As a subsidiary of Nintendo, Monolith Soft has been involved in a number of supporting roles — including some work on A Link Between Worlds — but is best known in recent years for its outstanding Wii title Xenoblade Chronicles. It's understandable, then, that there's some hype about its Wii U project, codenamed X and due in 2014, and some new "Urgent" job postings from the company may point towards its production ramping up.
As translated by Siliconera, the developer's recruitment page seeks designers to fill the roles of Game Planner, Town Planner and Battle Algorithm Planner. While the latter two roles seem to focus on aspects such as enemy AI and environment scripts, the Game Planner role intriguingly seeks someone experienced in working with networking and online features. With an RPG there are various potential uses for online play — we'd love to imagine this open-world experience having the option of drop-in co-op and support play, for example, or even something relatively simple such as an online trading area for items. It may just be for Miiverse integration or for ideas that may or may not be in the final game; there's also the possibility it's for another project entirely, such as the mysterious Monolith Soft 3DS game or another project that the studio is supporting.
The company is also seeking Motion Designers, and logic would suggest that these posts would support the X project on Wii U. We'll find out in good time, but let's allow ourselves some fantasy — what online features would you love to see in the company's upcoming Wii U release?
[source siliconera.com, via monolithsoft.co.jp]
Comments 80
God, why can't I live in japan?! I WANNA HELP!!!
Nothing would please me more than being able to experience X with my bros playing along side me. Other than that, a trading option would be nice.
@True_Hero
What if its just Miiverse photo stuff like the Tingle bottles? >D
Every game does not need online multiplayer.....
If they're only hiring those roles now... I'd be VERY skeptical about the game coming out in Japan in 2014, let alone elsewhere. Hopefully those are for the next game. Some of those are jobs who's main role begins way before programming starts, and others would be needed very early in the programming stage, which X clearly is far beyond.
I seriously hope X isn't going MMO, a successor to xenoblade and an original zelda where all the interest I had left in the wii u, if this series is going the MMO route all I have left is an eventual zelda by the looks of it.
@Peach64 maybe someone doing those things left?(or is going to leave as soon as X is over) those things seem to happen often...
@zionich Please do not tell Nintendo that....
I hope it's for another game.I don't want this game rushed. But again, we don't know it's release date.
@zionich yeah, it's just this one does!
It's been confirmed this has online play since they showed a chatbox within the first few seconds of the first trailer. I'm more concerned that these urgent job postings are for such important aspects of the game.
MMO was my concern first thing when i saw some of the Nintendo Direct clips but i'm still holding out hope. Not that i'm against MMOs, i spent more time than is healthy on WoW and rate it as one of my favourite games of all time, it's just not what i wanted from X. I wanted a similar experience to xenoblade, in a new world with HD graphics and the pad would allow your teammates arts to be selected in addition to the main chars. Would have allowed for better teamwork on breaking/toppling etc. I still have hope though..
@Peach64
I agree that this news doesn't create a positive outlook, for an earlier release. On the other hand, not a lot has been confirmed... reasons, and so on.
I'm not one hundred percent sure about the exact translation; do they just want testers?
I think it would make a great MMO, one I'd actually enjoy.
@Peach64 Game Development often ramps up during crunch time. It is a common practice for developers to bring in new employees or outsource work in the final crunch. In Monolith's case, they probably have outlets available from which to pluck technical talent. Design talent may not be on hand, and despite appearances, is really essential in crafting, balancing, and polishing every encounter up until a game goes alpha. It's rarely a given how much additional design work might be necessary until the release date is on the horizon and the schedule becomes tangible.
As long as they don't MMO it up, I'm fine. I'm definitely not interested in playing role-playing video games any way but solo.
Ideally, I'd love to be able to play through the story with friends or something. I think that'd be awesome.
I'm wondering if someone quit or if they realized those posts were understaffed. I'd hate to thing they only just realized, "crap, we're making an online game without anyone who knows how to online."
@ricklongo To be honest, xenoblade was pretty much an offline MMO. I highly doubt thou that they go full "mmo" with it. What i think could actually happen is something similar to Phantasy Star Online or even Monster Hunter.
It would be interesting how they implement major story scenes though. Or they completely seperate both modes, keeping the story offline only and giving you the whole gameworld to explore freely while online.
The typical quest structure (kill X of that, collect Y of that) was already there in xenoblade.
@Senario
It was even more so shown in its reveal trailer.
Finally some X news. But not the type of news I wanted. cough release date.
@Guybrush20X6 Release dates loom, scope evolves, priorities change, funding grows or evaporates, realities hit, new projects materialize... Game development is quite a fickle beast. There's not much that can be gleaned from this sort of job offer.
