In summary: Square Enix head slams 3D as not being revolutionary like the Wii and DS were for game experiences (essentially true, 3D is awesome, but it's a graphical enhancement with minimal gameplay improvements), and explains he believes online will be the battlefield of the future.
He also makes it clear he considers the PS3 and Xbox 360 superior in this regard.
Thoughts? feel free to provide a source other than your own blog. thank you -- TBD
It's no secret that Nintendo's online services are inferior to their rivals. They recently said themselves they weren't happy with it, so nothing new there. As for 3D, Square Enix basically says that merely slamming 3D onto a title won't make it more attractive But he also admits there's growth potential once 3D is properly integrated into a game (like for example by making it easier to fly through 3D environments and dodge enemies). In a way, it's like motion controls: Just adding "waggle" won't have a huge impact, but integrated motion controls may. So his point in that regard is valid.
Not sure what Square would know about being revolutionary
Also if they believe online is so important, where are all their online games amidst this battlefield?
They have a bunch - They're actively publishing on Wii, DSi, PSN and Xbox 360, they have a large iPhone business, they're playing with DLC with recent games such as Nier.
Wada has also mentioned in interviews in the past that he's keen to acquire more publishers, and specifically, those with social networking capabilities.
My prediction: Square Enix is keen on Zygna.
It's no secret that Nintendo's online services are inferior to their rivals. They recently said themselves they weren't happy with it, so nothing new there. As for 3D, Square Enix basically says that merely slamming 3D onto a title won't make it more attractive But he also admits there's growth potential once 3D is properly integrated into a game (like for example by making it easier to fly through 3D environments and dodge enemies). In a way, it's like motion controls: Just adding "waggle" won't have a huge impact, but integrated motion controls may. So his point in that regard is valid.
The problem is that 3D will take a while before developers and the industry get "the hang of it." There's no guarantees that 3D will take off in time for the good stuff to come through. No one is predicting a new Virtual Boy, but I'm with SE, the safe bet is with online publishing for now.
I'm not sure how anyone could see that 3DS screen for themselves and not be impressed, but to each his own. If he's not impressed, then he's not impressed. Other members of Square-Enix have already expressed interested in porting Final Fantasy V and VI to the 3DS possibly, so somebody likes it.
Plus with the "A" list of 3DS supporters already on board, if Square-Enix takes a backset, so be it.
I'm not sure how anyone could see that 3DS screen for themselves and not be impressed, but to each his own. If he's not impressed, then he's not impressed. Other members of Square-Enix have already expressed interested in porting Final Fantasy V and VI to the 3DS possibly, so somebody likes it.
Wada's company makes games for the WiiWare, that doesn't mean he's a fan of the service, in fact, it's clear he's not.
I'm sure the 3DS is an impressive piece of technology, but history is filled with amazing technologies that just don't work as business cases. For a good technology to work it needs to fit in with the market climate. Everyone else but Nintendo is hedging bets with online - they might still support the 3DS - but they expect to see online dominate the industry into the future.
Corbie - this isn't about supporting the console. Of course Square Enix will support it - especially if it takes off. 10 years from now, though, if Nintendo hasn't got a strong online services system in place, the company will be in trouble. S-E has said it. EA has said it. Sony and Microsoft are already on the way there. Nintendo itself has admited its a problem.
The problem is that 3D will take a while before developers and the industry get "the hang of it." There's no guarantees that 3D will take off in time for the good stuff to come through. No one is predicting a new Virtual Boy, but I'm with SE, the safe bet is with online publishing for now.
Kid Icarus seems to be on the right tracks, and resurrecting Star Fox is also a good move. Both profit hugely from 3D. Sure, focusing on online might be the safe bet, but the last time Nintendo decided to play it "safe", the result was the Gamecube. Besides, there's no reason why Nintendo can't develop a 3D system AND improve it's online services at the same time. Actually, they made it clear they fully intended to improve their online offering.
wouldn't be the first time Square's chosen not to back Nintendo. it's whatev'. besides, i thought Nintendo said they were working on beefing up their online stuff anyway? just because they didn't have anything ready to fully reveal at E3 doesn't mean they're sitting around twiddling their thumbs.
