Square Enix is one of those third party companies that’s been a little more hesitant in its support of the Nintendo Switch. The company most notably brought I Am Setsuna and Lost Sphear—two low-budget, retro-inspired JRPGS—and is prepping to release the heavily anticipated Octopath Traveler. Apart form that, things have been relatively quiet from the company on the Switch front, but it seems that Square is finally doubling down on bringing bigger projects in greater volume to the platform in the future.
Game Informer recently got to talk with Square at a press event about Octopath Traveler, and the executive they were talking with had an interesting tidbit of news. Tomoya Asano, division executive at Square, said that the company has established a Switch division in April, and that the sales of Octopath Traveler will be used to judge how much support the company will give in the future. Here’s what was said:
Square Enix has decided that it wants to focus on original titles for the Switch. If Octopath Traveler does well and this is something that appeals to fans, we want to focus on Switch. Please pick up the Switch if you want to play games like Octopath Traveler.
In addition to this, Asano also confirmed that there are more large projects on the way to Switch, though he wouldn’t say what’s being worked on. Here’s what he said:
There are several other titles that we're currently working on for Switch. If you could just wait a bit longer, we'll work with Nintendo and announce them in the future.
With any luck, we’ll hear more about these projects at E3, but at least it looks like Square is going to be sticking with the Switch for quite some time.
What do you think? Will you be getting Octopath Traveler? What other Square games or franchises do you want to see on the platform? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source gameinformer.com]
Comments (54)
Here's hope for us to get original franchises on the Switch. I see people begging for Final Fantasy, but honestly, FF exhausted me by now. I want to see a fresh take on JRPGs and this is exactly the kind of news I was looking forward to.
I hope they don't dedicate this company to just porting their other games onto the Switch. That will be a letdown.
I'd love to see the FF VII Remake on Switch and also the recent remake of Secret of Mana. Yes I am aware that lots of people prefer the SNES original.
Still waiting to see the Seiken Densetsu Collection get localized.
Anyway . . . Bravely Default on Switch would be pretty cool. My impression is that it's a far stretch to hope for some AAA exclusives from this team.
For Roman number Final Fantasy, i want FF VIII , IX, X/X-2 , XII HD Remake on Switch.
For Switch Exclusive, wanna see Cute RPG like Fantasy Life / Miitopia.
This is the kind of 3rd party support the Switch needs. Exclusives made for the console and not downgraded titles ported from far more powerful systems.
So it looks like Switch is the place for things that aren't more Final Fantasy rehashes. Here's hoping for some spin-offs like FF Tactics though.
Octopath Traveller does feel like a passion project inside a bigger studio, a bit like Hellblade. I think the world needs more of those, not big budget "popcorn" games but with more budget and experience behind them than one-man indies, which seem to debut studios who then go away.
@SmaggTheSmug Wholeheartedly agreed here, I am tired of the yearly sequels which seem to go by the same formula and concepts with slightly altered features. Yeah, they're nice to play for a little while, but it almost feels as if whoever made those games have less ambition put into them than less experienced studios.
I can't remember the last time I've been stunned by a big budget third party game.
Yes, by all means Squeenix keep stuff like Octopath coming.
Hopefully JRPG's, that's all I want to see.
@Varkster "I can't remember the last time I've been stunned by a big budget third party game."
I don't think I ever have.
Anyone up for more Actraiser?
Square Enix and NIS fully on board,Capcom and Konami half on board. EA bringing FIFA19,2K bringing NBA2K19 and hopefully Bethesda and Ubisoft announcing more titles at E3. With 3 of the biggest games on the planet,Rocket League ,Minecraft and Fortnite already on the console or coming soon, it seems to me like the 3rd party support on a Nintendo machine is as strong as it's been since the SNES days.
Damn. Looks like I might need to get this just to support the future.
If I were squenix I would be releasing ports alongside this. Let's get all the old FF games on switch, the mana collection, as well as some of their lesser played series like Saga.
I really want the switch to be an RPG powerhouse like the GBA and the DS before it
More original games like Octopath or the Bravely series for 3DS would be awesome! But i wouldn't be opposed to one or two ports of some Final Fantasies.
Ubisoft got to make a game with Mario in it, how about Square gets to finally make Super Mario RPG 2? I'm also going to guess that's one of the GameStop mystery SKUs.
As far as the next 12-18 months or so are concerned, I want FIVE things from Square Enix:
— Three little words, three massive RPG’s; SEIKEN DENSETSU COLLECTION. Just hurry up and finally localise this wonderful collection for Western audiences
— With THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU coming to Switch in Final Remix form, how about a brand new entry in the TWEWY universe?
— Kingdom Hearts III finally releases this year, and with spin-off games like Dream Drop Distance previously releasing on 3DS, I want an all-new, standalone KINGDOM HEARTS on Switch. Exclusive, of course!
— Square has already released FINAL FANTASY XV POCKET EDITION on mobile, now it’s time they brought it to Switch. Only with proper controls this time!
