Slayer-33
Liverpool-2
Heuheuheuheuheuheuheu
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Square CEO wants to identify existing IP that could be upgraded to AAA status
- Thread starter Wastelander92
- Start date
Shifty1897
Member
Prime game for a remake. Keep the gameplay, crank graphics to 11.
German Hops
GAF's Nicest Lunch Thief
Chocobo
wvnative
Member
Love Square but realistically I have no idea what AA IP would even have a shot of being successful with a AAA budget, this seems excessively risky for a company that, at best, is performing unevenly.
I'd focus on making FF, DQ and KH consistently profitable first before attempting say...a AAA Parasite Eve (just an example)
I'd focus on making FF, DQ and KH consistently profitable first before attempting say...a AAA Parasite Eve (just an example)
Astral Dog
Member
The reason Nier Automata was so well recieved is because Platinum Games was in charge of the game design and engine,they don't even need a 'AAA' budget just focus on what makes it work ,get PG on board, develop a more ambitious sequel
But still i would say it doesn't need FFVII Rebirth budget , they already have an audience of rabid fans,just polish the game and introduce new gameplay mechanics with a new story=
ssringo
Member
I recently played through Parasite Eve and was thinking what I'd like to see from a proper remake.
Remake Parasite Eve in the style of the Resident Evil remakes. Really lean into The Thing for inspiration with gross body horror stuff but not an outright horror game. Hire a science advisor or two so you don't fuck up the base science. Don't hide the true ending behind the Chrysler Building. Instead retool it as the extra mode that's very much like Raid Mode from RE Revelations which can be more RPG based.
In fact, just give it to Capcom. They'll do more with it and treat it better than Square ever did.
Remake Parasite Eve in the style of the Resident Evil remakes. Really lean into The Thing for inspiration with gross body horror stuff but not an outright horror game. Hire a science advisor or two so you don't fuck up the base science. Don't hide the true ending behind the Chrysler Building. Instead retool it as the extra mode that's very much like Raid Mode from RE Revelations which can be more RPG based.
In fact, just give it to Capcom. They'll do more with it and treat it better than Square ever did.
German Hops
GAF's Nicest Lunch Thief
You don't have to deal with anything.
Just keep playing your old games in your cave.
MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
Ain't that the truth. I have high hopes for Granblue Relink because of PG involvement. Without PG I don't think Automata would have happened. That and Yoko Taro. Automata was something no one expected.The reason Nier Automata was so well recieved is because Platinum Games was in charge of the game design and engine,they don't even need a 'AAA' budget just focus on what makes it work ,get PG on board, develop a more ambitious sequel
But still i would say it doesn't need FFVII Rebirth budget , they already have an audience of rabid fans,just polish the game and introduce new gameplay mechanics with a new story=
The focus on AAA budgets, graphical fidelity just won't cut it if the talent isn't there or rather enough of it. Not to mention the focus on NFTs that no one wants them to focus on.
Square Enix relies too much on FF, KH, DQ and should focus on either reviving old franchises or experimenting with new IPs in a AA space. No reason for them not to. It's amusing how SE can fail whereas Indie devs can succeed.
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
Same. A semi reboot maybe like Tales of Arise.
Higher budget, better character design, writers. I haven't enjoyed any since the 3rd.
People love a good space hopping adventure and Star Ocean has been wasted in the hands of Tri Ace.
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BacklashWave534
Member
Square hates Chrono and Xenogears. At this point i hope they sell the IPs to someone who cares.
diffusionx
Gold Member
They're really not though. I know that us gamers love these old PS1 era RPGs and stuff (nobody even mentioned Racing Lagoon), but the idea that these are AAA massive sellers is just preposterous. They're niche franchises at best. I mean, Einhander? Awesome game but how much do people think shmups sell these days lmao.
Matsuchezz
Member
I could say the same for turn based gameplay that just plain sucks. I play some RPGs for their stories, i could not careless about their gameplay.
Matsuchezz
Member
Kind of... yeah! I would not mind a remake with improved gameplay and PS5 graphics.
MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
Square Enix is a shell of it's former self. Very few of the old blood remain. It's dying from Game Industry cancer. It wouldn't surprise me if most of their revenue doesn't come from MTX from mobile games, MMOs and their associated cash shops.
Thank goodness for Dragon Quest and Drakengard/NieR. And maybe the odd title like Octopath.
