Square Enix output strategy | Discussion thread.

[GoldenFingers]

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.

It is hard to speculate on what the lack of an Xbox version means without having estimates for number of sales late ports get vs. how much MS is willing to pay for GP vs. what SE thinks MS should pay now or in the future.

No reason to think that the previous "more Xbox stuff" announcement was just fluff.

 

[Danny]

It is hard to speculate on what the lack of an Xbox version means without having estimates for number of sales late ports get vs. how much MS is willing to pay for GP vs. what SE thinks MS should pay now or in the future.

No reason to think that the previous "more Xbox stuff" announcement was just fluff.

Of course, Microsoft can play the moneyhatting game to get Square Enix stuff as well, but it depends if they see it worthwhile to enter competition with Sony on moneyhatting their games, that traditionally has no major fanbase on Xbox platforms.

Nintendo i think is permanently relegated to Bravely default budget games from Square Enix.

 

[ILikeFeet]

I think if it was permanently exclusive, Sony would be more forthcoming about it as a feather in their cap

 

[KtSlime]

I think if it was permanently exclusive, Sony would be more forthcoming about it as a feather in their cap

Even if it wasn't permanently exclusive, they only benefit from people thinking it. So I wonder who pointed out a correction was needed.

 

[GoldenFingers]

Of course, Microsoft can play the moneyhatting game to get Square Enix stuff as well, but it depends if they see it worthwhile to enter competition with Sony on moneyhatting their games, that traditionally has no major fanbase on Xbox platforms.

Nintendo i think is permanently relegated to Bravely default budget games from Square Enix.

I think all of this is just some oversimplification.

Microsoft doesn't need to "compete" with Sony deals for second run games after contractual obligations are done. They have to compete with non-subscription sales, which FF7R is doing... fine. Thinking of Game Pass as "Moneyhatting" is just a an absolutely wild interpretation of the business model.

As for Nintendo, there's been a lot of fruitful deals over the years. Square Enix releases about 15 games per year, and if there is 1 per year with Nintendo that helps them mitigate risk in exchange for a short exclusivity window, that's fine. Both companies seem happy with that sort of deal which is why they have been happening for a decade (or longer).

 

[Jin+Jang]

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.

Can you explain this?

Washington Post: Final Fantasy 7 Remake-Trilogy will remain console-exclusive with Sony PlayStation consoles[UP: Only first two confirmed for now]

Rebirth wasn't going to release on the Switch 2 due to technical limitations Nothing about Rebirth looks beyond a PS4-level game, heck, FF15 looks better in certain areas. And we know not nearly enough about Switch 2 to make such absolute statements. DQ12 could be ported to Switch 1, why would...

www.installbaseforum.com

You keep dismissing the Switch 2 like it's a known quantity.

Will SE ignore the, assumedly and likely, huge Switch 2-userbase or not?

There is no Switch 2 userbase and i can ignore Switch 2 userbase because it doesn't exist and we don't know how it would look like

Really, I find it bizarre to claim that a Switch 2-port of FFR2 would be that difficult. It probably would be neither easy nor difficult, it would just require a perfectly reasonable amount of work, like any port.

But even if we assume it's "only" as powerful as a PS4, how could anyone argue that a bog standard JRPG that often looks no different than FF15 couldn't be ported to such hardware? PS4-games could be ported to Switch 1, it's reasonable to assume that PS5-games can be ported to Switch 2. More easily, probably, thanks to DLSS and generally more streamlined technological progress. "Dumpster fire" is such a crass word of choice for what should be a perfectly fine port. Why even say "Switch 2 will be VERY limited in power compared to current gen consoles", when the gap between Switch 2 and PS5 will by all rumors and leaks be less than the gap between Switch 1 and PS4?

PS4 games wouldn't be ported easily to Switch 1 for very obvious reasons. Hogwarts Legacy is a dumbster fire on Switch. Also, for example, GTA V nor RDR 2 aren't ported to Switch 1 for a very good reason. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 would be a problem ( referring to a leaked specs )- amount of RAM and type of RAM ( also, its speed is significantly slower even compared to XSS ), Latest GPU leak even with rumored 3 TFs, FSR and DLSS won't cut it. Look how FSR2 works in Immortals Of Aveum on PS5 and XSX. IQ took a huge hit ( 720p FSR 2 ) even with performance drops to 40s.