— And finally, my esteemed Nintendo gamers, I give you but two immortal words; CHRONO TRIGGER. Okay, here’s another; HD.
"Square has created a shovelware division..."
@Alexface have you played the demo? I loved it! Despite of the "retro" graphics, the story is very mature.
@The_Pixel_King I would kill for a KH title!
Hope it a good mix of ports (kh), remakes (ff6 anyone?) and original stuff like maybe bravely 3 , ff tactics or twewy 2
Awesome news! We want more games like Octopath Traveler on Switch!
@NewAdvent
Well since Nintendo is up for these partnership then the time is now
This is great news!
I feel the last couple of years the best Square Enix games have been those exclusively for Nintendo systems. Their bigger games like the last couple of FFs really suck in comparison.
Btw anyone else watching sqaure event on Monday?
@Prizm Nah, Square could just crap out nothing but ports and rereleases if all they were interested in was turning a quick buck. Octopath is looking legit amazing and indicates that they're taking the Switch seriously. Of course, it looks like a lot will depend on how Octopath does, but more games in that vein seems like a future worth supporting to me.
@Saego Yep me too, MOAR RPGS!!!!!!!!!!
I'm all for exclusive titles and all but man Deus Ex: Mankind Divided would be sweet on Switch
I'm excited because I love Square Enix. Can't wait for Octopath Traveler and other titles!
I'm glad that they're doing some smaller projects. Maybe it'll give them bit morr creative freedom.
Besides, it's better to have a few smaller good games than 1 or 2 downgraded half baked ports.
I definitely want Dragon Quest XI to hurry up and hit the Switch over here, but I honestly don't want to see a bunch of 1990s Final Fantasy titles padding out the RPG library. I love and appreciate those games, but I'd rather see more original projects like Octopath. A rerelease of The World Ends With You is no bad thing - it might be my favourite game of all time - but I'd love to see a spiritual successor (rather than a direct sequel, as the story deserves to end where it did). Similar gameplay and style, perhaps, but a different world and characters. We had modern Shibuya - how about historic Edo?
This is good news. Keep those jrpgs coming square
I am Setsuna put me to sleep so much that I didn't even consider Lost Sphere. But the Octopath Traveller demo won me over very quickly and I've already preordered the game.
There are plenty of awesome Square Enix titles I'd love to see simply ported to the Switch but new content can be cool too.
I’m definitely picking up Octopath Traveler. I hope it sells well and see more projects with this much ambition.
I really hope Octopath Traveler does as well as they hope. The switch needs more 3rd party exclusives.
A good game is a good game. Octopath is fun and charming...from what I played on the demo. Now this is what I like to hear how games are handled for switch development.
Best news I’ve read all week! I just hope not all of their upcoming games are “retro-inspired”, personally I’m over that.
@NintendoFan4Lyf Yeah it wasn't that the gameplay felt bad in I am Setsuna, just extremely standard and basic. The story also completely failed to pull me in as well, feeling generic and uninspired. Again, not bad, just bland. Nothing about the game felt like it functioned poorly or and none of the writing left me thinking "that makes no sense, or this is stupid" - rather like you mentioned - it was just completely forgettable and bland.
Octopath Traveler has been on my radar for a while now and I am buying a physical copy of the game. I have a soft spot for 16bit RPGs and this looks like it's getting a lot of love and care from Square Enix. I'm also buying it because SE is one of my favourite developers and I want them to support the Switch. Asano's comments probably mirror what many companies have been struggling with. It's the chicken or the egg, right? Do we put games on the system and hope for support, or wait until support is high enough to put games on the system. On a personal note, I hope they create a new Bravely game for Switch. Loved that game and the art style on 3DS.
@The_Pixel_King or go forwards and make Chrono Break actually happen!
I know there is a lot of hype for Octopath, but it seems i'm one of the few that got a bit turned off by the demo. I just go really bored with it and I love JRPG's and really love old school ones generally (I recently replayed through Lufia 2 on SNES lol). I'm down with new titles, but I want a mix of multiplatform, older re-releases, and new titles. Also I'm starting to tire of the NES style graphics that have been on so many indie titles, so hopefully it's at least 16 bit graphics, but ideally would like to see a good graphics type game with polish.
Enjoyed the Octopath Demo but not convinced it's for me. Was similarly smitten with the Bravely Default demo but lost interest in the actual game very quickly.
Personally more interested in more modern things like Kingdom Hearts, Nier, TWEWY and Deus Ex
Bravely Default 1+2 Collection and Bravely Default 3??
...
pls
More Dragon Quest, the Bravely series, Seiken Densetsu, and TWEWY's release date please!
Switch is shaping up to be a JRPG haven already. When DQXI comes out...I'll be on cloud 9.
@Arnold-Kage I agree with Kingdom Hearts.
Kingdom Hearts 1.5 and 2.5 Collection,More Dragon Quest games.
