Square Enix output strategy | Discussion thread.

[Chris1964]

No new Japanese game will be put on Game Pass at day one unless the publisher has really low expectations. Since Xbox market share basically doesn't exist for not AAA games, 6 months - 1 year later is likely the deal for Xbox getting it.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

No new Japanese game will be put on Game Pass at day one unless the publisher has really low expectations. Since Xbox market share basically doesn't exist for not AAA games, 6 months - 1 year later is likely the deal for Xbox getting it.

Will any Xbox owners actually buy this game though.

The argument here is that there's no point of Microsoft promoting this game because Xbox owners largely don't buy games anymore outside of games on the level of Fifa/Madden so why even show it if you're not putting it on Game Pass and paying Square a lot of money.

 

[GoldenFingers]

All signs point to Action-JRPGs doing way better on XBox than Turn-based JRPGs, so they come over on their own merits rather than needing a giant check from Microsoft.

Square Enix (historically the Japanese side, does not apply to their Western IPs/studios insofar as they exist anymore) tries to get their games to retain value for longer terms. They avoid large bundles, don't go on sale for remotely as cheap, and ports don't necessarily skip straight to budget prices. It is extremely difficult to get comparisons for Game Pass (compared to other revenue streams that aren't full MSRP), but I think it is a fair assumption that Square Enix is relatively demanding in their Game Pass prices (for their Japanese games). They seem interested in doing late ports funded by Game Pass as low-risk ways to judge how much interest there is in a franchise.

 

[fiendcode]

Action RPGs generally do better than turn based in the west. Ys outsells Trails overseas for example but the reverse in Japan/Asia.

 

[GodlyTrident]

because xbox players would be harder pressed to play a jrpg that's not on gamepass. MS pushed GP hard to the point where GP is xbox's identity now.

Is it new "Xbox people don't play JRPGs"?

I am not sure why Square Enix not launching (or will they? we don't know at the moment) a game in GP means that publishers won't put games on GP day 1....

 

[Celestial]

Did no one post the news that Tokyo RPG Factory got folded into Square Enix?

スクエニ、Tokyo RPG Factoryを吸収合併 Tokyo RPG Factoryは解散 『いけにえと雪のセツナ』『鬼ノ哭ク邦』『LOST SPHEAR』を開発 | gamebiz

スクウェア・エニックスは、Tokyo RPG Factoryを吸収合併することがわかった。本日1月31日付の「官報」に掲載された「合併公告」によると、スクウェア・エニックスがTokyo RPG Factoryの権利義務を引き継ぎ、Tokyo RPG Factoryは解散する。同社は、2015年6月、スクウェア・エニックス・ホールディングス<9684>の子会社として、『いけにえと雪のセツナ(当時:…

gamebiz.jp

Square Enix absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory

Square Enix will merge with Tokyo RPG Factory in an absorption-type merger, the company announced.

www.gematsu.com

 

[GoldenFingers]

Did no one post the news that Tokyo RPG Factory got folded into Square Enix?

スクエニ、Tokyo RPG Factoryを吸収合併 Tokyo RPG Factoryは解散 『いけにえと雪のセツナ』『鬼ノ哭ク邦』『LOST SPHEAR』を開発 | gamebiz

スクウェア・エニックスは、Tokyo RPG Factoryを吸収合併することがわかった。本日1月31日付の「官報」に掲載された「合併公告」によると、スクウェア・エニックスがTokyo RPG Factoryの権利義務を引き継ぎ、Tokyo RPG Factoryは解散する。同社は、2015年6月、スクウェア・エニックス・ホールディングス<9684>の子会社として、『いけにえと雪のセツナ(当時:…

gamebiz.jp

Square Enix absorbs Tokyo RPG Factory

Square Enix will merge with Tokyo RPG Factory in an absorption-type merger, the company announced.

www.gematsu.com

I imagine there is a new game from them coming that could plausibly be filling out the coming FY? If they were dead or not working on anything, it would be more of an outright closure I think.

