Square Enix on next gen

  • By Walt Wyman, GameSpot
  • Posted Aug 7, 2006 12:15 pm PT

Yoichi Wada talks about what game creators need to do for next-gen platforms and hints that an upcoming Square Enix venture may be hardware-based.

Last week, Yoichi Wada, the president of Square Enix and chairman of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), gave his candid opinion on the "growing pains" that have faced the game industry. Now, in the second part of a two-part interview with Nikkei Business Online, Wada explains why next-generation games must be innovative and hints at a new, possibily hardware-based release from Square Enix.

Wada said that with the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows Vista operating system all nearing release, users will demand more innovation from the game industry.

"If we don't see some [next-generation] titles that differ from traditional games, the industry is in trouble. Nintendo's DS lineup gives you an idea of the potential... There is a demand for something new from the users... Entertainment is not a necessity, so the users don't know what they should demand. It's up to the creators to think about this."

As for the timing, Wada doesn't necessarily see dramatic changes right away: "After three years there will definitely be some [changes] underway [sic]... But this is entertainment after all, so you never know where the next big thing will come from... An exceptional creator can pull off rehashing the same material. This is the easiest thing to do when you're struggling with your content and model. This is fine as long as you pursue efficiency. This is what we've been doing for a long time, and in the process reached a profit rate of over 30 percent. However, this is what Square Enix did when the model was unchanging. Now things are different."

However, the nature of the business dictates that innovation must occur at a sustainable pace, he said. "You really have to dig deep within yourself to produce something new; you can't force it," Wada said. "We must change. But if we change all at once, the system will collapse, and since our profits are built on that system, it's a difficult question. So you have to introduce change from a completely unrelated direction within a separate budget framework. This is something all the companies are worrying about right now. Fortunately, we're financially prepared to handle change."

He observed that the outstanding examples of successful products in the recent past--the Nintendo DS and Apple iPod--are hardware. "The strategy behind Nintendo and the iPod, to create a new environment based on hardware, is completely valid," he said. "But, this is impossible if you don't have experience making hardware."

Then Wada made a surprising comment about the future direction of his company, which had been primarily software-driven.

"This is one of the reasons Square Enix will collaborate with Taito, a company that produces physical hardware," he said. "In our talks with Taito, ideas for an actual physical product have come up. In any case, we will be releasing some 'thing.' It's interesting in that it's not the sort of thing you expect from Square Enix."

217 Comments

  • NoobixCube

    Posted Dec 11, 2006 4:19 pm PT

    Before people start saying "Oh it will fail" or "Oh it will rock", they should wait to find out just what the hell it IS. I mean, They've mentioned hardware. That could mean anything from an arcade machine to a console, or a handheld, or maybe even just a peripheral for another console, or for PC. And another thing, as long as I'm commenting, I couldn't care less if the PS3 is going to "rock my world" or whatever. That's not at issue here. Fanboys really piss me off. Their comments are a waste of server space and they just clog up every comment thread on every gaming or technology site, drowning out the legitimate comments.

    My personal opinion, note I said opinion, so it's not to be taken as what I believe to be FACT, is that a Square-Enix handheld would succeed if it were backed up with a heavy duty advertising campaign. As a new entrant to the console wars, Square-Enix need to blindside the competition and try to take as large a chunk of market share with the momentum of their release as possible. I personally don't think a console would succeed because they're entering so late. Only die hard fans would buy it after they've forked out AU$1100 for a PS3, and since they have no information on specs or price yet, people aren't going to hold off on getting a PS3 in favour of a hypothetical console.

  • BlazetheDragon

    Posted Nov 23, 2006 9:08 am PT

    "I am willing to bet cash that all these people who think FF is repetitive and unoriginal.... are the kind of people who skip through the story-lines of every game they play. Seriously the new generation of gamers are mindless children who couldn't read a book if they tried. Games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear have some very complex concepts and if you can't appreciate them or even understand them, then stick with Xbox. At least you won't have to think. "

    Best quote i have seen on a GS forum, hands down.
    cheers to ya dude..... That was the most dumbest thing I have ever heard on the internet.
    SO I GUESS HE THINK MGS2 STORY LINE MADE ANY SENSE

  • momo43088

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 11:56 pm PT

    "I am willing to bet cash that all these people who think FF is repetitive and unoriginal.... are the kind of people who skip through the story-lines of every game they play. Seriously the new generation of gamers are mindless children who couldn't read a book if they tried. Games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear have some very complex concepts and if you can't appreciate them or even understand them, then stick with Xbox. At least you won't have to think. "

    Best quote i have seen on a GS forum, hands down.
    cheers to ya dude

  • M3th1ll

    Posted Oct 13, 2006 7:38 pm PT

    it'll be something like an iPOD that plays oldschool FF games, I just know it.

