Matsuda on Square Enix's resolution for the fiscal year.
Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda teased a “considerable amount of high-end games” for the company’s fiscal 2015, including a Japanese RPG “surprise.”
“For fiscal 2015, I think we have a considerable amount of high-end games both inside and outside the country,” Matsuda told Nikkei Trendy. “Starting with Final Fantasy XV, we’ll be putting out news for Japanese RPGs.”
Matsuda continued, “I think we’ll have a little surprise, too,” before clarifying he’s referring to “a JRPG for home game machine(s).”
Square Enix’s personal resolution for fiscal year 2015, according to Matsuda, is “a box of surprises.” This apparently refers to how well the company can deliver in terms of releasing surprising and interesting works.
“With respect to HD titles for 2015, our Japanese and Western studios are both bolstering their lineups considerably, so it’d be wise to keep an eye on them,” Matsuda concluded.
Thanks, Games Talk.
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Industry, Square Enix, Teasers, Unannounced Game, Yosuke Matsuda
Square Enix Will Reveal A JRPG Surprise For Consoles Later This Year. March 17, 2015 . 5:20am
Besides major titles like Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III, we don’t know much about what else Square Enix has in store as far as major console games go. That said, according to company president Yosuke Matsuda, who recently spoke with Nikkei, they have quite a few surprises coming—with one being especially for JRPG fans.
Nikkei mention in the interview that it seems like this is the year that we’ll see more titles on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One from Square Enix.
“At the moment, we have major titles such as Dragon Quest Heroes and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD,” Matsuda replies. “In 2015, I believe we will offer a vast number of high-end games in both the domestic market and overseas. Now that we’ve already announced Final Fantasy XV, we will also reveal information on [another] JRPG. I believe we have a bit of a surprise in store for this year.”
The Square Enix CEO is then asked to share a little more on this so-called “surprise”.
“I can’t say much for now, but it’s a JRPG for consoles,” Matsuda tells Nikkei. “Also, our western studios have the latest Tomb Raider title with Rise of the Tomb Raider, Just Cause 3, and many other titles that I believe we can have high expectations of. For now, we’re preparing all kinds of things for E3.”
Nikkei asks if we’ll also see more in this year’s Tokyo Game Show.
“Of course, we’ll have plenty to show off at Tokyo Game Show,” he responds. “In addition, this year we’ll release titles for arcades and PC as well. We’re especially putting effort into PC online games, and we’re thinking about developments for consoles, too. In the midst of that, we’re also putting energy into games eSports-like games, smartphone games, and live-type multiplayer games.”
He continues, “When it comes to eSports, if there are the core [games] that pros get into for the prize money, then are also the more relaxed eSports out there. Our company’s European studio offers Nosgoth, which is currently managed as an open-beta, and it is highly reputed by the western players, so I believe we’d like to continue growing it into a more hardcore eSports title. Even the foreign pro teams out there have been noticing it.”
Matsuda also says that in Japan, PC will see Lord of Vermillion Arena and Gunslinger Stratos Reloaded, which originated in arcades. He hopes to see this continue and become something where spectators and players can get together and be excited over Japanese-style eSports; however, in the order to do so, he feels that they need to come up with something that matches the Japanese lifestyle to fit the Japanese players. So far, he feels that mobile devices might suit that style best.
Nikkei asks if by Japanese-style eSports Matsuda means something along the lines of the lively feeling you get from the arcade centers.
“Not only arcade games, but I do believe arcade games bring out that lively feeling as well,” says Matsuda. “However, rather than the conventional arcades, I believe that if we can dig deeper into what modern arcades are about, we can find a good affinity between that and eSports. There’s still a lot we need to do.”
Finally, Nikkei asks if he could share his ambitions for 2015.
Matsuda replies: “If I were to put it simply, it would be a ‘box of surprises’. I believe we’d like to go all out and offer as many things full of fun and surprises. And I’d like for us to maintain a development system that can continuously bring out this ‘box of surprises’. For the year 2015, as far as HD game titles go, our Japanese and western development studios will increase their lineup by a vast amount, so I’d like you all to keep an eye out for that.”
Read more stories about Square Enix on Siliconera.
He knows, I said the same thing & I wasn't the first he saw say that ether. It was a lot of people first with the PlayStation they first bought it on. no matter how you say it "It amounts to the same deal" Certain people are still overly obsessed with that game , when it came out for them. Like those people that want to bring back 80's music or any thing similar from the same decade even the really messed up stuff from then too . it wasn't as overly great as they like to remember. But man people really get hang up on stuff.
As part of Final Fantasy XI’s 13th anniversary this year, Square Enix announced their latest plans they have for the future of the MMORPG during a press conference in Japan.
During the stream, they announced that the game’s final chapter scenario will be made available on the upcoming major update, and it will be considered the “ultimate” scenario. The complete scenario will play out in three parts that will arrive in major updates in May, August, and November.
While the main story will come to an end, Square Enix says that service will continue.
As for now, Square Enix will continue working on the major update until November. However, service for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will end in March 2016. Meanwhile, the Windows version will continue to run.
