Square Enix To Embrace Social Gaming, Digital Distribution

Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada has said that the direction of the Japanese publisher will change dramatically over the years, going further away from large-scale Final Fantasy RPGs and taking cues from online game companies in China and Korea.

Digital distribution and online social games are the future of gaming, according to Wada, and the changes he sees are part of an initiative by Square Enix to stay ahead of the curve. As an example, rather than develop a full-price Final Fantasy title, the company could split the game into several chapters and sell them for $5 each.

"Two things are clear: The distribution channels will change and the revenue model will change," Wada told Forbes at E3. "It will happen in the entire industry, and we want to stay on top of this trend." He added that digital distribution allows publishers to directly communicate with its consumers.

Another change in development direction - besides the emphasis on non-Final Fantasy titles to help expand the company's portfolio - will be the inclusion of 'some element of multiplayer or social gaming' into each Square Enix title.