Microsoft is not paying Square-Enix

To preface this post:

We don't want the PlayStation 3 to be the overwhelming loser, so we want to support them. But we don't want them to be the overwhelming winner either, so we can't support them too much. Michihiro Sasaki - VP of Square-Enix

Link

Star Ocean 4 360 exclusive (for now), The Last Remnant 360 timed exclusive...this is what Sasaki meant when he spoke about supporting all consoles equally.

As hard as it is to imagine, Square is not the honorable company the Playstation era made them out to be, remember Nintendo? The Final Fantasy VII for Nintendo 64? It existed.

Secondly, when has Microsoft not told the world about their spending habits? The touted the $50,000,000 they spent on GTAIV DLC. They've touted their wallet after every exclusive they have purchased. Their reasoning? They pay to give their consumers what they want.

There has been no news whatsoever saying any kind of deal with Square-Enix has been reached. A deal of that magnitude would drive sales of the 360 all over the world immediately, and would not be something Microsoft would want to hide.

As painful as it is, the PS3 is selling no better in Japan than the 360 is. If you count 7,000 consoles per week a huge difference then I feel for you...

Square's bold new trend puts another franchise in jeopardy, Kingdom Hearts. If Sony does not open their wallets, Square has no reason to bring KH3 to the PS3. No reason whatsoever. Kingdom Hearts is up and down a Wii-esque game.

Microsoft isn't opening their wallet, Sony needs to, and Nintendo is just screwing everybody.

Yeah.. and if MS did pay for this Square would just tell it to everyone who wants to hear it...

No I don't buy it. Games which will almost certainly be more profitable on the PS3 (because of popularity in Japan where these games sell best) going to the 360 all of a sudden. Commercially this is a stupid move, unless some money is involved with it coming from MS directly.

Aside from that I also find the way the Square guy phrased it pretty arrogant. What makes him think that whichever console is supported by SE will b the on that 'wins' the console wer?

I do not agree with the Idea that selling 7000 (average) more consoles in Japan than the 360 is nothing. The 360 in Japan is non existant. The PS3 in Japan is dead but still could make a comeback, especially with exclusive jrpgs like FF and SO. I Understand the Idea of Square Enix wanting all consoles to do well, so it can sell more software to more people, But giving SO game exclusively to the 360 won't make the 360 sell better in Japan, while doing lots of damage to the PS3 sales IMO.kentaro22

That's the way I see it too. MS is perhaps doing this as a last effort to gain a foothold in Japan. If this doesnt work, nothing will. They can afford to pay for it. Easily. But Square is 'betraying' (I use the term loosely, I realise that in the end it's just games and there are more important things) their loyal customers for money.

Maybe I'm totally wrong of course, since my guess is as good as any's.

Ok, here's a question that begs to be answered then. Mistwalker's games spiked 360 sales pretty considerably in Japan. What will a true, full-effort, major Square-Enix franchise under presumably timed exclusivity do for the system? If it is between playing SO4 and TLR right now, or waiting upwards of a year, do the Japanese do without for that entire year?TheSystemLord1

Ok, here's a question that begs to be answered then. Mistwalker's games spiked 360 sales pretty considerably in Japan. What will a true, full-effort, major Square-Enix franchise under presumably timed exclusivity do for the system? If it is between playing SO4 and TLR right now, or waiting upwards of a year, do the Japanese do without for that entire year?TheSystemLord1

Spiked? So they sold 2000 instead of 1000 per week?

But in all seriousness: I'm not too knowledgeable about the Japanese and their mentality, but I think the main reason Japanese rather buy a PS3 is that it is Japanese. Japan has very little natural resources like oil and metals and its economy is adapted to this. Japanese realise this and therefore they know they're supporting their own economy and maintaining their own level of welfare by buying only Japanese products like consumer electronics and cars. Also they make sure they work harder and more efficiently and maintain a higher level of quality (Japanese cars are the best as are their electronics) to be able to export these products elsewhere and ensure them being bought. So I doubt an American console will ever stand a chance in Japan.

Ok, here's a question that begs to be answered then. Mistwalker's games spiked 360 sales pretty considerably in Japan. What will a true, full-effort, major Square-Enix franchise under presumably timed exclusivity do for the system? If it is between playing SO4 and TLR right now, or waiting upwards of a year, do the Japanese do without for that entire year?TheSystemLord1

It'll probably reach PS3 sales levels. You know, 7000 to 10000 before falling after a few weeks.

Actually, from 4000 to 35,000 consoles.

Link

You're very gullible if you believe there was no money exchanged.

