Square Enix on why Deus Ex is going mobile

June 5, 2013 8:33AM PDT

Publisher says The Fall won't be "watered down," explaining "we're as serious about next-gen as we are about tablet gaming."

When Square Enix announced Deus Ex: The Fall today for iOS devices, fans of the series may have wondered why the publisher chose to go the mobile route.

Company marketing director Jon Brooke answered that question in an interview with MCV, telling the site that the move was all about bringing content to wherever there is an audience.

"This isn't about tablets vs. next-gen," Brooke said. "We're a big publisher, so you know we'll be showing next-gen gaming at E3 next week. We're as serious about next-gen as we are about tablet gaming."

"As a publisher, we believe all platforms present opportunities and if you create the right content, we believe we can have success," he added. "It's not just about next-gen for us: it's about PC gaming, tablets, browsers. Wherever there is an audience, it's about creating great content that's suited to their needs."

Brooke said Deus Ex: The Fall will not be a "watered down and light" game, but instead a true HD title like 2011's Human Revolution .

"I don't think many companies understand what you can do with these platforms," he said.

The Fall is set in 2027, a period described as a "golden era for science, technology, and human augmentation," but also a time of serious social divide and "global conspiracy." The game stars Ben Saxon, a former British SAS Mercenary who underwent a physical augmentation.

It launches this summer for $7 and is the first Deus Ex title in the series to be released on mobile and tablet devices.

By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.

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326 comments

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DaneGamer

It's funny.

Somehow developers think "tablet gaming sucks!" means "i don't think you can make a decent tablet game!"

I don't doubt their skills at developing a good game, but i don't fucking want it on a tablet! No physical controls is awkward, tablets are still pointless, and it's just weird that they shove all this tablet/touchscreen down our throat when nobody likes it?!

At least release it for the fucking Vita or 3DS, fact that it's not even coming for android is weird!

hateyourface

@DaneGamer The Vita doesn't have the user base that they are looking for. Even the 3DS doesn't have the install base that tablets do, however, I agree it would have made a better choice for this style of game.

Touch controls aren't bad when they lend themselves well to a certain type of gameplay. Angry Birds is a prime example of this, and games like Vector also work well with touch mechanics. When we are talking about control heavy games like a good FPS then yes, I agree that a lack of physical controls feels awkward.

As for not being on Android, my guess is that we will eventually see it ported over. Most games that I've seen started out on iOS for a while before heading over to Android, it's only a matter of time. We might even see a PC release of the game if it sells well enough, which is something I'm interested in.

In the end though, it's just a different type of game for a different type of platform. If it's not something you are interested in, I wouldn't worry too much about it. The good news is that they are basically saying they have a new console game in the works within the Deus Ex universe and that interests me a lot more than any news about a tablet game.

shingui5

1 Like

@DaneGamer thats actually a good point. Why isn't this being released on the Vita? seems like a perfect match.

ah well, further proof perhaps, Squeenix doesn't know how to be a business.

Iranazi

1 Like

@DaneGamer Exactlyyyyyyyyyyy this game would have been perfect for the Vita

shingui5

anybody else notice, how all of this new game seemed like re-used assets from HR?

shmedo

1 Like

I hate mobile and tablet gaming. They aren't consoles!

benelori

2 Like

@shmedo

omg such insight is amazing...:p

edinko

1 Like

I am not sure if an audience for a DEUS EX game on mobiles even exists.

I played all games but wont go nowhere near some mobile crap

NAWAF005

1 Like

I think we need to wait for the reviews to see how much of their words are true. The team working on this is their Mobile team so it's not out of the question that they are making a $60 Deus Ex game in Eidos Montreal. I can wait as long as the wait is worth is worth it in the end.

Shanks_D_Chop

@NAWAF005 I hope you're right and that there is currently work ongoing for an ACTUAL Deus Ex title.

MatrixGamer78

A question still raise here "Why not Android??" if Square target is mobile platforms then there should be an Android version.

hateyourface

@MatrixGamer78 It often takes some time for an iOS game to be ported over to Android. I don't doubt we will eventually see it there as well.

johnaom

@MatrixGamer78 it dose not sell well on android

rhymesmatter

1 Like

Wow you are serious about tablet gaming eh?Well news flash Tablet Gaming represents people that play games as a side when using the train to get to their destination or when going to take a dump in their respective toilets ! So that is how much your "seriousness' about tablet gaming is valued for! Now go back to your studio and makes us a AAA Deus Ex game!

Prats1993

2 Like

"We're as serious about next-gen as we are about tablet gaming."

Well Square Enix, when no one buys your dumbed down product with its shit touched based controls, then u will realise that real gamers aren't as serious about tablet gaming as you are. You shit cunts.

benelori

1 Like

@Prats1993

What the fuck is wrong with you bashing them as you are? They have a mobile team and they want to bring a mobile game and expand the franchise...what the fuck is wrong with that?

And this "real gamers" definition is so stupid...if tablets and touchscreen devices are in the trend and getting popular it's to be expected that better and better games will be developed for them...that's how you got to today's consoles and PCs...

