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[Wario64]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/04/news_6121614.html

TOKYO--In a recent interview on the official Xbox Web site in Japan, Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto revealed that other big-name game developers may soon join the growing crowd of next-generation Xbox supporters. He also added that, when announced, the lineup of launch titles for the console may shock the game industry.

"[Final Fantasy creator Hironobu] Sakaguchi-san, [Space Channel 5 creator Tetsuya] Mizuguchi-san, and myself have been the focus of attention so far. But I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining [in making games for the next Xbox]. There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'."

"If the current line-up [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed," Okamoto said in the interview, "it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the line-up." He called the still-under-wraps list "a powerful fleet of Japanese designers."

Okamoto revealed that he is currently making a number of games for the next Xbox, all in genres that are new to him. He added the games are already in playable form.

When asked if there was a negative side to working with Microsoft Game Studios, Okamoto commented, "We can't port the games to other hardware even if it seems possible, so that's a disappointment. But even with that downside to income, Xbox has specs that make us want to develop for it." Then, as a final tease, Okamoto said, "I can't reveal the specifics, but one of the games we're making will really go to the extreme."

 

[GhaleonEB]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/04/04/news_6121614.html

TOKYO--In a recent interview on the official Xbox Web site in Japan, Game Republic's Yoshiki Okamoto revealed that other big-name game developers may soon join the growing crowd of next-generation Xbox supporters. He also added that, when announced, the lineup of launch titles for the console may shock the game industry.

"[Final Fantasy creator Hironobu] Sakaguchi-san, [Space Channel 5 creator Tetsuya] Mizuguchi-san, and myself have been the focus of attention so far. But I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining [in making games for the next Xbox]. There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'."

"If the current line-up [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed," Okamoto said in the interview, "it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone [in Japan] that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the line-up." He called the still-under-wraps list "a powerful fleet of Japanese designers."

Okamoto revealed that he is currently making a number of games for the next Xbox, all in genres that are new to him. He added the games are already in playable form.

When asked if there was a negative side to working with Microsoft Game Studios, Okamoto commented, "We can't port the games to other hardware even if it seems possible, so that's a disappointment. But even with that downside to income, Xbox has specs that make us want to develop for it." Then, as a final tease, Okamoto said, "I can't reveal the specifics, but one of the games we're making will really go to the extreme."

You heard it here first: Sega of Japan is working on ten exclusive XBox 2 games!

*gets in line*

 

[Companion Cube]

He also added that, when announced, the lineup of launch titles for the console may shock the game industry.

Oh my. I'm both scared and thrilled.

 

[B E N K E]

Well I think that this has to be seen in the light of how small the Xbox user base is in Japan. To the Japanese gaming audience any big Japanese franchise moving exclusively to Xbox 2 must be a major surprise. Still I do believe Microsoft have stuff up their sleeve that will surprise all of us.

 

[bitwise]

well, it is like they say. MS learns from their mistakes. Not much Japanese support was one of them. Stands to reason they would do everything they can to try and rectify it next time around.

 

[Mrbob]

Remember Dcharlie hinted at an Xbox 2 announcement that would turn the industry upside down? This may be it: A barrage of Japan developed titles for Xbox 360!

 

[op_ivy]

good news.

"I can't reveal the specifics, but one of the games we're making will really go to the extreme."

totally xbox!

 

[chinch]

good news (if true).

it's better to hear such things from developers like Okamoto than ms employees like "oxygen" were touting when xbox1 launched. :lol

 

[MrDaravon]

I must admit I'm much more interested in the new Xbox now. I got an Xbox fairly late in the game (maybe a year ago), and I think it does a lot of things right, but it really need more software support, and more variety in games. I'd like to see Xbox become more of a major player in the next gen, just to make things more interesting.

 

[Pellham]

well we could see some really kickass japanese developed titles for the console, but what they really need are franchise hits (like Final Fantasy, Street Fighter, etc.). If all they have are pretty original games, they'd need a hell lot of marketing to sell the system in Japan.

 

[DCharlie]

"Remember Dcharlie hinted at an Xbox 2 announcement that would turn the industry upside down? This may be it: A barrage of Japan developed titles for Xbox 360!"

actually, that was for the Xbox not Xbox 2 and MS managed to f*ck it all up - actually, there were two things that could have change the way things played out , both of which might still happen i guess.

 

[rastex]

Well now that they're gone and done, no harm in spilling it eh?

 

[Prine]

fucking marvalous

But to be honest, i expected as much, i wouldnt be surprised if it was Square Enix. MS are making all the right moves, which is why its so hard not to support them

 

[sprsk]

if microsoft game studios turns into what sega was 6 years ago then sign me up.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Still looking like MS is following normal protocol. 1st generation, throw out the product, 2nd generation, get the competition's product thrown out.

 

[DDayton]

Of course, this is what you'd expect someone who is aligning with a hardware manufacturer to say... it wouldn't do to say something like "well, most of the big players are ignoring MS yet again, but we do have a few spin off companies!"...

