped fund/develop the tools used for FF13, and look how that turned out.

The REAL question is if this game will even be good. Every passing month and every new SE game makes me lose a bit more of my faith in them.

k jules5113d ago

Sony doesn't pay for exclusivity.

In all honesty this should indeed stay exclusive for PS3

sikbeta5113d ago

That's Why Games went Multiplat this Gen, not a lost, cos this Gen Sequels were All Crap, i.e RE5

ALFAxD_CENTAURO5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Xbox 360 format get the gimped versions and that is why PS3 is not even getting full potential with multiplatforms.

Disccordia5113d ago

Sony would rather spend money on their own games as well as taking a slice of SE profits from a multiplatform release due to the 8.25% they own in that company ;)

stonecold15113d ago

come because sony will have this locked downand since the 360 held the other game back i dont think nomura would want his games down graded like final fantasy 13 and i hear he would quit square if that happened

Pozzle5113d ago (Edited 5113d ago )

Would Square care if he quit though? Hell, they let Hironobu Sakaguchi (the CREATOR of Final Fantasy) go, after he ballsed-up with Spirits Within. Despite the fact he was still writing phenomenal game plots, they still did nothing to hold onto him.

Then there's that whole "quitting your job is dishonourable" viewpoint many big Japanese businesses still hold. That's probably why they were willing to let Sakaguchi go in the first place. 'Better to let him look bad by stepping down, than to make the company look bad by firing a legend.'

Da One5113d ago

and SE still screwed them over right, Sony is better off without SE.

Dear Nomura

good luck

Show all comments (294)
140°

Square Enix Is Going Multiplatform; The Layoffs & Its Past Don't Inspire Confidence

After its latest games didn't meet sales targets, Square Enix is going multiplatform but the company's track record isn't convincing.

Scissorman16h ago

Square Enix been multiplatform for decades, a few exclusively-deals doesn't make them any less multiplatform.

fr0sty16h ago

Nor is selling their games on a console with only 25 million install base going to bring their sales to where they hope they will be... Unless they somehow manage to dumb down FF7 trilogy to work on switch, they aren't going to have much luck. They already released it on PC, after all.

anast4h ago

Where are you getting that number?

SegaSaturn66916h ago

It kind of does, giving preference to a certain platform by timed exclusivity. Console ports generally feel superior. Legend of mana PC port extremely broken

neutralgamer199215h ago

Sega

It doesn’t when square themselves didn’t want to fund the development of remake. It’s only after the success of the 1st they realized their mistake but now contract is signed. If it wasn’t for Sony there would be no FF7 remakes. Same goes for silent hill 2 with Konami. They don’t want to fund AAA budget. Companies like PlayStation and Nintendo get blamed when in reality they are saving some of these franchises

Remember sega didn’t want to fund bayonetta and epic games didn’t want to fund another gears of war. It’s easy to blame console makers but they are the ones taking the risk and paying huge upfront costs without seeing the final product. FF7 remake trilogy won’t be coming to Xbox now or in the future. PlayStation and PC is what square signed up for. Sony paid them more than they would make from Xbox sales.

ravens5215h ago

I just wonder when everyone is going to demand that the Square Enix exclusives with Nintendo come to PS and Xbox. Or it's just the PS exclusives that matter lol

phoenixwing15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

I'd love for the nintendo exclusives to come to pc or ps5. They'd actually be playable then.

neutralgamer199215h ago

Raven

Exactly and that’s where square enix does more exclusive than any other platform. Gaming is square has always been very unrealistic with their sales expectations. Remember when tomb raider reboot sold 7.5 million and square said it wasn’t enough. They need to spend less on development and have more realistic expectations from sales.