I'm 99% sure NSW 2 will lack big 3rd party games just like NSW, especially during PS6

 

[Danny]

I think all of this is just some oversimplification.

Microsoft doesn't need to "compete" with Sony deals for second run games after contractual obligations are done. They have to compete with non-subscription sales, which FF7R is doing... fine. Thinking of Game Pass as "Moneyhatting" is just a an absolutely wild interpretation of the business model.

As for Nintendo, there's been a lot of fruitful deals over the years. Square Enix releases about 15 games per year, and if there is 1 per year with Nintendo that helps them mitigate risk in exchange for a short exclusivity window, that's fine. Both companies seem happy with that sort of deal which is why they have been happening for a decade (or longer).

Gamepass is classic moneyhatting. They pay publishers to put their games on gamepass. Microsoft leaks shows them paying tens of millions or more to get third party games on gamepass.


Nintendo on the other hand are far too cheap to moneyhat third parties, leaving them always a distant third.

 

[Tokuiten]

Can you explain this?

Washington Post: Final Fantasy 7 Remake-Trilogy will remain console-exclusive with Sony PlayStation consoles[UP: Only first two confirmed for now]

Rebirth wasn't going to release on the Switch 2 due to technical limitations Nothing about Rebirth looks beyond a PS4-level game, heck, FF15 looks better in certain areas. And we know not nearly enough about Switch 2 to make such absolute statements. DQ12 could be ported to Switch 1, why would...

www.installbaseforum.com

There is no Switch 2 userbase and i can ignore Switch 2 userbase because it doesn't exist and we don't know how it would look like







PS4 games wouldn't be ported easily to Switch 1 for very obvious reasons. Hogwarts Legacy is a dumbster fire on Switch. Also, for example, GTA V nor RDR 2 aren't ported to Switch 1 for a very good reason. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 would be a problem ( referring to a leaked specs )- amount of RAM and type of RAM ( also, its speed is significantly slower even compared to XSS ), Latest GPU leak even with rumored 3 TFs, FSR and DLSS won't cut it. Look how FSR2 works in Immortals Of Aveum on PS5 and XSX. IQ took a huge hit ( 720p FSR 2 ) even with performance drops to 40s.

I'm 99% sure NSW 2 will lack big 3rd party games just like NSW, especially during PS6

I have no interest in interacting with you, tbh. Your wording is just too off-putting. Have a nice day.

 

[MegaXZero]

Can you explain this?

Washington Post: Final Fantasy 7 Remake-Trilogy will remain console-exclusive with Sony PlayStation consoles[UP: Only first two confirmed for now]

Rebirth wasn't going to release on the Switch 2 due to technical limitations Nothing about Rebirth looks beyond a PS4-level game, heck, FF15 looks better in certain areas. And we know not nearly enough about Switch 2 to make such absolute statements. DQ12 could be ported to Switch 1, why would...

www.installbaseforum.com

There is no Switch 2 userbase and i can ignore Switch 2 userbase because it doesn't exist and we don't know how it would look like







PS4 games wouldn't be ported easily to Switch 1 for very obvious reasons. Hogwarts Legacy is a dumbster fire on Switch. Also, for example, GTA V nor RDR 2 aren't ported to Switch 1 for a very good reason. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 would be a problem ( referring to a leaked specs )- amount of RAM and type of RAM ( also, its speed is significantly slower even compared to XSS ), Latest GPU leak even with rumored 3 TFs, FSR and DLSS won't cut it. Look how FSR2 works in Immortals Of Aveum on PS5 and XSX. IQ took a huge hit ( 720p FSR 2 ) even with performance drops to 40s.

I'm 99% sure NSW 2 will lack big 3rd party games just like NSW, especially during PS6

The thing is people bought Hogwarts on Switch despite it not looking the best. Forumgoers cared far more about how hogwarts looked on switch then the general public. If there is an audience for a game and it runs there really isn't a decent reason not to port the game in a time when getting as much audience is paramount with the current industry struggles, especially for Japanese publishers that need to keep up appearances at home.