Square Enix’s press conference is ongoing, and we’ll have more details as they become available.
Read more stories about Final Fantasy XI & PC & PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.
During Square Enix’s media briefing for Final Fantasy XI, they announced a new smartphone title called Final Fantasy Grandmasters, a spinoff title of Final Fantasy XI.
The concept behind the Vana’diel Project’s new title, Final Fantasy Grandmasters, is to allow fans of the series further explore the world of Vana’diel with friends, in a lighthearted and mobile fashion.
Mobile developers Crooz are working on the game, and it will feature jobs, places, and various other content from Final Fantasy XI’s world of Vana’diel.
The game is being developed as an online RPG that will allow you to play with friends.
It will have various fields like Final Fantasy XI, and while it may not be as vast as the fields you’ve seen in XI, you’ll get to chat and use emotes to communicate with others. While cooperating is one of the themes, you’ll be able to play solo as well.
The battles feature various monsters seen from Final Fantasy XI, and there will also be all kinds of abilities from the MMORPG title.
There will be all kinds of equipment to gather and collect, with parts for your head, body, arms, and legs.
The main visual is a little hint for what’s to come, as you can see an airship-like object behind the characters. While they didn’t want to spoil things too much, Crooz says that players will get to fly around Vana’diel.
Final Fantasy Grandmasters is in development for iOS and Android devices. The game will be free-to-play with cash shop purchases. A beta test will launch in Japan next month.
Read more stories about Android & Final Fantasy Grandmasters & iPhone on Siliconera.
In addition to the new spinoff title for Final Fantasy XI that was announced during Square Enixs media briefing for the MMORPG title, they also announced a new native client for smartphones, in partnership with Nexon.
Since playing a full MMORPG on smartphone devices might sound like a tough prospect, the new app will make it easier to play on the go, with an enhanced battle system that is speedier than before. This battle system will still have Job Commands, Skillchains, and other basic features from the game.
The mobile version of the game will have a handy cooperative system, that will make putting a party together easier on smartphones. The job system will still play a crucial role in the gameplay, and will feel different this time around with new touchscreen-based controls.
There will also be Linkshells and a guild system, which will be there to further enhance the community. The game will feature new dynamic events as well.
While the mobile version of Final Fantasy XI will be a lot like the original title, it will be easier for players to play solo, along with various other systems to make the overall gameplay easier.
Square Enix developed the native mobile client as their first step of what they call the era of MMMRPG (Massively Multiplayer Mobile RPG).
Details on the app are still fairly light at the moment. Square Enix have not specified whether this version of the game will feature the same content as Final Fantasy XI on PC and console, or whether it will connect to the Final Fantasy XI servers in any way. What Square and Nexon have said is that it will first start out in Japan and South Korea. Pricing has yet to be announced, but will be revealed in the near future.
Meanwhile, Final Fantasy XI on consoles is scheduled to shut down next year, while the PC version of the game will continue operations.
Read more stories about Android & Final Fantasy XI & iPhone on Siliconera.
source: Gematsu
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD director Hajime Tabata revealed artwork for what appears to be the next entry in the Type series during a Hong Kong launch event today.
Tabata began production on this sequel after development on Final Fantasy Type-0 ended. But now that he’s in charge of Final Fantasy XV, production has been stopped. A special movie teasing a sequel was included with Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, and while Tabata and his team want to move forward on production, nothing is confirmed as of yet.
Get the artwork below.
If you didn’t catch the special movie, watch that below.
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Thanks, Games Talk.
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PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Artwork, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, Final Fantasy Type-Next, RPG, Square Enix
source: GematsuMore details on the arcade fighter just weeks away.
Square Enix will hold its Dissidia Final Fantasy Closed Conference 2015, first teased during the arcade game’s initial announcement, on April 10 at The Garden Hall in Ebisu’s The Garden Place.
During the first part of the event, Square Enix will unveil the arcade cabinet and screen the game’s latest trailer. During the second part, the company will share more details via a fan talk session and give consumers their first demonstration.
The company is inviting 150 people to attend. 50 people will be selected as “premium invites” to attend both parts of the event, while 100 will be selected to attend only the second part. You can register your interest here.
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Arcade, Dissidia Final Fantasy Arcade, Fighting Games, Square Enix
On March 19th, Square Enix released Final Fantasy Type-0 HD in Japan. As reported last week, the game sold 92,094 copies on the PlayStation.
In their weekly supplementary report, Japanese sales tracker Media Create mentions that both versions of the game togetherPS4 and Xbox Onesold around 93,000 copies, so the Xbox version only moved around 1,000 units.
That having been said, Type-0 HD performed rather poorly in general. 93,000 copies isnt a figure worth writing home about, and Media Create says that the game sold through just 59.59% of its shipment, despite numerous promotions and the inclusion of the Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae demo.
In comparison, the original PSP version of the gamereleased in 2011sold 472,253 copies at launch. It sold through 79.08% of its shipment at launch.
Read more stories about Final Fantasy Type-0 HD & PlayStation 4 & This Week In Sales & Xbox One on Siliconera.
