In an interview with CNET Japan, Square Enix president Youichi Wada talked about his company's future strategy and the state of the game industry, saying all segments (software, hardware as well as the arcade business) are performing very well.
Asked about the three new consoles, Wada explained, "The Wii is the antithesis of the Xbox 360. (Xbox 360) is strictly for hardcore gamers. The attachment rate for the Xbox 360 is much higher than for the Wii. People who buy the 360 really like games... I think the current trend is that most people aren't buying the Wii as a game machine, but as a toy... It seems that Sony isn't sure what it wants to do. Is it making high-end electronics or a game console for gamers? I want them to clearly define their console."
Wada disputed his interviewer's suggestion that Square Enix had recently released a lot of sequels and remakes, "It's not that we are not investing in new franchises. It's necessary to do new games, franchises and remakes. With remakes, we're trying to expand the outlook of that world. If you look at our profits, franchises are 60 percent of our business, while new IPs are 40 percent. There's a misconception that we rely only on Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, while these titles only make half of our business. It's just that people keep asking for new installments."
In addition, Wada also talks about downloadable content, the future of the retail business, Square Enix's position in the game center business, Taito (a Japanese arcade developer owned by Square Enix), and the company's future.
[ Notes: The original source is Japanese. See RPGFans.com and alternative sources for different English summaries. Translated quotes are lifted from Kotaku. ]
Companies, particularly public companies like Microsoft, need to grow.
i mean its pretty simple, they spent close to 30 billion in acquiring activision, they thought they'd make it bk no problem, and that didnt happen.
its just shit that because of MS's miscalculation alot of people lost their jobs.
They are going to use AI for a large portion of the game development process. Upper management need bonuses and the shareholders need more money. So, people will lose their jobs.
They shouldn't have bought any studios. Some is okay...but they went on a shopping spree...stupid
The better question is why did Microsoft buy publishers for a service they were subsidizing they knew couldn't support.
And why are so many websites trying to make people feel sorry for Microsoft instead of truly criticizing the fact they are closing studios and killing jobs that would have been fine if Microsoft themselves hadn't gotten involved.
Quit feeling sorry for Microsoft and start feeling sorry for the industry and the all the gamers who are actually losing out.
THIS IS MICROSOFTS FAULT.
The first thing that happens after any major acquisition or merger is a consolidation of the whole new portfolio, which includes cutting any excess, bloat or portfolios that don't fit the larger MO of the big boy. So far, it's been par for the course with Microsoft and that's why gamers have been so against this acquisition. Tango Gameworks is the beginning. You think Microsoft wants to pay to keep small timers like Ninja Theory in business?
There is absolutely zero evidence to suggest that Microsoft will improve any of these studios, but plenty to suggest that they will get rid of what they don't need and hold onto the IP. The real agenda of the acquisition was always to acquire The Elder Scrolls, Diablo, Fallout, Call of Duty, Candy Crush etc. that will create millions in passive revenue stream for Microsoft regardless of where the games release. Microsoft simply wants their cut.
Because of Games Pass Microsoft has no interest in investing in new IP which is risky and requires creative talent they can neither nurture nor manage. Game Pass has also not grown in the way Microsoft expected it to, even post acquisitions. Therefore the logical thing to do, without serious money makers to release, is to cut as much cost as possible.
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He said: "It seems that Sony isn't sure what it wants to do. Is it making high-end electronics or a game console for gamers? I want them to clearly define their console."
I say: It's both!
From the interview, it seems as if he's saying that if the path each system is taking doesn't change...they'll start to develop much more for the 360 and much less for the other systems.
The flaw with that is that I think many of the "hardcore" 360 owners aren't into JRPGs nearly as much as the "hardcore" PS3 owners. (hardcore in quotes, because I think the term is overused and meaningless in most cases)
Also, I'm sure the PS3 will sell many many more units by the time the SE games start coming out on the system. And hopefully Wii owners support SE by buying the new FF:CC game (I really think they made it just to test the Wii waters).
I think this was true before. But now Sony it getting their game on.
I look around and I see Warhawk expansion coming for PS3 in December, I see Unreal Tournamnent III bringing some seriously online play for PS3 in December.
Prices are getting better. I say the PS3 is a gaming machine. The PS3 knows what it wants to be now and 2008 will further prove it.
Are you gonna hold it against PS3 because it allows people to have high defintion playback? It it a high Defintion console, to have the best experience, HDTV is recommended.
I'm sorry but PS3 is headed in the right direction now. In a way they were almost lucky that they fell off their horse so early with horrible sales. Got them grounded back to reality.
this is very old... He said the same thing back in Sep, right before TGS... so, either he's on repeat or this is old. Take your pick.
Social gaming is key" its just not hardcore gamers its the world arcade scene thats very popular with harcore and casual social gamers alike(Lots of hybrid AAA's don't hurt either).
Square Enix needs games that are somewhat grounded(western taste) and they need to show the West they want to please us instead of making half assed attempts for the west. Support Western markets even on western hardware thats the first step I'v read something like this before they wan't to expand.
Their Japanese arrogance is greater than their innovation(no ones going to buy games on pedigree and legacy anymore).