There is also no leaked ram amount or type for Switch 2. In general one would assume some audience carry over between generations, else no console would have support day 1.

 

[Belthazar]

Of course, Microsoft can play the moneyhatting game to get Square Enix stuff as well, but it depends if they see it worthwhile to enter competition with Sony on moneyhatting their games, that traditionally has no major fanbase on Xbox platforms.

Nintendo i think is permanently relegated to Bravely default budget games from Square Enix.

I don't think Microsoft can compete in that moneyhatting game, especially not for japanese games (outside of outright buying the publishers). I mean, if putting a new mainline FF exclusively on Playstation dwarfs the potential growth of the franchise putting it exclusively on Xbox would outright kill the franchise in a single entry.

So I don't think no reasonable amount of money Microsoft would be willing to offer would be enough for SE to bite.

 

[Jin+Jang]

The thing is people bought Hogwarts on Switch despite it not looking the best. Forumgoers cared far more about how hogwarts looked on switch then the general public. If there is an audience for a game and it runs there really isn't a decent reason not to port the game in a time when getting as much audience is paramount with the current industry struggles, especially for Japanese publishers that need to keep up appearances at home.

There is also no leaked ram amount or type for Switch 2. In general one would assume some audience carry over between generations, else no console would have support day 1.

8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. I mean it is easy to google latest leaked/rumored Switch 2 specs.

I have no interest in interacting with you, tbh. Your wording is just too off-putting. Have a nice day.

I could say the same for some members too , but i'm not ignorant person.
Fine. I know what i've said. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 (rumored specs) won't be easy. As Verge said in its review (Nov. 2023) for latest Steam Deck OLED which is 550/650$

• The newest triple-A PC games are leaving the Steam Deck behind

We don't know how big Switch 2 install base wluld be. I could say the same for some members too , but i'm not ignorant person.

 

[ILikeFeet]

8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. I mean it is easy to google latest leaked/rumored Switch 2 specs.

There is no credible leak for ram. And I practically live in Drake hardware discussion. And don't mention MLID or RGT as sources

Hardware discussion is getting off topic anyway

 

[sfortunato]

PS4 games wouldn't be ported easily to Switch 1 for very obvious reasons. Hogwarts Legacy is a dumbster fire on Switch. Also, for example, GTA V nor RDR 2 aren't ported to Switch 1 for a very good reason. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 would be a problem ( referring to a leaked specs )- amount of RAM and type of RAM ( also, its speed is significantly slower even compared to XSS ), Latest GPU leak even with rumored 3 TFs, FSR and DLSS won't cut it. Look how FSR2 works in Immortals Of Aveum on PS5 and XSX. IQ took a huge hit ( 720p FSR 2 ) even with performance drops to 40s.

It doesn't really matter as long as it's playable (and it is). Not everyone cares about graphics and performance and sales data show that. Hogwarts Legacy sold well on Switch even if it was a late porting.

 

[fiendcode]

I'm not sure why Hogwarts is being used even as an example here, rather than a Square Enix port like DQXI or NieR Automata?

 

[BTB123]

I'm not sure why Hogwarts is being used even as an example here, rather than a Square Enix port like DQXI or NieR Automata?

Because it's a bad faith argument in an attempt to act like any PS5 game ported to Switch 2 would look like that.

 

[Godzilla]

Is not like there are PS4 games that have upgraded technology on Switch (Alien Isolation).

Also, if i had to guess, GTA and RDR didn't get ported because it would take an enormous time to do because Switch it's a different technology altogether, it's a massive game. I mean, the "next gen" upgrade for PS5 and Series consoles is barely passable, so there's other inside issues that might come up when thinking about Rockstar.

But sure, let's keep talking about the bad ports. I mean, for all we can see, Dragon's Dogma 2 and FF7 Rebirth should not be PS5 games (One supposedly runs terribly with unlocked framerate and heavy drops and the other either runs well but has the resolution of a PS3 game or runs choppy at 30fps while also not looking too hot), they are clearly too much for the PS5... meanwhile you have Demon's Souls, Spiderman 2, RE4 Remake which are incredibly looking games (1 of them also developed for last gen)

Sometimes, it's more about the developer, than the actual machine (or the budget, that's also an issue, it takes time to make these ports and that means resources)

 

[ILikeFeet]

GTA was probably because porting MMOs is no small task (and allegedly cartridge size issues)

 

[BoktaiFan]

Remember when people thought SE would port the 3ds version of DQ11 because the switch couldn't handle the PS4 version.

