Square Enix prez talks next gen

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:10 am PT

At an Intel Core 2 exhibit in Japan, Square Enix head honcho Yoichi Wada gives a glimpse of a game in development--without revealing its platform.

Intel's new Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Extreme line of computer processors were hyped today at a special event in Tokyo. But perhaps the most pressing news stemming from the event came from the appearance of Yoichi Wada, president and representative director at Square Enix.

Wada delivered a speech and brought with him a screenshot from an unspecified, online game in development at Square Enix, according to Impress Watch.

The picture showed an elaborately rendered female in some sort of medieval fantasy setting, with a caption reading "Engaging next-generation platforms." Impress Watch said that the picture appears to be similar to one shown at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, where the game was introduced as an "MMORPG for next-generation platforms."

Wada used part of his speech at the Intel event to discuss next-generation game making. "It's a fact that the cost of game development is on the rise," Wada said. But, he added, "We haven't given up on the high-end market. If anything, its importance is increasing."

The exact platform has never been specified, and it could be that the mystery title is a PC game, but Wada, instead of revealing the information, seemingly tiptoed around the issue. "The question of what platform will be able to run this game is of great importance to the users," he said, without elaborating.

49 Comments

  • rynmls

    Posted Jul 28, 2006 1:56 am PT

    wooooo....

  • blackIceJoe

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:08 pm PT

    I so hope this comes to the PC,PS3 & 360 that way you can play against some one on the PS3 and you on the 360 or any way.Brings in more fun to the game.I would love to see a Dragon Quest world MMO game or how about a mmo game from the old works of Enix.Like some of there old franchises.I think some thing that would kill even better then that a MMO of a game like KH where all the different people from Square & Enix live in one world and you go around doing stuff from the different games.Like you could see a character from the FF series or DQ fighting along each other.It is about time they bring the great franchises into one game.Other then those puzzle games they have.

    Plus I know console games do not work that well without the keyboard but maybe they could allow you to use it so then it will work fine with it and even if it does work with it may be some people do not want to use hte Keyboard so I think it would be good if they left it up to how people want to play the game.But if I was to have to use a keyboard I would be fine.seeing as I use it all the time why not make it work with the 360 and the PS3.

    But I my self would much prefer to see a RPG game using the character's from each Square and Enix over another MMO game there is to many out there.

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:04 pm PT

    shinchy i really do agree with that

    Myself, i dont dislike VII, it is in my top 5 or 6 FF games
    I just dont get carried away with it like some people did
    When it came out i went crazy over it yes, like i did ALL FF games
    But than i started to get over it and now just think it is REALLY good insted of the BEST

    And also i ment to ask before...if IX was my fave, what would the problem be with that?
    It is the most FANTASY FF game in years, all the others though they do have fantasy feel to them, IX is VERY Fantasy from the art, to the story

    And it also has one of the darkest storys (a young mage who has to face the fact that he might die very soon, the main role finding out his whole life has been a lie (not just a few years like Cloud) the main female has to watch her mother die, the main hero see's his brother die and home world destroyed aswell as all the things that happen to everyone else)
    I call that pretty dark when it comes to FF

  • SavoyPrime

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 9:12 pm PT

    If this MMORPG comes to next-gen consoles and won't have a monthly fee, I'm willing to give it a go.

  • Paladin_Fox

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 8:50 pm PT

    There isn't much to discuss here. Wada said practically nothing of value. We'll just have to wait and see if SE will give us somethign serious to chew on.

  • _sean_05

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 7:23 pm PT

    S-E is still king of RPG dev's. If anyones titles even come close, It would have to be Atlus or Nippon Ichi, maybe. USA RPGs can eat my fat one. I dont want a First-Person hack and slash RPG. If i did, i'd just play doom2 w/ brass knuckles. Square - Enix owns the Japanese market with Dragon Quest and Kingdom HEarts, and they still run big numbers in the US/Europe markets with Final Fantasy and KHearts. I think they should develop more cheap to produce DS and cell phone games, and use those easy $$$$s to pad huge dev costs for the next-gen platforms. Those platforms both sell quick like fresh fish and big apartments in Japan. I imagine that if they do release a new MMO that it will be for sony/PC/maybe 360. Theres no way they will scale it down to Wii compatability (obvioulsy). Funny how all the sony fans

  • 1SleepyGit

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 4:16 pm PT

    Square-Enix would never go with Microsoft because MS tried to buy Square and they don't seem to like MS much at all. Shame really, the change might have got them to do something different for once, oh well another FF trying to profit from the success of FFVII and earlier here we come.

