Square-Enix Future Plan Includes Reboots, New IPs

If you're wondering how Square-Enix plans to press forward from a business perspective, here's a hint.

During an investor's presentation, the Japanese developer said they now have two goals when it comes to game making: the first is to "strengthen existing IPs with reboots." We've already seen a few examples of this with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light and Front Mission Evolved, and more are on the way- The 3rd Birthday (the Parasite Eve reboot), Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Dungeon Siege III. At the same time, S-E wants to continue trying out new brands; an example of that in 2010 was the entertaining yet under-appreciated Nier, and a future example will be the interesting Mindjack. Unsurprisingly, Square-Enix CEO Yoichi Wada stated that "starting up new IPs has been extremely difficult." Well, that's what most any publisher says these days and of course, it's a truthful statement. It is hard but it can be done, and it can be done in a lucrative fashion; of the many "for-instances" that exist this generation, we turn you to a series called "Uncharted."

So anyway, we'll have to see how things turn out for the publisher. We certainly have high hopes for several of the titles listed above, and let's not forget about Final Fantasy Versus XIII. It isn't really a "reboot" and it isn't a new IP, but we still want it.

Tags: square-enix, square-enix sales, final fantasy, games industry

11/9/2010 10:24:53 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (48 posts)

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FullmetalX10
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 10:48:31 AM
Reply

We want Versus exclusive really bad.
Also if they're rebooting things, reboot Kingdom Hearts in HD on PS3!

7 up, 0 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 11:11:30 PM

Uh...they don't need to reboot KH...wtf...they can remake it in HD that's fine, but the story in no way atm is in need of a reboot

0 up, 0 down

Stabs88
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 10:18:29 AM

how about lets do FF VII, VIII, and IX. HD, same story new graphics.

0 up, 0 down

Athrin
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 10:56:28 AM
Reply

meh S-E titles dont excite me anymore, now when i see the Square Enix name on a new game or sequel i see crap cuz thats we got from them for a while now, and if they gonna reboot anything they should rebooot themselves.

8 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 10:59:02 AM
Reply

<rant>
Well, that's all find and good. But let's see the proof of the pudding, so to speak. Se screwed over something like 75% of their previously loyal customers with the whole Xbox360 exclusivity debacle. I don't trust a word that they say, and I doubt that I am in the minority on that. They have a long way to go to earn my custom again. Rebooting existing franchises and making them more actiony isn't gonna do it, nor are any more new IPs like Neir. I need some JRPG goodness from the company who's products very nearly defined the genre over the last two console generations. I know that they want and need to bring new IPs. But I also know that they have not done a lot for their fans or customers that bought PS1/PS2 games. And they've done little more than disservice to the PS3 fanbase.

What I can't understand is that games like FFVII, FFVIII and FFIX all featured great graphics for their platform and time, but more than that they featured great game systems.

With JRPGs there are several elements that make the games work. There's the art style and graphical quality which must be high, there's the game system which is your typical party based RPG with skills, and melee attacks and some kind of ranged technical or magical attacks, combat being turn based or something like it, and finally it's story/character heavy. SE clearly can handle the graphics, and they obviously already know how to do the skills and combat systems in many styles. The story and characters need writers of course.

So, why is it so hard to put out a game that has these things? The graphics don't have to be perfect, they just have to be good. Of course you need all of these elements to be present for a good game. And SE is still - theoretically at least - capable of all three, graphics/art, skills/combat and story/character.

Are SE so tied up in making the graphics so masterful that they lose sight of the other two elements? are they spending so long making the graphics look incredible that games take too long and cost too much to develope? I mean, the skill/combat system for a game is important, but really that's not the meat of the programming of the game. Story and characters take time to develop for sure, but once they are set, they are set. Generally they're done before the real work on the game commences.

Perhaps if SE relaxed a little on the graphics and concentrated more on the gameplay and story, they'd release more games, more quickly and better games because they would have a stronger story and richer game play. Could it be that SE is too entranced by the movies they made, and are now trying to make each game to the same standard as their movies??
</rant>

9 up, 1 down

WolfCrimson
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 1:28:09 PM

When I read what you wrote about what's needed for making a jRPG of epic proportions, I shed many manly tears as your words struck me, and as I realized this: even though SE has the tools to make a great RPG, chances are, they won't, they just won't. It's like being so close, yet so far at the same time... *sob*.. whyyyyyy?!