Good times

 

[fiendcode]

Remember when people thought SE would poet the 3ds version of DQ11 because the switch couldn't handle the PS4 version.

Good times

Also a broken FSR implementation on a throwaway title that bombed equates to DLSS being worthless, lol. Plus some RAM Tales.

There's a real palpable fear of Switch 2 here and we still barely have any idea about what it even is.

 

[Jin+Jang]

Also a broken FSR implementation on a throwaway title that bombed equates to DLSS being worthless, lol. Plus some RAM Tales.

It is not worthless and about RAM tales, Steam Deck has quantity of RAM and, but its speed is slow and it cost 550$ at lowest. But whatever

 

[fiendcode]

It is not worthless and about RAM tales, Steam Deck has quantity of RAM and, but its speed is slow and it cost 550$ at lowest. But whatever

Steam Deck is already 2 years old. Technology doesn't stand still and mem arch design/bottlenecks are always much different in dedicated consoles.

 

[Aostia82]

8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. I mean it is easy to google latest leaked/rumored Switch 2 specs.




I could say the same for some members too , but i'm not ignorant person.
Fine. I know what i've said. Porting PS5/XSX games to Switch 2 (rumored specs) won't be easy. As Verge said in its review (Nov. 2023) for latest Steam Deck OLED which is 550/650$

• The newest triple-A PC games are leaving the Steam Deck behind

We don't know how big Switch 2 install base wluld be. I could say the same for some members too , but i'm not ignorant person.

and what should prevent FFVII Remake to be ported on Switch 2, based on your leaked tech info?
plus, imagine being a top-tier manager of a very important company and manage your three/five years industrial plan only on existing products and install bases

chapeau to that kind of leadership!

 

[Jin+Jang]

and what should prevent FFVII Remake to be ported on Switch 2, based on your leaked tech info?
plus, imagine being a top-tier manager of a very important company and manage your three/five years industrial plan only on existing products and install bases

chapeau to that kind of leadership!

So, reffering to rumored specs, RAM quantity and speed will be the bottleneck same as many devs pointed that out for XSS. And we are seeing the consequences of that on XSS for more than a 2 years.And FF7 Rebirth is a huge game. Also, assuming that even with new cartridge format in Switch 2, doubt it will achieve reading speeds even equally to XSeries ones.

 

[Danny]

So, reffering to rumored specs, RAM quantity and speed will be the bottleneck same as many devs pointed that out for XSS. And we are seeing the consequences of that on XSS for more than a 2 years.And FF7 Rebirth is a huge game. Also, assuming that even with new cartridge format in Switch 2, doubt it will achieve reading speeds even equally to XSeries ones.

More leakers point to Switch 2 having 12 GB RAM. Which is a lot different compared to 8 GB RAM in what ports till be possible on Switch 2. But Final Fantasy will never happen on Switch 2 that i agree with. But mostly because Sony will have them all locked down on PlayStation only.

 

[master94ga]

But mostly because Sony will have them all locked down on PlayStation only.

Soon or later SquareEnix will undestand that locking FF (or any other game) on Playstation is killing the franchise, probably they already undestood this and they are just respecting previous deal.

 

[Aostia82]

So, reffering to rumored specs, RAM quantity and speed will be the bottleneck same as many devs pointed that out for XSS. And we are seeing the consequences of that on XSS for more than a 2 years.And FF7 Rebirth is a huge game. Also, assuming that even with new cartridge format in Switch 2, doubt it will achieve reading speeds even equally to XSeries ones.

oint to Switch 2 having 12 GB RAM. Which is a lot different compared to 8 GB RAM in what ports till be possible on Switch 2. But Final Fantasy will never happen on Switch 2 that i agree with. But mostly because Sony will have them all locked down on PlayStation only.

well, exactly
if rumored specs will be true, we will see more demanding games coming to the Switch 2 than FFVII Remake, just because of Sony-Square deals

 

[fiendcode]

So, reffering to rumored specs, RAM quantity and speed will be the bottleneck same as many devs pointed that out for XSS. And we are seeing the consequences of that on XSS for more than a 2 years.And FF7 Rebirth is a huge game. Also, assuming that even with new cartridge format in Switch 2, doubt it will achieve reading speeds even equally to XSeries ones.