  • RuminaX

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 4:13 pm PT

    As long as it doesn't involve growth similar to FFXI gameplay I'll be happy. I like commiting to an mmo but that can get to be a bit much.

  • chikahiro94

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    Clever. I wonder if Squre Enix is trying to get Sony and Microsoft to offer them exclusitivity deals (see who offers the best terms). Nice trick, playing them off of each other.

  • Game-o_O

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 3:42 pm PT

    Some how I think the Devil lies. I've actually been playing the series since the start & I remember when VII came out. Besides people, you couldn't even follow some of them without a little help of a site called De-jap . Well anyways, once 7 came out it was & still is the best. VIII was completely origin 2 and I think is the second best (& not far behind either). IX would have to be the third ;o.

    VII has always been & always will be *under* hyped. If you weren't there when it first came out, then you will NEVER understand.

  • shinchy

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 3:36 pm PT

    VII may not be the favorate for everyone, but make no mistake it's by far the most popular.

  • MovieMan200x

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 3:08 pm PT

    @Digital-Devil

    VIII? Ooh, not sure if I agree with that one. I love VII, but I do agree with you in that VI is absolutely THE best.

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:55 pm PT

    wild_world_girl

    No infact i dont
    I think VIII and VI are the best
    Got a problem with someone thinking VII isn't the best?

  • Invidia_Seputus

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:40 pm PT

    I'm not going to dispute that Oblivion had RPG elements, it just veered too much onto "Action" territory for my taste.

    Morrowind, with it's dice rolls, and Daggerfall both strike me as games I enjoyed more for an extened period of time, and was able to go back and re-play. Oblivion, I played through and put it away. Haven't played since.

    Just my opinion.

  • caesarbites

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:31 pm PT

    Chubbums, a lot of people who ARE NOT NOOBS play Oblivion religiously and LOVE IT and call it an RPG. Funny how you just come on here and assume, simply because you don't see the dice rolling and your hit points subtracted over your head, that only a noob would call Oblivion an RPG. Hate to tell you this, but to call it anything else BUT an RPG would just be incorrect. It's an R P G ! It may look like an action game, but it allows you to role-play. Guess what the R and P in RPG stands for???

  • Chubbums

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:10 pm PT

    Oblivion was an RPG? Could of fooled me. Played more like an action game. Unless you're a n00b who never bothered playing Morrowind or Daggerfall, don't ever say Oblivion is a great RPG.

  • wild_world_girl

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:04 pm PT

    @Digital-Devil

    Oooh - another *hardcore* "I've been playing since ... and [insert lowest number FF game played here] was by far the best."

    You're probably one of these ppl that thinks FFIX was the best PS FF title. We're all so impressed.

  • NasHHHbk

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/docs/20060727/intel07.htm

    __________^^^ link to the picture shown by Wada

    Its the same one from the video during the MS 2005 e3 conference.

  • Rambo_Potter

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 1:22 pm PT

    nice

  • mcgrawgamer

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    I think the game will be multi-platform seeing as how game companies are trying to cash in on all gaming platforms. Just makes sense to me, especially since both the 360 and ps3 can render mid to high end pc graphic quality. just my opinion.

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:36 pm PT

    Problem is GTA is now on the 360 aswell
    And will likely have stuff the Ps3 doesn't but i have a feeling it will also have stuff the Xbox doesn't

  • Bio_Spark

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:33 pm PT

    As long as Final Fantasy, GTA, and other big names lend the majority of their support to Sony, the PS3 WILL sell big. There is no question about it.

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:29 pm PT

    xboxfanboy32

    Because not everyone wants another stupid VII game

    I've been playing FF since the first one on the NES and TRUST ME
    VII is not the best, atleast imo as well as alot of other people
    Not everyone agrees

  • K1LLSWITCH

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:28 pm PT

    I agree, MMORPG's belong on the PC. It sucked playing FFXI on the PS2 sitting in my Lazy-Boy. Maybe the screenshot in question, since it isn't posted anywhere, is probably Final Fantasy Tactics. I could be wrong thats why it's just a guess.

  • xboxfanboy32

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:24 pm PT

    Y cant the make the FFVII remake and make everybody happy which would make them oodels of cash

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:18 pm PT

    And Kempatsu_basic

    I'm pretty sure CT is being put on the GBA or DS

  • Cunder

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:17 pm PT

    Square always did and will always have made great RPG period. Seeing some of the responses here only got me thinking that these are the ppl who own a 360 and is not happy that Square Enix isn't putting much games on the 360 inculding the FF series.

