The "General Games Chat" forum, which includes Retro Game Reviews, has been archived and is now read-only. You cannot post here or create a new thread or review on this forum.
Right, stick with me a minute here, and let me explain.
This may seem like the third post I've written about the same thing, but really, it isn't. Read the other two threads "Square? Who Cares?" and "Hung Drawn and Squared" it's quite apparent that they're written from very different view points, well now this is an attempt to capture a balanced view of events.
If you're coming into this without knowing the subject, I take it you haven't read any multi-format game sites lately, or seen some of the posts on these very forums, as such, I'll explain a little of what's going on to begin with, so here goes:
Having jumped ship in prior to the launch of the N64, Square have now confirmed that they will develop titles for the Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. As Sony own a share in Square (which I though to be 19%, other figures have been quoted) it's not that simple, Square have had to form a affiliate company to get round the fact that they're as good as a Sony second party. This is in fact merely a paper company and development will come from the second production unit of Square. Sony would only allow for it to go ahead as long as it doesn't endanger future Playstation Square titles. As such it is thought that Square will start off my porting old titles to the GBA, and concentrate on the Gamecube GBA link for new games, something not possible on Sony's machine. The name of this company will be Games Developers Studios, and the rumours so far point at Final Fantasy Unlimited, and a port of Final Fantasy Tactics, though it's rumoured that 3 or 4 titles will be out this year.
Anyway, that's where we're at, the preamble over, so I guess I now begin my ramblings!
First of all I can't see this convincing many people to buy a Gamecube that haven't already decided to do so. Fans of the Final Fantasy series, and other such Square games, will probably have already bought a Playstation 2 for Final Fantasy 10, having been served plenty of Square classics on the Playstation, they'll be happy to move onto this platform. Of course there are the die hard Ninties that have been weeping since FF7 appeared on Playstation, swearing never to buy anything but Nintendo, but no doubt they're already waiting for their Gamecubes. No doubt they'll be over the moon, but it won't exactly boost sales of the Gamecube. I do, however, reckon it will do the GBA no end of good. The Western world will finally get quality handheld Square games, and in Japan it may persuade those dwindling Wonderswan owners to get themselves a GBA.
I can see this making Square rather a lot of money from this, which should be a good thing. Ports are cheap, and will sell well, the GBA Gamecube link-up games will be incredibly popular, and this money will hopefully be poured back into game development, and help to keep Squares games fresh.
Now I reckon this is where it will benefit the Playstation 2 more than the Gamecube, for Sony' stake in Square will mean they get most of these new games first. Still, if they eventually come to the Gamecube, surely this too will please owners of that console? Especially considering the dreadful lack of RPG's on the N64.
One question that has yet to be answered, is does the Xbox fit into this anywhere? Will we also see ports onto the Xbox? As sony have in the past stated that they see the Xbox as more of a rival this generation that the Gamecube, I can't see it as being too likely, but I'm sure Square would appreciate a big chunk of Microsoft cash, and they have, in the past, stated that they'd like to see FF11 (online) on all formats.
So who does this news really benefit most? I can't see Sony losing sales when it comes to the Playstation 2, they may even get some better games out of it in the long run. Nintendo will see a small upturn in Gamecube sales from those that may have lost faith in the past, and Square fans that want a second console to try out anything original that comes to the Gamecube/GBA, like the link games. The GBA itself could well see a large increase in units sold when the first Square games hit it. Finally Square themselves have found a way to make some easy money, without risking the security that Sony offer.
Looks like a win-win situation really!
This may seem like the third post I've written about the same thing, but really, it isn't. Read the other two threads "Square? Who Cares?" and "Hung Drawn and Squared" it's quite apparent that they're written from very different view points, well now this is an attempt to capture a balanced view of events.
If you're coming into this without knowing the subject, I take it you haven't read any multi-format game sites lately, or seen some of the posts on these very forums, as such, I'll explain a little of what's going on to begin with, so here goes:
Having jumped ship in prior to the launch of the N64, Square have now confirmed that they will develop titles for the Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. As Sony own a share in Square (which I though to be 19%, other figures have been quoted) it's not that simple, Square have had to form a affiliate company to get round the fact that they're as good as a Sony second party. This is in fact merely a paper company and development will come from the second production unit of Square. Sony would only allow for it to go ahead as long as it doesn't endanger future Playstation Square titles. As such it is thought that Square will start off my porting old titles to the GBA, and concentrate on the Gamecube GBA link for new games, something not possible on Sony's machine. The name of this company will be Games Developers Studios, and the rumours so far point at Final Fantasy Unlimited, and a port of Final Fantasy Tactics, though it's rumoured that 3 or 4 titles will be out this year.