See, I could understand supporting all consoles equally, but you do realize that making one console have Timed Exclusives and the other having fabled games that seem to keep being pushed back, isn't exactly equal footing, is it now?

It's pretty obvious.

[QUOTE="kentaro22"]I do not agree with the Idea that selling 7000 (average) more consoles in Japan than the 360 is nothing. The 360 in Japan is non existant. The PS3 in Japan is dead but still could make a comeback, especially with exclusive jrpgs like FF and SO. I Understand the Idea of Square Enix wanting all consoles to do well, so it can sell more software to more people, But giving SO game exclusively to the 360 won't make the 360 sell better in Japan, while doing lots of damage to the PS3 sales IMO.NielsNL

That's the way I see it too. MS is perhaps doing this as a last effort to gain a foothold in Japan. If this doesnt work, nothing will. They can afford to pay for it. Easily. But Square is 'betraying' (I use the term loosely, I realise that in the end it's just games and there are more important things) their loyal customers for money.

Maybe I'm totally wrong of course, since my guess is as good as any's.

right...... so put it on a console that is dead in japan, I mean it only sells 1-2 thousand units a week, so what sense does it make unless microsoft is paying money to atleast help develop the game, otherwise it's suicide for the game

right...... so put it on a console that is dead in japan, I mean it only sells 1-2 thousand units a week, so what sense does it make unless microsoft is paying money to atleast help develop the game, otherwise it's suicide for the game

bigLLL

In the week of its release, Blue Dragon bumped 360 sales from 4,000 to 35,000.

Square probably thinks its games can do alot better than that.

The market is there believe it or not.

right...... so put it on a console that is dead in japan, I mean it only sells 1-2 thousand units a week, so what sense does it make unless microsoft is paying money to atleast help develop the game, otherwise it's suicide for the game

bigLLL

[QUOTE="bigLLL"]

right...... so put it on a console that is dead in japan, I mean it only sells 1-2 thousand units a week, so what sense does it make unless microsoft is paying money to atleast help develop the game, otherwise it's suicide for the game

TheSystemLord1

In the week of its release, Blue Dragon bumped 360 sales from 4,000 to 35,000.

Square probably thinks its games can do alot better than that.

The market is there believe it or not.

Hey, if MS did pay them would it matter?

I suppose if they do it loads it could break anti competition laws but this is how companies seal exclusives and timed exclusives. Its just business.

yes a spike but now it's back selling 1000-2000 units again, and what blue-dragon only sold 200k so far in japan it's not much, ps3 isnt doing great but the fact is all sony needs is a smash hit jrpg and japan will actually buy a ps3 look what happened with the PSP when monster hunter 2ndg come out, it's sold like 2 million copies and psp dominates, and thats all sony needs just one game, but the 360 no matter what the japanese just arnt going to buy the 360, maybe a spike here and there but nothing will change that, it's just how the japanese role 360 will never ever have a million seller in japan even if the game is amazing.bigLLL

My point was that was a start up company with no credentials outside of Sakaguchi. It had that big of an impact.

A true Square-Enix game (next in a popular series) is a big deal. And could easily fuel 360 sales for a month or more. With that kind of success behind it, it makes the decision to bring JRPG's to the 360 a whole lot easier.

Wait, so Star Ocean 4 is exclusive and Last Remnant comes to Xbox 360 first? Man, I feel bad for cows. :lol:BioShockOwnz

Lol I was wondering when you would get online to see this.

Tales of Vesperia releases this year, 360 exclusive.

Star Ocean 4 had a trailer saying "For Xbox 360"

TLR is a timed exclusive, PS3 version is "uncertain".

Infinite Undiscovery, Cry On, and Mistwalker games are also in development as we speak and preparing for a 2009 RPG onslaught.

No I don't buy it. Games which will almost certainly be more profitable on the PS3 (because of popularity in Japan where these games sell best) going to the 360 all of a sudden. Commercially this is a stupid move, unless some money is involved with it coming from MS directly.

NielsNL

How would putting them on the PS3 be any commercially stupider than putting them on the 360?

Why not put them on the Wii then, which sells 10x more than the PS3 in japan?

.

Wait, so Star Ocean 4 is exclusive and Last Remnant comes to Xbox 360 first? Man, I feel bad for cows. :lol:BioShockOwnz

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Wait, so Star Ocean 4 is exclusive and Last Remnant comes to Xbox 360 first? Man, I feel bad for cows. :lol:TheSystemLord1

Lol I was wondering when you would get online to see this.

Tales of Vesperia releases this year, 360 exclusive.

Star Ocean 4 had a trailer saying "For Xbox 360"

TLR is a timed exclusive, PS3 version is "uncertain".

