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[reriel]

a quote from a interview with Hiromichi Tanaka:


"GS: Once Square signed with Microsoft, why did you decide to make XI the first game for it?

HT: The only game we had that was capable of being played on Windows was FFXI, so of course that was the first game we wanted to release. Obviously new games will be developed for the 360 but those will take time. We'd actually planned to release the game on the current Xbox but Xbox Live's closed system made it impossible."



http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/finalfantasy11/preview_6130110.html

 

[SantaC]

a quote from a interview with Hiromichi Tanaka:


"GS: Once Square signed with Microsoft, why did you decide to make XI the first game for it?

HT: The only game we had that was capable of being played on Windows was FFXI, so of course that was the first game we wanted to release. Obviously new games will be developed for the 360 but those will take time. We'd actually planned to release the game on the current Xbox but Xbox Live's closed system made it impossible."



http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/finalfantasy11/preview_6130110.html

FF:CC goes multiplatform!

Rev version to use connectivity with DS, and Xbox360 to use PSPs. Everybody pissed.

 

[FiRez]

We'd actually planned to release the game on the current Xbox

EA have the same problem but it was solved because LIVE is now only a gateway to EA servers /rolleyes

 

[Kurosaki Ichigo]

misleading topic....change "games" for "multiplatform online games" :lol

 

[Kon Tiki]

We'd actually planned to release the game on the current Xbox but Xbox Live's closed system made it impossible."

So XBL on x360 is not closed?

 

[Zeo]

Heh, it doesn't really matter.

If 360 does the same in Japan as the original Xbox did (or even just a little better), Square will in no way support them.

 

[Kobold]

So XBL on x360 is not closed?

Xbox is not anymore (look at EA). But it's now too late in the cycle to make a FF:VII port viable, hence bring it to the new platform. (futureproofing?)

 

[Gattsu25]

EA have the same problem but it was solved because LIVE is now only a gateway to EA servers /rolleyes

I think by the time they were able to, Xbox wasn't as viable due to the lif left in the system. I imagine Squeenix would rather put out titles earlier into the 360's life when the choices are more limited. The 360's also looking to do better overall and especially in Japan

 

[Kroole]

Well Square is a big supporter of the MMO business so I think it's natural to release their upcoming MMO games both on PC and X-box360.

Singe-player games on the other hand....

 

[Kobold]

I think by the time they were able to, Xbox wasn't as viable due to the lif left in the system. I imagine Squeenix would rather put out titles earlier into the 360's life when the choices are more limited. The 360's also looking to do better overall and especially in Japan

Wow, we used almost the exact same words! Kudos to you, good sir!

 

[Kon Tiki]

Xbox is not anymore (look at EA). But it's now too late in the cycle to make a FF:VII port viable, hence bring it to the new platform. (futureproofing?)

Can you be more specific? I am passively avoiding next-gen info till the hardware actually comes out. All EA games on x360 can be played online against PC/PS3?

 

[op_ivy]

Heh, it doesn't really matter.

If 360 does the same in Japan as the original Xbox did (or even just a little better), Square will in no way support them.

but square is, in some way, supportng them... and according to this, more titles are on the way.

certainly tis can only help their position in japan, along with the other japanese announcements (re5, rr6, the ex-square guys, Q, etc)

 

[Elios83]

Square Enix will be involved in Xbox360 beacuse it needs to expand its online business.
That's because all their online oriented titles will probably go multiplatform (PC,PS3,Xbox360).
I don't expect more than that though.

 

[Shig]

Heh, it doesn't really matter.

If 360 does the same in Japan as the original Xbox did (or even just a little better), Square will in no way support them.

That's funny, last time I checked, Japan was not the largest market for videogames.

If 360 can stay within 10-15% of PS3's installed base here, you won't find a lot of companies deciding to ignore it, regardless of how badly it may be doing in their homeland. And I think it's very well poised to do so, in fact it will be in the lead here by default for a pretty healthy period of time, due to its early launch.

 

[SolidSnakex]

That's funny, last time I checked, Japan was not the largest market for videogames.

It is for Square.

 

[ToyMachine228]

FF:CC goes multiplatform!

Rev version to use connectivity with DS, and Xbox360 to use PSPs. Everybody pissed.

I doubt that FF:CC will go multiplatform...The developers are funded by Fund Q, which is Yamauchi's personal fund. FF:CC Online has been announced for the Revolution and I expect that to be exclusive to the Revolution, with Final Fantasy XI exclusive to the Xbox 360 next-gen.