There are three possibilities from the way I see it:
A) X isn't as far along as we thought and it's meant to enter full production around this time (which would be odd since from what we've seen it seems to have come pretty far in development).
B) X is coming out soon, but Monolith realized they can't meet deadlines with the resources they have so they need to get in new people quick, hence the "urgent" remarks.
C) It's for their 3DS project.
If they are hiring for online right now, it's going to be bolted-on, box-checking ("yeah, we got online...check dat box") garbage. Or the game isn't going to be released this year. Pick at least one.
"Urgent"? Must mean that Nintendo wants to get this game out as fast as possible to filll up the empty release schedule.
I personally wouldn't like for this game to have online multiplayer on the main story at least.
Maybe it is for a new project and "X" is right around the corner......but more then likely they need some additional help on X
If you watch the first trailer again, you will see that it shows multiplayer similar to Monster Hunter. You see players about to fight against some dinosaur-like being and you can even see them chatting.
Oh man, looks like this game will be out in 2016 at the earliest.
I can't wait
Id love online Co-Op! And cant wate for this game
I'm only okay with online if it's free & does not have micro transactions.
Is this game really going to be released this year?
@NintendoNaut
Totally. A drop-in-drop-out style of story co-op (like Borderlands) would be amazing for a series like this. The only problem? I'd probably play too much...
Can't wait ! The game that gets me excited the most , really.
I'm torn about online play. While that is awesome in the short term, I can't think of many games I consider "classics" that require online because games usually don't maintain a userbase long enough. 5 years later and online games tend to be replaced or forgotten. Games like Final Fantasy 6 or Xenoblade, on the other hand, will be just as awesome in a decade as they were when first released.
I doubt it'll be an MMO if they only decided they need online staff now, when development has gone underway. Maybe it's just Miiverse integration or drop in co-op. Or maybe an arena mode? To be honest I was kinda worried that it would be an MMO - they're great and all, but they're a totally different experience from single player RPGs.
@ACK Games that use that type of development usually cost loads to make and the end result isn't that good. Best games are when the developers lie to the management so that it can be properly finished and without taking into account any commercial considerations. (Shenmue did that).
okay i dont even care if they dont add online multiplayer i just want this game right now.
Being a long time fan of the Xeno series this is one of the games I am most anticipating coming from the Wii U. I really hope Nintendo steps up and puts a heavy amount of marketing for this title (outside of Japan) to show that they have faith in it because I certainly do!
Nobody could have any idea what development is affected with any of these details. They know as much about it as they know precisely how Monilith's studios are set up and integrated and what game any part of those studios is working on at present even outside of X. I think you'd have to have some serious insider knowledge Reggie seems to not even have.
The job postings are probably related to a different game. That said, I'm expecting regular online multiplayer (not MMO) as seen in the reveal trailer. I'd be pretty disappointed if they scrapped that feature.
"Online play in 'X', please" This was confirmed ages ago, one watch of the trailer will tell you it has at a minimum online co-op, vs play would be very interesting.
Also the job listing is likely either for extra help or to cover sickness/maternity etc. No one has been let go or left (according to them), and its highly unlikely that these very important posts are not already performed at least ad-hoc already.
I just hope like hell its released this year. All the waiting is driving me crazy.
I'm so pumped for X! I'll probably play it single player but I'm sure that online play will entice other's to buy X. Heck, I'll probably have a go at it & see what it's like. X is gonna be soooooo epic!!
As long as it works like Secret of Mana I would be happy.
I just hate it when they build a single player game and force some online component just to add it.
If there looking for online help at this point I question if the game was made with online in mind.
@turnmebackwards
Well, you picked the right console then...
@zionich Why do you think this was single-player focused?
I really hope X doesn't go full MMO.
@Peach64 online can be added after asset creation..... My guess is they developed the online already but it isn't performing as well as they want it to so they are reaching out to find more expertise in network programming to bring the online code up to snuff.
Does the listing mention they are looking to fill multiple positions or just one. If it's just one it's most certainly more on the consulting side to beef up the online.... What we saw in January and E3 it looks like it has online already, we saw aliases above characters and what looked like a chat box.
@Reala good thing everyone has different tastes because adding an online component to an RPG extends the life of the game far beyond just the campaign..... I hope they go full bore and have PvP involved so I can shank people from behind who are minding their own business leveling up.
If they allowed multiplayer in Xenoblade, the game really wouldn't have changed considering you only controlled one character at a time. As long as it's just multiplayer quests or side campaign, then I'll be fine with it. I just don't want to be gimped in playing because I choose to not play with other people
@King47 I don't think its indicative of being rushed. My best guess is to shore up the online component. Maybe they noticed some lag that was jarring and need a bit more expertise than what their programmers know.