Infinite Undiscovery, Cry On, and Mistwalker games are also in development as we speak and preparing for a 2009 RPG onslaught.

Wowzers, thanks for the news. This is just crazy! Xbox 360 is definitely the console to own if you want JRPG's. And cows tried to play down the 360's future...:lol:

[QUOTE="bigLLL"]yes a spike but now it's back selling 1000-2000 units again, and what blue-dragon only sold 200k so far in japan it's not much, ps3 isnt doing great but the fact is all sony needs is a smash hit jrpg and japan will actually buy a ps3 look what happened with the PSP when monster hunter 2ndg come out, it's sold like 2 million copies and psp dominates, and thats all sony needs just one game, but the 360 no matter what the japanese just arnt going to buy the 360, maybe a spike here and there but nothing will change that, it's just how the japanese role 360 will never ever have a million seller in japan even if the game is amazing.TheSystemLord1

My point was that was a start up company with no credentials. It had that big of an impact.

A true Square-Enix game (next in a popular series) is a big deal. And could easily fuel 360 sales for a month or more. With that kind of success behind it, it makes the decision to bring JRPG's to the 360 a whole lot easier.

You do not give exclusives without getting incentives in return.

You are a fool if you think FF13 wasn't paid for by Sony in some way or form.

It's obvious MS is paying Square something for all these RPGs. The reason I'm so surprised is because it seems these X360 titles are taking most of their dev time over PS3 titles. That is what should be concerning. It doesn't matter if PS3 gets FF13 2 years from now if in the mean time X360 gets 5 exclusive RPG's from Square lol.

No lemmings would have played star ocean 3 So it's funny them jumping on the bandwagon now, I can tell you it was beyond average, but there are some ps2 now ps3 owners that would be a little angry that actually enjoyed star ocean 3 for some bizzare reason[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Wait, so Star Ocean 4 is exclusive and Last Remnant comes to Xbox 360 first? Man, I feel bad for cows. :lol:bigLLL

[QUOTE="TheSystemLord1"]

[QUOTE="bigLLL"]yes a spike but now it's back selling 1000-2000 units again, and what blue-dragon only sold 200k so far in japan it's not much, ps3 isnt doing great but the fact is all sony needs is a smash hit jrpg and japan will actually buy a ps3 look what happened with the PSP when monster hunter 2ndg come out, it's sold like 2 million copies and psp dominates, and thats all sony needs just one game, but the 360 no matter what the japanese just arnt going to buy the 360, maybe a spike here and there but nothing will change that, it's just how the japanese role 360 will never ever have a million seller in japan even if the game is amazing.UnrealSin_X

My point was that was a start up company with no credentials. It had that big of an impact.

A true Square-Enix game (next in a popular series) is a big deal. And could easily fuel 360 sales for a month or more. With that kind of success behind it, it makes the decision to bring JRPG's to the 360 a whole lot easier.

Why do Sony supporters always pull the conspiracy theory card?

"Uncharted was so underrated by Gamespot", "Lemspot!"

"R&C: ToD was so underrated by Gamespot". "Lemspot!"

"Halo 3 got a 9.5?, "What?!", "They were bribed by M$"

"GTA IV doesn't deserve a 10!", "They were bribed", "MGS4 won't get a 10 because Konami won't pay!"

"M$ got exclusive JRPG's that should be on PS3?", "What traders!" "M$ is pullin' out their moneyhat!"

"Wait, DMC4 went multiplatform?!" "Those traders!" Let's start a petition about how mad we are!"

Seriously, guys....it's time for a new excuse.

No one can say this console is just for shooters now.

But I do think MS payed SE. It makes sense because I highly dout SE are going to give free exclusive deals to companies and release the game on one console instead of 2. Its business and normal.

You do not give exclusives without getting incentives in return.

You are a fool if you think FF13 wasn't paid for by Sony in some way or form.

It's obvious MS is paying Square something for all these RPGs. The reason I'm so surprised is because it seems these X360 titles are taking most of their dev time over PS3 titles. That is what should be concerning. It doesn't matter if PS3 gets FF13 2 years from now if in the mean time X360 gets 5 exclusive RPG's from Square lol.

darthogre

Lol interesting point. FF13 is nowhere to be seen and yet the 360 RPG's are being shown left and right.

Interesting...very interesting...

So it looks like I will be finally getting my X box 360 soon. Maybe at the end of this year since Star Ocean 4 is exclusive for it in 2009:D

*sigh* but really, it surprises me that no company, but SE, has really tried to develop for te PS3. I would like to see what it can really do.