 

[KingJ2002]

Can you be more specific? I am passively avoiding next-gen info till the hardware actually comes out. All EA games on x360 can be played online against PC/PS3?

I believe that through XNA... live compatible Xbox 360 games can be played with PCs.

I recall that being the reason why they did a FFXI port instead of a remake... because they wanted it to be compatible with the PC version... or something like that.

anyway... good news.

the more SE support the better.

 

[sonycowboy]

That's funny, last time I checked, Japan was not the largest market for videogames.

If 360 can stay within 10-15% of PS3's installed base here, you won't find a lot of companies deciding to ignore it, regardless of how badly it may be doing in their homeland. And I think it's very well poised to do so, in fact it will be in the lead here by default for a pretty healthy period of time, due to its early launch.

Well, it depends. If a well rounded library is important, then it can make a difference. There are a ton of games that rely on good sales in Japan before they'd ever even consider releasing them in the US. Look at Atlus, Nippon Ichi, Bandai, & even some of Konami, Capcom, & Namco's games. (Suikoden, Katamari, Monster Hunter)

Sure, they don't do big sales in the US, but when you lump them all together they help to make the PS2 that much more attractive from an overall library perspective.

Also, while they aren't the largest market, you can't discard the sales there for many of the biggest games. Would SquareEnix (FF, Dragon Quest), Konami (Winning Eleven, MGS), Namco (Tekken, RR) put as much money into devloping their games if they didn't know the games would sell millions in Japan? That allows them to raise the budget and make them that much of a better game.

If the Xbox were to tank in Japan again, I think you'd see that development for the system wouldn't even be 1/2 of what the PS3 would get, and would be limited to only blockbuster multiplatform titles, some other moderate multiplatform games, and games that they have signed an exclusive contract to deliver.

 

[bill0527]

It is for Square.

Because they aren't multi-platform. At least, not their big titles.

 

[ram]

Square Enix will be involved in Xbox360 beacuse it needs to expand its online business.
That's because all their online oriented titles will probably go multiplatform (PC,PS3,Xbox360).
I don't expect more than that though.

i think that too - only MMO games will see the light on xbox360. other than that, all squareenix games are heavily orientated for the japanese market and with the success of final fantasy, dragon quest and all the remakes, i`ll doubt that they will change their politics.

 

[terrene]

Because they aren't multi-platform. At least, not their big titles.

Be careful what you wish for. "American-targetted" Square titles sound like a total drag. Remember "FF: Mystic Quest?"

 

[StephaneC]

square enix and FFXI team is working on new mmorpg (release 2007) so probably coming on PC and X360

 

[Ponn]

FF:CC goes multiplatform!

Rev version to use connectivity with DS, and Xbox360 to use PSPs. Everybody pissed.

Only those stuck carrying the bucket.

 

[VictimOfGrief]

Can you say.... FFVII Extended Directors Cut on Xbox 360 after PS3? :lol

 

[Kiriku]

FFXI expansion pack!

 

[sangreal]

Here is another interview with him: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3142462

1UP: When will the 360 version ship, and will the content basically be like the upcoming Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'diel Collection DVD coming out soon for PC (read: FFXI, Rise of the Zilart, and Chains of Promathia all on one disc)?

HT: We'll ship the game for Xbox 360 this year, and since the game is launching in the U.S. first, the beta period should start sooner for you guys (than the Japanese), possibly in September.

 

[genjiZERO]

Because they aren't multi-platform. At least, not their big titles.

But they don’t even need to be multi-platform to kick-ass in sales. They had the first and third best selling games last year (Japan) and in 2003 they were the number 2 publisher in Japan (I don’t know last years numbers, if someone could tell me that’d be appreciated). Plus if you look at the Famitsu Most Wanted Chart they always fill the number 1 spot and right now have the top three.

 

[ManaByte]

Xbox Live (on both Xbox and Xbox 360) is still closed, but MS allows third parties to run their own XBL servers which is how EA jumped on board.

 

[Jonnyram]

Besides FFXI, I expect Front Mission Online, Fantasy Earth, and possibly Dirge of Cerberus for 360 too. The next FF MMORPG looks like it's 360-bound too.

 

[Scott]

EA have the same problem but it was solved because LIVE is now only a gateway to EA servers /rolleyes

It's not the "same problem," actually.

EA only ever wanted some aspect of control over their userbase, which they obtained by using their own servers. Square Enix, on the other hand, wanted to use their own servers, their own service (PlayOnline), allow cross-platform play, and collect fees first-hand. Live on the original XBox only allowed for one of those, so FFXI never made it.