@Zaphod_Beeblebrox online component was already there. Go back to the January direct.
Honestly, I can't say for certain if I would even use any online features in this type of game. I'll keep an open mind though since it could turn out to be fun. I just prefer to play my RPG games by myself. I get more attached to the stories involved much easier that way.
@zionich since the reveal in January we knew this was built around online and not the other way around.
Sigh... I'll always primarily remember you for Baten Kaitos, Monolith!
@Genesaur I love Baten Kaitos but having your cards expire (Fire, water, food needed particular qualities and would degrade over time) right before you made the right combination was kinda annoying. Didn't play Origins, but I heard it was much better.
Nobody thinks this could be for a sequel to Disaster: Day of Crisis......?
As this generation for Nintendo is all about asynchronous multiplayer, I'd like to see just that incorporated into "X" using some online functionality. I mean not a direct multiplayer like co-op or versus but something like sharing, exchanging chracters skills, items or community quests where thousands of players have to contribute in order to fullfil the quest's requirements and so on.
Being it urgent makes one think that it's indeed for either X or the other project they're developing for the 3DS. I seriously hope that, if it finally means that X will support an online mode, it is just optional, something insignificant, just an add to share items or something like that. I expect something huge from this game (my most anticipated without a doubt) mainly because of it being a sequel from Xenoblade. If they change the basis, it wouldn't probably be the same, and everyone expects the same but much more improved. I'd rather it to be for a different game (the one for 3DS or whatever), but I fear it will be for this one... Let's hope they don't do a Squenix with DQX!
I seem to be in the minority in not liking Xenoblade. X still looks cool, but I hope they drop a lot of the faux MMO and copy-paste stuff. The world feels rich at first, until you realise all the content is samey collectibles and fetch quests.
I wouldn't mind some type of online functionality simular to that of MH3U. Would be a pretty interesting experience.
I couldn't give two squirts of soda if the game has any online or multi player options on it. Not my cup of tea. However, I am stoked beyond words for another Monolith Soft (J)RPG. Every game they put their stamp on has just been an absolute gem. Might have to fire up some Baton Kaitos on the ol' Cube this weekend I'm so excited.
Oh gosh, is this gettin delayed? Please don't
Definitely one of my top games I am looking forward to in 2014, if not THE top. I would love the idea of a big open world with drop-in and drop-out coop. I would also enjoy a Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate style of multiplayer with town hubs, coop quests, etc. I am very excited for the possibility of this game being multiplayer! And if it's not, oh well... Xenoblade Chronicles was one of the best titles on Wii.
@darkwinglz and @element187 I guess i just missed the multi player or built with online announcement. It looked like a single player JRPG from what i saw.
Wow so apparently I missed or have just forgotten about the combat trailer they released. Yes, im with yall....bring on the multiplayer !!!!
Thanks for inspiring me to revisit it lol.
I really hope this makes 2014, especially in the west...
The last trailer made this look pretty far in development, the urgent add would more likely suggest that they are actually approaching a date where they need to put this out. I don't want to wait too long for this put I would rather wait for a fantastic game than get a game which doesn't meet it's potential next season.
@Tsuzura That's the first thing I thought of. It seems like it's a little late in the game to be adding anything more substantial like online play. However, something similar to Monster Hunter online where you just get to fight some harder/bigger monsters would be pretty easy I would think. Drop in play seems like a long shot, but would certainly be epic (not that I have anyone to play with )
I'm not this is necessarily saying that they are just now needing a network programmer. If my memory is correct, I think I saw that job listing up on their recruitment page a few months ago (like at least 6 months). As far as I know that job posting has been up for a while.
@nintendofreak_2
Thats how i felt.
You tube the gameplay trailer, an analyses with commentary would be better. It points out some key detailes that hint that online and co-op was in there all along. I missed that.
Somebody get in there and save the day!
If there is no online multiplayer, i gotta sell this game after i beat it
At last nintendo get the right idea Online multiplayer team up ! This game is going to be solo good and a big hitter for nintendo soon as this game comes out wii u sales will go up & Mario kart.
@zionich considering the extremely low amount of online multiplayer games on the Wii U any game that offers it is welcome (Stares at 3d World with disdain)
For anyone who is trying to figure out whether this is good or bad news, the word "urgent" points you towards the not-so-good. This game is going to miss 2014 or... they could possibly split it up into two releases.
@zionich I think gamexplain did that already
Disaster Eve?
Was recommending one with commentary @blackstar9000
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