[QUOTE="UnrealSin_X"][QUOTE="TheSystemLord1"]

[QUOTE="bigLLL"]yes a spike but now it's back selling 1000-2000 units again, and what blue-dragon only sold 200k so far in japan it's not much, ps3 isnt doing great but the fact is all sony needs is a smash hit jrpg and japan will actually buy a ps3 look what happened with the PSP when monster hunter 2ndg come out, it's sold like 2 million copies and psp dominates, and thats all sony needs just one game, but the 360 no matter what the japanese just arnt going to buy the 360, maybe a spike here and there but nothing will change that, it's just how the japanese role 360 will never ever have a million seller in japan even if the game is amazing.BioShockOwnz

My point was that was a start up company with no credentials. It had that big of an impact.

A true Square-Enix game (next in a popular series) is a big deal. And could easily fuel 360 sales for a month or more. With that kind of success behind it, it makes the decision to bring JRPG's to the 360 a whole lot easier.

Why do Sony supporters always pull the conspiracy theory card?

"Uncharted was so underrated by Gamespot", "Lemspot!"

"R&C: ToD was so underrated by Gamespot". "Lemspot!"

"Halo 3 got a 9.5?, "What?!", "They were bribed by M$"

"GTA IV doesn't deserve a 10!", "They were bribed", "MGS4 won't get a 10 because Konami won't pay!"

"M$ got exclusive JRPG's that should be on PS3?", "What traders!" "M$ is pullin' out their moneyhat!"

"Wait, DMC4 went multiplatform?!" "Those traders!" Let's start a petition about how mad we are!"

Seriously, guys....it's time for a new excuse.

What in the blue hell are you speaking of? I could'nt care less if Gamespot scored every PS3 game 0.01. Sony pays SE, the same way MS did and if you don't believe that well it's up to you but i'd suggest taking some business studies.

Conspiracies are BS most of the time and this is'nt one, it's common sense. I love how you generalize everyone defending the PS3 as a "Sony supporter", seriously i'd love and see you use logic instead of quotes from idiotic fanboys.
Sorry if i was rude, but i hate generalization.UnrealSin_X

Do you have any cold hard evidence that money was exchanged from Microsoft to Square? If you don't, then it's a conspiracy theory until proof is provided. You can tell people to take some business studies, which I did in college, and you can tell people this and that -- but until the real proof is provided, it's nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

[QUOTE="UnrealSin_X"]
What in the blue hell are you speaking of? I could'nt care less if Gamespot scored every PS3 game 0.01. Sony pays SE, the same way MS did and if you don't believe that well it's up to you but i'd suggest taking some business studies.

Conspiracies are BS most of the time and this is'nt one, it's common sense. I love how you generalize everyone defending the PS3 as a "Sony supporter", seriously i'd love and see you use logic instead of quotes from idiotic fanboys.
Sorry if i was rude, but i hate generalization.BioShockOwnz

Do you have any cold hard evidence that money was exchanged from Microsoft to Square? If you don't, then it's a conspiracy theory until proof is provided. You can tell people to take some business studies, which I did in college, and you can tell people this and that -- but until the real proof is provided, it's nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

Sony owns a part of SE, and are selling better in Japan, Europe, and lately even in the States, yet this is happening (Which is fine by me,) which begs the question, Why?

[QUOTE="UnrealSin_X"]
What in the blue hell are you speaking of? I could'nt care less if Gamespot scored every PS3 game 0.01. Sony pays SE, the same way MS did and if you don't believe that well it's up to you but i'd suggest taking some business studies.

Conspiracies are BS most of the time and this is'nt one, it's common sense. I love how you generalize everyone defending the PS3 as a "Sony supporter", seriously i'd love and see you use logic instead of quotes from idiotic fanboys.
Sorry if i was rude, but i hate generalization.BioShockOwnz

Do you have any cold hard evidence that money was exchanged from Microsoft to Square? If you don't, then it's a conspiracy theory until proof is provided. You can tell people to take some business studies, which I did in college, and you can tell people this and that -- but until the real proof is provided, it's nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

Well, when youhave exclusives there is usually money involved. Games are hard and expensive to develop for this gen. Most companies are probably finding it more benifical to release multiplats which I hate actually. If there is a game that is excluisve just expect that money was involved. Especially JRPGs

This goes for Sony and Microsoft

[QUOTE="UnrealSin_X"]
What in the blue hell are you speaking of? I could'nt care less if Gamespot scored every PS3 game 0.01. Sony pays SE, the same way MS did and if you don't believe that well it's up to you but i'd suggest taking some business studies.

