158

rate it

Alternate Sources:

Full Interview @ GamesIndustry.biz (gamesindustry.biz)

@ Kotaku. (kotaku.com)

add alt source

report bad alt source

[SquareEnix] Wada: "We're now in the age of the multi-platform. "

Cruxis Mana | July 29, 2008 | News | Playstation 3 Wii

It seems that SquareEnix wishes to take a new direction this generation with them beginning to focus more on multiplatform games. Today Yoichi Wada has spoken out, defending this new stance for the company.

Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has told GamesIndustry.biz that the RPG specialist is neutral when it comes to dealing with publishing and platform partners.

"We always consider the territory and hardware for titles, and I just want to make sure that we're neutral about dealing with companies," said Wada speaking in an exclusive interview published today.

"In Japan we know that the Xbox 360 isn't really that strong yet, but for me I feel very calm about dealing with any company, and we're not partnering exclusively with any particular company."

Wada said that the company will continue to support multiple formats in its efforts to reach beyond a core audience, and the Xbox 360 offers strong opportunities to expand into the US market.

"In North America Microsoft is doing very well with its hardware, and for that reason it's a very important partner for us," he said.

"We're now in the age of the multi-platform, but depending on age and territory, users have different tastes.

"Therefore it's very difficult to just deal with one company or one hardware platform - in order to offer our product to the vast majority of gamers we need to deal with multiple companies and platforms," added Wada.

News Story attached to:

23 comments | go to source (www.gamesindustry.biz) | Add to favorites!

favourite this article |

send to friend

Images about this story:

97	Dead Rising Wii hands-on impressions - It's "Woeful" and "Terrible" (11) October 10, 2008
112	The "Booth Companions" of TGS 2008 ... Shh, don't call them "Booth Babes"! (9) October 10, 2008
189	Miyamoto: "Mario Galaxy was conservative", "Twilight Princess was missing something" (27) November 1, 2008
82	Judd: "I liked MGS4... with the exception of the story" and "BioShock was easy as Hell" (2) September 18, 2008
198	Meet Yakuza 3's "Oil Massage" Babe - She'll Replenish Your Health (50) October 9, 2008

Comments

1 thumbs!
Livewire_19 | July 29, 2008

So they gave 13 to Microsoft because the PS3 is not strong enough in the us.
- 1 thumbs!
  Cruxis Mana | July 29, 2008
  
  Pretty much.
  - 1 thumbs!
    Bunnyburn | July 30, 2008
    
    Sounds like a good plan from the economic point-of-view.
0 thumbs!
Magimaster | July 29, 2008

So basically what he's really trying to say is, "We're now in the age of whoring out our franchise to make $$$." A legit reason by all means. With the financial crises all over and the steep price of oil, corporations need a lot more of the green stuff to survive nowadays. $_$
- 4 thumbs!
  Slumpy monkey | July 29, 2008
  
  If you had the choice of: Making some money or: Making MORE money and a platform to get more money in the future.
  
  What would you choose?
  - 1 thumbs!
    Big Willie | July 30, 2008
    
    Exactly. Square Enix is a business. A business's purpose is to make profit. Why would they shoot themselves in the foot? I don't understand why some of you are so ticked that a game is being released on BOTH platforms. It can only help Square Enix. More platforms = more customers = more profits = more investment for next game = bigger, more epic game.
0 thumbs!
kik36 | July 29, 2008

Whatever they wanna do I suppose. What I don't like seeing is when they do one game on one system, then the sequel on another, then the next sequel on a whole 'nother.......makes it tough to be loyal to any gaming company like that, and I think SE is the worst when it comes to that.

I have a DS, Wii, PSP, PS2, PS3.......I'm not buying a 360 god damn it!!! Do you hear me Square Enix?! They talk all of that shit in that article and still aren't there 3 games exclusive to the 360?
5 thumbs!
Cruxis Mana | July 29, 2008

@ kik36.

Yeah. That's my stance too.

- The Last Remant (Timed 360 exclusive)
- Infinite Undiscovery (360 exclusive)
- Star Ocean: The Last Hope (360 exclusive)

Then add to that Final Fantasy XIII which is multi-platform.