With 360's Live set-up, however, MMO titles are completely excluded from the "closed platform" scheme thanks to the new "Silver Plan." With this, you no longer need to even be a (paid) Live subscriber to connect and play these games, and publishers can handle things however they like, with the only requirement being that players have to be filtered through XBox Live. It essentially ends up being more of a MMO-centric "Live Aware" set-up, than anything.

So XBL on x360 is not closed?

See above.

If 360 does the same in Japan as the original Xbox did (or even just a little better), Square will in no way support them.

Square Enix is after much more than Japan with PlayOnline, especially as Final Fantasy XI alone has around half of it's userbase in other countries (US, Russia, Europe, etc). So really, don't count out the possibility, even if 360 tanks in Japan.

All EA games on x360 can be played online against PC/PS3?

As far as I can tell, cross-platform play is only allowed for either MMO titles, or XNA projects.

That's because all their online oriented titles will probably go multiplatform (PC,PS3,Xbox360).

I don't think we'll see all of them go to 360, but everything major will likely hit every viable platform, I'm sure.

The developers are funded by Fund Q, which is Yamauchi's personal fund.

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't Fund Q a one-time-only type deal? That's what I've always thought, at least...

Either way, I think Crystal Chronicles will stay on Nintendo systems simply because that's where the userbase is. Rev, DS, GB Next... I think it's a safe assumption.

I believe that through XNA... live compatible Xbox 360 games can be played with PCs.

Final Fantasy XI isn't XNA, though, but it will offer cross-platform play between PC, PS2, XBox 360, and likely PS3.

I recall that being the reason why they did a FFXI port instead of a remake... because they wanted it to be compatible with the PC version... or something like that.

That's one of the reasons, definitely. Mainly because Final Fantasy XI, like the original EQ, is still a very popular MMO title, and will be receiving support (in it's current form) for years down the line.

Another reason is because they, as StephaneC pointed out, are also busy working on a new MMO title set for release in 2007. It's either an original title or a follow-up/sequel to Final Fantasy XI... Either way, they're no doubt pretty busy right now.

Because they aren't multi-platform.

And hopefully they stay that way, at least for single-player titles.

FFXI expansion pack!

:lol That's probably a couple of the titles, yeah.

 

[Jonnyram]

FFXI expansion pack!

For reference, here's how the Promathia timeline went:

Trademarked 13 November 2003
Announced 28 April 2004
Released 16 September 2004

If "Treasures of Aht Urhgan" is the new expansion, it could be a while before we see anything.

 

[Gamedude]

Square died at the end of the psx generation.. I don't need anything from them anymore

 

[Gattsu25]

EA only ever wanted some aspect of control over their userbase, which they obtained by using their own servers.

Isn't that what everyone on XBL does anyway?

 

[Scott]

Isn't that what everyone on XBL does anyway?

Peer-to-peer joke?

But yes, since the majority of the servers are peer-to-peer, it's awfully silly that it took something like 2-3 years of negotiations before EA was allowed to use their own. Microsoft is just stubborn as hell when it comes to control, I guess.

 

[Gattsu25]

Peer-to-peer joke?

But yes, since the majority of the servers are peer-to-peer, it's awfully silly that it took something like 2-3 years of negotiations before EA was allowed to use their own. Microsoft is just stubborn as hell when it comes to control, I guess.

Nah, an honest question for once. I don't pretend to know much about what's going on behind the scenes in these online services. =\

 

[Juice]

Common Sense

Thanks Scott, you just saved me 20 minutes.

And the bitterness in a couple of you is damn near visible, even through this venear of an Internet, that Square is somehow suffering by not going multiplatform. Recall that, even though Xbox has wonderful "mindshare," there is extremely little benefit to pouring money into optimized ports for the platform. Especially when your games are primarily targeted at a market that not only doesn't buy the Xbox, but outright laughs at it (like most of my friends here do).

It's not all that dissimilar from the recent common revelation that Nintendo doesn't really give a shit about being number one, as long as they can hit their targets and make an ass-raping of profit off only a subset of the market.

 

[Scott]

Nah, an honest question for once. I don't pretend to know much about what's going on behind the scenes in these online services. =\

Ah, my bad. To answer your question, then:

Microsoft handles the majority of the tasks with Live, everything from running the servers, to collecting fees for downloadable content or pay-to-play set-ups (Phantasy Star Online), and I believe they even handle customer service for third-party titles, but I'm not completely sure on that bit.