There are no credible rumored specs for RAM unless you mean necrofelipe (who said 12GB in Switch 2, 16GB for dev units). The most well reasoned speculation is 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X.

As for storage speed, it's heavily speculated Samsung's new SD Express cards will be used and allow SSD like speed and functionaly. For the Gamecard itself, speed is really up to what kind of gate Nintendo wants and if they want to read from the card directly or download to storage like PS5 and XBSX's ancient media forces them to.

 

[Terrell]

I think we can soon safely divorce ourselves from the notion that FF's Japanese sales have been rightfully sacrificed on the alter of worldwide sales.

FFXV is now looking exceedingly more like the exception than the rule of sales from major single-player FF releases over the past 2 decades, a result of a combination of factors that have not repeated since, including (but not limited to):

• a morbid fascination with a game that was formerly vapourware
• FFXIV fans experimenting outside the popular MMO
• a relatively timely PC release by franchise standards expanding the title into new markets
• swift discounting of the initial over-shipment in select regions

No game in the franchise has matched it in a worldwide context since while sales have cratered in Japan, and we're now 3 major releases deep since FFXV with signs pointing to Rebirth being a decline from the past entry.
So I feel it's almost time to make the assertion that FFXV's sales were the exception and to admit that prioritizing the West over Japan has been a net negative for the franchise as a whole, despite prior commentary to the contrary.

 

[sfortunato]

I think we can soon safely divorce ourselves from the notion that FF's Japanese sales have been rightfully sacrificed on the alter of worldwide sales.

FFXV is now looking exceedingly more like the exception than the rule of sales from major single-player FF releases over the past 2 decades, a result of a combination of factors that have not repeated since, including (but not limited to):

• a morbid fascination with a game that was formerly vapourware
• FFXIV fans experimenting outside the popular MMO
• a relatively timely PC release by franchise standards expanding the title into new markets
• swift discounting of the initial over-shipment in select regions

No game in the franchise has matched it in a worldwide context since while sales have cratered in Japan, and we're now 3 major releases deep since FFXV with signs pointing to Rebirth being a decline from the past entry.
So I feel it's almost time to make the assertion that FFXV's sales were the exception and to admit that prioritizing the West over Japan has been a net negative for the franchise as a whole, despite prior commentary to the contrary.

Final Fantasy XV, with all due caveats, had an identity. You looked at it and you thought: "Yep, that's a Final Fantasy game". It appeared as the natural evolution of the franchise: open world, action combat with RPG elements, a well characterized party, big story, goofy moments. None of that can be seen in Final Fantasy XVI .

 

[kazuyamishima]

Considering that components are getting more expensive with time, I think a lot of Nintendo fans will be disappointed with the final specs, especially since Nintendo prioritises profits and other systems like steam deck loses money.

As for Rebirth, a lot assumptions have been made from the Japanese numbers but the game seems to be doing much better in the west.

 

[sfortunato]

As for Rebirth, a lot assumptions have been made from the Japanese numbers but the game seems to be doing much better in the west.

Well, Japanese sales accounted for around 30% total sales at Remake's debut. So dropping so much in Japan definitely impact global outlook.

 

[Godzilla]

As for Rebirth, a lot assumptions have been made from the Japanese numbers but the game seems to be doing much better in the west.

It's lower than Remake in the markets we have data on, where does this come from?

Granted, i guess this is expected considering it's a sequel... but I'm just not sure what's the comparison to say "much better".

 

[kazuyamishima]

Well, Japanese sales accounted for around 30% total sales at Remake's debut. So dropping so much in Japan definitely impact global outlook

It's lower than Remake in the markets we have data on, where does this come from?

I forgot to mention that I was referring to FF16, it’s too early to compare it against both Remake and 16, time will tell.

 

[fiendcode]

Considering that components are getting more expensive with time, I think a lot of Nintendo fans will be disappointed with the final specs, especially since Nintendo prioritises profits and other systems like steam deck loses money.