And those thinking games being not on Xbox makes a difference don’t understand we have a decade plus of data showing square enix games having less than 20% of their multiplatform sales on Xbox (final fantasy series) and Nintendo consoles aren’t strong enough to run any current games. Nintendo switch should be as strong as Xbox one x atleast but we all know that’s most likely won’t happen

RoadRacer14h ago

@raven

thing is, as neutral said in their comm, the switch isn't strong enough to run flagship SE games
i think what SE does is, it makes unique games for switch only so that it has something for that console too. Thats where all the "underlined sans" rpgs go to mostly

maybe things will change when Swtich 2 drops cuz that's gonna be as strong as ps4 afaik from the rumors flying around

TheGamingHounds15h ago

@Scissorman

Your point is valid enough but when the icon of this company is limited to one console in timed-exclusivity, it means the company has crossed the line. By some degree at least

All things aside, Square itself stated "aggressive multiplatform strategies" so we all know what it's talking about

Scissorman12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Then the headline should read "Square To Drop Exclusively Deals in Pursuit of A Sweeping Multiplatform Strategy". I don't recall this argument when Square Enix released Bravely Default, Octopath Traveler, and Triangle Strategy on one platform. And even if FF is the icon, not all of its titles have gone to one platform. We're talking about three games, one of which is already on PC. Did Square suddenly go 'multiplatform' after it released subsequent Tomb Raider sequels on more than just the Xbox? It's just a silly way of putting it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4h ago
TheGamingHounds15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

SE needs to go all in optimization. Broken PC ports won't help its case, especially with big releases like mainline Final Fantasy

Asterphoenix14h ago

It's actually simple. What doesn't inspire confidence is Square allocating their budgets on the wrong projects such as Forspoken, Avengers, Babylons Fall and Foamstars.

Square has always been multiplatform since PS3/360 days which 80 % of their games are. People kick up a fuss over PS exclusivity but not Nintendo which has more exclusive projects console exclusive from Square.

FF16 has done ok but not enough to fix the blunders that the past mistakes Square has made with some of their projects. FF7 Rebirth is unclear we'll see a PC release for sure so it's hard to say so far not as good as they would of liked.

Then again unrealistic expectations. If it weren't for Sony these games would at least had another 2 years development time. So some people need to be realistic in that regard.

Scissorman12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

It's the blunders that set those expectations so high. If you remove those from the equation, I bet the sales numbers would be more than stellar. Square believes it's okay to release a pile of risky, middling, garbage because the big boys will ultimately subsidize the cost. Don't worry if Forspoken sells poorly, FF16 will surely sell 10 million copies to balance that right out. Oh wait, it only sold like 4 million. Well that's a disaster. Meanwhile games that sell 2 million units with comparable budgets are deemed successful.

thorstein7h ago

I would also add that FFXVI, which I loved has a hint to one of their biggest problems: the number 16.

It's a great franchise, but that's all they've become known for. Dragon Quest is my favorite all time series but it's like they don't know what to do outside of those two IPs.

Valve never makes trilogies. The idea is that they don't want to become stagnant. Gabe Newell hates the number 3.

I can't imagine their talent wouldn't want to try a new RPG.

RoadRacer14h ago

Square Enix just really need to revise its expectations. Maybe consider a change in strategy on dev end as well. Multiplat will help for sure but only good games that are marketed well will sell

Show all comments (18)
350°

Square Enix Preparing for Layoffs in U.S. and Europe Amid Heavy Restructuring

In a town hall that took place on Monday, Square Enix president Takashi Kiryu reportedly confirmed imminent layoffs in the U.S. and Europe.

3d ago
lelo2play3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Square should ask Sony for more money...

Outside_ofthe_Box3d ago

Square should ask Microsoft to buy them out...

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

@Outside_ofthe_Box,
So that Microsoft can close down the studio after doing nothing with them? Right...

Outside_ofthe_Box3d ago

@FinalFantasyFanatic

That's exactly my point...

gleepot3d ago

Sad but true. It's the consequence of a shift in player habits, massive overhead, and out of control budgets across the industry.

blackblades3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

What did NA and EU did anyways? Just translate or something? I would say it might help them get back to there roots but DK.

Hofstaderman3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Actually, you are correct they play a hand in localization especially in Europe with the many languages. That and marketing.

nommers2d ago

Marketing for SE has been poor lately so these layoffs make sense if true.

