Square Enix: 'Games as a service' doesn't resonate with players

As Square Enix continues to overhaul its business, the publisher has told GamesIndustry International that projects like the relaunch of Final Fantasy XIV have helped bring together the US, European and Japanese businesses.

[Aleithian]

Well said.

[Bimkoblerutso]

Yeah, I agree with that too, though that's not exactly the whole story.

Gamers have been very receptive to the idea of "games as a service" as a COMPLIMENT to the traditional industry model. Just look at how successful Steam is. It doesn't REPLACE the traditional model, but it's great as a sort of "second wind" for games that some gamers would not buy otherwise.

The problem is that 99% of the time, it's not a service at all. "Services" like Origin and UPlay by and large feel obtrusive and confining to the point that it just seems like a form of market control. It makes gamers even more nervous when publishers seem so gung-ho to switch over to 100% digital without clearly explaining or implementing the advantages of that transition.

[Aleithian]

Agreed. That said, steam is a service that caters to an audience that necessarily has an internet connection (insofar as it can only be accessed via the internet). So conditions are such that PC gamers with an internet connection are amenable to steam.

The same isn't the case with console gamers. There is still a sizable percentage of the population in America that plays without an internet connection (e.g. because they live in a dial-up only region). Such gamers would not be amenable to digital only or a service conception of games.

And then there are gamers like me who do have an adequate internet connection (50 mbs/s) who nevertheless like to own the game. Maybe gamers like me are stuck in the past. But I'm not saying gamers like me have "good" reasons to dislike a service conception. I'm just saying it doesn't resonate with all of us. I know that in my case I'll never be comfortable relying on the "always on" internet connection for my entertainment. That's why I still buy blu-rays and DVDs. I want to be able to enjoy my options without the internet.

[pompombrum]

Neither does mobile platforms, f2p trash nor trying to break world records for the amount of different platforms you can release your FF games on.

[Darrius Cole]

Lightning as a lead character doesn't resonate too well, either. Maybe SE will figure that out one day.

Who am I kidding?? SE loves Lightning. To them, she can do no wrong and everybody lovers her. They are probably going to announce "FF13-4:Lightning & Thunder" this January.

[a08andan]

And after that: FF13-5: Lightning is Electric!

[GrimWykydtron]

SE died... im a gamer I need games for normal platforms not some crappy phones >.<

Also i dont need **** multiplayer and online whatevers in every game... why kill one of my most favorite games like deus ex by making them f2p online poop ?

bye bye square.