 

[Astrogamer]

I imagine there is a new game from them coming that could plausibly be filling out the coming FY? If they were dead or not working on anything, it would be more of an outright closure I think.

That is what integration typically means. The team is dissolved and effectively closed. They aren't laying anyone off but the team isn't together. It's the same thing that happened to Luminous Productions.

 

[fiendcode]

A lot of Tokyo RPG Factory staff also left SE over the past few years. A chunk went to Zereo (started by ex-Game Arts staff in the late 00s) looking at game credits.

 

[GoldenFingers]

That is what integration typically means. The team is dissolved and effectively closed. They aren't laying anyone off but the team isn't together. It's the same thing that happened to Luminous Productions.

Think there's any possibility that the game had ended development and is imminent but not going to be big? LabyrinthStriker and Emberstoria sound like the type of generic JRPGs they'd plausibly be doing that leaked a long while back.

 

[Astrogamer]

Think there's any possibility that the game had ended development and is imminent but not going to be big? LabyrinthStriker and Emberstoria sound like the type of generic JRPGs they'd plausibly be doing that leaked a long while back.

I feel like if that were the case, the game would have already been announced at this point. The move to dissolve Tokyo RPG Factory would have been in plans for months. I would assume one of those is a mobile game and the other would be a Diofield or Paranormasight style release with one of their semiregular partners

 

[Mekanos]

I don't think I've ever heard of this studio before this merger. They've only released 3 games according to Wikipedia.

 

[sfortunato]

Tokyo RPG Factory was such a wasted opportunity. It feels Square Enix didn't understand what people liked about classic jRPGs. The funny thing is that when Square Enix was investing in Tokyo RPG Factory it had a team (Asano) developing quality classic jRPGs people were actually buying.

 

[GoldenFingers]

Tokyo RPG Factory was such a wasted opportunity. It feels Square Enix didn't understand what people liked about classic jRPGs. The funny thing is that when Square Enix was investing in Tokyo RPG Factory it had a team (Asano) developing quality classic jRPGs people were actually buying.

Team Asano won out, because that team has better views on how to modernize old JRPG styles into games that are playable to modern audiences. Tokyo RPG Factory is waaaay too on the nose to old styles + limited budgets.

 

[fiendcode]

Tokyo RPG Factory itself was founded on the surprise success of Bravely Default, which makes them sort of missing the point compared to Team Asano even more ironic.

 

[Undead Warrior]

Tokyo RPG Factory itself was founded on the surprise success of Bravely Default, which makes them sort of missing the point compared to Team Asano even more ironic.

So you're telling me SE's response to Asano getting a surprise hit was to give him no budget for Bravely Second and instead fund an entire ass studio that put out three duds in a row?

 

[fiendcode]

So you're telling me SE's response to Asano getting a surprise hit was to give him no budget for Bravely Second and instead fund an entire ass studio that put out three duds in a row?

Yes, lol. Also remember Asano had to do a spruced up rerelease for BD1 to fund B2nd and he confirmed Octopath wouldn't have happened at all without Nintendo's support.

Asano's sitting pretty now but he really had to fight his way there.

 

[Baobab]

This is somewhat tangential….but it is an interesting point made from a writer mostly know for his economics takes



The franchise that needs a live-action American adaptation is Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy VII is a dieselpunk superhero movie with an eco-socialist message that would appeal to Gen Z. Why they're not making it into a trilogy of movies or a Netflix limited series is just baffling to me.

 

[Mekanos]

This is somewhat tangential….but it is an interesting point made from a writer mostly know for his economics takes



The franchise that needs a live-action American adaptation is Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy VII is a dieselpunk superhero movie with an eco-socialist message that would appeal to Gen Z. Why they're not making it into a trilogy of movies or a Netflix limited series is just baffling to me.

How it feels reading Noah Smith Tweets and not being immediately repulsed by them

(also, I think these are the exact reasons why an American production company would not adapt it lol)

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

They quickly moved away from the eco terrorism aspects of FF7 in remake and quickly pivoted to cosmic super villains.

I don’t know if SE is interested in becoming a climate change lightning rod.

