Square Enix President Looks to Xbox 2 - Snubs Xbox Live
Wada-san on the present and future of SE’s Microsoft plans.
FFXII
Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has made some enlightening comments regarding possible support of Microsoft’s ever-expanding videogame offerings.
Having totally snubbed the Xbox from point of announcement, it would seem that Microsoft’s cash-laden whisperings are starting to be heeded at RPG Towers. Seemingly confirming support for the XNA development platform, Wada-san said, “...the thinking behind the recently announced XNA is extremely similar to what we have in mind. With that meaning, we'll have to from now on discuss XNA, rather than Xbox 2 and such,” a statement of greater import than a first glance reveals.
Although this isn’t concrete confirmation of Xbox 2 support, it’s surely the next best thing, and illustrates a new level of acceptance Microsoft is currently gaining amongst Japanese developer/publishers.
Speaking on Xbox Live however, Wada-san underlined Square Enix’s doubts about the seminal online console gaming service. “Xbox Live is a closed system, so at this point we have no plans on supporting it,” he said.
Expect all Square Enix updates, right here, as they break.
Having totally snubbed the Xbox from point of announcement, it would seem that Microsoft’s cash-laden whisperings are starting to be heeded at RPG Towers. Seemingly confirming support for the XNA development platform, Wada-san said, “...the thinking behind the recently announced XNA is extremely similar to what we have in mind. With that meaning, we'll have to from now on discuss XNA, rather than Xbox 2 and such,” a statement of greater import than a first glance reveals.
Although this isn’t concrete confirmation of Xbox 2 support, it’s surely the next best thing, and illustrates a new level of acceptance Microsoft is currently gaining amongst Japanese developer/publishers.
Speaking on Xbox Live however, Wada-san underlined Square Enix’s doubts about the seminal online console gaming service. “Xbox Live is a closed system, so at this point we have no plans on supporting it,” he said.
Expect all Square Enix updates, right here, as they break.
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Comments
smagic 24 May 2004 15:44
1/6
what is that supposed to mean "closed". Does he mean he doesn't like it that you would have to access the game via live servers where as ps2 you can go stright to their own server?
Does anyone know?
Does anyone know?
mrnull 24 May 2004 15:57
2/6
i think he means how xbox users have to pay for the service, all which is completely controlled my microsoft. have there been any online titles which allow x-box livers and owners of other consoles to battle it out?
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schnide 24 May 2004 16:41
3/6
Say what you like about Microsoft (and I do) but Xbox Live is the best thing to happen to online gaming full-stop.
Okay aside from Phantasy Star Online, but the real version of that is dead now.
Anyway, Xbox Live is the exact way that online gaming needs to go - an all-in-one package from the viewpoint of the consumer, integrated across every game. Sony have been playing a VERY poor game of catch-up and Nintendo.. sorry did I say Nintendo? I'm talking about online games.
Okay aside from Phantasy Star Online, but the real version of that is dead now.
Anyway, Xbox Live is the exact way that online gaming needs to go - an all-in-one package from the viewpoint of the consumer, integrated across every game. Sony have been playing a VERY poor game of catch-up and Nintendo.. sorry did I say Nintendo? I'm talking about online games.
Deviluck 24 May 2004 17:09
4/6
I think personally that xbox live is very reliable and slightly more organised than PS2 online, but PS2 online is getting better fast and its free to use, but some games like everquest you have to pay for. I personally think that square should stay with sony.
Brown Force 25 May 2004 10:58
5/6
Well personally I have to agree. Xbox Live is the best Online service there is. PS2 Online really disapointed me.
I understand where he's coming from when he says the Xbox Live service is closed. But that is one of the main aspects which makes Xbox Live so easy to use and so reliable and the major down fall with Sony's online service.
True I think Square-Enix servers are great. Well constructed and run well considering they are host Japanese, US and Europeans. But other companies haven't been as sucessful and its effected us gamers, exspecially in Europe. Look at Capcom, they are very inexsprienced with Online services and cannot put Resident Evil Outbreak online in Europe because of this inexsprience. and not to mention the quality of EA's servers.
You have to wonder if Resident Evil Outbreak was an Xbox Live exclusive and running on Microsofts Servers...would there be any doubt at all of a release in Europe online? I think probably not.
Anyway back on subject, I think Square-Enix making games on Xbox would be an awesome idea for them. I don't want FF series but new RPG's or like they've done on GC, FF exclusive to Xbox outside the series on PS2. In many ways it would benefit everyone, exspecially Square-Enix profits.
I understand where he's coming from when he says the Xbox Live service is closed. But that is one of the main aspects which makes Xbox Live so easy to use and so reliable and the major down fall with Sony's online service.
True I think Square-Enix servers are great. Well constructed and run well considering they are host Japanese, US and Europeans. But other companies haven't been as sucessful and its effected us gamers, exspecially in Europe. Look at Capcom, they are very inexsprienced with Online services and cannot put Resident Evil Outbreak online in Europe because of this inexsprience. and not to mention the quality of EA's servers.
You have to wonder if Resident Evil Outbreak was an Xbox Live exclusive and running on Microsofts Servers...would there be any doubt at all of a release in Europe online? I think probably not.
Anyway back on subject, I think Square-Enix making games on Xbox would be an awesome idea for them. I don't want FF series but new RPG's or like they've done on GC, FF exclusive to Xbox outside the series on PS2. In many ways it would benefit everyone, exspecially Square-Enix profits.
Joji 25 May 2004 11:47
6/6
I ca understand Square being cautious with Xbox, but they've been hooked up with Sony so long now, they're reluctant to break the chains of habit. Putting FF:CC on Gc is a good first step, along with FF:Guilty Wing in the future for GC, and FF:CC and EMH on DS. I think some japanese companies might be reluctant to invest in a foreign system still, after economic problems in Japan.
If there's one thing Xbox is suffering from it's the lack of rpgs. PS2 still gets the mother load of em, but a lot of em don't come from Squareenix, but smaller outfits like Nippon Ichi and Atlus.
Never mind xbox folk, you have Fable, Jade Empire, Sudeki and KOTOR2 all on the way soon. MS still have alot to do to get Square onside.
If there's one thing Xbox is suffering from it's the lack of rpgs. PS2 still gets the mother load of em, but a lot of em don't come from Squareenix, but smaller outfits like Nippon Ichi and Atlus.
Never mind xbox folk, you have Fable, Jade Empire, Sudeki and KOTOR2 all on the way soon. MS still have alot to do to get Square onside.