-_-;

carolino

are we players that weak ?

we do nothing but rage about there money grabing shit moves and they keep doing the same and the same and the same..

over and over...

where is the impact of our voice? -.-

benelori

@carolino

"where is the impact of your voice"....there's no such thing, you can significantly impact them with your own wallet...

CrushedGear

Instead of supporting gaming consoles and releasing games on it....publishers are pushing towards mobile and tablet devices.....no wonder it is The Fall!!

Vambran

Do not want.

steelmouth

1 Like

damn I hate mobile games

SultaN-s

1 Like

Deus Ex: The Fall...... so very aptly named.

steelmouth

@SultaN-s lol how ironic if it were to fail

FF_XPert

3 Like

Release this on PS Vita!

johnaom

@FF_XPert indeed

Arcturuss

1 Like

Fuck you Square Enix.. Fuck you in the neck.

Daemoroth

1 Like

Ye..... Aww shit.

JacobNX01a

5 Like

imbeciles

pupp3t_mast3r

@JacobNX01a A perfect summation of what Square Enix has become, well played sir.

DarkReign2552

3 Like

You know when a company has to do a press release justifying their decisions that they know they've made a mistake. It's not too late SE. Just slap a "cancelled" sticker on the project due to lack of interest and announce you're doing a true sequel to HR and maybe an updated remake of the original two Deus Ex games. Your fans will forgive you.

rhymesmatter

@DarkReign2552 Well said sir! In Fact making a sequel to HR could knock out both of your requests since HR is the Deus Ex: Invisible War prequel . They can just make a REMAKE of Deus Ex including stuff from HR to make the transition seamless and boom! Sales spree!

tsunami2311

I like to know how they plan to have people control the player.... on a tablet/phone setup.... Touchscreen is not the way to go with this type of game

deadman23235

1 Like

NOBODY CARE THE REASON

okassar

That was...underwhelming.

PSYCHOV3N0M

11 Like

I'm quoting what Thanatos2k said down below cuz he is CORRECT:

"Oh and here's some free advice Square. You never tease a beloved franchise game and then reveal it's a shitty mobile game.

You do not tease people with "Oh snap we're making another Deus Ex game!" and then reveal this. That slaps your fanbase in the face.

You announce you're working on a mobile game, then later reveal it's Deus Ex. Then some people are pleasantly surprised, because no one had expectations.
Learn how to fucking do PR."

PSYCHOV3N0M

9 Like

"Publisher says The Fall won't be "watered down," explaining "we're as serious about next-gen as we are about tablet gaming."

It ALREADY became watered down by making it exclusive to phones & tablets. LACK OF PHYSICAL TACTILE BUTTON CONTROLS anyone???

ioshilee

1 Like

@PSYCHOV3N0M Not to mention that mobile games don't give a slightest fraction of immersion that PC and consoles do. I can't imaging myself diving into the story or making tough moral decisions on the run or in the crowd in some public place. And sure as hell I don't want to play at home on a fucking tablet! Leave tablets for what they are good at - comics reading and 5-10 min fun and mindless time-killers like Angry Birds...

MuddVader

3 Like

As long as they have something for the main series in the works, all is well.

benelori

@MuddVader

Finally a reasonable comment...\o/...and even if they don't, do we even care about this game? Some people act like they were cheated out of their money just with one announcement...

Nintyfan95

iPhone was a fad, and same as mobile gaming, it will have an impact halfway into 8th then die off. Not enough dedication to remove video game made devices altogether. Just my thoughts, and the 3DS sales that follow.

RogerioFM

7 Like

iNever asked for this.

SweatySasquatch

2 Like

@RogerioFM IhateApple

stimpy01

All tablet games are watered down for the lowest common denominator. Being a tablet game 'The Fall' will most likely be a pay to win game.

arc_salvo

If it's a good game, I don't mind. That said, I never though I'd ever see this franchise on iOS. Not sure what Warren Spector and Harvey Smith would think about this.

Shanks_D_Chop

2 Like

Justify it however you want, Square. Fact is, you've now got an audience that WAS captive who are now feeling somewhat snubbed. For what? A POTENTIAL audience among iOS users. Y'know, a real big gaming crowd...

SweatySasquatch

@Shanks_D_Chop

It might be a real big gaming crowd, but without quality control on ios it's a joke. Not only are there a lot of apps to be had on there ,but really how many are shovelware or repeats of the the same exact thing.

MuddVader

@Shanks_D_Chop Its a new character though, in a portion of the story most people won't have knowledge about anyways. As long as the next Deus Ex is in planning or being developed, It's not hurting anyone or the main franchise at all because it doesn't include Jensen or the Dentons.

Shanks_D_Chop

1 Like

@MuddVader What's it being a new character got to do with anything? Jensen was a new character. It was a new plotline, a new portion of the story. And this IS the next Deus Ex in development.

It's not hurting anyone because it's only a game. But it's still a kick in the teeth after all the teasing they did for a Deus Ex announcement. All these fans who loved the original, loved HR, some even loved IW... Getting excited by Square's hints of a new Deus Ex game... now kinda bummed out because it's for a platform they don't have/use for gaming and never intend to.

xxTaN-

this is fuktarded.

sonic-boom

Welp, looks like I'm skipping that one

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