 

[ItWasMeantToBe19]

The original FF7 is unfortunately more of an anti-nuclear power game that is read these days as being anti-climate change as the anti-nuclear imagery (along with sympathy to fossil fuels) is bizarre to American critics in the 2020s.

They could obviously redo the game in that way, but FF7R is an extremely sanitized fix-it fanfiction combined with standard multiverse stupidity so they do not want to go there.

 

[KtSlime]

They quickly moved away from the eco terrorism aspects of FF7 in remake and quickly pivoted to cosmic super villains.

I don’t know if SE is interested in becoming a climate change lightning rod.

It's not at all controversial in Japan, so I guess it depends on how well they know about American nonsense.

 

[Terrell]

It's not at all controversial in Japan, so I guess it depends on how well they know about American nonsense.

Considering how they've been orienting that series in particular ostensibly to meet Western sensibilities, I have to assume they're versed enough on American nonsense.

 

[Luke88]

What do we think is something NEW (FF7 Remake and Visions of Mana are great but you don't want to advertise a new system with just ports ) Square could bring to the table at the Switch 2 reveal? for comparison we knew DQXI was coming before the system was even called Switch, then at the presentation they announced Octopath Traveler, DQ Heroes 1 & 2 and DQX for Japan. I'm thinking they could do a 1-2 punch of DQ12 trailer and a teaser for Bravely Default 3.

Edit: maybe Yoshi-P gets on stage and announces XIV is coming aswell? Seems like a great follow-up and reasonable now that it's on Xbox...

 

[Terrell]

What do we think is something NEW (FF7 Remake and Visions of Mana are great but you don't want to advertise a new system with just ports ) Square could bring to the table at the Switch 2 reveal? for comparison we knew DQXI was coming before the system was even called Switch, then at the presentation they announced Octopath Traveler, DQ Heroes 1 & 2 and DQX for Japan. I'm thinking they could do a 1-2 punch of DQ12 trailer and a teaser for Bravely Default 3.

Edit: maybe Yoshi-P gets on stage and announces XIV is coming aswell? Seems like a great follow-up and reasonable now that it's on Xbox...

Honestly, if that's why there's been no FFIX and FFT remake/remaster news yet, I wouldn't be shocked, but I also would be at the same time?

 

[cw_sasuke]

Honestly, if that's why there's been no FFIX and FFT remake/remaster news yet, I wouldn't be shocked, but I also would be at the same time?

While it could be related, i would assume the main reason is just that they dont want to reveal a mayor FF Remake before 7 Rebirth is out.
9R being part of the Switch 2 roll out would make sense though, despite the game being multiplattform.

 

[GoldenFingers]

There's a lot that could show up. DQ3, FFT, FF9, KH4, DQ12 out of the big projects, but there's also the four MIA trademarks that haven't been attached yet, and Asano hinted that there's one or two other games coming this year in addition to DQ3R. We have no visibility into the relative release order of these so it is hard to speculate.

Slots in the Switch 2 Reveal Direct are probably the most expensive slots of a streaming event like this, as the number of views on it is going to be absolutely massive. Stuff like SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered are probably too low tier for it, but FF7 Remake is a nice game to show the power of the system-- PS4 power + DLSS ain't a PS5, but it is good enough. Visions of Mana also is a nice example to show off that the system can get current-gen games.

 

[Man God]

There's a lot that could show up. DQ3, FFT, FF9, KH4, DQ12 out of the big projects, but there's also the four MIA trademarks that haven't been attached yet, and Asano hinted that there's one or two other games coming this year in addition to DQ3R. We have no visibility into the relative release order of these so it is hard to speculate.

Slots in the Switch 2 Reveal Direct are probably the most expensive slots of a streaming event like this, as the number of views on it is going to be absolutely massive. Stuff like SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered are probably too low tier for it, but FF7 Remake is a nice game to show the power of the system-- PS4 power + DLSS ain't a PS5, but it is good enough. Visions of Mana also is a nice example to show off that the system can get current-gen games.