Work with Nintendo huh. Lets say, work with them to make a Super Mario RPG 2 maybe?
@Varkster With your point about Final Fantasy, you summed up in but a few word why I'm so hyped for Octopath Traveller next month.
Also weirdly enough... people keep raving about how Dragon Quest "is so cliche RPG" in mechanics/etc.... but every RPGs these days seem to go so much out of their ways to introduces "that one twist that'll make them fully different"... that it feels like they all cease to really be unique? Like "Oh we're inspired by the traditional jRPGs of old, but look at it here very unique twists we made to be 100% more fresh " and sometimes it feels... I dunno.
A recent one I half-enjoyed would have been Earthlock. And I know what they were going for by tying moves all to separate buttons of the controller like keyboard shortcuts for a supposedly fast style of play... but it felt simply akward sometimes I'd stop playing because I couldn't even play it in the way I can at least play even a dragon quest game casually.
And that's the thing. With just a bit more of a classic control scheme, I would have likely had a -much- easier time enjoying Earthlock. I did also have some niggles about the equipment system which doled out new weapons/etc at such a trickle(with a focus on lateral rather than vertical progression making weapons more like separate specialization kits rather than a true progression) that character progression almost felt.... stale?
Because I don't need an entire controller's worth of button during battles in dragon quest. I just need the D-pad and the confirm/cancel button allowing that much more to multitask and enjoy the game at my own pace. Even Octopath Traveller's demo, with it's boost/break system would feel more friendly to casually picking up before playing more focused dedicated sessions.
At this rate, Dragon Quest's consistency feels almost fresh, in that weird "things going back full circle" kind of way.
@Prizm I dunno for you, but considering the very first Switch exclusive they announced for the console, before even confirming this division, is Octopath Traveller...
... I'm not sure I'm ready to call that the "Shovelware Division" just yet.
Maybe if later evolution reveal Octopath Traveller to be the exception rather than the rule, but I have my doubt because they've made mention multiple times that they seem to see the Switch's support specifically as the console for more traditional RPG. The term they used was specifically "Middleware games" but the definition they gave was basically "Games that can succeed and provide quality gameplay and narratives even with smaller budgets"... which they specifically said fit with a lot of their past RPG IPs dating back to before the days of the current AAA gen.
Which was a short way of saying "We want to continue making cool RPGs, but f*** the bankrupty-risking budgets of the likes of FFXV required to make enough of a splash on current AAA consoles even if that was a success".
Because a thing a lot of people forget about current games is RPGs were not traditionally the AAA experiences we expect from consoles. They were meant to be solid games, offer lot of hours and so on.... but trying to compete with hardware-pushing spectable of first person shooters that can barely break even because they'd cost so much to develop?
That's the point they were making, I think. Because quality games with lower budget also mean you need less sales than the AAA thing.
Some of these "middlewares" RPGs could start turning a profit with only 100-150k copies sold, whereas the AAA thing might need to1-2millions copies just to break even.
Starting to make profit with so little sales, you could just sell 300k copies and still make more profits than a lot of other games. And making it quality means that the niche of people who loved the latest game will have all the more reason to get the next(unlike the turn off of shovelware).
Because if it takes such a low amount of sales to start turning a profit, it makes it all that much easier to get the next title rolling. Compared to something on the scope FFXV where a single failure could spell the end or hibernation of an entire franchise at the very least.
People joke about it, but out of all consoles I feel the Switch is the best placed to lead a jRPG revival. And one people might not even notice, even the folks actually playing said games that would be released, specifically because it'd be such smaller titles that don't bring the flashy millions-grade copies sold.
But then again, they don't need that flash because they can profit without it just doing their own thing casually catering to smaller niches that are all(and more) what it ever needed.
They won't be FFXV, but they won't need to. And they might become just as profitable in the long run as a collective, without people realizing it.
@Ludovsky - I was half-joking about the shovelware division, but wouldn't be surprised given Nintendo's history with 3rd party developers.
And yep, I agree smaller budget games can be just as lucrative as AAA games when done right. Just look at the success of certain mobile games.
'If you could just wait a bit longer, we'll work with Nintendo and announce them in the future.'
Ok that means they'll announce it during E3.
@Prizm Oh, I hear you there. But I could see teams at Square Enix indeed being thrilled by the thought of basically "We can make RPGs without breaking the budget again!".
Really, I'm super hyped for Octopath Traveller next month. I'd been playing the demo mostly in docked mode but after recently picking back up my 3DS for jRPGS… I found myself downloading the Octopath Traveller demo on my Switch again to see how comfortable it would be to play it on the Switch as a portable and I was very pleased by the experience.
I just want more JRPGs. Heck they can re-release the FFX/X-2 remastered on Switch and I'll buy it again. FFXII as well. Maybe a Legend of Dragoon remaster? Just make more JRPGs.
maybe Square Switch section will make nice with Nintendo again and they can both work on making a full reboot of Super Mario RPG
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