Anyway, that's where we're at, the preamble over, so I guess I now begin my ramblings!
First of all I can't see this convincing many people to buy a Gamecube that haven't already decided to do so. Fans of the Final Fantasy series, and other such Square games, will probably have already bought a Playstation 2 for Final Fantasy 10, having been served plenty of Square classics on the Playstation, they'll be happy to move onto this platform. Of course there are the die hard Ninties that have been weeping since FF7 appeared on Playstation, swearing never to buy anything but Nintendo, but no doubt they're already waiting for their Gamecubes. No doubt they'll be over the moon, but it won't exactly boost sales of the Gamecube. I do, however, reckon it will do the GBA no end of good. The Western world will finally get quality handheld Square games, and in Japan it may persuade those dwindling Wonderswan owners to get themselves a GBA.
I can see this making Square rather a lot of money from this, which should be a good thing. Ports are cheap, and will sell well, the GBA Gamecube link-up games will be incredibly popular, and this money will hopefully be poured back into game development, and help to keep Squares games fresh.
Now I reckon this is where it will benefit the Playstation 2 more than the Gamecube, for Sony' stake in Square will mean they get most of these new games first. Still, if they eventually come to the Gamecube, surely this too will please owners of that console? Especially considering the dreadful lack of RPG's on the N64.
One question that has yet to be answered, is does the Xbox fit into this anywhere? Will we also see ports onto the Xbox? As sony have in the past stated that they see the Xbox as more of a rival this generation that the Gamecube, I can't see it as being too likely, but I'm sure Square would appreciate a big chunk of Microsoft cash, and they have, in the past, stated that they'd like to see FF11 (online) on all formats.
So who does this news really benefit most? I can't see Sony losing sales when it comes to the Playstation 2, they may even get some better games out of it in the long run. Nintendo will see a small upturn in Gamecube sales from those that may have lost faith in the past, and Square fans that want a second console to try out anything original that comes to the Gamecube/GBA, like the link games. The GBA itself could well see a large increase in units sold when the first Square games hit it. Finally Square themselves have found a way to make some easy money, without risking the security that Sony offer.
Looks like a win-win situation really!
Dringo wrote:
> I think it'll be easier to be the MD of square.
too right.
> I think it'll be easier to be the MD of square.
too right.
I think it'll be easier to be the MD of square.
Me want to learn japanese. Or be the MD of Square. Either will do.
Meka Dragon wrote:
> Yes, but FF fans, especially in Japan, will have already bought a PS2.
I think that this is the key statement.
Sony wanted exclusive rights to Final Fantasy so FF fans would choose the PS2.
Now the US and Jap FF fans have bought a PS2 for FFX and European FF fans have bought a PS2 in anticipation of FFX.
By keeping it exclusive so long, Sony have managed to do what they wanted, and now they don't need exclusivity anymore, and won't mind the Gamecube having Final Fantasy as well.
Nintendo are happy to have Final Fantasy on their system, knowing that many FF fans might buy a Gamecube as well in order to get special features like the GBA link.
Square will make a neat profit out of Gamecube titles and a huge killing over GBA games and this money will help them grow and recover from the movie mess-up, which will benefit Sony again in that Square can make more games for them.
And it's also great news for me because I'll be able to play through Square's epics after all.
It's a big mutual benefit, good news for everyone except...
Microsoft.
Sony still own a proportion of Square and this little "break away" operation is financed by Nintendo's Q fund.
Microsoft might well try to pull a similar stunt although whether Squaresoft want to upset the makers of two major lifelines (PS2 and GBA), is doubtful.
> Yes, but FF fans, especially in Japan, will have already bought a PS2.
I think that this is the key statement.
Sony wanted exclusive rights to Final Fantasy so FF fans would choose the PS2.
Now the US and Jap FF fans have bought a PS2 for FFX and European FF fans have bought a PS2 in anticipation of FFX.
By keeping it exclusive so long, Sony have managed to do what they wanted, and now they don't need exclusivity anymore, and won't mind the Gamecube having Final Fantasy as well.
Nintendo are happy to have Final Fantasy on their system, knowing that many FF fans might buy a Gamecube as well in order to get special features like the GBA link.
Square will make a neat profit out of Gamecube titles and a huge killing over GBA games and this money will help them grow and recover from the movie mess-up, which will benefit Sony again in that Square can make more games for them.
And it's also great news for me because I'll be able to play through Square's epics after all.
It's a big mutual benefit, good news for everyone except...
Microsoft.
Sony still own a proportion of Square and this little "break away" operation is financed by Nintendo's Q fund.
Microsoft might well try to pull a similar stunt although whether Squaresoft want to upset the makers of two major lifelines (PS2 and GBA), is doubtful.
