Square-Enix Gets "Edgy" With New Game Label

In Square-Enix's ongoing bid to appeal to a wider audience, they continue to make strides that will - supposedly - resonate with the Western masses.

According to Famitsu and as noted by Andriasang, Square-Enix has unveiled a new box label that will denote their more mature, Western-styled products. It's called "Extreme Edges" and will be reserved for Western-developed titles that have the CERO "D" (17+) or "Z" (18+) ratings; one game under this new label is Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, which is certainly "edgy." Basically, any time Square-Enix - or a Square-Enix subsidiary, like Eidos - produces a game that is Mature-rated, it'll fall under the Extreme Edges category. It's a far cry from the old days of Squaresoft, when few (if any) of their games were rated above "T" and most all raked in high review scores from critics. This isn't to say that these new "edgy" titles can't be great; it just shows how drastic the changes have been at Square in the past decade. Some will say the changes have been for the worse and RPG aficionados are bound to agree, but if the games sell and the company turns a profit, the company in question isn't likely to care.

But what if the titles don't meet sales expectations? Any chance they return to some semblance of the good ol' days? Yeah, I know. Probably not.

4/27/2010 12:22:37 PM Ben Dutka

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Comments (58 posts)

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Scarecrow
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:40:35 PM
Reply

ingredients: guns, blood, gore, and/or sex

twitch gamers will buy it year after year *cough* COD *cough*

Last edited by Scarecrow on 4/27/2010 12:40:45 PM

10 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Thursday, April 29, 2010 @ 12:12:54 PM

"In the words of Metallica; Sad but True"

sorry, someones already said that in another news story, i just wanted to quote them....

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:41:09 PM
Reply

Sooooo....If it says "eXtreme EDGES!!!" then that pretty much means "Hey look a bunch of meat heads are going to be battling it out and using every swear word possible every ten seconds!"

At least now I have a clear indicator on which titles to avoid. Thanks Square!

11 up, 0 down

Oyashiro
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:44:00 PM
Reply

Extreme Edges?

...

...

...

I'm sorry, that just sounds really stupid.

13 up, 0 down

Vitron
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 8:46:31 PM

Yeah, it doesn't sound like square enix anymore... What happened to them?

.... Its a sad thing

.... I want squaresoft back *sob*

1 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:46:37 PM
Reply

One can only hope...

1 up, 0 down

Plue
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:51:13 PM
Reply

Wowee I can't believe that they have gone as far as to develop a seperate label just for us "ignorant" westerners than "only play twitchy shooters and games with extreme violence and gore"

I feel so stereotyped :(

13 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:52:10 PM
Reply

"more mature, Western-styled products."

So those of use who like their Japanese games are not so mature? God Square can you insult your old fan base any further. They just keep digging themselves deeper and deeper. I liked Square because they were a Japanese developer. Now not so much.

Wada needs to go. Hes ruining this company. He's starting to remind me of Bobby Kotex.

Last edited by Jawknee on 4/27/2010 12:53:49 PM

17 up, 0 down

johnld
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:28:04 PM

appealing to the twitch gamers which is probably the younger audiences that were hooked in by games like call of duty 4 instead of the ones that actually love their older final fantasy games who uses strategy to tackle a challenge. huh, mature, i wonder which english dictionary they're using. if naughty dog can release skins of kotex and wada in uncharted 2, i'll gladly wait for the others to blow me up.

6 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:14:21 PM

Now that would be grand. ha

5 up, 0 down

eLLeJuss
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:36:21 PM

They said "more mature". So japanese gaming is still mature, western gaming is just "more mature"

0 up, 0 down

Zemus101
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 7:04:41 PM

Signed in just to thumb ya up man. It literally makes me quite sad that Square isn't around anymore. SE has Square in the title but that's as close as it gets. I'm betting FFXIV might be the last great game from them, probably just play it for a few years and that'll be the end of SE for me.... but on a more positive note! Let's hope I'm wrong and they pull a 180!

1 up, 0 down

Vitron
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 8:49:12 PM

Aren't you insulted? They see you westerners as violent, gore-loving type.

Honestly SE is somehow disappointing these days...

1 up, 0 down

eLLeJuss
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 12:33:54 AM

Well not really. people like gore in games. When u see a really gory finisher/grapple move don't u go and say "Oh sh**, that was fu**ing sick" lol. Like in many scenes in GOW3. I remember people here having a chat about the news why prince of persia was losing fans because of GOW. And most of the people here said it was because GOW3 got more blood, and if Prince of persia wants to make a comeback they should add alittle more blood in there games :)

0 up, 0 down

nogoat23
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:55:33 PM
Reply

Rawr! Extreme! I don't do anything if it's not extreme! Last night, I made rice!

http://www.break.com/index/how-to-make-extreme-rice.html

haha

6 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:24:39 PM

Omg epic vid ><

0 up, 0 down

FlyingKickPunch
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:37:02 PM

your vid is the greatest thing i have ever witnessed in my life. thank you for that, man. lol

0 up, 0 down

TEG3SH
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:08:36 PM

-_-

1 up, 1 down

Milonakis
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 11:19:26 PM

really? That was amazing.