I dunno about Vagrant Story. Matsuno seems to have limited attention span for any project he's assigned to.
Edit: I think what they really need to do is have better MARKETING because so many of their games could benefit from it.
Thank goodness for Dragon Quest and Drakengard/NieR. And maybe the odd title like Octopath.
I dunno about Vagrant Story. Matsuno seems to have limited attention span for any project he's assigned to.
Edit: I think what they really need to do is have better MARKETING because so many of their games could benefit from it.
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YukiOnna
Member
Good to hear XVI did well in their merchandising segment, as well. The paid DLC and PC version should be a good contribution, too. Ever Crisis is doing quite well for them, and it's a fun title so I see it sticking around like their War of the Lions/Brave Exvius titles.
I think digging into their existing IP's and emphasizing it'll take time as a more conservative approach is better than what Matsuda was doing which lead to Luminous & Forspoken. Maybe Team Asano games (Octopath) or Nier? I wish TWEWY, but I doubt it. FF, DQ, and KH are pretty much set till at least 2027-28 so it'll be interesting what gets this treatment over the 5 years+.
I think digging into their existing IP's and emphasizing it'll take time as a more conservative approach is better than what Matsuda was doing which lead to Luminous & Forspoken. Maybe Team Asano games (Octopath) or Nier? I wish TWEWY, but I doubt it. FF, DQ, and KH are pretty much set till at least 2027-28 so it'll be interesting what gets this treatment over the 5 years+.
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
Square-Enix make a lot of misteps, many times from good intentions, but I could make good case for the opposite.
-Compared to most gaming companies, they've retained a lot of the old blood from the 90s and 00s throughout their departments.
-Gaming Industry cancer would be stuff like digital only releases, meanwhile Square has no problem releasing physical games and paying for 2 discs like FF7R
-They have released A TON of AA mid-tier games the past few years, some bad, some average, some great, but that's the opposite of what lots of other publishers are doing by focusing purely on the AAA. They took some risks with varied success.
-They can turn around completely failed projects like NieR and FFXIV into incredible success stories
-They're not afraid of pumping money into new IPs (NieR, Forspoken, Octopath, Diofield, Harvestella, Foamstars etc..)
-By Feb next year they'd have released 3 AAA games in 12 months which is quite impressive (Forspoken, FFXVI, FFVIIR)
-Beyond Feb next year they have KH4, DQ12, FFVIIR-3, FFIXR and maybe FFXR and NieR-3 for the final years of the generation and tons of AA games,
You can fault them for many things (mobile, NFT, spreading themselves too thin), but I say there are far worse publishers and that their output has been improving since the PS3 generation. They should now focus on refining even further.
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MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
NieR was saved by Platinum Games and Yoko Taro. And the creation of one of the best female protagonists in a long time. Lots of collabs to get 2B wherever they can.
FFXIV clearly was a fluke given the mixed reception on FFXVI alongside the continued poor pacing and diminishing story of Endwalker alongside a myriad of issues with XIV's battle system and gearing issues alongside no middleground in difficulty. XIV seems to be in it's Warlords of Draenor phase. Tanaka took the fall for 1.0 and Yoshida picked up the pieces leading to a reboot into FF: WoW edition. FFXIV peaked in Heavensward and had promise storywise in Shadowbringers. Combat system was starting to decline in Stormblood. Made worse come Shadowbringers.
I would like 7.0 to turn things back around but I remain skeptical.
I admire the optimism but I've yet to see recent games put out by Square to be fondly remembered many years later. The only one really of note that stands out is Automata. FF7R series has potential. Combat is great and story is going places.
Not sure what the purpose of splitting the XIV devs in half for XVI was for. XVI feels like a cut expansion for XIV that they tried to make a mainline FF out of. By far one of the most forgettable mainline FFs.
I really enjoyed Star Ocean Divine Force, Stranger of Paradise, Octopath but many times these games just fall under the Shadow of Final Fantasy and are often times either overlooked or have a small following.
And I think I pine for the golden PS1 days where bangers were being dropped in record time. So many good RPGs from these people and now they are relatively scarce. Those days are long gone I'm afraid.
FFXIV clearly was a fluke given the mixed reception on FFXVI alongside the continued poor pacing and diminishing story of Endwalker alongside a myriad of issues with XIV's battle system and gearing issues alongside no middleground in difficulty. XIV seems to be in it's Warlords of Draenor phase. Tanaka took the fall for 1.0 and Yoshida picked up the pieces leading to a reboot into FF: WoW edition. FFXIV peaked in Heavensward and had promise storywise in Shadowbringers. Combat system was starting to decline in Stormblood. Made worse come Shadowbringers.