If you think how the Switch 1 reveal went that was (almost) all things they had a financial interest in like Octopath and SMT V, so I don't think pay for play really matters there. It could be completely different this time and be more like the 3DS reveal which seemingly did have a lot of that (and a bunch of things cancelled too!)

 

[fiendcode]

If you think how the Switch 1 reveal went that was (almost) all things they had a financial interest in like Octopath and SMT V, so I don't think pay for play really matters there. It could be completely different this time and be more like the 3DS reveal which seemingly did have a lot of that (and a bunch of things cancelled too!)

Yeah, I expect the Switch 2 rollout presentation to be all curated partner titles in terms of 3rd party stuff. Even the multiplats will be things Nintendo went out of their way to secure.

 

[GoldenFingers]

If you think how the Switch 1 reveal went that was (almost) all things they had a financial interest in like Octopath and SMT V, so I don't think pay for play really matters there. It could be completely different this time and be more like the 3DS reveal which seemingly did have a lot of that (and a bunch of things cancelled too!)

Yeah, I think you're probably right. So I think that FF7R and Unannounced Asano Game are probably the most likely candidates, as the latter is probably published in the West by SE and the FF7R is a good showcase.

 

[Biscuit]

[staring at the ceiling]

It'd be neat if Team Asano did a Bravely Default-style remake of FF6... if it had the same production values as Bravely Default II, that would be pretty cool....

It won't happen, but it'd be neat

 

[fiendcode]

Yeah, I think you're probably right. So I think that FF7R and Unannounced Asano Game are probably the most likely candidates, as the latter is probably published globally by SE and the FF7R is a good showcase.

FF7R (Remake) I can see if it's a launch game. Having that portable would be a nice showcase title. Agreed on an Asano title too though I'd expect something further off and with a new visual style (not HD-2D).

I think chances are very good for a timed DQXII or FF9R debut even if they're farther off. Both are titles I can see Nintendo making deals for (even if they stay multi) and they'd get an incredible number of eyes on them here. DQXII would be absolutely huge for Japan but I think FF9R could send a stronger global message in terms of SE partnership and support.

Other multiplats like Visions of Mana or FFXIV could be good sizzle reel fodder though. Sort of like I am Setsuna and DQ Heroes I & II were at the Switch 1 showcase.

 

[cw_sasuke]

For the initial reveal i would assume the premium spots would be delivered to new games and not older ports like FF7R. Nintendo is not gonna use a once in a generation situation to focus on older games when they have the option to showcase, new, at least as impressive looking titles. So yeah 9R/DQ XII/new NIeR are much more likely than 7R or DQ 3R.

Exception would be an older title, that uses some features of the new system that would entice a large part of the audience to double dip or see the game in a new light.

7R seems like a game that would be announced at a later date for Xbox/NSW2.

 

[Luke88]

For the initial reveal i would assume the premium spots would be delivered to new games and not older ports like FF7R. Nintendo is not gonna use a once in a generation situation to focus on older games when they have the option to showcase, new, at least as impressive looking titles. So yeah 9R/DQ XII/new NIeR are much more likely than 7R or DQ 3R.

Exception would be an older title, that uses some features of the new system that would entice a large part of the audience to double dip or see the game in a new light.

7R seems like a game that would be announced at a later date for Xbox/NSW2.

Keep in mind the OG Switch Showcase dedicated a substantial ammount of time to the announcement of Skyrim (heck, it was even one of the first games shown in the teaser trailer) and FIFA. Nintendo really wants to sell this system as something where people can play all kinds of games. I think it's almost guaranteed one of the big slots will be saved for Elden Ring and I could see another going to Diablo IV given how big the port of 3 was on Switch (which was also pursued by Nintendo). FF7R can generate that "Oh if this runs on it, then it can run everything" thought process while advertising a game with massive appeal, which is still somewhat untapped in Japan. I also think the next CoD will likely not be announced yet by the time of the presentation, so that is one free slot for something else to be shown as they'll probably just have a brief comment to reassure it's coming from the Activision spokesperson.