Anyway, due to this set-up, Electronic Arts refused to hop on the Live bandwagon, as they didn't like having absolutely no control over their userbase. Microsoft, wanting to appease EA to get their titles on Live, entered negotiations with them to try and work out a compromise... 2-3 years down the line, they finally do, with Microsoft allowing EA to use it's own servers. This way, EA could, at the very least, monitor their userbase directly, instead of getting second-hand info from MS (or no info at all). Also, with this compromise, Microsoft wouldn't lose any of their monitoring/tracking capabilities, as players would still have to connect via XBox Live.

Basically a complete Win/Win situation, so why it took so damn long is beyond me.

And it's also worth noting that, to date, EA is still the only company allowed to do this.

Thanks Scott, you just saved me 20 minutes.

:lol No problem.

 

[sangreal]

Goto the official Xbox Live forums and read all the complaints about EA servers. It becomes pretty clear why Microsoft didn't want to allow 3rd parties to run their own servers.

Recall that, even though Xbox has wonderful "mindshare," there is extremely little benefit to pouring money into optimized ports for the platform.

This may be true for Square's games, but as a general statement it is nonsense. Plenty of games have made a lot of money selling "optimized" ports.

I don't know why everyone thinks somehow Square is above multiplatform. Two of their biggest games, FF7 and FF8, were ported to the PC.

 

[golem]

good interview with him at GI but all about FFXI
http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200508/N05.0801.1854.37796.htm

 

[Juice]

This may be true for Square's games, but as a general statement it is nonsense. Plenty of games have made a lot of money selling "optimized" ports.

Well, it is Square who we're talking about here.

For any other company, yeah, it's going to take market research and some decent calculus to figure out whether you're going to make a good return on spending millions porting a system that has 60% of the market to a system with under 20%. A ton of factors like demographics of owners, recent tie ratio, and the normal array of budget concerns are what make these decisions. Joe Xbox bitching on a forum about how his favorite game series won't move past the most popular system and descend upon his console like a valkyre, rescuing its chances at oneday supremacy is usually not a part of that equation. (With a few exceptions, Dennis Dyack and D. Jaffe both read forums pretty regularly and take them seriously--but still, they're not the greenlight men.)

I don't know why everyone thinks somehow Square is above multiplatform. Two of their biggest games, FF7 and FF8, were ported to the PC.

I don't think anyone is saying that Square has some moral high ground here. It's just business. Especially in the last two years, SE's catalog has been less friendly to Western tastes, and not more (which is the current trend for the mainstream). The trend makes sense, because America's market is still growing while Japan's shrinks, but the business guys at Square decided to carve out their foxhole in Japan and make the money that other companies are missing out on by shifting their focus to Western markets. That was their decision and we can't really blame them for it.

The fact that they made really quick ports of two of their biggest games to the PC is nearly irrelevant, as taking the opportunity to throw a massively popular game before a nearly limitless audience at a time when gaming was still cheap and viable on the PC platform was just common sense. Diving into XNA and spending a ton of research and dough developing Eastern-minded games that won't be bought by American or European gamers that don't read GAF, while no one in Japan will ever own the system otherwise anyway... yeah, no.

 

[sangreal]

Well certainly you are right, it is a decision that every company has to make on a game based on the product they are trying to sell. Does the cost (money and time) of releasing the game on another platform outweigh the benefit of the increased potential sales. For Square's cast the answer has been, and will likely to continue to be yes. The market for their games on the xbox (and to a lesser extent gamecube) is small and not worth it, like you said.

I was only trying to point out that Square doesn't have some anti-multiplatform philosophy, rather it just isn't worth their time (as you said).

 

[Juice]

Well certainly you are right, it is a decision that every company has to make on a game based on the product they are trying to sell. Does the cost (money and time) of releasing the game on another platform outweigh the benefit of the increased potential sales. For Square's cast the answer has been, and will likely to continue to be yes. The market for their games on the xbox (and to a lesser extent gamecube) is small and not worth it, like you said.

I was only trying to point out that Square doesn't have some anti-multiplatform philosophy, rather it just isn't worth their time (as you said).

Oh yeah. Word, homes. That's all I was saying.

Kids who spend their afternoons at lunch chatting about how Square executives want to bed Kutaragi and how awesome a corporation Sony is can go straight to hell, in my opinion. I think we're on the same page.

 

[jarrod]

It is for Square.

Not always. In fact, Kingdom Hearts and various Final Fantasies have sold better in America this generation... KH and FF going multiplatform next gen wouldn't surprise me in the least, maybe even DQ too. It's Square Enix's smaller franchisess (SaGa, Front Mission, Star Ocean, Torneko, Seiken Densetsu, Ogre Battle, etc) that'll likely remain on one target platform imo. The big stuff is just too valuable to waste on one machine though.