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Square Enix considers a change of direction for the company
05.25.06, 17:29:36
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Post #1 (permalink) |
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NEWS ARTICLE
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25th May 2006
Front Page Article: Square Enix consider a change of direction for the company
In a rather unexpected move from Square Enix recently, the company has openly expressed an interest in diverging the company off into different markets other than gaming.
Despite strong and consistant sales of the FFVII Compilation and Kingdom Hearts franchises, and higher than usual profits for the company's fiscal year, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has openly admitted that "It's getting hard to maintain a flow of new game titles." Most original games for the company simply aren't selling very well.
A number of non-game based ventures for the company have already taken place recently - the company has offered it's technical known to Matsu****a's range of home appliaces, and well partnerships with Japanese company Gakken Co., to release educational programes - and there may be more to follow in future months and years.
Says Yoichi Wada on the issue, "We haven't come up with hit software to follow in the footsteps of 'Final Fantasy' and other major titles, So we will have to alter our strategy."
What does the mean for the company's future? No-one can really say for sure. Chances are they the company may start releasing fewer original games for the forseeable future, and rely more and more on existing hit franchises ana alternate forms of income to keep profit stable.
It's unlikely the company will drop video games altogether though, with cash cows like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest under their belt.
Source: Next Generation |
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Last edited by Michael : 05.25.06 at 19:19:31.
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| Trouble making original games, eh? Is that why they've been concentrating on sequels/prequels so much? xD |
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id put my money on them pushing for the movie market. Advent Children proved a hit, hell wont be suprised if they made more games - CGI movies from thier well known games, or may even consider live or cartoons movie/series? meh  speculating now |
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They do CGI movies very well, and Advent Children did indeed sell well in both markets.
I am interested to know whether or not they will keep their more cash intensive franchises...such as FFXI. They get a subscription and such from every person true, but they also put alot of money into it as well. Or maybe a little. I'm not exactly sure.
But I will always remember Square for being the company that brought Xenogears and other non-mainstream RPGs to the mix. I just hope they don't back out completely. |
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Quote:
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Quoth Khaeos Drao-Kin:
I am interested to know whether or not they will keep their more cash intensive franchises...such as FFXI. They get a subscription and such from every person true, but they also put alot of money into it as well. Or maybe a little. I'm not exactly sure.
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Their PlayOnline service is one that hasn't been doing as sucessfully as they'd have hoped, but Final Fantasy XI is continuing to be a money maker for them, if not in as quickly a rate as most of the other games in the franchise. |
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The MMO market is quite congested actually, as opposed to what many people believe. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it promotes competition and overall better gaming.
I also remember S-E planning a number of different games for the POL service, not just FFXI. I wonder if they are still in the works or just scrapped. POL is a pretty decent idea, and shouldn't just be used for one game. |
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| Maybe they should just stop making **** games. |
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Quote:
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Quoth The Man:
Maybe they should just stop making **** games.
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QFT.
Or games that are just rehashes of previous games. |
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Before the wind changes direction, I hope Star Ocean 4 is being made. >_>
And if they really want a game that can sell like Final Fantasy, all they have to do is announce a Chrono sequel made by BOTH Square and Enix, like Chrono Trigger was. That, I guarantee it, would sell like hotcakes in Japan.
And besides, I haven't seen many "original" titles from Square Enix lately, with the exception of Radiata Stories and Drakengard...no wonder they don't sell well.  |
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