Conspiracies are BS most of the time and this is'nt one, it's common sense. I love how you generalize everyone defending the PS3 as a "Sony supporter", seriously i'd love and see you use logic instead of quotes from idiotic fanboys.
Sorry if i was rude, but i hate generalization.BioShockOwnz

Do you have any cold hard evidence that money was exchanged from Microsoft to Square? If you don't, then it's a conspiracy theory until proof is provided. You can tell people to take some business studies, which I did in college, and you can tell people this and that -- but until the real proof is provided, it's nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

This is my exact argument both here and in the PS3 forums.

When has Microsoft shyed away from telling the world that they spend their money? Never. They tell the public about nearly every dollar they spend on videogames because it shows us that they care about the 360's success.

Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside really...

cmon now ur a smart guy, if you was a betting man which side would you put the house on, sqaure enix making star ocean 4 a 360 exclusive with a install base of 600,000 in japan and only selling 1-2000 a week knowing full well how stubborn the japanese can be when it comes to there console choices, with no proven good sales when it comes to rpgs with lost odyssey only selling like 100k and blue-dragon 200k......and yet lets make it exclusive anyway with a huge potential for massive failure and better yet lets do it for freee yay yay

or microsoft paying sqaure a sum of money to make it exclusive or atleast timed exclusive because microsoft really wants to try crack the japan market and is pulling out all the stops with sums of cash because they realise it's important ( and there is nothing wrong with this at all) there just trying and good on them really?

[QUOTE="UnrealSin_X"]
What in the blue hell are you speaking of? I could'nt care less if Gamespot scored every PS3 game 0.01. Sony pays SE, the same way MS did and if you don't believe that well it's up to you but i'd suggest taking some business studies.

Conspiracies are BS most of the time and this is'nt one, it's common sense. I love how you generalize everyone defending the PS3 as a "Sony supporter", seriously i'd love and see you use logic instead of quotes from idiotic fanboys.
Sorry if i was rude, but i hate generalization.BioShockOwnz

Do you have any cold hard evidence that money was exchanged from Microsoft to Square? If you don't, then it's a conspiracy theory until proof is provided. You can tell people to take some business studies, which I did in college, and you can tell people this and that -- but until the real proof is provided, it's nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

I'm suprised that Microsoft would be going this far. I mean damn they are in it to win it. They're platform is the one that sells the software and that is what the Developers and game makers are looking for especially now and days when its hardest to earn a buck selling a game with the high dev costs. They are starting to have great relations with devs these days and its well earned given the success of sales of software on their system.

You'd think Reggie would be trying to get better relations given Nintendo's success or hell even Sony should have **** blocked this by any means possible.

I mean the Japanese gaming market console wise really isn't buying much. Hell its an offbeat shot in the dark but making these games and making them viable for 360 isn't exactly an insane idea. Would I do it as a Japanese dev? Probably not. But you have to take into account that JRPGS are selling on the 360. They do okay in Japan and then do decent in Europe and America. They make decent and profitable numbers and thats without having to deal with the PS3 high cost and highly time consuming development.

I mean if you can make a 360 game and it can sell well and be profitable I mean hell go for it. JPN sales don't seem to be doing as well as the other regions and like I said from the business standpoint you still have to deal with the PS3's cost.

But like I said. I still wouldn't attempt this if this was my game. But I do see the logic behind it.

Why didn't lems cry over the moneyhat issue when all the exclusives went to PS2? Or when FFXIII was announced only for PS3? BioShockOwnz

Why didn't lems cry over the moneyhat issue when all the exclusives went to PS2? Or when FFXIII was announced only for PS3? BioShockOwnz

Why didn't lems cry over the moneyhat issue when all the exclusives went to PS2? Or when FFXIII was announced only for PS3? BioShockOwnz

Hmmm..Well, let's see. It says XIII. So coming from the Xbox/PC world, that's a lot of sequels I've never seen before or had the urge to play it, so an FFXIII would not cater to a new crowd on different machines who have no history of FF & probably do not have the interest to make it sell either. As for the PS2/Xbox, both of those consoles were cheap enough to own both & get whatever games you wanted...imagine two consoles at only $150-$200..basically 2 consoles for the price of one in today's market.

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Why didn't lems cry over the moneyhat issue when all the exclusives went to PS2? Or when FFXIII was announced only for PS3? bigLLL

It would seem like the Sony and Square honeymoon is over. That's a good thing for everyone. We don't need a monopoly on our games. Now Square will be providing killer games for every console.

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"]Why didn't lems cry over the moneyhat issue when all the exclusives went to PS2? Or when FFXIII was announced only for PS3? UnrealSin_X