0 up, 0 down

nogoat23
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 12:35:23 PM

I can't take credit for the video. That is someone else's genius at work, but the joke worked better in the first person, so I went with it.

0 up, 0 down

Milonakis
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:56:43 PM
Reply

Maybe Square should just go become a part of Activision so that we can Call of Duty: Sun over Midgar.

9 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:06:18 PM

lol

7 up, 0 down

CHAOS THEORY X
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:23:01 PM
Reply

I just threw up a little

6 up, 1 down

tridon
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:25:22 PM
Reply

Didn't Capcom used to have a label called "Fighter's Edge" or something like that. I wonder what happened to that label? I guess it's because Capcom essentially lost faith in its fighting line of titles.

Oh, and to keep on topic, congratulations Square-Enix on your new (and absolutely stupid) label, "Extreme Edge". The only way that could've been more extreme was if you took the first 'e' out of 'extreme' and titled your new label "Xtreme Edge". Now THAT would've been truly extreme. Oh, well... maybe next time.

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:29:23 PM

This is pretty much a been there done that scenario with Capcom. They've ditched this motto and are now concentrating on making Japanese games again.

So they say.

5 up, 0 down

tridon
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:32:08 PM

You mean Lost Planet and Dead Rising? HA! If that's the case, they should really return to their fighting games and -- oh, I don't know -- actually have their Resident Evil games revolve around zombies again.

5 up, 0 down

tridon
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 1:30:55 PM
Reply

Actually, this just popped into my brain; at the moment, the only titles coming out from Square-Enix that could fall under this label are ones that are published through Eidos. That and a new Parasite Eve if that ever happens (I'm not counting the new PSP title coming out). So why even bother with this label? Why not call it "Extreme Eidos" or something instead? Or, I don't know -- and this may just be crazy -- keep your name off of Eidos titles? I know, I know... it's absurd. Then again, it's not like Mars' chocolate bars go around saying "Mars presents Twix"... no, no. Twix is just Twix. It's owned by Mars but it is not Mars. See where I'm going with this, Squenix? No? Sorry... I guess it's just the stupid westerner in me.

6 up, 0 down

Nlayer
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 3:56:03 PM

I wish they would just let Eidos make games without the Square-Enix title. But I heard that Eidos will be forced to combine into a new branch named "Square Enix Europe". The Eidos name will no longer be used, resulting in the end of Eidos. Which is sad..

2 up, 0 down

mexgeo86
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:19:12 PM
Reply

Oh boy. For some reason I'm beginning to worry for Versus XIII...

3 up, 0 down

convergecrew
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:42:35 PM

Unfortunately, I don't think there is much to be positive about with any of Squares new titles.

5 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:28:06 PM

Me too, and I hate that I have to be worried about it.

1 up, 0 down

Nlayer
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 3:21:07 PM
Reply

Once Enix and Square came together I've never really enjoyed the company of Square Enix. To me, Square Soft is dead. They grew way to big in the wrong direction. Probably because of Enix. Any company I like that gets bought by a larger one, always usually fails(Though in some rare cases, they don't).

Square Enix is an entirely new company that I never compare to Square Soft anymore. As much as it hurts me to say it. Now that I don't compare the two, I can enjoy the games S-E releases, instead of cry about the comparison. This is how I deal with the pain of the death of Square Soft. =[

5 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:29:12 PM

RIP SquareSoft
We hope to see you rise from the grave someday.

0 up, 0 down

FlyingKickPunch
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:38:13 PM

rise from your gwave

0 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 3:38:21 PM
Reply

I think this is to get in with the west, but im sure we like more than very graphic violence and tits. i mean, GOW3 story and graphics helped. uncharted 2, had no graphic vioence or tits, and that was a HIT.
get it right squeenix

1 up, 1 down

Naga
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 3:56:12 PM
Reply

Microsoft.....

3 up, 1 down

tes37
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:04:35 PM
Reply

I think SE has the wrong impression of this westerner. I want some rpg's made like the old days of Squaresoft, not something they consider edgy.

It would be nice to have an internet petition for people to digitally sign and send to SE asking for turn-based rpg's again.

Last edited by tes37 on 4/27/2010 4:05:56 PM

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:16:31 PM

I've sent them an email before. I told them i was disappointed with FFXIII and voiced my opinion about their "western" direction. They seemed open and willing to listen, although with Wada in charge is may make no difference.

Might be worth a try.

1 up, 1 down

Naga
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:28:32 PM

Thats actually a great idea.