 

[Aostia82]

Well yes: I can see a big SE project being unveil/highlighted at the Switch 2 reveal, even if it won't be an exclusive title
If we think about May/June for the console announcement with an Autumn release...it could be anything among DQ3HD, DQ12, FFIXR

For Bravely Default HD, FF Tactics and FFVII I would say they won't be in the console reveal

 

[ILikeFeet]

[staring at the ceiling]

It'd be neat if Team Asano did a Bravely Default-style remake of FF6... if it had the same production values as Bravely Default II, that would be pretty cool....

It won't happen, but it'd be neat

I'd like to see them do to PS1 style what they did with SNES

 

[GoldenFingers]

Just Cause 5 also has a chance of coming out this year? Didn't Square Enix explicitly keep the rights to that, and there were stories a while back about it being in development. Not as a Switch 2 title but as something for later in the FY.

 

[ILikeFeet]

Just Cause 5 also has a chance of coming out this year? Didn't Square Enix explicitly keep the rights to that, and there were stories a while back about it being in development. Not as a Switch 2 title but as something for later in the FY.

who'd work on it? Avalanche is working on that Contraband game, unless they have their other studio make JC5

 

[GoldenFingers]

who'd work on it? Avalanche is working on that Contraband game, unless they have their other studio make JC5

No idea, to be honest. JC3 was massive and JC4 underperformed, but SE made an explicit point and said it was in use back in summer 2022 following the sale so they could be imagining a new direction for the IP including developer:

We want to focus on creating new titles that align with our strategy, including ones that leverage new IP. The JUST CAUSE franchise will remain our IP, and we are at work developing a new title in the franchise. https://www.hd.square-enix.com/eng/ir/pdf/22q4outline.pdf

There's a bunch of rumors regarding the game, like making it F2P, but they are mostly just on low brow garbage sites so I put zero faith in them.

EDIT:

 

[KR_EP]

Combining the Square Enix Q3 FY3/2024 Financial Results (Oct - Dec 2023) | Net sales up by 0,8% and ordinary income down by 19,5% over Apr - Dec 2022 discussion with the above.

Reducing outsourcing and AA projects is so incredibly sad.

True. I really liked the variety of games being published by Square Enix, giving developers more time & money to work as @ArkhamFantasy pointed out, to use one example The DioField Chronicle ought to have remained in development until its March update before launching. A topic we can discuss further as companies potentially impacted publish results. On that note, heads up that Friday is when NJ Holdings publishes its 1H (July - December 2023) results & that I...I mean Sōta Fujii will be on hand to break it all down (have a Q1 update to post first!).

I think the question is complicated, as Square Enix's relationship between Producer and Developer isn't necessarily some industry-wide standard. Like, Team Asano has never really been the developer for any of their games (Matrix, then Silicon/Clay whatever, Acquire, etc.) The outside studios have tons of Planners/Designers on the games and I think it undersells their contributions. I imagine the mix of overall direction differs from game to game and Business Unit to Business Unit. Enix basically never had substantial in-house development before the merge.

One of the problems with having the main development studios is how to deal with games that aren't really coming together (need to negotiate some type of contract extension), or post-game support (which needs to be budgeted for). I assume something like the Pixel Remasters has Tose on a long-term maintenance contract (there's still at least one more set of patches being worked on), but other games are just kind of done whenever the contract with the developers is over.

So... it is complicated. I think it is easier to delay games that need more time, and work on patches and updates post-release when the games are primarily in-house development, but Square Enix just isn't big enough to sustain ~10 retail releases per year and several MMOs on their own, and really, no developer is.

As for the Bloomberg report of major reform of game development structure (additional coverage by Gematsu here) both you & @fiendcode are right to point out how Enix has always collaborated & contracted developers to assist. That won't change overnight, if ever, so any projects in development would continue unless cancelled or downscaled (more on that in a moment). I'd expect Operation Support (which is how companies like NJ Holdings refers to winning orders for contract work) to continue in some form or another even with this pivot.

A lot of Tokyo RPG Factory staff also left SE over the past few years. A chunk went to Zereo (started by ex-Game Arts staff in the late 00s) looking at game credits.

