Square and Nintendo development rumour update
Final Fantasy for GameCube wanted by all...
Several websites, including the usually reliable Magic Box News Agency, have posted stories that say Square and Nintendo have again been in talks about the possibility of the RPG stalwart creating games for Nintendo systems.
Allegedly reported by global news standard Bloomberg, the reports state that Square has serious plans to develop games for Game Boy Advance and particularly GameCube. The latter machine’s popularity puts it easily into the survival zone, and makes it particularly appealing to Square.
The problem now is not the long running feud that followed the cancellation of Final Fantasy VII for N64 in favour of the disc-based PlayStation; it is the ever-present issue of online gaming.
Nintendo is still to make clear its online strategy to the gaming public, eager not to leap before looking. Xbox has proven, admittedly without the consent of Microsoft, that it is a capable online gaming platform. Sony is busily writing out deals that will see dedicated PlayStation broadband networks as early as spring next year in the UK and Japan. Nintendo has merely avoided the issue, fobbing the media off whenever the subject is raised.
Square, equipped with its soon to be launched PlayOnline network, is gearing up a colossal multi-platform gaming network, initially to support its upcoming MMORPG Final Fantasy XI. According to reports, Nintendo has set its sights somewhat lower than this.
If whisperings are correct, Nintendo is planning a system in Japan that will see GameCube and Game Boy Advance link to mobile phones, to form smaller, localised networks. Nintendo has not publicly stated this is its intention, but so afraid is the company of plagiarism, it might be just waiting until the development well under way before permitting an open viewing.
It is also well known that Square fancied releasing RPG games, complete with online play, for Game Boy Advance. It is currently stuck with developing portable RPG titles for the WonderSwan Color, a competent but Japan only handheld. A slice of the rich Game Boy Advance market would be just what angry Square shareholders, badly mauled by failed movie investment, need to reaffirm their faith in the company. It seems remarkably stubborn of Nintendo to refuse the advances of Squaresoft. It is a dead-cert that GBA Final Fantasy games would be massive money-spinner. The move would also be one in the eye for rival hardware firms Sony and Microsoft. Square and Sony have a strong relationship and it is a fact that Square and the Xbox team have met for talks on several occasions.
We will bring you more on this as it breaks.
Allegedly reported by global news standard Bloomberg, the reports state that Square has serious plans to develop games for Game Boy Advance and particularly GameCube. The latter machine’s popularity puts it easily into the survival zone, and makes it particularly appealing to Square.
The problem now is not the long running feud that followed the cancellation of Final Fantasy VII for N64 in favour of the disc-based PlayStation; it is the ever-present issue of online gaming.
Nintendo is still to make clear its online strategy to the gaming public, eager not to leap before looking. Xbox has proven, admittedly without the consent of Microsoft, that it is a capable online gaming platform. Sony is busily writing out deals that will see dedicated PlayStation broadband networks as early as spring next year in the UK and Japan. Nintendo has merely avoided the issue, fobbing the media off whenever the subject is raised.
Square, equipped with its soon to be launched PlayOnline network, is gearing up a colossal multi-platform gaming network, initially to support its upcoming MMORPG Final Fantasy XI. According to reports, Nintendo has set its sights somewhat lower than this.
If whisperings are correct, Nintendo is planning a system in Japan that will see GameCube and Game Boy Advance link to mobile phones, to form smaller, localised networks. Nintendo has not publicly stated this is its intention, but so afraid is the company of plagiarism, it might be just waiting until the development well under way before permitting an open viewing.
It is also well known that Square fancied releasing RPG games, complete with online play, for Game Boy Advance. It is currently stuck with developing portable RPG titles for the WonderSwan Color, a competent but Japan only handheld. A slice of the rich Game Boy Advance market would be just what angry Square shareholders, badly mauled by failed movie investment, need to reaffirm their faith in the company. It seems remarkably stubborn of Nintendo to refuse the advances of Squaresoft. It is a dead-cert that GBA Final Fantasy games would be massive money-spinner. The move would also be one in the eye for rival hardware firms Sony and Microsoft. Square and Sony have a strong relationship and it is a fact that Square and the Xbox team have met for talks on several occasions.
We will bring you more on this as it breaks.
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