Of course the PS3 is still getting FFXIII and The Last Remanant, alongside Versus XIII, but Wada can't come out and say things like this when they are quite obviously prioritising one platform over another.

SquareEnix are so full of shit these days.

Oo and SquareEnix-to-Wii: lul.
- -1 thumbs!
  Red 9 | July 29, 2008
  
  This is also after they BS'ed us by saying they see PS3 being dominant.
  
  Whores they are indeed. Especially after completely switching the console SO4 was exclusive on.
  - 0 thumbs!
    BlackLabel | July 30, 2008
    
    They didn't just because they are multi platform doesn't mean they don't like the PS3's power.
2 thumbs!
Shadow net583x s | July 29, 2008

I really hope this means something for Kingdom Hearts 3.
- 0 thumbs!
  Red 9 | July 29, 2008
  
  KH3 isn't going anywhere. Nomura's the head of the Versus team, and also worked on KH series, and Nomura hates 360 (kind of like Valve and the PS3).
  
  So I doubt that.
  - -1 thumbs!
    Bunnyburn | July 30, 2008
    
    Is that why the PS3 got the Orange Box as well? Because Valve hates it?
    - 2 thumbs!
      Raziel_326 | July 30, 2008
      
      Giving EA to do a shitty buggy port of Orange Box and Valve ignoring the complaints from PS3 owners, I'd say so.
- 0 thumbs!
  Demonfurby | July 30, 2008
  
  Really that's the only thing I care about. Like I give a shit about FF
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | July 30, 2008

_{KH3 and Versus sounds possible to go multiplatform. Eh I don't care anymore. Its apparent they have a reason, and it seems logical.

Nomura would be stupid not to make those titles Multiplatform.

Well I guess Sony are going in a new direction themselves.}
2 thumbs!
Silver Mirror | July 30, 2008

If this is the age of multiplatforms then why are ever more Square titles going 360 exclusive or timed exclusive? I call bullshit
3 thumbs!
gonzab | July 30, 2008

*bleep*. YOU. WADA.

Srsly, how the hell can he say that when he gets quabahatrillions of exclusive games to the 360?! And LOL, none or almost none to the Wii!

This man has completely lost his mind I really hope he dies sometime soon.
3 thumbs!
Gothic Girl | July 30, 2008

If Squeenix were truly interested in gaining more fans through making their games multiplatform, then they would make FFXIII multiplatform in Japan too. It's silly for Wada to say that Squeenix want to "offer our product to the vast majority of gamers" when they clearly have no interest in releasing the game on 360 in Japan because it won't bring in the truck-loads of cash that they want.

It's all about money, money, money with Squeenix. And not in a regular gaming business sort of way - They seem to have put easy-money over what fans genuinely want. we know that the numerous crappy FFVII spin-offs, re-re-re-releases of FF games, and remakes aren't about pleasing fans. It's all about getting a quick buck from a fanbase that they believe will buy anything with the name "Final Fantasy" on the box.
1 thumbs!
DragoniteBallZ | July 30, 2008

None of Square Enix games are guaranteed exclusives. They make games and port games at their own convenience.

Just like Final Fantasy 13 was to PS3, Infinite Undiscovery and Star Ocean: The Last Hope were announced for the 360 only but they did NOT say they were exclusive. That's just the apparent status at the moment.

Yes, going multi-platform means more money and reaching out to a wider audience. What logical reason is there not to go that direction?
- 1 thumbs!
  gonzab | July 31, 2008
  
  That's not the point. The point is, the guy just shamelessly contradicts himself because he probably thinks we're a bunch of fools who don't understand. That or he is completely mad. Besides getting the games exclusively on the 360 may get him more money depending how much Uncle Bill payed him to do so.
  
  All in all, what he says is completely bullshit.
  - 0 thumbs!
    Cruxis Mana | July 31, 2008
    
    I think Infinite Undiscovery was funded by MS BTW.
1 thumbs!
OuterHaven | July 31, 2008

age of multiplatform ? what about Infinite Undiscovery, Oddyssey ? why those were xbox360 only why not ps3 ? so what does multiplatform means to squenix i don't know :/