  • ShinobiTenchu

    Posted Aug 15, 2006 11:05 pm PT

    Are you serious...if they make a new system then it will be Dreamcast all over again. Plus square-enix makes crap games like Unlimited Saga, Font mission. They are only making money on KH and FF.

  • OmGitsEDV

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 6:22 am PT

    lol can they talk about s'thing new??? aren't their games sequal upon sequal n some cases upon upon upon upon (u get the point) sequals? lmao @ u S.E.! and get real u make a console it dead! maybe a handheld mite make it...

  • schumacher04

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 3:55 am PT

    Why waste your time arguing over Playstation it'll be dead in 2 years anyway.

  • danny_13_13

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 1:22 am PT

    I am willing to bet cash that all these people who think FF is repetitive and unoriginal.... are the kind of people who skip through the story-lines of every game they play. Seriously the new generation of gamers are mindless children who couldn't read a book if they tried. Games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear have some very complex concepts and if you can't appreciate them or even understand them, then stick with Xbox. At least you won't have to think.

  • volumesoxxs

    Posted Aug 14, 2006 12:11 am PT

    if they make a system then playstation wont have FF anymore -_-

  • vincentvega210

    Posted Aug 13, 2006 7:02 am PT

    hmm sounds like they are shooting for another Final Fantasy Spirits Within kind of thing. In other words they'd like to lose a **** load of money.

  • SicsStringFreak

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 7:11 pm PT

    fact: its all opinion in the console wars: fact

  • KingoftheSobs

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 5:41 pm PT

    What will they make that is SOOOO "innovative"???

    PS3 WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • dougcl1979

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 12:50 pm PT

    Square Enix entering the hardware buisness? Sounds like a winner to me. Almost every Squaresoft game I liked, so imagine a system by squaresoft with a winning game every time...awesome

  • hellfirebg

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 9:39 am PT

    I'm really starting to get sick from Microsoft and Nintendo fanboys, saying Sony are crap.
    Where the **** were you the last 5 years? The Playstation 2 console was the ULTIMATE gaming platform during that period. Just look at the sales for god's sake! Nobody in Japan gives a damn about X-box. Nintendo may be very innovative but I'd pick a 13 in a serie games than crappy innovative games anyday.

    I doubt Square is doing something that's related to X-box360 or Wii. It'll either be somekind of device for the PS3 or an arcade. Arcades are still very popular in Japan.

    Why do some people say Square should think less FF. These series are the definition of RPG and nothing can match them. Also if you've seen a glimpse of FFXII or played the demo, you'll see the innovation in the gameplay.And it isn't even an action RPG. That's the way future rpgs will be like, no more random battles, no more jumping into another screen, no more limited movement! You'll see soon enough when it comes aout and becomes Gamespot's game of the year...

    oh and
    "who cares seriously about square gayix they make terrible games and there short and there i hit u and then u hit me games the worst there is"

    Go and finish one of their games before saying crap about them, you brainless oaf.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Aug 12, 2006 1:05 am PT

    FFBOX here we come! Woot! -Do it.

    I dare you Square Enix.

  • mike_mgoblue

    Posted Aug 11, 2006 8:59 pm PT

    Square Enix is going to lose a LOT of money if they release hardware. I just wish Square Enix would realize this fact. Also, I wish Square Enix would realize that they should release all of their games for all of the major systems in a multiplatform way. Square Enix will realize this when they start losing LOTS of money!!!

  • KirbyLink

    Posted Aug 11, 2006 12:00 am PT

    Sephiroth...tamagotchis?

    AWESOME!!!!

    But seriously...
    As for the best game company, I look at it this way.

