I seem to remember someone high up in SE saying that if they ever made a true FFVII remake without first proving they can make a flagship Final Fantasy game of that caliber on thier own, that it would pretty much be the final act that kills off the franchise, since it would be basicly them saying that they can no longer make good FF games.

...'Course, some people already belive that, but it's one thing for *other* people to say it, and another to admit it to yourself.

I think THQ's death has proven you can't surive on a plan that depends on every major release selling 4-5million copies apiece. Hopefully SE can figure this out soon; Tomb Raider was incredable, and I'm still a shameless Final Fantasy fanboy, even after playing FFXIII.