Last edited by WolfCrimson on 11/9/2010 1:28:39 PM

1 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 4:39:36 PM

I'm so busy I can't see straight and Highlander goes and makes me cry. All I see is what WolfCrimson sees.

'runs away'

1 up, 1 down

b3mike
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 5:30:17 PM

I think they're too busy counting wads of cash they received from Microcrap =/

1 up, 0 down

FatherSun
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 6:17:23 PM

At some point someone said.. Lets just go crazy and try new things. And they went with it. Blinded by cash and promises. Someone at that point should have reminded them that they are legendary in their history and that past methods should not be been abandoned. In other words SE should've just expanded. Continue to do what you do best. Instead they restructured and that choice has consequences. I can no longer just make an SE purchase with confidence. So sad.

0 up, 0 down

squallheart
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 7:47:17 PM

Well said highlander i fully agree. Also wtf is it with all these actiony games and kingdom hearts engine, its terrible. Im sorry but im one of the few that hates the kh game style.

Last edited by squallheart on 11/9/2010 7:48:28 PM

1 up, 0 down

GuardianMode
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 11:05:20 AM
Reply

SE Scoreboard

FFXIV=Failed
Front Mission=Failed
FFXIII=Even
Lara Croft=Underpreformed
Versus=N/A
3rd Birthday=N/A
Deus Ex=N/A
Dungeon Siege=N/A

Its not looking too good. >.> I have to put my faith on the later games. Yet,for some reason I am having a bad feeling.

2 up, 2 down

Oxvial
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 11:52:13 AM

Last Remnant Ps3 version = Aborted.

6 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:32:47 PM

Dungeon Siege is being devved by Obsidian so, like Alpha Protocol and Fallout: New Vegas before it, it will have interesting mechanics, but god-awful execution... that's all I'm sayin'.
Peace.

Last edited by Lawless SXE on 11/9/2010 12:33:01 PM

2 up, 1 down

shadowscorpio
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 1:43:13 AM

@ Guardian

As you should. SE should realized that people will predict their near future with their recent past. I got a bad feeling too.

0 up, 0 down

ryu
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 11:40:38 AM
Reply

i wonder if there's any chance of bringing back mana series

tch...
yea right, when pigs fly

2 up, 0 down

main_event05
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 11:42:50 AM
Reply

There was a translation error, what Wada meant was, "It's difficult to create new IPs that anger loyal fans while selling out values and focusing on a console who's general demographic has utterly no respect for us".

2 up, 0 down

main_event05
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 4:33:22 PM

Side note
My PS3 is officially dead.
I called it at 11:35 am, Nov. 9th, 2010.
It was 4 years and 20 days old.
Can we please have a moment of silence.

3 up, 0 down

squallheart
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 7:54:24 PM

sad to hear my deepest sympathy for your loss ;-; I dont want my fat ps3 dying either fight-o!

1 up, 0 down

Phoelix
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:10:25 PM
Reply

So how is this plan different from any other publisher's plan? Obviously they'd want to keep their existing franchises strong and introduce new classics at the same time.

0 up, 0 down

mehrab2603
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:11:18 PM
Reply

Please SE reboot the Legacy of Kain series and keep FFXIIIV exclusive and I'll love you again

0 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:27:55 PM
Reply

the future SE strategy NO.1 is to get rid of wada, rest follows naturally....

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:29:02 PM
Reply

The only things I want from them are Versus and 3rd Birthday, SO DON'T SCREW THOSE UP!

2 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:37:35 PM
Reply

Are Deus Ex and The 3rd Birthday really reboots? I thought that they were simply new entries in existing franchises. Although, I suppose you could refer to them as such that they're bringing them back for this console generation.

As for new IPs. They have their strengths, and they know that they have their strengths, and yet, they keep playing to their weaknesses. It's confusing. Why can't they just work out what they need to do to bring the kinds of things they were doing in the past to the kinds of things they are doing in the present? Oh, who knows? The whole world is all but insane anyway.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:41:36 PM

Not sure about 3rd birthday, but Deus Ex is more of a prequel. I guess it might be a reboot of sorts since it follows a different story arc and will likely see a change to the styling.