    Square Enix = Best RPG Game developers
    Konami = Best "everything else"

  • Kn0w0ne

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 10:11 pm PT

    The diff. between this and Sega's current lot in life is that Sega started out making hardware.! And continued to push the envolope with different ingenious ideas... ie. MS's game cards, Internet play, VMU's... etc. Square should take notice to what happened to Sega in the way that people don't take to change till its been done by a Sony or Microsoft. Sad! Square may come out with a half decent product, but people tend to balk at new technology at first. The next company to bring out a VMU will be considered genius's, even tho its been done. Simply put, you cant scare the herd. The cattle need familiarity.
    Fortunately, I am of an open mind and embrace new ideas. We shall have to wait and see what the price point is, because I guarantee that will be the deciding factor to the success or demise of whatever they have up their sleeves. Food for thought!

  • sieg6529

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 12:24 pm PT

    Square doesn't owe anything to anybody, including original games or concepts. No matter how it is prepared, packaged, or delivered, all game companies just want your money.

  • Murpheus007

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 11:57 am PT

    Just because every piece of hardware we know about in mainstream comes from a large, well known corporation doesn't mean that someone else can't come in with an incredible product. They didn't say it was gonna be a console. It probably will be some kind of gaming periphinalia, but I highly doubt they will be trying to create a next gen system.

  • YEPEE00

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 2:03 am PT

    ...?!

  • kinetic-core

    Posted Aug 10, 2006 1:20 am PT

    So the next thing that will cause Square's downfall, as in 2001, will no longer be softwares. i'm scared too.

  • buckincrazy

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 7:54 pm PT

    yeah man who gives a crap its square..... FF7 was such a double edge sword for them.

  • nomadbob5

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 7:51 pm PT

    im scared

  • Chuckles274

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 7:26 pm PT

    Good Luck!

  • yoshinatsu666

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 6:30 pm PT

    No SquareEnix... Don't become SEGA...

  • ssjtrunks6

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 4:20 pm PT

    They done that because the xbox360 did not really show too much of the expectations of what a new gen console would be able to deliver, the wii or the ps3 would perfect for that delivery

  • L1qu1dSword

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 10:46 am PT

    I am amazed that Square has persisted so long seeing as the last good game it made was final fantasy VII. Go ahead and merge into a conglomerated amalgam of crappiness. Im betting on Mistwalker. All the real talent left and made that company. Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey. w00t w00t!

  • U1

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 9:42 am PT

    Unless the hardware is a Rikku-bot, i'm not interested. Movies = bad idea, hardware= bad idea. What if they lose all their money from this as well? Namco-Bandai-Square-Enix?

  • takashirose

    Posted Aug 9, 2006 6:27 am PT

    Do you even know what 4-D is? it is usually associated with time. But it can be said that we see the world in 2-D because we are three domensional beings, but if we were four dimensional, then we would see the world in three dimensions. Imagine looking at a box and seeing all of its dimensions at once.

  • X-chuck

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 11:24 pm PT

    Since the PS3 has 4-D, maybe squire Enix with make the 5-D

  • tek-9

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 10:51 pm PT

    holy crap! A sqauresoft gaming system? could that be what he is talking about? no it couldnt be? maybe some sort of crasy virtual reality peripheral? well obviosly it would not cater only to rpg's though. pay attention to what he said!! he said "If we don't see some [next-generation] titles that differ from traditional games, the industry is in trouble" etc. he's not talking about some sort of hokey 'nintendo' type of change but apparantly something else. however I for one cant take this big "change" very seriously. wait and see i guess

  • osxgp

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 10:17 pm PT

    Once again, very few people are focusing on the topic @ hand. Its about Squenix's possible direction. The are a corporation. The objective is to make MONEY! If going in a different direction secures them a financial future, then they will consider all possibilities.

  • Evilbunz

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 9:28 pm PT

    Dammn those commi bast@rdz..........

  • ausfd

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 6:21 pm PT

    All I wan't is psp Einhander.

  • hypershadow1289

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 6:14 pm PT

    What they need to do is make a new Chrono trigger Game

  • alwaysdeath

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    If they make a RPG Gaming system, it won't sell well at all.

  • Elyoshi

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 3:53 pm PT

    The RPG element and the turn based battle system was around before Final Fantasy, Sqaure just improved on it.

    Taking an existing formula, slightly improving on it, and using the same mold over again in 14 sequels is not innovation.

