Square-Enix Siding With Microsoft?
See Full ImageDuring Microsoft's Xbox 360 RPG Premiere 2008 event in Tokyo - which is still going on - we have learned several things that will disappoint and potentially confuse PlayStation 3 owners.
Long-time supporters of Sony's PlayStation brand, it seemed clear earlier in this generation that Square-Enix would be looking to Microsoft's platform in an effort to embrace a wider audience of gamers. The first evidence of this was the announcement of The Last Remnant for multiple platforms, along with the unveiling of the 360 exclusive RPG, Infinite Undiscovery (developed by Tri-Ace; published by S-E). And now, more frustrating news for PS3 owners: the new Star Ocean next-gen entry has been officially titled, Star Ocean: The Last Hope, and it has been confirmed for release on the Xbox 360 next year. When asked by IGN if it would be coming to the PS3, Square-Enix producer Yoshinori Yamagishi said-
"We cannot announce anything on that. We can say that it will be released first [on the Xbox 360]. Whether well release it on the PS3 is undecided. We may release it, we may not."
Furthermore, guess what else is getting released first on the 360? That's right, The Last Remnant, which is scheduled for a winter launch on Microsoft's platform, and 360 owners are even getting the demo today on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Now, we know Square-Enix is looking to expand west as best they can, but if they want far-reaching success, wouldn't simple simultaneous worldwide releases be the order of the day? Of course, PS3 owners can still say the most important S-E games - Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus - remain exclusive to their platform, but with this apparent new love affair between Square-Enix and Microsoft, who's to say that exclusivity will last...?
6/10/2008 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (43 posts)
dillonthebunny
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 11:11:03 AM
Reply
Maybe they thought the 360 would like this and that the PS3 people wouldnt mind losing Star Ocean?
personally everything that Square doesnt bring to the PS3 is a loss for me, i like pretty much everything they do/ did (yes even The Bouncer).
i hope we will get Star Ocean, and i do think we will.
with SO being released on the PSP and SO being a largly Playstation concentrated fanbase, i think we will see SO4, but by the time it comes out, will any one care?
0 up, 0 down
shindelion
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 11:53:10 AM
Reply
Last edited by shindelion on 6/10/2008 11:57:55 AM
0 up, 0 down
Zapix
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:15:49 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
orangpelupa
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:16:56 PM
Reply
just like BandaiNamco with Eternal Sonata.
0 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:25:59 PM
Reply
Maybe Sony should throw some money around, but then it would be just as bad. All i know is sony needs to jump on the ball with the JRPG market and get sh** cranking out.
We got the action games, fun indeed, fps games, yeah bring it, but dont forget one of the markets that helped out the ps2
1 up, 0 down
rezenu
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 3:19:33 PM
0 up, 0 down
shindelion
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:31:43 PM
Reply
0 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:37:04 PM
Reply
On the one hand, I understand Square-Enix wanting to appeal to the Western audience because they've been losing money making games that are so "niche" for the Japanese market. The Xbox 360 is big in every other territory, so it's not difficult to comprehend the business move.
But at the same time, the 360 is a dead duck in Japan and Mistwalker all but proved it will ALWAYS be a dead duck. Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey were as big as they can be in Japan, and it still didn't shift a significant amount of units. Microsoft just won't catch on over there, and Square-Enix should know this.
In the end, I don't see any reason why they couldn't simply do multiplatform worldwide simultaneous releases for something like The Last Remnant. They're CHOOSING not to, and that, I don't get. By offering the game to 360 owners, that's a big enough gesture and it'll get to the Western audience. But taking it AWAY from PS3 owners is just a slap in the face and entirely unnecessary. That's where I come in.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 6/10/2008 12:38:01 PM
1 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:50:35 PM
I cant see any past excuses working in this situation besides "hurry and cash this damn M$ check!"
0 up, 0 down
Warukyure [Power User]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:38:37 PM
Reply
Not that the Star Ocean series isn't good. It didn't really sell to well. SO3 sold 530k in japan and 630k in North America, then I'm really worried about this series... The PS2 on which SO3 was released on was the most popular/most sold console at the time and if SO3 managed to sell a 1.5 mill (maybe) then I'd hate to see how this saga unfolds.
So basically what they are riding on is to basically sell 50k in Japan and maybe 100k in the US? I really doubt that this game will pull Americans away from stuff like Halo, GTAIV, and CoD4...
S-E you better hope M$ pays you a lot more in the future...
0 up, 0 down
Mystearica
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 12:40:23 PM
Reply
Now them siding with the 360 - S-E along with EA are the biggest money-hungry and un-loyal companies I have ever seen. Sure every company wants money - but other companies are not as inconsiderate as S-E and they don't seem to care about their lifelong fans and supporters.
Think about it - the biggest RPG fan-base is in Japan and most Japanese gamers DON'T care much for the 360. So by S-E supporting the 360 they just B**CH slapped all their life-long fans that supported them through the years.
I USED to be a fan of S-E myself when they were called Square Soft... but with the recent years and people quitting I can see it wasn't just "oh we wanted to start a new company"
And NO - it's not that S-E thought the PS3 owners wouldn't mind losing SO4. Star Ocean 1, 2, and 3 has always had a home on the Playstation Console.
Like I said, S-E has turned ugly, turned it's back on the Japanese Gamers, long time life supporters and it's fans and now is directed ONLY towards money... heck maybe even more than EA has...