0 up, 0 down

Lawless SXE
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 1:05:43 PM

I thought it was touted as leading into the events of the original Deus Ex, which to me doesn't really imply an entirely different story arc, and as such, a prequel rather than a reboot. But the stylistic appearance of the game is astounding. I really do love the aesthetic.
Peace.

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 12:39:58 PM
Reply

I have high hopes for Versus and Deus Ex. Those are the two games I am really looking forward to. I am scared for Versus honestly just because SE is fielding that but Deus Ex is being developed by Eidos so I am hoping it is handled better than what SE has shown this gen.

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 1:05:47 PM
Reply

Reboots are not the way forward! All it does is just disregard all the prequels in a series which is a tradegy.

PEIII is not a reboot is it, i thought it a sequel.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 1:25:53 PM
Reply

...waiting for eLLesus to come on here calling for a FFVII reboot....

3 up, 2 down

Underdog15
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 3:15:33 PM

What? I support his confidence!

3 up, 2 down

BTNwarrior
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 1:28:00 PM
Reply

I like the new IP's plan, the constant amount of new IP's. Hopefully with strategy's like this we can get back some of that overflowing original RPG goodness that we had on the ps1.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 2:20:46 PM
Reply

They should try to make actual RPGs.

7 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 2:36:06 PM

Short, elegant and full of meaning. Nice.

4 up, 1 down

eLLeJuss
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 3:36:17 PM
Reply

Final Fantasy VII reboot. I know it.

0 up, 0 down

Oxvial
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 3:51:37 PM

Hope not , a reboot would mean changes...and SE luvs to disappoint this gen.

A remake would be better.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 4:02:53 PM

I'd take an HD remake with trophies... and fingers.

1 up, 0 down

main_event05
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 4:28:34 PM

lol, fingers.

I'd think they'd want mouths more.

Last edited by main_event05 on 11/9/2010 4:29:00 PM

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 9:30:29 AM

Called it! And some of you guys thumbed me down a few comments up!

2 up, 0 down

eLLeJuss
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 4:59:19 PM
Reply

^like how they rebooted dante? Looool. Reboot cloud to look like Wada..... LooooooooL

0 up, 0 down

sonic1899
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 5:51:47 PM

Actually it's not a reboor; it's an origin story. One could assume that it takes place a few months before the events of DMC3 :)

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 6:15:10 PM

I think it's a reboot and then the story takes place before DMC3.

0 up, 0 down

OverlordZero
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 6:47:07 PM

In all honesty I dont think Capcom or Ninja Theory really have any ideal what it is yet.There were people in the Capcom Forums asking bjt got no answer.

Last edited by OverlordZero on 11/9/2010 6:47:34 PM

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 6:09:31 PM
Reply

Hmmm, they spent $30 million on FFX, I wonder if they'll ever spend that much again on a single game.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 @ 9:18:40 PM
Reply

All I want from SE is a good Just Cause 3 & Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

(But I hope the rest you guys & gals will also wind up getting what you want from them too).

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 12:38:19 AM
Reply

EARTH TO $E, EARTH TO $E, WE DONT WANT REBOOTS, WE DONT WANT NEW IPs, WE JUST WANT THE GAMES WE KNEW, LOVED, AND GREW UP WITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
god, when are they going to get this through there thick skulls!?

1 up, 1 down

Akuma07
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 3:33:27 AM
Reply

Uh oh. Are you guys thinking what im thinking?

A reboot of Final Fantasy 7? ='(

0 up, 0 down

darxed
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 4:12:01 PM
Reply

Reboots???

I can see it already...

"Where happy to announce the long awaited REBOOT of Final Fantasy VII that all the fans kept asking us for. It will feature the highly praised FFXII gambit system, (no more fiddling with that confusing materia system), improved looks and voices for the main chars (How about a Sephiroth with RED hair and a gruff Cloud full of muscles?) and a more understandable, simplified story oriented for the West market, coming soon for the Xbox 360 and the PS3!!!"

And then a million SquareSoft fans will explode in anger...

0 up, 0 down

Steel
Thursday, November 11, 2010 @ 10:45:43 AM
Reply

Im with some of the others who have lost hope with FF games. Its sad to admit that. At this point, all I want is Deus Ex to be a quality game... not like the turds we have seen from SE this gen.

0 up, 0 down

KNG201
Monday, November 15, 2010 @ 7:02:37 AM
Reply

a xenogears would be nice...

0 up, 0 down

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