Square Enix Isn't Going To Change Strategies Anytime Soon

[vansau]

Square Enix Isn't Going To Change Strategies Anytime Soon

Casual games are all the rage right now, but Square Enix isn't moving away from its core audience to make them.

With the economy not getting any better, a lot of game developers and publishers are adjusting their business plans in order to stay afloat. One company that isn't planning to abandon its roots, though, is Square Enix. At least, that's what Mike Fischer, recently-appointed president and CEO of the company's U.S. division, said.

Speaking to Gamasutra in a pretty lengthy interview, Fischer explained that Square Enix is still devoted to creating games for "gamers", though he went on to explain that the current definition of "gamers" is "very subjective", especially based on this example:

"... Right now television networks are canceling soap operas because so many of the official soap opera audiences are playing games. If they're playing more games an hour than a college student, who is the gamer?"

Fischer makes an interesting point, but fans of Square Enix's games shouldn't start to panic. Social games are certainly popular right now, but Fischer isn't certain the trend will last. Meanwhile the company has "the fantastic lineup like you have here of Final Fantasy XIII-2, Deus Ex, Hitman, Tomb Raider, Heroes of Ruin, and that gives me a stable platform that allows me to do a little bit more risky, a little bit more creative opportunities."

The full interview covers a number of different topics, including what games Square Enix has planned for the future, how it works with other studios on certain projects, and why it develops console games in the fashion it does. Head on over to Gamasutra to check Fischer's opinions out.

Source: Joystiq


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[RedEyesBlackGamer]

Thanks, Square Enix. They know that they have a very profitable fanbase as is and that risking them to experiment with the casual market is a decision that is a little too high risk/reward for them to try. What I took away from it anyway.

 

[TheRocketeer]

Was anyone expecting Square-Enix to change their business strategy? The one as old as most of their customers? The one that made them into a corporate megalith? The one they've stuck with regardless of whether it has worked or not at any given point in the company's history?

Is Nintendo moving back into the sex hotel business? Has Microsoft decided this whole 'computer' schtick is totes for nerds yet? Has the tide packed up that in/out shit?

Thanks, Square Enix. They know that they have a very profitable fanbase as is and that risking them to experiment with the casual market is a decision that is a little too high risk/reward for them to try. What I took away from it anyway.

From that perspective, this doesn't really say anything favorable about S-E; it just says something unfavorable about that 'very profitable fanbase.'

 

[the spud]

It is good to hear that they respect their audience, although I can't say that I consider a company not changing to be "news".

 

[Swifteye]

What on earth would a casual square enix game be? Would they have created a developer sector specially directed to the effort? Huff puff they have there hands full already with the stuff they should be good at doing I would very much think they would not change gears.

 

[starwarsgeek]

From that perspective, this doesn't really say anything favorable about S-E; it just says something unfavorable about that 'very profitable fanbase.'

Being profitable isn't favorable for a giant, multi-national company?

OT: Honestly, I wish they'd try at least one experimental title. I could see social networks being a great platform for a retro-ish grind-heavy RPG.

 

[Zero_ctrl]

WIth the economy not getting any better, a lot of game developers and publishers are adjusting their business plans in order to stay afloat. One company that isn't planning to abandon its roots, though, is Square Enix. At least, that's what Mike Fischer, recently-appointed president and CEO of the company's U.S. division, said.

Just a small typo.

OT: It really isn't a shabby line-up. Keep making good games and less Final Fantasy XIV's, Square Enix!

 

[Adzma]

Good to hear SQUENIX, you've regained some respect points that you lost once you started region pricing Australia on Steam. Not many mind you, but some. Baby steps right?

 

[Klagermeister]

If they just sold Nintendo the rights to Geno so he could be in the next Smash Bros. game then I'd be happy.
Honestly, I can't think of any plans they may have for him in future games, considering this announcement.

Nintendo could use that character to its true potential, considering just how flexible he is.
Honestly, Square Enix; If you're gonna keep making hardcore RPG games and never stray, then just sell the rights to Geno. PLEASE.

 

[vxicepickxv]

"... Right now television networks are canceling soap operas because so many of the official soap opera audiences are playing games. If they're playing more games an hour than a college student, who is the gamer?"