Profchaos3d ago

Yup videogame crash 2024 edition

_Decadent_Descent3d ago

Hope so. Industry needs a good crash to shake it up again.

Show all comments (64)
460°

Square Is Shifting Strategy To Aggressively Pursue Multiplat Releases,Focus On Quality Over Quantity

Square Enix is shifting its strategy to aggressively pursue multiplatform releases and focus on quality over quantity.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
CantThinkOfAUsername4d ago

Yup, it's official. FFXVI and FFVII Rebirth didn't sell as much as they expected.

gold_drake4d ago

read the report, where exactly does it say what u just said ? lol

TheEroica3d ago

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt for some gamers.... 🤣

Barlos4d ago

It's your interpretation. That doesn't make it 'official'.

CantThinkOfAUsername3d ago

- 1% increase in net sales compared to a year with Forspoken and Octopath Traveller II, which didn't sell more than 3 millions combined (and I'm being generous).

- A 38.3% decrease in operating income despite the release of 'High-Definition' titles namely FFXVI, FF Pixels Remaster, Dragon Quest Monsters, and FFVII Rebirth.

- Aggressive multiplatform strategy one year after saying that exclusivity with PlayStation was mutually desired.

Sure, it's all in my head.

Sonic18814d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Probably for PC and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. Square Enix games doesn't sell to well on Xbox

Extermin8or3_4d ago

Nothing sells well on Xbox that's precisely Microsoft's problem

The3faces4d ago

Apparently they don't sell well on PlayStation either.

Lightning774d ago

Square named Drops Xbox as part of their multiplatform approach in their quarterly reports.

Like it matters MS will probably find away to close them down to.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

I can see them going for PS5/Switch/PC for the most part, it'll mostly likely be the Switch 2 by the time their next game enters development, which is probably a good thing since the Switch is struggling with 3rd party games. If they're hurting for money/sales, I don't see them bothering with Xbox, that's just wasted time/money for them.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
DarXyde4d ago

I mean, maybe? They'll want as much as possible and I figure they could have been hoping for greater impact on PlayStation, but that's good reason to reflect and realize the resources and development cycle of these games aren't very sustainable. The solution is to make more affordable games with shorter dev cycles, then once in a while bring out the big guns.

I think Final Fantasy VII Re make and Rebirth would do really well if it was multiplatform. Specifically, if Nintendo gets their hardware up to snuff, and the rumors are promising. I don't really have much faith in its performance on Xbox, but Nintendo gamers really commit to buying their games. At one point, Breath of the Wild for Switch outsold the Switch itself.

Granted, Zelda always solos everything except GTA, but Nintendo folk are avid Final Fantasy fans. I think it would do exceptionally. Nintendo just needs to make porting easy and inexpensive and they'll get more games.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

I don't think the exclusivity hurts them as badly as they think, I think it's a range of factors, like the quality of the games, high sales expectations, ESG/DEI, censorship, development costs/time... I also suspect that Square-Enix is extremely inefficient with their resources, they struggled/avoided towns in the FF13 trilogy, and FF14 was mostly wilderness with little to do apart from derp about in the wild (they also avoid towns and making a lot of characters there too). But FF14 also went through development hell, I think Square-Enix just needs to overall how they do everything, because the way they manage that studio just isn't working.

Christopher3d ago

The two most profitable games for them didn't sell as much as expected. Yes. Make it make sense.

MrCrimson3d ago

I interpret it as - they want to be multiplatform, as they will sell more copies.

EternalTitan3d ago

16 isnt even a JRPG let alone a final fantasy game.
So glad that it bombed.

itsmebryan3d ago

Square finally realized what Sony figured out recently, their installed base is not enough. We are going to see a lot less exclusives from everyone moving forward.

MajorLazer3d ago

PS5 is nearly at 60 million only half-way through its life-cycle, but sure, the install base is not enough.