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I certainly agree that Nintendo needs to get their heads out and get with the online program. No doubt there. But I can't see any way the 3DS doesn't blow the walls off and at least come close to DS-caliber sales, if not even better. The biggest hurdle will be marketing the system, and it will be interesting to see how Nintendo goes about that. Still work to be done.
Oh I know how they publish on every platform, they're like EA.
Any type of online battlefield though is led by most popular multiplayer games on consoles, none of which Square is responsible for.
They can publish a ton of lesser known titles, either being downloadable or actually having online capabilities, but it's more like they're playing 5 on 5 on the sidelines of a NFL game.
The online Final Fantasy is the only game they're producing that may compete online with other high profile online games out there.
Unless you mean online just as in, hey we have downloadable games, but then so does High Voltage, so..
I certainly agree that Nintendo needs to get their heads out and get with the online program. No doubt there. But I can't see any way the 3DS doesn't blow the walls off and at least come close to DS-caliber sales, if not even better. The biggest hurdle will be marketing the system, and it will be interesting to see how Nintendo goes about that. Still work to be done.
That's a good point. I'm sure they'll manage it somehow, but publishers will struggle to demonstrate 3D in an attractive way in press material.
It'll be a good case study for marketing challenges, actually.
People have also been spelling doom for Nintendo for a while now. So far, nothing.
No real commentators have claimed Nintendo as a company will fail. That's fanboy talk. Nintendo has gone through periods where it has struggled though, in terms of market position and finance.
People have also been spelling doom for Nintendo for a while now. So far, nothing.
No real commentators have claimed Nintendo as a company will fail. That's fanboy talk. Nintendo has gone through periods where it has struggled though, in terms of market position and finance.
I remember (renowned) market analysts claiming, for example, that Nintendo should withdraw from the hardware market (shortly before they published the DS, no less), or that Nintendo's dominance of the handheld market would be utterly and finally broken (by the N-Gage). Nintendo has been in this business for a long time, and the sales figures show their marketing decisions can't be all that bad. I suggest we wait and see.
I agree Nintendo needs better online. However, if Square's definintion of online support (making a $10 downloadable title more expensive than a retail release once you add all the DLC) is the future, then count me out.
They really need to streamline multiplayer (it's happening on the Wii with MH3 and such) and figure out downloadable game transfers. At the very least, they need to create an account system for the 3DS and any future Nintendo system, preferably finding a way to transfer Wii/DSi downloadable titles to their respective next gens as well. It'd also be great if said account name replaced friendcodes with mic support for games played with friends. They should also put in a significant amount of flash memory or allow for games to be played directly from SD cards and lift the file size restrictions. If they do all of those things, I would be perfectly content with their online offerings. Oh, demos for the online stores as well. That would be in line with what the other guys are offering for free, and there's nothing else I really want/need. Once Netflix starts offering streaming 3D movies, they'll probably offer those too (can download from Wii?).
Doesn't really seem like a slam on the 3D count too. Of course, if it's not used properly it'll be a gimmick and waste, but if it is than it can be wonderful. We'll see both done on the system. Duh. Choose how you want to play it yourself Square.
The problem is that 3D will take a while before developers and the industry get "the hang of it." There's no guarantees that 3D will take off in time for the good stuff to come through. No one is predicting a new Virtual Boy, but I'm with SE, the safe bet is with online publishing for now.
Uh, how can they complain it's not revolutionary if what they want is a safe bet? That sounds like one heck of a contramadiction.
There were no "guarantees" with Wii or DS, which developers and the industry had to get the hang of, too, and those seem to have worked out well. They had to get the hang of online, too (on other consoles).
There's already huge support for the 3DS. Everyone who's seen it in person has been impressed, and there were multiple third-party demos, so apparently developers are figuring it out already, and the industry seems to be okay with it.
Square is already releasing new kingdom hearts for it so they already support the system. There wii and ds titles have not be great lately either.
None of their titles have been great on any console since the PS2 era except Dragon Quest (and TWEWY). The dip in their games' quality has been across all consoles (FFXIII in particular). Hopefully FFXIII Versus, KH: Birth by Sleep, and The 3rd Birthday will change that but I've already moved onto Atlus for all my JRPG needs not titled Dragon Quest .
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Topic: Square Enix slams Nintendo?
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