I'm not disagreeing with that, just saying that it won't take away from Sony, that's the only reason it was allowed to happen.
Looks like if you're going to want a complete set of Final Fantasy titles you'll have to have a Playstation2 sitting beside a Gamecube, with a GBA too.
Square will make more money from quick ports of titles that have already been successful, either on the Playstation, or indeed from their SNES games.
This money will first and foremostly go into development for games that will appear first on the Playstation2, and a couple of titles to take advantage of the link up.
Either way it's another company producing popular titles for the Gamecube, and the days of no support from third parties will soon become a distant memory.
Looks like if you're going to want a complete set of Final Fantasy titles you'll have to have a Playstation2 sitting beside a Gamecube, with a GBA too.
Square will make more money from quick ports of titles that have already been successful, either on the Playstation, or indeed from their SNES games.
This money will first and foremostly go into development for games that will appear first on the Playstation2, and a couple of titles to take advantage of the link up.
Either way it's another company producing popular titles for the Gamecube, and the days of no support from third parties will soon become a distant memory.
I disagree, Nintendo's Gamecube may of not been a consideration as people have a PS2 why get another, then one smash hit title switches sides along with a few "special" FF games, after all the PS2 ones wont have GBA-GC link up. Very attractive prosopect to go and get it.
Yes, but FF fans, especially in Japan, will have already bought a PS2.
This anouncement will take nothing from Sony whatsoever. It will sell a few Gamecubes, and a bunch of GBA's, but Square are the real benefactors from it.
People will buy a Gamecube as a second console, so they might buy a Nintendo game rather than a Sony game every now and again, but I don't think large numbers of Gamecubes will be sold thanks to this.
This anouncement will take nothing from Sony whatsoever. It will sell a few Gamecubes, and a bunch of GBA's, but Square are the real benefactors from it.
People will buy a Gamecube as a second console, so they might buy a Nintendo game rather than a Sony game every now and again, but I don't think large numbers of Gamecubes will be sold thanks to this.
Right now lets pretend to be Japanese and what are japanese's 2 most favourite third party games?
Resident Evil and Final Fantasy,
Now Nintendo have one of these cornered, now if someone prefers FF over RE they may stick with the PS2 but if FF games appear on the Gamecube especially ones only for the Gamecube like the GBA-GC link up duo of Final Fantasy unlimited!
Resident Evil and Final Fantasy,
Now Nintendo have one of these cornered, now if someone prefers FF over RE they may stick with the PS2 but if FF games appear on the Gamecube especially ones only for the Gamecube like the GBA-GC link up duo of Final Fantasy unlimited!
Right, stick with me a minute here, and let me explain.
This may seem like the third post I've written about the same thing, but really, it isn't. Read the other two threads "Square? Who Cares?" and "Hung Drawn and Squared" it's quite apparent that they're written from very different view points, well now this is an attempt to capture a balanced view of events.
If you're coming into this without knowing the subject, I take it you haven't read any multi-format game sites lately, or seen some of the posts on these very forums, as such, I'll explain a little of what's going on to begin with, so here goes:
Having jumped ship in prior to the launch of the N64, Square have now confirmed that they will develop titles for the Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. As Sony own a share in Square (which I though to be 19%, other figures have been quoted) it's not that simple, Square have had to form a affiliate company to get round the fact that they're as good as a Sony second party. This is in fact merely a paper company and development will come from the second production unit of Square. Sony would only allow for it to go ahead as long as it doesn't endanger future Playstation Square titles. As such it is thought that Square will start off my porting old titles to the GBA, and concentrate on the Gamecube GBA link for new games, something not possible on Sony's machine. The name of this company will be Games Developers Studios, and the rumours so far point at Final Fantasy Unlimited, and a port of Final Fantasy Tactics, though it's rumoured that 3 or 4 titles will be out this year.
Anyway, that's where we're at, the preamble over, so I guess I now begin my ramblings!
First of all I can't see this convincing many people to buy a Gamecube that haven't already decided to do so. Fans of the Final Fantasy series, and other such Square games, will probably have already bought a Playstation 2 for Final Fantasy 10, having been served plenty of Square classics on the Playstation, they'll be happy to move onto this platform. Of course there are the die hard Ninties that have been weeping since FF7 appeared on Playstation, swearing never to buy anything but Nintendo, but no doubt they're already waiting for their Gamecubes. No doubt they'll be over the moon, but it won't exactly boost sales of the Gamecube. I do, however, reckon it will do the GBA no end of good. The Western world will finally get quality handheld Square games, and in Japan it may persuade those dwindling Wonderswan owners to get themselves a GBA.