Are you sure they're not being canceled because it's damn near impossible to have anyone watch them because of the fact that in order to survive, everyone has to be at work.

 

[James Joseph Emerald]

I forgot they have Hitman now.

Bah, I don't really care what Square Enix has to say. My faith in them is going to live or die based on how much they fuck up Deus Ex and Hitman. Hopefully very little. But any more than a bit and I'm going to dump their ass. It's starting to remind me of some sort of abusive relationship I keep coming back to...

 

[Cobalt180]

It seems like a good idea, but the problem here is that almost all the games they make will be sequels, and they'll certainly face hurdles when designing all those games at once, but what might be good advertising is to try and create some casual games as a side-project. Adult Swim created the notable game Robot Unicorn Attack which went viral for a short time, keeping it in the public's consciousness with different backdrops and settings, but it's easily remembered. Square Enix has Final Fnatasy, a name they've used for many games, from Final Fantasy Tactics (Advanced [A2]), to games like Crystal Guardians.

It seems that the new CEO hasn't really committed to catering to fanbases that might not want Final Fantasy variants of Robot Unicorn Attack, but it would seem like a mostly beneficial move to create a game that makes your company well known to a variety of audiences.

For instance, if you created a very good RPG, that generally sat well with RPG fans, but then made a smaller-scale FPS or another RPG, you could get more people to buy the first game based on the effort and time you put into the first one, provided it's a serious effort, and not simply an excuse for saying that you've tried and failed to create a casual game.

Square Enix may miss out on a big chance to make a casual adventure game, thereby drawing attention to their Final Fantasy series (without actually naming the casual game under the Final Fantasy label, so as to seem to create some distance between the two different games) Games that they've supported in the past, such as The Last Remnant, what seemed to amount to testing the waters with scrapped Final Fantasy concept mechanics was the same kind of problem that the CEO here seems to want to avoid, but the thing is, that was then, where there was no reference to a bad FF spin-off/variation. Where a casual game can tone it down, and make the game more fun for a broader audience.

Imagine a game where the protagonist lives in a fantasy world and has to fight off monsters in quick, avoidable combat scenarios that happen in real time 2-d aerial view (much like early pokemon games) With bosses unlocking later levels. Puzzles could be implemented as a minigame that earns you in-game tokens to spend on getting better gear for your characters, or to unlock premium items that can be really helpful, perhaps better allies or a companion, maybe even cheat modes. A small-level casual game you can pick up, play, and leave at any point could really draw attention to Square Enix as a developer, and their not wanting to take that road for fear of a massive backlash will certainly hurt them.

 

[Veylon]

Was anyone, anywhere really expecting SE to make casual games? This is a question that bears repeating. The answer to it is what disturbs me. We, the fans and Square Enix both, have accepted that this company cannot - and maybe should not - innovate. A casual, maybe retro, game of excellent quality could earn a lot of goodwill for SE. Look what the Orange Box did for Valve.

 

[dyre]

Fine by me. Square Enix owns a few nice pieces of IP, and so long as they don't screw those up, I won't complain

 

[Valkaris]

Thats good to hear Square is keeping true, too bad that means continuing to produce shit.

 

[Fensfield]

Good; I happen to like what I've played of their work of late and I'd very much prefer they didn't abandon their efforts with XIV, either. Just a shame about the idiots desperate to get their S-E-bashing fix, whatever the topic.

.. Well put o.o

 

[mjc0961]

Square Enix is making games for gamers? Since when? Last time I checked they were making terrible products that are only for people who take pleasure from pain and people like Yahtzee who make a living tearing such terrible games apart for our entertainment. I mean come on, Final Fantasy 13 and 14, need I say more?

And before people list a whole pile of games like Deus Ex or Hitman, learn the difference between making a game and publishing a game. The only good games that come with a Square Enix logo on the box are the ones made by other developers. The ones actually made by Square Enix have been nothing but garbage lately.

 

[JediMB]

I'd like Square Enix to change their business strategy by making good games again.

I'll give them credit for their work as publishers only these days.

 

[Hristo Tzonkov]

You know what's funny?I thought this was about SE refusing to announce less games.