 

[monchi-kun]

Okamoto doing teh Itagaki!!!!

 

[Neutron Night]

Shenmue 3? I can only hope. He's probably referring to more mainstream properties, though. Xbox had awesome Japanese developed games like JSRF and PDO, but they weren't mainstream enough. Or course in Japan these days, "mainstream" is defined as Final Dragon Fantasy Quest VIII: The Secret of the Ooze, or something.

 

[Joe]

Of course, this is what you'd expect someone who is aligning with a hardware manufacturer to say... it wouldn't do to say something like "well, most of the big players are ignoring MS yet again, but we do have a few spin off companies!"...

if that were the case he wouldn't have said anything in the first place.

 

[DDayton]

if that were the case he wouldn't have said anything in the first place.

He most certainly would! If you are heavily backing a company but you're worried that the major players won't, the first thing you do is heavily hint that lots of major companies are already supporting it. This leads to developer/publisher/consumer confidence and thus more support to the system, which in turns helps you by increasing the potential market. Even if the major players have no interest, it's in your best interests to imply that they do... "off the record"... so as to instill confidence and potentially get them interested.

It's vaguely akin to how Square went about, convincing major Japanese publishers to exclusively support the Playstation before the launch of the N64. (True, they probably would have done so anyway... but Square would have been the big loser if Enix had stayed on the Nintendo console).

 

[ManaByte]

Squeenix.

 

[Ryudo]

He most certainly would! If you are heavily backing a company but you're worried that the major players won't, the first thing you do is heavily hint that lots of major companies are already supporting it. This leads to developer/publisher/consumer confidence and thus more support to the system, which in turns helps you by increasing the potential market. Even if the major players have no interest, it's in your best interests to imply that they do... "off the record"... so as to instill confidence and potentially get them interested.

It's vaguely akin to how Square went about, convincing major Japanese publishers to exclusively support the Playstation before the launch of the N64. (True, they probably would have done so anyway... but Square would have been the big loser if Enix had stayed on the Nintendo console).

Err no, just no.

They would have announced something like xbox live vodeo chat or something.

 

[DDayton]

Err no, just no.

They would have announced something like xbox live vodeo chat or something.

Eh. I'm not saying there isn't support... I'm just saying that I can easily imagine someone claiming support to drum up interest.

 

[Odnetnin]

too much decentish japanese news for xenon. I think I'll wait on the PS3 ports of these titles though because it'd look better cause the console is more powerful

 

[bitwise]

Eh. I'm not saying there isn't support... I'm just saying that I can easily imagine someone claiming support to drum up interest.

"shock the game industry"

a rather bold quote to use don't you think?

 

[Odnetnin]

wtf double post

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

too much decentish japanese news for xenon. I think I'll wait on the PS3 ports of these titles though because it'd look better cause the console is more powerful

When asked if there was a negative side to working with Microsoft Game Studios, Okamoto commented, "We can't port the games to other hardware even if it seems possible, so that's a disappointment. But even with that downside to income

 

[DDayton]

"shock the game industry"

a rather bold quote to use don't you think?

This is the video game industry. Every game that comes out is innovative; every hardware decision is revolutionary. When the support is revealed, I'll be impressed...

 

[Odnetnin]

When asked if there was a negative side to working with Microsoft Game Studios, Okamoto commented, "We can't port the games to other hardware even if it seems possible, so that's a disappointment. But even with that downside to income

mikami : "I'll chop off my head if RE4 is not exclusive"

paraphrased of course but... you get the point. :lol

 

[Blackace]

If this is half way as big as it seems.... Sony could be in a real race next gen...gamers talk about the xbox here in a polite way "looks interesting, but......... no software"

If they address that they could battle Sony on their home turf...

 

[Azih]

Man they must have gone through whole bakeries of chocolate cake to pull this off.

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

This is a good thing, but it seemed like Xbox Japanese support was good at first too (at least from what I remember). Hopefully it won't dwindle off as much as it did this generation.

 

[ManaByte]

Man they must have gone through whole bakeries of chocolate cake to pull this off.

Or, design their console differently than anyone has done in the past.

Previously a company makes a new console and goes to a developer with it and says "here it is, now make us some games"

From everything going around about the next generation Xbox, it sounds as if MS went to the major developers very early on and said "If you could custom design a console, what would it be like?"

 

[Mrbob]

Go Go MS Go!

I want the one console future. The Xbox 360 future!!

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

ut the next generation Xbox, it sounds as if MS went to the major developers very early on and said "If you could custom design a console, what would it be like?"

Sounds beyond feasible, sounds like it could have happened. They had those huge amount of focus groups with gamers for the first xbox. MS learns from their mistakes

 

[Blackace]

well they showed they have enough market share in the world to be a factor... Japanese companies in general don't take risk... since MS passed up Nintendo for second place in the already lost console sales I think upper managment feels safer going with their next platform.. also MS has so much money... Not just to throw at devs, but to invest in their product, which again they proved they will do with their xbox

 

[atomiswave]

haha this should turn out to be pretty fun


btw....does anyone know if the xbox 360 is going to be backwards compatible?