  • Digital-Devil

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 12:16 pm PT

    I have a feelnig it might be a Mana game, and i read in EGM it is suppose to be for the Wii (which would make sense)

  • pwnr

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:45 am PT

    these things better be on PC

  • StolenVex

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:39 am PT

    shoveller - completely agree. Lets get on Bethesda to make the next Fallout game already!

    -SV

  • theshoveller

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:35 am PT

    I just really want to see a new Fallout game. Other than that though, I kinda like Square games, including FFXI. I just wish they would use one basic system of experience and stick with it. The old method of "You got a level, here's what increased" worked, and if they wanted to change it, then just give some points to put in skills and stats and be done with it. The one thing that I see as a problem with their newer game sis that every Final Fantasy game has a different leveling system. "Hey, you raise stats with magic that you steal from enemies!" "Hey, instead of levels, you gain movement spaces on a game board!" "This time, you move a chess piece on a chess board!" I hate to think of what their next leveling system will be.

    ..."Now, you get to guide a south-seas blue whale through some extraordinarily small hula-hoops to gain stats, and if you fail, then you have to fight 3 boss monsters in a row with very sucky level 1 characters!"

    Isn't a change in plot or a slight change in the battle system enough? I kinda like the system in 12 (it reminds me of 11), but the older ones would have been better.

  • baelrrogg

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:27 am PT

    LOL...lots of ppl taking drugs here....Bethesda better than Square...Hilarious! Maybe if bethesda was able to write an interesting story that felt epic...till then keep on dreaming

  • Kempatsu_basic

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:18 am PT

    Sorry Square Enix - until you Re-release Super Mario RPG and Chrono Trigger for DS then i dont care. Final Fantasy sequels just aren't cutting it anymore.

  • death919

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:15 am PT

    MMORPG's aren't meant for consoles. IMO, a MMORPG wouldn't work without a keyboard.

  • jared81799

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:15 am PT

    have to pay a monthly fee on every squinx game? thats PlayOnline brotha with a license.

  • abelmaestro

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:12 am PT

    Almost everything made by SquareEnix is perfect but if I have to pay monthly fee ....ehhhh NO THANKS I alredy waste my time playing for hours

  • krazykone12

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:07 am PT

    Unless it comes out for Wii, I don't care.
    ^Same here

  • LordBraz

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 11:00 am PT

    Unless it comes out for Wii, I don't care. and since it probably won't, I'll be happy with Mass Effect and Oblivion.

  • japanesegoth

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:50 am PT

    so basically they're saying it's for the ps3...how unfortunate.

  • Link1515

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:48 am PT

    Frankeyser, you're all alone. Morrowind and Oblivion were great games, in my opinion, the two best RPGs for the PC.

    [FFXII is gonna be awesome!]

  • frankeyser

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:39 am PT

    hmm hope sqaure puts outs something good.
    am i the only one that thinks Besthesda has gone down hill since morrowind?

  • Tolkien13

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:37 am PT

    Man these guys are working 1 hour a day or something?

  • spieluhr

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:36 am PT

    yes you do have a point, ffxi was a flop but they had the right idea for a multiplatform mmo, which you never see. consoles and pcs should be able to play the same games together, and those who like pc's better (me) want to be able to play with my console buddies. And Besthesda I agree has surpassed them, oblivion is one of the best rpgs ever created. loved it. maybe they should look into a mmo, i would play it if it was anything like oblivion

  • gt3killer

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:36 am PT

    Will I can't for FF12

  • Danthegamingman

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:25 am PT

    I could care less. Square enix has become less and less of leader in RPG's with each passing year and FF sequel. Development houses like Bioware and Besthesda have surpassed them. Just my opinion.

  • Zilor

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:21 am PT

    I think a New SquareEnix MMO is almost the exact opposite of what we need. FF11 sustains it self purely on its brand and thier business practices dealing with new, returning, and leaving customers are reprehensible.

    The entire MMOG market will be better off if they never enter the space again, I know that's an unreal hope, but hope is hope.

  • spieluhr

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:19 am PT

    A new square enix mmo is just what we need! i really hope they make it multiplatform at the start so anyone on any console or pc can play together like ffxi.

  • axillia

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:18 am PT

    Show us the screenshot.

  • loto1226

    Posted Jul 27, 2006 10:17 am PT

    cool

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