Square Enix eyes Xbox Next development

GeN · 07-01-2004, 09:51 PM

Executive says formerly PlayStation-exclusive publisher is "considering" creating games for Microsoft's next-gen console.

In 1996, the two companies that would eventually become Square Enix--SquareSoft and Enix--began to devote themselves almost exclusively to the PlayStation format. (Enix made several more N64 games, and both companies continue to release Game Boy Advance titles.) Since then, Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles has been the only Square or Enix game to appear on a non-Sony home console.

That, however, may soon change. Speaking to Bloomberg News earlier this week, Michiro Sasaki, Square Enix's general manager for corporate planning, said the company was "considering" developing and publishing games for Microsoft's next-generation console, most commonly called the Xbox Next.

Though details were scarce, Square Enix's decision comes as Microsoft is aggressively wooing Japanese third parties to publish exclusive games for the Xbox and its successor. According to the article, Capcom has largely rebuffed Microsoft's advances and is only planning one Xbox-only game in 2004. "It's just not profitable enough," said Capcom executive Kazuhiko Abe, referring to the Xbox's dismal market share inside Japan.

Could this mean that Xbox will FINALLY see awesome RPG's? I, for one, hope so...

Mr.Underscore · 07-01-2004, 10:02 PM

Nice find Gen, very interesting
I guess anything is possible in the gaming industry

***XBS Jason*** · 07-02-2004, 01:14 AM

From what I heard, if the deal does go through there will be no games for Xbox, only for the replacement, Xbox 2 or whatever the name may be. Good news either way, unless nothing comes of it.

Boondock_Saint · 07-02-2004, 01:29 AM

I thought they settled this Microsoft makes games for Xbox and so forth. Square Enix continues to work with Sony. Oh well. This could be a turn for the better. I mean I'd love for them to remake Legend of Dragoon and release it on Xbox along with PS2 or PS3 or PS1,000,000 for all I care. And the Devil May Cry series would finally be on Xbox. I would love to be able to play DMC3 on Xbox oooohhh all that killing. And we would also see games like Ninja Gaiden and KoTOR on PS2, or PS3 for that matter.

*zrion* · 07-02-2004, 09:35 AM

They were in talks during E3 in regards to Square Enix makin games for the XBOX which resulted in the rumor that FF was coming, seems there are in serious talks now - its a good investment for both parties, XBOX finally gets the RPG's they despretly require and S.Enix makes money off them and can now take advantage of the power of the XBOX next/2/xenon whatever. Lets just hope they commit to this.

Capcom on the other hand need to start lookin outside the box - XBOX will never be as popular in Japan as sony and Nintendo but outside of Japan they hav a large chunk of the industry, Capcom need to start taking advantage of that (not that they need to) but it would be nice for us - they've only developed 7 games for the XBOX since its release!