I would like 7.0 to turn things back around but I remain skeptical.
I admire the optimism but I've yet to see recent games put out by Square to be fondly remembered many years later. The only one really of note that stands out is Automata. FF7R series has potential. Combat is great and story is going places.
Not sure what the purpose of splitting the XIV devs in half for XVI was for. XVI feels like a cut expansion for XIV that they tried to make a mainline FF out of. By far one of the most forgettable mainline FFs.
I really enjoyed Star Ocean Divine Force, Stranger of Paradise, Octopath but many times these games just fall under the Shadow of Final Fantasy and are often times either overlooked or have a small following.
And I think I pine for the golden PS1 days where bangers were being dropped in record time. So many good RPGs from these people and now they are relatively scarce. Those days are long gone I'm afraid.
SlimeGooGoo
Party Gooper
Have you guys read the document?
So dead IPs like Parasite Eve, Vagrant Story, Musashi and others are out of question.
At most these will get some low budget remaster or low effort remake (like Front Mission, Live a Live, Star Ocean, etc).
Honestly, looking at all the crap Squeenix released in the past decade, I think only Nier qualifies as worthy of being upgraded to AAA.
Other IPs like Dragon Quest Builders and Romancing Saga are too niche for that.
en.wikipedia.org
So dead IPs like Parasite Eve, Vagrant Story, Musashi and others are out of question.
At most these will get some low budget remaster or low effort remake (like Front Mission, Live a Live, Star Ocean, etc).
Honestly, looking at all the crap Squeenix released in the past decade, I think only Nier qualifies as worthy of being upgraded to AAA.
Other IPs like Dragon Quest Builders and Romancing Saga are too niche for that.
List of Square Enix video games - Wikipedia
YukiOnna
Member
I think they just need to narrow down a bit and focus on smarter launches, Kiryu's approach sounds pretty good and would be similar to what Capcom is doing in their HD games segment (although SE have other sectors). They have the right teams and current IP set for what they want to do while FF, KH, and DQ are going strong. I remember he also mentioned working on shortening the cycle of release for mainline FF and DQ titles, so I'm curious what they'll do there. Of course, it all comes down to execution.
Roman Empire
Member
Vagrant Story for sure.
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
Eh, but Parasite Eve is exactly the kind of cinematic stuff they strived for in the late 90s and that could turn out well as a modern AAA game with some good direction and interesting gameplay. The original, while good, felt to me like it lacked something. Plus, just think about 4K Aya Brea.
On the other hand, people don’t know what they’re asking for when they ask for AAA Chrono Trigger. You don’t want FF-like CT, folks. You may want Chrono Trigger “remade” with graphics that look like a Toriyama anime, and it wouldn’t take a tenth of what a modern AAA game costs. You definitely don’t want CGI Chrono looking full 3D with a head of hair that looks like Sonic the Hedgehog‘s backside going ‘round with a murderous grin, throwing Nus around and shouting “I want to kill
Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
Would they really let a freelancer like Yoko Taro have a AAA budget? And if he's not in charge, are they really going to be able to recreate his special brand of insanity? Same deal if they tried to resurrect Drakengard. They tried it once without Yoko and it just wasn't the same.
Full reset on Parasite Eve is a good possibilty. Maybe Vagrant Story, but the original tanked despite great reviews. Musashi I just don't see justifying the risk as because going directly against Zelda is a tall order - and that's basically what a AAA BFM reboot would have to do.
Chrono series has the pedigree but it'd need an inspired take to bring it back to the top...
The key issue is that until the very late 90's Square's output really wasn't that well known in Europe, so bringing back stuff from that time is not really going to benefit from brand recognition in a major market.
Full reset on Parasite Eve is a good possibilty. Maybe Vagrant Story, but the original tanked despite great reviews. Musashi I just don't see justifying the risk as because going directly against Zelda is a tall order - and that's basically what a AAA BFM reboot would have to do.
Chrono series has the pedigree but it'd need an inspired take to bring it back to the top...
The key issue is that until the very late 90's Square's output really wasn't that well known in Europe, so bringing back stuff from that time is not really going to benefit from brand recognition in a major market.
MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
I mean if they want to make Cinematic Action games I could see them making Parasite Eve 1 and 2 into one game and have something similar to Order 1886 or collab with Capcom and give it the REmake treatment.
Really all they need to do with the IP is retcon 3rd Birthday and toss it in the trash. It's what killed the franchise to begin with.
Lots of people got excited for that Symbiogenesis thing before it was debunked it had nothing to do with Parasite Eve. Then all interest flatlined so clearly there is demand for it.
lughnasadh123
Member
I'll take Parasite Eve if they make it an actual shooter.
SlimeGooGoo
Party Gooper
cinnamonandgravy
Member
turn-based front mission (xcom2 was super popular, right?)
destructible terrain and physics-based smoke with can obscure sight lines
otherwise come up with something new.
destructible terrain and physics-based smoke with can obscure sight lines
otherwise come up with something new.
NeoIkaruGAF
Gold Member
And that's exactly what it seems they want to stop making. They seem to have concluded that diversifying their offer with several AA games that are actually of good quality is not worth it. The games seem to sell relatively well considering they get zero promotion outside word of mouth, but that's not enough for Sqex's expectations. They seem to think going all in with fewer games, each one getting an AAA budget, is the way to go. I shouldn't have to say that's idiotic on the best of days, but seeing how many people here react when a AA JRPG is shown in Directs and other events, you can almost forgive the Sqex executives.
That's why I'm adamant they should not give the AAA treatment to most of their old IPs. They can't be trusted to put big budgets to good use. I'll take a decade of 2DHD remakes if it means they don't turn Chrono Trigger or Xenogears into anime trope galore with cringey dialogue that drawls on forever and gameplay that introduces stuff for the sake of it.
lughnasadh123
Member
Realistically speaking it'll stay that way.Yeah, better keep it dead for real then.
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
Giving NieR Automata to Platinum was still a leadership decision by the S-E top brass so got to give them some credit there. You also have to give them some credit for greenlighting NieR in the first place, giving Taro creative freedom despite his games never being chart busters, sticking by it despite awful initial sales and also greenlighting an even higher budget sequel. Some balls and long-term thinking US publishers wouldn't have.
FFXIV disagree completely it was a fluke. It was a coordinated effort by the company, taking resources away from FFXIII and VersusXIII at the time to rebuild it. It didn't stumble into success after 1.0 failed so catastophically. It was achieved through hard work and righting wrongs.
XVI love it or hate it has received commercial and critical success all round and has only been out for a few months.
Would other publishers have greenlit the AA games you've mentioned, Star Ocean, Stranger, Octo etc... if these kinda of games weren't a guaranteed success?
I agree completely about the PS1 days being banger after banger and it would be a dream if the company could get to such a point again, its unlikely as I believe 90s Square were the best studio we'll ever see. However, lets see how Rebirth, KH4 and DQXII turn out and whatever else they release this gen.
I hope so.
We'll have to see, but if the new tactic is releasing 10-15 high quality AA games each gen, rather than 20-30 very mixed AA games it may be the best way forward. I think that's what they're going to do. Along with allocating more care to their AAA output.
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GymWolf
Member
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SlimeGooGoo
Party Gooper
MagiusNecros
Gilgamesh Fan Annoyance
I'd take a decade of PS1 style demakes myself.
semiconscious
Member
just make an ivalice series. i don't really care what goes on in them, i'm in for the charm/scenery/exploration...
TheThreadsThatBindUs
Member
Xenogears.........
Hudo
Member
Call me crazy but I believe Tetsuya Takahashi and his wife Soraya Saga might care a bit about Xenogears.
TheInfamousKira
Reseterror Resettler
Parasite Eve could be done a FUCKING TON of justice in a AAA dressing. It's a retired franchise, so you get nostalgia buys and curiosity buys. The last game was horrible, so you get outrage buyers and forgiveness buyers. It's an action RPG, which Square is currently making a name for themselves in, so you get the initial fanboy buyers. It's a horror setting in a large city. Horror titles sell gangbusters, and creating a third or first person survival horror game with action and shooting elements in a city that's the game world like Midgar in FFVIIR...
Could be terrible, could be great.
Could be terrible, could be great.
GreetingsMortal
Member
Ehrgeiz
God Bless The Ring
God Bless The Ring
Phil-NeoGAF
Member
Parasite Eve is the correct answer.