RAM's pretty cheap now thanks to oversupply in 2023, economics actually favor Nintendo going for more than less atm. The APU's going to be locked down by now and storage be mandated by functionality.

We sort of already know where Nintendo's going to cut costs; they're launching with LCD. I'm sure there'll be other cost saving measures in the 1.0 model but we have a pretty good ballpark of what the chipset will be and cutting there doesn't really make much sense or would have a significant material impact on bringing down the component costs long term on a 6-10 year device.

Deck was never confirmed to sell at a loss either btw. Gabe said pricing was "aggressive" and "painful" but also mentioned "thin margins" which to me implies not actually loss taking. And that was just at launch in 2021.

 

[Kmds]

No game in the franchise has matched it in a worldwide context since while sales have cratered in Japan, and we're now 3 major releases deep since FFXV with signs pointing to Rebirth being a decline from the past entry.
So I feel it's almost time to make the assertion that FFXV's sales were the exception and to admit that prioritizing the West over Japan has been a net negative for the franchise as a whole, despite prior commentary to the contrary.

I would also like to point out that FFXV two biggest markets were Japan and China in 2016. Both countries sold more copies than the US and likely at higher prices. At minimum, Asia as a whole is responsible for a lot of FFXV success and it's even higher for Remake. Square by disregarding the Switch and PC have basically doomed FF in Asia until things change.

Sony will gladly take it as FF is still a well-known franchise with history and great sales on PS even if on a downward trajectory. The big loser in this whole situation is Square Enix.

 

[Joseki]

I forgot to mention that I was referring to FF16, it’s too early to compare it against both Remake and 16, time will tell.

XVI was a decline from VII Remake that was a decline from XV (worldwide).

I don’t think 3, potentially 4 consecutive games selling sell than the previous entry is a fine track record.

 

[ILikeFeet]

One thing I'm seeing around the net about Switch/Drake ports and original FFs on Switch is that Nintendo's hardware is too weak for what Final Fantasy is (a high graphical fidelity IP).

It's emblematic of FF's problem if they need SIE's investments to continue that road. There's an ongoing question if all that money is giving returns of both parties as sales don't seem to be increasing.

And the main point, who gives a shit about the fidelity? It's a problem that only exists in nerd circles who were entranced by Sony's marketing back in the day (highlights another problem). Bigger cuts to fidelity hasn't hurt games like Hogwarts and the like, I think Final Fantasy can survive on games that have 20K triangles and 2500^2 worth of textures again

 

[Jin+Jang]

There are no credible rumored specs for RAM unless you mean necrofelipe (who said 12GB in Switch 2, 16GB for dev units). The most well reasoned speculation is 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X.

Latest rumor is 8 GB in Switch 2. You won't find 12 or 16 GB for 400$. That would be a huge loss per unit sold.

 

[fiendcode]

Latest rumor is 8 GB in Switch 2. You won't find 12 or 16 GB for 400$. That would be a huge loss per unit sold.

Source it then. We'll see how credible and current it truly is.

Deck has 16GB LPPDR5 and starts at $400. And that's a 2021 design, RAM's actually cheaper now than when Deck launched. It's one of the few components that's collapsed in price due to oversupply.

 

[ILikeFeet]

Latest rumor is 8 GB in Switch 2. You won't find 12 or 16 GB for 400$. That would be a huge loss per unit sold.

No credible rumor. Again, MLID and RGT isn't credible

 

[Aostia82]

and still assuming those specs and everything the Switch (1) can do (IMPOSSIBLE PORTS!!!!) still FFVII Remake (the PS4 game) would be doable without IMPOSSIBLE STRUGGLES, with a decent programming team

 

[Godzilla]

The whole specs conversation is a bit of a moot point when, again, you have games like Re4make, spider man 2, etc.... which looks absolutely stunning while running great. Meanwhile rebirth can look downright ugly at times, even on it's 30fps mode.

On Switch, you have the Witcher 3, Doom and Alien Isolation, but on the other hand you have MK1, Outer worlds or ark

Whatever these machines can or can not do, goes well beyond the specs of the system.