EternalTitan2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Good exclusives always sell despite install base. Look at Nintendo's recent Zelda.
Its just 16 was awful.

itsmebryan1d 18h ago

@major
It is not enough if it was Sony's operating income wouldn't be down 26% and the company would not have lost $10 billion of value after they missed their sales target .

Christopher1d 18h ago

Looks to me more like they need multiplatform because they've been failing completely everywhere else. Honestly, Square needs to rethink it's non-FF games. They've been failing hard over there in that regard.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 1d 18h ago
CrashMania4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Hopefully the next Nintendo system isn't a potato and it can contribute to FF sales in future as well, in addition to PC releases. If this ensures the long term health for SE and franchises than like FF and KH then I'm all for it.

NotoriousWhiz4d ago

Adding Nintendo and PC customers is the best way to increase sales and long term success. Not going to get that from Xbox.

shinoff21834d ago

Hopefully square brings all the lose switch exclusives over to.

Hofstaderman4d ago

Will there be a XBOX for Square to release games on? Or a MS Games service?

thesoftware7304d ago

Hof,

You must not have heard they are launching new hardware and have already committed to a Next-Gen Xbox.

But, for some reason, I think you already knew that and wanted to spin a silly narrative; besides, why wouldn't they release games on the SX/SS? You do know these consoles will still be here, right?

Hofstaderman4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Optics. They have a STATED plan to do so. Thats not commitment. The shareholders and board are calling the shots now. Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already. Investment in hardware, R and D and marketing is how much again? That cost with the history of their hardware performance....at most maybe a handheld. What I am certain of XBOX is finished, the writing has been on the wall before the studio closures. Its MS Games and they are not hardware. They are software because MS is a software company. Expect them to be folded in the Surface team.

DarXyde4d ago

*hardware

I believe they committed to hardware.

I hate to nitpick, but that's kind of the company they are. You have to.

4d ago
Michiel19893d ago

@hofstaderman the board and shareholders have always called the shots or had a huge impact on decisions.

Xbox finished lmao, the writing has been on the wall? mate they just spend 70 BILLION dollars, and you see the writing is on the wall that they're done. 0 idea what you're talking about. They grafiti'd on the wall and you still can't see it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3d ago
Aloymetal4d ago

No to both, not worth the effort, money and time on an already dying brand.

4d ago
thesoftware7304d ago

"They have a STATED plan to do so. That's not commitment."

Huh? What are you talking about? They announced they would be unveiling new Hardware this holiday season; how else are they supposed to commit to it?

" Lets see if they have the appetite for hardware because they are owed 80 Billion Dollars already"

What a silly statement, you think this deal was approved so they could make 80 billion in less than a year? This is a long-term commitment, a future-proofing of profit.

"What I am certain of XBOX is finished,"

No, you are not certain of this lol; as you stated, if they make even a Handheld in the form of a Steam-Deck that can dock to a TV/monitor, wouldn't that be just changing the form factor but still XBOX?

Closing these studios has really got you guys delusional; that is what happens in companies, in a changing market: you acquire, and you trim; like it or not, that is the way things are done. Lets look.

Where is the new Psygnosis with a new wipeout?
What happened to Japan Studio? Pixl Opus? London Studio?
Where is Zipper Interactive?

I can list more, but you see, closing devs doesn't mean your company is finished, especially when you have like 30+ dev teams.

Extermin8or3_4d ago

They won't be unveiling the hardware this holiday season it will be like the series x and s they got a tease at the game awards 2018. But no details until year of their release in 2020 lol

Relientk774d ago

Please tell me the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake is still coming. I feel like I've been waiting forever for that game.

gold_drake4d ago

i think the juggernauts kingdom hearts (disney provides the money for that one) final fantasy and dragon quest are fine, the rest not as much

Michiel19893d ago

I'm kinda worried about the future of DQ though, Toriyama and the composer both passed away. Huge blow to the franchise.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

@Michiel1989,
Akira Toriyama had an understudy though, he emulates his style, so maybe he'll do the art for Dragon Quest games, I would love to see Nobue Uematsu do music for the series though, that could be fun if they could convince him.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

I'll be so p*ssed if that doesn't go ahead, also, where's DQ12 at? They've been silent on that for so long, and it was announced years ago.