For those curious on the deep cut references above, former Game Arts alumni at ZEREO & SIEG Games recently worked on Loop8. The former has a comfy looking sofa also worked on the Firehawk tools whilst the latter moved office as of January 29, 2024, presumably cause it needed more space to work on Project MBR!!! *peak Gungfriffon Bullshit Blazin' copium*

Firehawkは3D及び2Dエフェクトが作成可能なVFX制作ツールです。
「多機能」「分かり易いインターフェイス」に重点を置いており、
直感的にハイクオリティなエフェクトを作成する事が可能です。
共同制作：株式会社ブラッシュアップ
Firehawk is a VFX production tool capable of creating 3D and 2D effects.
Firehawk focuses on "versatility" and "easy-to-understand interface,
Firehawk is a VFX production tool that allows users to create high-quality effects intuitively.
Co-produced by Brush Up Inc. (DeepL Mistranslation)

With regards to the discussion about Square Enix Europe there is already a contradiction in the CEO remarks on wanting to go for higher production values from in-house studios yet also reach new audiences with games like Power Wash Simulator, an external title signed late in development. Combine this with the strategic review of Project Gemini leading to job losses via People Can Fly IR do not add up to a coherent plan. At least not publicly. It should be pointed out that Project Gemini has over 200 staff involved, so losing 50 (30 job losses, 20 transfarred onto different titles) would still mean 150+ are working on the game. There was news published of a short term Content Rider (funding) as the review process is still ongoing.

PROJECT GEMINI
Genre: Undisclosed
Team Size: 200
IP: Undisclosed (owned by Square Enix) Release Target: 2026
This AAA game is being developed by the Group in Europe in a work-for-hire model with the Group’s long- time publisher, Square Enix Limited.
Source: STRATEGY UPDATE / NEW OPENING 31 January, 2023 (page 8)

Current Report No. 2/2024
Date: 30 January 2024
Subject: Concluding a short-term content rider to the development and publishing agreement for Project Gemini​

With reference to the current report No. 58/2023 of 24 November 2023,

the Management Board of PCF Group S.A. with its registered office in Warsaw (the “Company”) informs that due to the fact that on 29 January 2024 expired the existing content rider to the development and publishing agreement for Project Gemini rendered by the Company’s group (the “Group”) in Europe, in the work-for-hire model for Square Enix Limited (the “Publishing Agreement”, the “Publisher”), on 30 January 2024 the Company entered into a short-term content rider to the Publishing Agreement with the Publisher (the “Content Rider”) regarding the continuation of development works on Project Gemini in order to allow the parties to conclude strategic discussions on the scope of this project and the terms of cooperation on it, as informed by the Company in the referenced current report.

As of the date of this current report, Company and the Publisher are working on a plan for Project Gemini that requires adjustments to some of its areas and refocus which is not unusual for the AAA development process.
As a result, the Management Board decided to reduce the development team dedicated to the development of Project Gemini by:

• − offering certain team members the opportunity to work on other projects developed by the Group;
• − employment reduction within the Project Gemini development team, which included over 30 people.

1. This current report updates the information contained in the current report No. 58/2023 of 24 November 2023. It is not the Company’s intention to inform the public in the future on conclusion of content riders to development and publishing agreements, unless it is required by law. Further information on the outcome of discussions relating to Project Gemini will be made public by the Company in separate ad hoc reports.

As for why I bring this up in relation to any Just Cause 5, any plan to create AAA titles in-house will take years. The above title is due in 2026. Why send mixed signals on whether or not to support major games well into development? The lesson from Just Cause 4 was even commented on by Square Enix at the time (page 9). There's no point making a new one unless they back it fully with the time, money & marketing to match other major titles. Otherwise it'll be compared unfavourably to them, including Avalanche Studios' own Contraband with Microsoft.