 

[Terrell]

And the main point, who gives a shit about the fidelity? It's a problem that only exists in nerd circles who were entranced by Sony's marketing back in the day (highlights another problem). Bigger cuts to fidelity hasn't hurt games like Hogwarts and the like, I think Final Fantasy can survive on games that have 20K triangles and 2500^2 worth of textures again

When nearly everything (fundamental gameplay systems included) is subject to change, fidelity, a bipedal yellow bird, a single person with the name Sid and giant creatures used like WMDs are the only identity the franchise still has. Some folks consider that enough.

 

[GoldenFingers]

I think a lot of it is about cost and popularity. A game that sells millions of copies and looks like it has legs is worth efforts to get it running on lower hardware as there could be hundreds of thousands or even a million units that can get shipped. Persons 5 and Nier 2 are good examples of old stuff getting successful ports that justify the efforts.

The future of Square Enix is going to increasingly be multiplatform, continuing the trend we've seen over the last decade. Nearly all games now are in Unreal or Unity to enable easier porting, including doing faithful full faithful remakes of existing games just so they can be ported and maintained better. Exclusivity windows are getting smaller, formerly around a year but now 6 or even 3 months. We don't know if the publishers or paying less, or if SE wants more money, or if there's an inflection point in their data about how much net LTD sales windows actually cost.

This FY is going to be a fucking mess for them though due to Switch 2 getting delayed leaving us in a super awkward triple-Gen era, with Switch being basically a ps3 on top of the ps4 and ps5 versions that much of their mid catalogue is getting these days. Well probably have a better idea of their plans soon but I think they are unlikely to match their 2023 Switch output (6 games + the 6 Pixel Remasters). SaGa, DQ3R, SaGa Frontier 2, and a Team Asano game are my guesses. Maybe Nier sqrt(1.5)R. No idea what to expect out of FFTR or FF9R.

 

[Danny]

One thing I'm seeing around the net about Switch/Drake ports and original FFs on Switch is that Nintendo's hardware is too weak for what Final Fantasy is (a high graphical fidelity IP).

It's emblematic of FF's problem if they need SIE's investments to continue that road. There's an ongoing question if all that money is giving returns of both parties as sales don't seem to be increasing.

And the main point, who gives a shit about the fidelity? It's a problem that only exists in nerd circles who were entranced by Sony's marketing back in the day (highlights another problem). Bigger cuts to fidelity hasn't hurt games like Hogwarts and the like, I think Final Fantasy can survive on games that have 20K triangles and 2500^2 worth of textures again

I don't think its too deep, Square Enix have seen other Japanese publishers having little problem in doing worse in Japan because of exploding sales in the west, they thought the same would be true for them as well. The problem for them is that unlike Capcom whose games can sell over 10 million outside Japan the JRPG games that Square Enix makes are more niche in the west so collapsing Japanese sales hurt them way more than it does for say Capcom.

 

[Damage2]

Kingdom Hearts 3 shipped 5 million day 1.

I dont think what they have is niche outside of Japan, only KH is bigger that everything Capcom made outside of MH

 

[BTB123]

The whole specs conversation is a bit of a moot point when, again, you have games like Re4make, spider man 2, etc.... which looks absolutely stunning while running great. Meanwhile rebirth can look downright ugly at times, even on it's 30fps mode.

On Switch, you have the Witcher 3, Doom and Alien Isolation, but on the other hand you have MK1, Outer worlds or ark

Whatever these machines can or can not do, goes well beyond the specs of the system.

Ark has had it's Switch port redone and runs really good while looking pretty decent. The Outer Worlds also got patched and works fine now.
It's all about how much work and experience goes into the product.

 

[Hero]

Kingdom Hearts 3 shipped 5 million day 1.

I dont think what they have is niche outside of Japan, only KH is bigger that everything Capcom made outside of MH

I don't think KH is bigger than Resident Evil either.

 

[ohlawd]

8 GB ram for Switch 2 who actually believes that shit

 

[Bodokoh]

Kingdom Hearts 3 shipped 5 million day 1.

I dont think what they have is niche outside of Japan, only KH is bigger that everything Capcom made outside of MH

Resident Evil has six titles and soon seven with RE4R, which sold more than KH3. Even DMC 5 sold more than KH3.