  • JefHol15

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 3:08 pm PT

    i still don't know why people prefer iPod's over other mp3 players. They rip you off on extra features and design them to break in a year. the battery life and screen of the creative zen vision m is so much better than the ipod video.

    Since I hate the wheel interface of the iPod's i can't see any reason to buy one.

  • Apostle812

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 2:16 pm PT

    As to what you said Elyoshi, I guess I agree that we ain't seen a truly innovative FF game fer awhile (I'm just hoping for FFXII), but to say that the series as a whole was never innovative is freakin' wrong. After all, the RPG-style gameplay we've seen fer the last bajillion games that weve seen, what with turn based and all was essentially started with Squaresoft games, namely Final Fantasy (FFIV in paticular). They just the precedent to all them other games. Correct me if I'm wrong eh?

    PS, Mrzero1982pt2 whatever, "epitome" means the definition of, or the example of. So yer callin FF games the definition of originality. Completely contrary to what you said. Get a dictionary dude.

  • thisiharat

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 2:11 pm PT

    Awesome! Square's gonna make it BIG!!

  • sofy

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 1:52 pm PT

    Im hungry.
    Feed me new.

  • nsoufiani

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 1:24 pm PT

    well said elyoshi

  • Elyoshi

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 1:20 pm PT

    Ok, here you go, accusing people of being fanboys because they insulted your beloved Square. Im a fanboy because I pointed out the fact that nintendo Is an innovative company? I just thought FF games on the Wii might make the battle system, well, more fun. I even critizised some of the mario series in my previous post, Im sure as hell not a nintedo fanboy.

    Honestly, the Final Fantasy series is NOT innovative. It never has been innovative, and thats OK, games don't have to be innovative to be good. If you like playing essentially the same damn game over and over again, fine, whatever floats your boat.

    Its just odd. For Sqaure of all companies, who has focused mostly on the Final Fantasy series for like 15 years, maybe even more, to be preaching about innovation. Thats all im saying.





  • Solidesnake2004

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    My Response: im thinking these guys are trying to get themselves a way for extra income and get themselves in a small trouble if this console(or electronic device) goes down like dreamcast.

  • RunningRoti

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 12:57 pm PT

    OMG THEYRE GONNA MAKE A NEXT GEN CONSOLE! lol

  • bobreturns

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 12:43 pm PT

    i only just got into the FF series after i saw the movie its amazing

  • mrzero1982pt2

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 12:00 pm PT

    devilwillcry......shut up. first off the ff series is not only a cash cow, but also the epitome of originality. ever yff game differers from the other in some way which makes the game more engaging and fun and not repetitive. knowing you you dont see the similarities in games such as gta.....it is the same. new person, new city, new story, odd links to the previous which dont interfere with the game but also enhance it and help you visualise whats going on. its something that many developers should look at instead of constantly coming out with the same game and slapping a II or III on it dontya think idiot?

  • t_walk1

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 11:56 am PT

    Interesting but whatever "it" is I'm sure at this point it's just a bunch of old people around a table saying lets see how the public reacts to the suggestion of a new physical Square E product, then we'll move from there.

    Bottom line it's too early to make any assumptions. For all we know they are talking about headphones.

  • Devilwillcry

    Posted Aug 8, 2006 11:53 am PT

    "Hah, Square focusing on innovation, or trying to at least =P Kind if odd for square of all people to be giving advice when it comes to innovation.

    You Know something that would be really be innovative, Sqaure? Focus a little more on new, fresh games, focus alot less on Final Fantasy. What is this upcoming one, like the 13th? I think you can stop now.

    The Final Fantasy series has become the DEFINITION of repetitive in my mind, hopfully with their coming back to Nintendo change that.

    Or, they could just let the damn series die."

    1. Square is not "coming back" to nintendo and the main FF series will be exclusive to Sony like always

    2. you are obviously are a nintendo fanboy who only cares about nintendo and nothing else unless it is directly involved with nintendo. get your head out of the gutter and try focusing on games from everyone.

    3. You want to play FF you are going to have to suck it up and support Sony by buying their console. because it sounds like SE is going to continue their main support with Sony. I think this stuff Wada is talking of now is probably either and arcade type thing or a perphiral for the PS3. i seriously doubt a compnay as conservative as SE would even consider making the jump to home consoles. you guys can specualte but I already know I can just buy a PS3 and get all the FF I will want or ever need.

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