@gold_Drake,
I'm pretty sure they can siphon some profit from A Realm Reborn to keep FF and Dragon Quest going too. I think the company would have gone bankrupt if it wasn't for that cash cow.

gold_drake3d ago

14 is definitely brings in the a consistant cashflow

Charal4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Another sign that dedicated consoles market is in trouble, while PC seems more and more attractive to big publishers.

Having a good gaming PC and a PS5 myself, given current trend form both Sony and MS I am less and less playing on PS5, waiting for exclusives to release on PC, so I understand the logic behind the new strategy.

anast4d ago

Post those numbers. Then your comment might make sense.

thesoftware7304d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Ants,

I get that we don't know exactly without numbers, but come on, man, we can clearly see what's happening.

The console market has not grown much, the highest-selling console in history is still the PS2. You can play the " prove it" game all you want, but Sony's more aggressive PC push, SE completely rebooting their company/business, after being mainly exclusive to one console and showing a sizeable profit loss is telling.

PC is a high seller, and your doubtful PS5 dominant stance does not change the clear writing on the wall, straight from Sony's mouth, that they need to be, and will be more aggressive in the very lucrative PC market.

So, in other words, PC market is indeed looking more and more attractive to Pubs.

anast4d ago

@730

Numbers?

I'm willing to bet the farm that ¨PC gamers are not the dominate number compared to console, but I don't know because I don't have numbers. However, the price point of entry can allow us to infer what I had just stated.

anast3d ago

I don't click on links on forums. Tell me why that .com source is legit.

Tacoboto3d ago

What an ironic thing to say on a link-agreggate site like N4G. Explains your comment history perfectly.

Michiel19893d ago

asks for numbers. receives numbers and then continues to say I don't wanna click a website (because it might shatter my illusion)

anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

@All the people with that good 'ol folk wisdom

It's ironic how I clearly asked for the site and people still can't even answer this simple question.

Tell me how many people click on random links on forums?

Tell me the site and I will look. I don't mind being wrong and I'm barely intelligent enough to change my mind with something substantial.

All the numbers I have seen is that PC doesn't even come close console gaming in revenue, and nothing touches mobile gaming. More people touching something doesn't mean anything. It just means more people own PC for work and touch Steam every now and again, those numbers mean even less.

Charal3d ago

Anast I wasn’t expecting more from you and I haven’t be disappointed.

Don’t believe any number if you want, but things cannot be more evident that most of games companies are pushing to get the most they can from PC market.

Hell, we have both MS and Sony that are releasing their biggest franchise on PC with no or less and less delay vs console release, that is never seen before in the industry.

What is surprising me is that PC is not cheap in term of hardware cost, a rig close to PS5/XBX perfs may be close to double the price I guess, and close to 4x for a good gaming PC.
Plus, PC gaming does not have physical release anymore.

So a lot of supposed advantages from console market are not there but PC market is successful anyway, it would be very interesting to understand it.
Maybe one big argument is that we are more likely to need a PC at home, were we can work with, browse, and game, than a dedicated gaming machine. That why handled console market have been crushed by smartphones, we could see a repeating pattern here.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
Babadook73d ago

From what I can ascertain PC is a smaller market than PS. There are occasionally times when PC looks to be stronger but overall it's still behind.

FinalFantasyFanatic3d ago

PC also has a lot more competition, especially when people can easily buy and play older games from 20 or so years ago on it.

anast1d 5h ago

PC has the potential to be a bigger player, but the market is smaller in terms of revenue nonetheless. People conflate sign up numbers with money spent on a product.

anast3d ago

You probably need to worry about yourself and your own expectations.

You still haven't even complete the simplest task in telling me the name of the website. Let that sink in. I asked for the name of the website so I can look at it and you couldn't even complete that task.

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