Square Enix on Xbox 360

[EssspeN]

It's no secret that Microsoft has done well in the console gaming sector. The company came out strong with the first Xbox and challenged Nintendo for the number two spot. With the Xbox 360, the company has garnered itself a one year head start against competition from Sony and Nintendo, and is looking to make a strong run at holding the number one spot. However, there is one area where Microsoft has been severely lacking and that hasn't changed at all from the Xbox to the Xbox 360. We're talking about Japan and support from Japanese third party companies.

 

There are a lot of Japanese companies who are offering solid support for the Xbox 360, but there are still several who seem to be hesitant about support. The primary company of focus here is Square Enix. In all honesty, it doesn't matter if Devil May Cry 4 is exclusive to the Xbox 360, or if Microsoft can secure Metal Gear Solid 4 for the 360. The Japanese gaming audience is shifted by two game series: Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. If Microsoft were able to secure an exclusive on a current Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest title within the main series, the announcement alone would move Xbox 360 consoles in Japan.

 

Microsoft has discussed its relationship with Square Enix in the past, and the two companies are always very positive about working together. However, over the past two years, nothing has really come of these talks other than a lackluster port of a five year old game (Final Fantasy XI). So let's go back for a moment to look at what has been said in the past, then move forward to see where this relationship is really going.

 

 

Kilde: http://xbox360.gamedaily.com/game/features...id=4450&id=1028

[kewell79]

The Future

 

As we look ahead, we are still left with the words of Mr. Yoichi Wada. But what exactly does Square Enix have in store for the Xbox 360? At a press briefing held in Japan shortly before E3 2006, Square Enix announced Project Sylph, an arcade-style shooter. Not exactly a game that will be moving consoles in Japan, and certainly no where near as big as two Final Fantasy XIII titles for the PlayStation 3. Tri-Ace, the developer behind the Star Ocean series, is working on an RPG for the Xbox 360, but that's being handled my Microsoft as it seems Square Enix has little to no involvement in the project.

 

With all of the talk about the PlayOnline service and Xbox Live, one would think that the next MMO from the Final Fantasy XI team would be coming to the Xbox 360. However, reports over the past year have indicated that the game will only be heading to the Vista and PlayStation 3 platforms. We'll have to wait for more details on the title from Square Enix, but a new MMO may not be enough to push consoles in Japan, especially if the title will be available on Windows Vista and the PlayStation 3. For the foreseeable future, it appears as though Microsoft will continue to be shunned by Square Enix.