 

[Joe]

btw....does anyone know if the xbox 360 is going to be backwards compatible?

only the version with the hard drive and the xbox360 pc will be backwards compatible. it'll also include halo 2.5 and the hard drive also doubles as a portable mp3 player.

 

[android]

Eh. I'm not saying there isn't support... I'm just saying that I can easily imagine someone claiming support to drum up interest.

But he does say:

(quotes shrunk down by me) He also added that, when announced, the lineup of launch titles for the console may shock the game industry.
There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'."
If the current line-up [of games] in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed

It sounds to me like Devs and their games that surprise Okamoto are already signed and working on games some of which could be at one of the launches.(I assume Japan)

Or, design their console differently than anyone has done in the past.

Previously a company makes a new console and goes to a developer with it and says "here it is, now make us some games"

From everything going around about the next generation Xbox, it sounds as if MS went to the major developers very early on and said "If you could custom design a console, what would it be like?"

Thats exactly what they seem to have done. Here's what J. Allard said at IGN.

I've been listening to Sakaguchi for six years. I've met with him for six years, and he's told me why he wasn't interested in developing for our system. I kept coming back, giving him new ideas, presenting our vision, and listening to what he wanted. You know what? He has seen an architectural blueprint of the system. He wanted to see it. It's that important to him to know what it looks like, how it's built, everything. Creators of this caliber are what will make Xenon a success."

 

[Razoric]

If I had to support one company this gen it would be Sony (PS2 / PSP). But I'd say that this is do or die time for MS. Right now Sony is in a state of disarray. They just released a new portable which, while fucking amazing on every level, may or may not be selling as they expected. This pits them in neck and neck with the nintendo DS... so while Sony is swooning companies to make games for PSP AND PS3, cluttering the market with ads to buy PSP AND PS3, fighting Immersion in court, dealing with internal changes and losing ground in other non-video markets, MS's gaming dept can 100% concentrate on Xbox 360. They have the brand name, they have the successful online service and they have well known games (ninja gaiden, halo, fable, kotor, jade empire, etc)... the final piece of to secure Japan. If they manage to convince Japan the Xbox 360 is worth buying then MS could very will be #1 next gen.

All I can say is PS3 better have some power or some damn good exclusives or they got a battle on their hands next year.

 

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

Jesus, when is E3? In a month? I can't freakin' wait.

Sounds like we're going to see quite a battle next gen between Sony and MS.

 

[goomba]

This just reminds me of all the old speculation that xbox 1 was getting strong japanese dev support.....

 

[Pedigree Chum]

mikami : "I'll chop off my head if RE4 is not exclusive"

paraphrased of course but... you get the point. :lol

If MS publish the titles themselves (and retain the IP's) there's no way you'll see them on other consoles.

 

[soundwave05]

I still have big doubts about the XBox 360 seriously contending with the PS3 on a global scale.

There was a lot of excitement over MS' moves early on with the XBox within Japan too (how people forget this so quickly). They signed a huge deal with Sega, then inked a big deal with Konami for Metal Gear Solid and other titles. They also had deals with Capcom. J. Allard was talking about how he was close friends with the Squaresoft president. Etc. Etc. Etc,

I still think the overwhelming majority of top Japanese developer support will be on the PS3 first or PS3 only.

And also my feeling is a lot of older consumers who may have gone into the XBox camp this past generation will come back when they find out the PS3 is the better hardware this time out.

 

[Soul4ger]

If this is true, it's good news. I've told friends numerous times, unless there's a good amount of games I'm interested in right off the bat, there's no reason for me to get this so soon. If Microsoft can garner some solid Japanese support, I might have to take the plunge.

 

[Blackace]

I still have big doubts about the XBox 360 seriously contending with the PS3 on a global scale.

There was a lot of excitement over MS' moves early on with the XBox within Japan too (how people forget this so quickly). They signed a huge deal with Sega, then inked a big deal with Konami for Metal Gear Solid and other titles. They also had deals with Capcom. J. Allard was talking about how he was close friends with the Squaresoft president. Etc. Etc. Etc,

I still think the overwhelming majority of top Japanese developer support will be on the PS3 first or PS3 only.

And also my feeling is a lot of older consumers who may have gone into the XBox camp this past generation will come back when they find out the PS3 is the better hardware this time out.

devs in Japan didn't even have dev kits at this time for the Xbox... so they are far ahead of where they were last time

 

[CrimsonSkies]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[MassiveAttack]

PRESS REPEAT

 

[soundwave05]

devs in Japan didn't even have dev kits at this time for the Xbox... so they are far ahead of where they were last time

Devs in Japan have kits for the PS3 too.

Besides the decisions are made by the publisher in most instances (who don't give a shit about which system is easier on their programmers, just which one will give them the larger userbase).

Sometimes I think people forget this is an actual business and not a soap opera.

 

[Agent Icebeezy]

Almost a year ago, Squarenix boss was excited about XNA, something to think about