Why Square Enix Wants Simultaneous Releases?
Japan-focused publisher to acquire US and European game companies?
Yoichi Wada
Square Enix, a publisher which has traditionally been focused on the Japanese games market, is looking to broaden its focus. The company is set to revise its usual policy of releasing titles in Europe and North America months after their Japanese release.
The company's president, Yoichi Wada, has said, "simultaneous sale is designated as standard" in reference to when Square's games hit the worldwide market.
Traditionally, the company has released the Japanese versions of its titles to market first then released translated versions in the following months. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, for example, had a six month delay between its Japanese and European releases.
If you combine this nugget of information with earlier comments made by Wada, it looks like Square intends to acquire companies from outside Japan. Back in February, Wada said, "The cycle of buying new companies, improving earnings and acquiring again comes on average every two years. It's been two years since we bought Taito. I think it's time for the next round."
Given that Square aims to make simultaneous worldwide releases a standard, acquiring studios from outside Japan in the "next round" would make darn good sense.
SPOnG doesn't want to be controversial or anything, but for a company the size of Square a buyout of the much-beleaguered SCi isn't outside the bounds of possibility.
Additionally, SPOnG wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Square were to put the moves on companies with a proven track record on Nintendo platforms. The company has shown an affinity with Nintendo with ports of its Final Fantasy titles to the DS, while it was one of the first publishers to publicly back Nintendo's WiiWare programme.
Do you have any thoughts on which companies Square might be eyeing up? Let us know in the Forum.
The company's president, Yoichi Wada, has said, "simultaneous sale is designated as standard" in reference to when Square's games hit the worldwide market.
Traditionally, the company has released the Japanese versions of its titles to market first then released translated versions in the following months. Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales, for example, had a six month delay between its Japanese and European releases.
If you combine this nugget of information with earlier comments made by Wada, it looks like Square intends to acquire companies from outside Japan. Back in February, Wada said, "The cycle of buying new companies, improving earnings and acquiring again comes on average every two years. It's been two years since we bought Taito. I think it's time for the next round."
Given that Square aims to make simultaneous worldwide releases a standard, acquiring studios from outside Japan in the "next round" would make darn good sense.
SPOnG doesn't want to be controversial or anything, but for a company the size of Square a buyout of the much-beleaguered SCi isn't outside the bounds of possibility.
Additionally, SPOnG wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Square were to put the moves on companies with a proven track record on Nintendo platforms. The company has shown an affinity with Nintendo with ports of its Final Fantasy titles to the DS, while it was one of the first publishers to publicly back Nintendo's WiiWare programme.
Do you have any thoughts on which companies Square might be eyeing up? Let us know in the Forum.
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Comments
SuperSaiyan4 10 Mar 2008 13:10
1/5
And this is coming from a guy where all their Final Fantasy games are extremely delayed for Europe, still waiting on that Final Fantasy game with 3D graphics for the PSP...
If Mystwalker can bring out their RPG's in a matter of a few months like 3-4months why does it take SE a year or more?
If Mystwalker can bring out their RPG's in a matter of a few months like 3-4months why does it take SE a year or more?
Daz 10 Mar 2008 13:24
2/5
SE also added to our versions as well the 2 I know of are Emerald and Ruby Weapon's on FFVII and the Dark Aeons and panance(sp?) on FFX
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Joji 10 Mar 2008 14:21
3/5
I think the problem here is that while Square has enjoyed its FF successes the playing/battlefield has changed since they've been away. There clinging to Sony isn't helping them either (yes I know Sony have shares in them, which might play a part in that).
Let's be honest here, the FF series has been flogged to death and takes far too long in development time. Its quite funny in a way, when we see smaller fish like Atlus or Mistwalker, pushing out these great rpg games like Persona 3 and Lost Odyssey.
Perhaps Square feel they have to get these releases done this new way in order to compete with rising competition. What definitely clear is they've become complacent while drowning us with too much FF.
Buying SCi would be good for them. While SCi haven't produce much product of late, they could learn a great deal from each other.
Let's be honest here, the FF series has been flogged to death and takes far too long in development time. Its quite funny in a way, when we see smaller fish like Atlus or Mistwalker, pushing out these great rpg games like Persona 3 and Lost Odyssey.
Perhaps Square feel they have to get these releases done this new way in order to compete with rising competition. What definitely clear is they've become complacent while drowning us with too much FF.
Buying SCi would be good for them. While SCi haven't produce much product of late, they could learn a great deal from each other.
Plasmoid 11 Mar 2008 11:11
4/5
Square have let themselves get sucked into the Graphics battle.
They are constantly trying to push the graphics of their games while neglecting the gameplay. These means games take a long time to release, look great, but play like a 3 year old rpg (or mmorpg in FF12's case)
Considering that since FF6 they have had a gameplay mechanic, and all they needed was storyline to make a full game, and since FF7 they have has a license to print money, they have been doing terrible.
If they fix their storylines (no more playing the blonde haired girl-boy/monkey with doubts of his abilites, more emo boy with mental illness please) , mix the FF series gameplay up and invest in new, one off RPG's with experimental mechanics and take what sticks and use it in FF, they can rule the world.
They are constantly trying to push the graphics of their games while neglecting the gameplay. These means games take a long time to release, look great, but play like a 3 year old rpg (or mmorpg in FF12's case)
Considering that since FF6 they have had a gameplay mechanic, and all they needed was storyline to make a full game, and since FF7 they have has a license to print money, they have been doing terrible.
If they fix their storylines (no more playing the blonde haired girl-boy/monkey with doubts of his abilites, more emo boy with mental illness please) , mix the FF series gameplay up and invest in new, one off RPG's with experimental mechanics and take what sticks and use it in FF, they can rule the world.
Daz 12 Mar 2008 21:31
5/5
Plasmoid wrote:
Square have let themselves get sucked into the Graphics battle.
They are constantly trying to push the graphics of their games while neglecting the gameplay. These means games take a long time to release, look great, but play like a 3 year old rpg (or mmorpg in FF12's case)
Considering that since FF6 they have had a gameplay mechanic, and all they needed was storyline to make a full game, and since FF7 they have has a license to print money, they have been doing terrible.
If they fix their storylines (no more playing the blonde haired girl-boy/monkey with doubts of his abilites, more emo boy with mental illness please) , mix the FF series gameplay up and invest in new, one off RPG's with experimental mechanics and take what sticks and use it in FF, they can rule the world.
They are constantly trying to push the graphics of their games while neglecting the gameplay. These means games take a long time to release, look great, but play like a 3 year old rpg (or mmorpg in FF12's case)
Considering that since FF6 they have had a gameplay mechanic, and all they needed was storyline to make a full game, and since FF7 they have has a license to print money, they have been doing terrible.
If they fix their storylines (no more playing the blonde haired girl-boy/monkey with doubts of his abilites, more emo boy with mental illness please) , mix the FF series gameplay up and invest in new, one off RPG's with experimental mechanics and take what sticks and use it in FF, they can rule the world.
I guess it's a matter of opinion because it does seem like that to me, the graphics surpass each other with every game but I don't feel the story's have suffered at all, I've loved all the story's (not including 1, 2 or 3 because I haven't finished them yet), as for "experimental mechanics" every FF has had a different battle system.
I don't really understand what you mean by "play like a 3 year old RPG"