Q: Why did “SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER” and “JUST CAUSE 4” get off to a weak start? If initial sales volumes are lower than they traditionally have been but digital sales are extending the lifetimes of games, don’t you need to change the timing of your advertising efforts?
A: We think the main reason is that we were unable to provide an experience that was novel enough that players would choose to buy them before any of the other numerous major titles on the competitive landscape. Also, while it is true that we are seeing a shift away from sales of boxes to digital downloads, with this many titles competing with one another, initial sales are definitely an important element in increasing user awareness. For that reason, we do need to engage in a certain amount of advertising just ahead of a new title’s launch.

 

[Kenka]

Any word on the agreement they made two years ago with Forever Entertainment?

Is that still ongoing.

 

[BTB123]

Any word on the agreement they made two years ago with Forever Entertainment?

Is that still ongoing.

Front Mission 3 remake is still in development.

 

[Danny]

With the news that Square Enix has made the FF7 trilogy console exclusive to PS5 a lot of hyperbole has started to spread.

Nintendo hasn't got brand new AAA Square Enix games for decades. So this is only something that hurts Xbox and PC players. Bravely default, Octopath Travellers and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles are the type of games they make for Nintendo platforms, not bad games by any means but smaller games they see more fitting with Nintendo, rather than their heavyweights like Final Fantasy.

Playstation is their platform of choice, and a Switch 2 won't change that dynamic at all. Won't stop them puting their smaller titles to Nintendo of course like they already do today on the Switch.

 

[Kenka]

Has Gene commented on Gematsu's report?

If S-E never said that the trilogy was console exclusive, it might still be true that the first two episodes are so. But then, what was his source?

 

[MegaXZero]

Has Gene commented on Gematsu's report?

If S-E never said that the trilogy was console exclusive, it might still be true that the first two episodes are so. But then, what was his source?

Gematsu’s report is just reading Gene’s tweets, one of which is bookmarked in the locked thread. Gene said SIE never said the trilogy was exclusive, those were his words. It was basically just fluff from him writing the article around the interviews.

 

[Danny]

Has Gene commented on Gematsu's report?

If S-E never said that the trilogy was console exclusive, it might still be true that the first two episodes are so. But then, what was his source?

I don't think a confirmation is really that needed here, if the first 2 games were console exclusive to Playstation the chances are very high that the same is true for the third game as well.

 

[Tokuiten]

I don't think a confirmation is really that needed here, if the first 2 games were console exclusive to Playstation the chances are very high that the same is true for the third game as well.

The important distinction would be:

- exclusive for the immediate release period (2-3 years)
- exclusive forever (say 10 years or more, aka any relevant time)

The former would potentially allow Switch 2-ports, the latter would mean that's off the table.

 

[Person]

I don't think a confirmation is really that needed here, if the first 2 games were console exclusive to Playstation the chances are very high that the same is true for the third game as well.

It’s hard to square the idea that confirmation is not needed with the extreme buzz that accompanied the mistaken idea that confirmation was obtained.

If it wasn’t needed, why did some many people dedicate their whole afternoon to talking about it?

 

[Kenka]

I don't think a confirmation is really that needed here, if the first 2 games were console exclusive to Playstation the chances are very high that the same is true for the third game as well.

Just to repeat: if S-E never said that the trilogy was console exclusive to PS, then it could still be possible for Gene's assertion regarding Remake and Rebirth to be true. But then, where did he get the information if it didn't come from S-E's official ways. Did he fabricate the assertion? Did his source retract their comment?

What happened exactly.

 

[Danny]

It’s hard to square the idea that confirmation is not needed with the extreme buzz that accompanied the mistaken idea that confirmation was obtained.

If it wasn’t needed, why did some many people dedicate their whole afternoon to talking about it?

Yeah what i meant is the fact that they will all be timed exclusives on Playstation don't need to be confirmed, but a permanent exclusivity to Playstation do need to be confirmed in the future, but it seems likely because they haven't released Remake to Xbox as of yet.

But if Square Enix signed that deal it means that their priority platforms today and in the future are:

1: Playstation is the clear priority.

2: PC is their secondary priority, they will be happy to port over their Playstation games to PC at a later date.

Nintendo and Xbox are not part of that priority list.