Should've asked Capcom on this approach too thier games have been poor on PS3/360 besides Street Fighter but I don't understand why the PS3 is left in the snowy mountains without a exclusive like Monster Hunter the ultimate gaming experience limited to an damn handheld and console with hardly any hardcore gamers.

1 up, 0 down

tes37
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:33:41 PM

Maybe I should do the same Jawknee. Can you give me the e-mail address you used? Either here or on psn.

A thumbs down? Jawknee we have a Wada worshipper around.

Last edited by tes37 on 4/27/2010 4:35:33 PM

1 up, 0 down

GuardianMode
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:11:42 PM
Reply

Is it me or does it seem that SE has forgotten the US PS3 fanbase? I mean just look at this year. Games are heading over to the 360 faster then the PS3. FFXIII was marketed only to the XBox crowd and even the last 2 rpgs (last rem,star ocean) appeared on Master Chiefs console first. Did SE give up on the US Ps3 crowd?

2 up, 0 down

Naga
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:18:57 PM

Of course they did that's why we have this idiotic western (360 of immaturaty) approach.

Why Capcom/SE do this I have no idea its embarrassing where's my PS3 version of Monster Hunter.

2 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:31:24 PM

Not just the US, also the European crowd, same thing happening here.

1 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:52:51 PM

It's not just you and it's been going on for nearly four years now.

4 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:44:52 PM
Reply

Damn it Enix! What's wrong with you, first trying to familiarize with the western audience, which seemingly only enjoys games like gears of war, meaning, mindless shooters, or twitch games.
And after that attempt, you even create a separate label, tss, oh no you di'int *snaps fingers from left to right and then back to left again*

Seriously though, get your damn game together, just leave the westernizing as it is and get back to making good games again, matter a fact, get back to being SquareSoft again.
Now I know that ain't ever gonna happen, but I can still hope, or at least hope for a PS3 exclusive FF Versus XIII and Kingdom Hearts 3, which won't be too much to ask for right? I mean that should be automatic, right????

1 up, 0 down

sunspider13
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:49:10 PM
Reply

Sounds like S-E is trying to sell a bunch of knives instead of the good games they used to give us. *sigh*

4 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:52:12 PM
Reply

Poor SE, they're not the sharpest knives in the drawer any more are they?

Well, I am coming to the conclusion that the only way to get a decent RPG (especially turn based)now is either buy a PSP, DS or re-live the glory days and play my PS2 games.

2 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:10:50 PM

One I have been looking into is Arc Rise Fantasia on Wii. Turn based, overworld map with airships, and Yasunori Mitsuda doing the music (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, etc). It might not have the best graphics but sounds like a good start to me.

0 up, 0 down

TEG3SH
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:20:44 PM

or Iphone/iPod :)

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 6:11:01 PM

Highlander,

Or developer "Atlus" These days anymore

1 up, 0 down

TEG3SH
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:05:57 PM
Reply

I just want a Game like FFViii or X or VI is it really that hard square-enix

I'm from the west so let me tell ya WE NEED THE OLD-FASHIONED TURN-BASED JRPG not this crappy hack/slash RPG's, which GF/summon should I summon for you to freakin listen

the rant of an angry westerner . sounds like a Clint Eastwood movie .lol

2 up, 0 down

slimey
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:16:59 PM
Reply

Extreme EDGES....?

Tim Langdell versus Square Enix.....yay!

1 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 6:13:44 PM
Reply

If SE really wants to be "Extremely Edgy",

then they just need to go back to how they used to be in the old days........Extremely Edgy!!!!

1 up, 0 down

Macavity
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 7:59:58 PM
Reply

If SE really wants to sell... try "Extreme ecchi"

BTW, for anyone who wants their FFXIII with English menu/subtitles and Japanese voice-over.

Check this webpage out:
asia.playstation.com/hk/cht/news/pressDetail/145660

1 up, 0 down

Kellhus
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 8:25:21 PM
Reply

It's a shame that Square has become the business that it has become. Square's library on PS1 alone is about as classic as it gets. They used to be my favorite JRPG developers, and now I have trouble making myself play one of their games. I felt they started going downhill after FFX. I guess every company can't keep it's spark forever, and I doubt that "Extreme Edge" is going to change much of anything.

1 up, 0 down

noodles619
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 9:41:43 PM
Reply

Am I seeing a classic example of the usage of 'Engrish' here by Square Enix?

2 up, 1 down

___________
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 2:44:19 AM
Reply

isent it amazing what people are willing to do for money?
amazing how much money can fu*k up a company too!
my ex boss was wrong, religion is not the devil, money is!

1 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 3:03:35 AM
Reply

Square Enix sucks. So tacky with this "Extreme Edges" approach. I guess some people need this type of labeling to help them know what they're purchasing. Like the ESRB ratings weren't enough?

1 up, 0 down

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