Games: Sakaguchi and Microsoft. [!OT]

[Cataferal]

Im sure many of you know this already. Mist Walker, the company formed from key ex-Squaresoft employees (primarily the main team behind the original FF's) have signed an exclusivity contract with Microsoft's game Studios. Hironobu Sakaguchi has not only been given 150 employees to work on each of the two games he's directing and producing, based in Microsofts Game Studio's Japan, but in return, he's also guiding Microsoft with the positioning of the new platform in the Japanese market.
The contract is to last for the whole duration of the next generation of consoles, however, the focus for now is on the two untitled games. For more information check here (updated version). Also, here is a very interesting exclusive interview with the man himself, where he describes what he's been doing with himself for the past 2 years, and explaining what he intends to do with his games now he's got his directive power back.


This leaves me thinking the next Xbox console will stand a fighting chance against Sony's next, especially since its being released much earlier, and they have intentions to make it more of a console this time. As always, we'll have to wait and see what these two titles are like, but it certainly gives the console more potential than its predacessor had before launch.

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ February 25, 2005 04:20 PM: Message edited by: Cataferal ]</font>

[Vegito]

are these two titles the first titles he said he was going to make. those adult themed games that he was making for the PS2-3? Or are these to other titles he is working on as well as his two previous and the one he wants to do for the DS.

[Cataferal]

These are the two games that people assumed he was making for Playstation 2/3. The contract entails that all his main console efforts will be made for the next Xbox console, however, he is also developing a title for the Nintendo DS (since its part of a different market). Read the links i provided for more information on this.

[Cataferal]

Microsoft have extended their japanese support by signing up several other well-known japanese developers, including former Capcom executive Yoshiki Okamoto (Street Fighter, Resident Evil), and former Sega director, Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Sega Rally, Space Channel 5, Rez).

For more info, check here.

Judging from these moves, Microsoft are making it clear that they've learned from their past mistakes, where the Xbox was denied the popularity that graced the PS2 due to a lack of solid RPG titles and japanese orientated games. We should see a stronger and more prominant Microsoft in the next generation console race if they continue to keep their wits about them and make good business decisions like this. And the best thing about this move, from a consumers perspective, is that Microsoft will grant these developers full creative freedom, as they have no justification to impose what they believe will appeal to the japanese market. Equally, being an American based company, they wont hesitate to release any of these games globally for their next console.

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ March 02, 2005 08:05 AM: Message edited by: Cataferal ]</font>

[mrwiseman]

if M$ releases the games we're constantly denied for not being Japanese, I'd love them. (Yeah, I'm unscrupulous.)

[Cataferal]

Yeah, despite what it sounds, im not really very pro Microsoft, but i am starting to become less anti-Microsoft. I'd like to see a tighter competition in the market next time round, since that sort of tension always sparks off the brightest creativity from developers.

Im very much looking forward to what Sakaguchi has to offer, as a producer he's always brought together excellent teams, and produced and written excellent games. Just look at Xenogears; it was his decision to give Takahashi-san the directorial position and the budget, and it was him that gave Mitsuda-san his first project, Chrono Trigger, before allocating him to other projects. Back in the day, he was the key man behind a company that brought out a slew of masterpiece titles, one after another.
Then, of course, they merged, and kept Sakaguchi out of the way until he left. And it certainly shows in the quality of their titles as of late.
Their loss (although FFXII is looking superb right now).

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ March 02, 2005 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Cataferal ]</font>

[mrwiseman]

All I want is to have an assload of Japanese-style cRPGs. I don't care who makes/funds/hosts them, I'd buy it even if it were from a [gasp] turkish company (not gonna happen though, they don't have intarweb or computers).

[Cataferal]

I guess at the end of the day thats all that matters. But from this we at least know where we should be looking to receive these cRPG's, should they be any good when they land on the retail shelves.

[Cataferal]

A reason why Microsoft deserve to win the next console race. They'll need a few more, however, to justify true victory and win over the hearts and wallets of gaming mainstream, but this is yet another bright move by Microsoft. They're on a roll.
Now, if they could just buy out Yu Suzuki and his team...

<font color="#345E81" size="1">[ March 07, 2005 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Cataferal ]</font>

[Cataferal]

Meanwhile, back in Square Enix HQ...things are getting milked. God damn sell-outs.