I can see this making Square rather a lot of money from this, which should be a good thing. Ports are cheap, and will sell well, the GBA Gamecube link-up games will be incredibly popular, and this money will hopefully be poured back into game development, and help to keep Squares games fresh.
Now I reckon this is where it will benefit the Playstation 2 more than the Gamecube, for Sony' stake in Square will mean they get most of these new games first. Still, if they eventually come to the Gamecube, surely this too will please owners of that console? Especially considering the dreadful lack of RPG's on the N64.
One question that has yet to be answered, is does the Xbox fit into this anywhere? Will we also see ports onto the Xbox? As sony have in the past stated that they see the Xbox as more of a rival this generation that the Gamecube, I can't see it as being too likely, but I'm sure Square would appreciate a big chunk of Microsoft cash, and they have, in the past, stated that they'd like to see FF11 (online) on all formats.
So who does this news really benefit most? I can't see Sony losing sales when it comes to the Playstation 2, they may even get some better games out of it in the long run. Nintendo will see a small upturn in Gamecube sales from those that may have lost faith in the past, and Square fans that want a second console to try out anything original that comes to the Gamecube/GBA, like the link games. The GBA itself could well see a large increase in units sold when the first Square games hit it. Finally Square themselves have found a way to make some easy money, without risking the security that Sony offer.
Looks like a win-win situation really!
This may seem like the third post I've written about the same thing, but really, it isn't. Read the other two threads "Square? Who Cares?" and "Hung Drawn and Squared" it's quite apparent that they're written from very different view points, well now this is an attempt to capture a balanced view of events.
If you're coming into this without knowing the subject, I take it you haven't read any multi-format game sites lately, or seen some of the posts on these very forums, as such, I'll explain a little of what's going on to begin with, so here goes:
Having jumped ship in prior to the launch of the N64, Square have now confirmed that they will develop titles for the Gamecube and Gameboy Advance. As Sony own a share in Square (which I though to be 19%, other figures have been quoted) it's not that simple, Square have had to form a affiliate company to get round the fact that they're as good as a Sony second party. This is in fact merely a paper company and development will come from the second production unit of Square. Sony would only allow for it to go ahead as long as it doesn't endanger future Playstation Square titles. As such it is thought that Square will start off my porting old titles to the GBA, and concentrate on the Gamecube GBA link for new games, something not possible on Sony's machine. The name of this company will be Games Developers Studios, and the rumours so far point at Final Fantasy Unlimited, and a port of Final Fantasy Tactics, though it's rumoured that 3 or 4 titles will be out this year.
Anyway, that's where we're at, the preamble over, so I guess I now begin my ramblings!
First of all I can't see this convincing many people to buy a Gamecube that haven't already decided to do so. Fans of the Final Fantasy series, and other such Square games, will probably have already bought a Playstation 2 for Final Fantasy 10, having been served plenty of Square classics on the Playstation, they'll be happy to move onto this platform. Of course there are the die hard Ninties that have been weeping since FF7 appeared on Playstation, swearing never to buy anything but Nintendo, but no doubt they're already waiting for their Gamecubes. No doubt they'll be over the moon, but it won't exactly boost sales of the Gamecube. I do, however, reckon it will do the GBA no end of good. The Western world will finally get quality handheld Square games, and in Japan it may persuade those dwindling Wonderswan owners to get themselves a GBA.
I can see this making Square rather a lot of money from this, which should be a good thing. Ports are cheap, and will sell well, the GBA Gamecube link-up games will be incredibly popular, and this money will hopefully be poured back into game development, and help to keep Squares games fresh.
Now I reckon this is where it will benefit the Playstation 2 more than the Gamecube, for Sony' stake in Square will mean they get most of these new games first. Still, if they eventually come to the Gamecube, surely this too will please owners of that console? Especially considering the dreadful lack of RPG's on the N64.
One question that has yet to be answered, is does the Xbox fit into this anywhere? Will we also see ports onto the Xbox? As sony have in the past stated that they see the Xbox as more of a rival this generation that the Gamecube, I can't see it as being too likely, but I'm sure Square would appreciate a big chunk of Microsoft cash, and they have, in the past, stated that they'd like to see FF11 (online) on all formats.
So who does this news really benefit most? I can't see Sony losing sales when it comes to the Playstation 2, they may even get some better games out of it in the long run. Nintendo will see a small upturn in Gamecube sales from those that may have lost faith in the past, and Square fans that want a second console to try out anything original that comes to the Gamecube/GBA, like the link games. The GBA itself could well see a large increase in units sold when the first Square games hit it. Finally Square themselves have found a way to make some easy money, without risking the security that Sony offer.
Looks like a win-win situation really!