Last edited by Mystearica on 6/10/2008 12:45:49 PM
0 up, 0 down
shindelion
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 1:14:03 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Dustinwp
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 1:21:16 PM
Reply
YEAH RIGHT!
0 up, 0 down
Dustinwp
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 1:27:52 PM
Reply
You have been connected to SER Neil.
SER Neil: Hello, Dustin, thank you for contacting the Square Enix
Support Center. Just a few moments while I review your question, please.
SER Neil: Well, how would you like me to reply here?
SER Neil: I can only guess you are writing about the rumor that was
released about Star Ocean today?
Dustin: Yes
SER Neil: Well, you do realize thats only a rumor right?
SER Neil: Have you seen any of this mentioned on the North american
site?
Dustin: I hope so
Dustin: no
SER Neil: Well until then we have no comment on this I apologize, but
you may want to accept the simply fact that we will not only be
releasing titles for PS3.
SER Neil: The fact that you think this is a slap in the face..I
honestly do not share your opinion.
Dustin: you mean xbox360
SER Neil: No I mean PS3.
SER Neil: We will be making games for ALL systems, and they will not
all be cross platform, this is something you need to learn to accept.
Dustin: Well we'll see how far you go then.Most fans of your
games own PS3's
SER Neil: Dustin, if most of our fans own PS3s, why is that so,
considering we have not even made a PS3 game?
SER Neil: that makes absolutely no sense to me, you are upset because
you say our fans own PS3's, when...we have never released a PS3 game.
SER Neil: A few are coming out.Final Fantasy XIII and The Last
Remenant.
SER Neil: Are there any other issues I can assist you with right now,
Dustin?
Dustin: No, I have a feeling you will hear from more
people.Thank you
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 1:40:18 PM
0 up, 0 down
Mystearica
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 1:32:52 PM
Reply
Wow he sounds like an ass....
You'd think a guy with the name of NEIL would have better English. Where can I go to give them a piece of my mind?
EDITING: NVM I found the "live chat" ^_____^
Last edited by Mystearica on 6/10/2008 1:40:56 PM
0 up, 0 down
Minishmaru
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 2:35:51 PM
Reply
So if SquareEnix thinks that they're losing money and going over to the West is gonna be the answer...that's pretty stupid thinking. I mean...ok lets just compared Lost Odyssey to oh...lets say MONSTER HUNTER!....::ZIIIING!:: I'm on a roll today, glad I got my comments working lol you guys miss me? XD
I just hope all those games being released for the 360 are just A) Times exclusives B) Horribly shitty compared to the effort they are putting into FFXIII/Versus. C) If they are timed exclusives...omit B
0 up, 0 down
Mystearica
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 2:37:31 PM
Reply
#1
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/843/61509883ir0.jpg
#2
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3787/27617616zh6.jpg
I'll be honest here... I wasn't thinking well when I corresponded with him because I'm playing a game of Yahoo Literati (wanna keep my record high)
Eitherway... 2 things:
1- That is NOT my real name
2- If you are lazy and dun wanna read the whole thing focus on the LAST FEW LINES IN PICTURE #2
LOL he says he's a 360 fan and doesn't like the PS3 LOL
So... Evilincarnate that explains his attitude with you.
0 up, 0 down
Minishmaru
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 2:41:21 PM
0 up, 0 down
Fabi
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 2:55:15 PM
Reply
Makes me question FF13. Imagine if Sony lost FF13. Wow.
0 up, 0 down
Dustinwp
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 3:01:53 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Jordahn
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 3:12:09 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Mystearica
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 3:24:36 PM
Reply
Now few months after it's the 360... very typical of them to tease, let us anticipate and later disappointed us. Similar to FFXII - waited over 4 years and would jump at any little detail.
0 up, 0 down
BlinkBoy
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 5:13:07 PM
Reply
Nice money out the window by softboys.
0 up, 0 down
Tatsujin
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 6:44:28 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
bamf
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 7:25:17 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
LCF
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 9:03:08 PM
Reply
Last edited by LCF on 6/10/2008 9:03:44 PM
0 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 9:37:24 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Advent Child
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 12:04:50 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Gabriel013
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 1:35:40 AM
Reply
Surely S-E are worth enough not to need bungs from Microsoft if that is indeed what has happened.
0 up, 0 down
Warukyure [Power User]
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 1:52:24 AM
0 up, 0 down
Jed
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 2:32:25 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
AscientDire
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 2:32:59 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
AscientDire
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 2:36:46 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Tatsujin
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 10:46:12 PM
Reply
Last edited by Tatsujin on 6/11/2008 10:47:49 PM
0 up, 0 down
Minishmaru
Thursday, June 12, 2008 @ 10:14:10 AM
0 up, 0 down
lollpalooza
Thursday, June 12, 2008 @ 7:28:37 PM
Reply
if that happens i swear to god im gonna quit being a gamer, i have been in PS's side since day one, since wipeout, roadrash,warhawk all those times man..give us something in return for our loyalty!!
but the 360 has a disastrous record in japan and to the whole of the east region i guess (asia)..it would be safe to assume that with this move the japanese market wont budge because you know how patriotic and faithful the japanese are to their product?they have the code of bushido in their blood, they rather die that give to western ideals...its only here in the west that corporate shills are visible..
i lost my track here...but im really confused..might move to japan altogether..
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Reply
Tuesday, June 10, 2008 @ 11:08:37 AM
Q!
"aLL RoAdS LeAd ToO HoMe"