Square Enix to Rely More on Foreign Markets

[pirateTITAN]

Last week (http://evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36743), GameSpot reported that Square Enix was looking for a U.S. publishing and marketing partner.

Well, seems that it's more then that. This article (http://www.gamespot.com/news/6180046.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6180046) states that they're going to go much further then just changing marketing. Yoichi Wada stated that 50% of the company's profits already comes from foreign markets, and that they want to make it so that 3 out of every 4 dollars comes from foreign markets (75% for the math-challenged). Seems they've realized that the market past Japan's shores is massive.

This is the interesting part:

"It is crucial for us to expand our businesses on a global basis," Wada said. "Given the fact that the size of overseas markets is now more than three times as large as the domestic market, we recognize numerous growth opportunities. Our strategy to seize such opportunities is two-fold; (i) strengthen our own distribution channels developed by our local subsidiaries in these geographic areas, and (ii) diversify our content in accordance with user preferences in each area. Through these strategic initiatives, our initial goal within a time frame of three to five years is to raise our foreign sales ratio for console/handheld games from its current 50 percent level to approximately 75 percent. We shall continue our effort to better serve overseas markets."


Diversify? Sounds interesting.

[EvilBob46]

Square-Enix can make it happen. The cash cow that is Kindgom Hearts is proof of that (first game has 5.6 million copies sold, 3 million in the US). I just hope that when they inevitable attempt to cross into the action genre again the results will be better than the awful Dirge of Cerberus. Oh, and while we're talking about appealing to western markets: how about not making feminine male leads the main protagonists all the time? Also, may I suggest moving away from PS3 exclusive development to go multiplatform instead? So games come out on platforms that a lot of people actually own?

[torrefaction]

You know what I'd love to see? A western RPG from Square. They know how to do RPG's right, and I think they could blend everything I love abot JRPG's with everything I love about WRPG's.

I bet we'll see it happen too.

[mister_slim]

Square-Enix can make it happen. The cash cow that is Kindgom Hearts is proof of that (first game has 5.6 million copies sold, 3 million in the US). I just hope that when they inevitable attempt to cross into the action genre again the results will be better than the awful Dirge of Cerberus. Oh, and while we're talking about appealing to western markets: how about not making feminine male leads the main protagonists all the time? Also, may I suggest moving away from PS3 exclusive development to go multiplatform instead? So games come out on platforms that a lot of people actually own?

S-E is doing that already. The Last Remnant and Infinite Undiscovery are both coming to the 360. I would like to see more non-cash-in stuff on the Wii though.

[Rafer]

You know what I'd love to see? A western RPG from Square. They know how to do RPG's right, and I think they could blend everything I love abot JRPG's with everything I love about WRPG's.

I bet we'll see it happen too.

FFXII seemed a lot like a Western RPG, certainly Basch and Balthier would be at home in a Western game. Too bad they didn't keep Basch as the main character, it certainly would of gone over better here. But they were worried if they went in a more Western direction like Vangrant Story the game wouldn't have done as well.

[lockwoodx]

I applaud Square for trying out different generes of games over the years. Secret of mana, Einhander, The Bouncer, Vagrant story are all pioneers in that regard.

I would like to see some parody games by them like capcom did with puzzle fighter.

[BlackPete]

Agreed that FXII had more of a western flavor than the rest, but I imagine too many people were still turned off by the whole... umm.. political leaders being influenced by some supernatural... thing. If it's not recognizeable, then westerners generally can't really relate and are therefore turned off.

But still. I'd definitely love to see what Squeenix would do with a D&D and/or Star Wars RPG license (given the chance).

[PrivateJohn]

Get Microsoft? Like how they market Halo 3...

[Johan]

If they're really going to expand their market, they have to give up lying in bed primarily with only one console manufacturer.

Whether they'll really do that with the big titles, or just toss a few old dregs to the 360, remains to be seen.

[Darcydian]

More Tactics games plzkthx:)

[IrishWhiskey]

Their diversification plan:

USA - Final Fantasy: The World War II Shooter
Europe - Final Fantasy Soccer
Japan - Final Fantasy Hentai Dating Simulator
China - Final Fantasy [Communism is Great] Pay Per Level MMORPG
Korea - Final Fantasy Starcraft

[Rune_74]

To say their games were pioneers in the industry is laughable sorry....

[gzsfrk]

Einhander on XBLA would be a nice start. Wonder which publisher they're going to hook up with?

[gzsfrk]

To say their games were pioneers in the industry is laughable sorry....

What are you talking about? They INVENTED the "15 games with the same name and slightly different numbers" genre. They should sue Madden for patent infringement on that basis. :)

[Rex Dart]

I know it's obvious, but S-E is sitting on a lot of IPs that cry out for remakes or sequels. Part of me hopes their diversification efforts will lead to some resurrections for older IPs.

Another part of me can't help but feel worried about this. The games that are most popular in the west (excluding FPSs), aren't the same games that most people on this site really like. I worry how S-E will interpret "western preferences." Off topic, but Sega was doing much better when they were focusing on the Japanese market.

[JazGalaxy]

I think it's funny that people don't remember that Square is capable of making more than Final Fantasy.

Do you not remember when they did this very same strategy in the PS1 days, which yielded us Tobal #1 (Fighting Game), Final Fantasy Tactics (Strategy Game), Einhander (side scrolling shooter), Bushido Blade (fighting simulation), Front Mission 3 (strategy game), Ergheiz (fighting game), and Parasite Eve("survival horror" game)?

Square is more than capable of making new, good, games. It's that stupid Final Fatansy Movie that put them so far in debt that they've had to rely on sequels for 8 years or so.

[mkelehan]

I'm pretty sure 4 out of 4 dollars they make come from foreign markets.

[bean19]

1. I want Square Enix making RPGs - not action games. Kingdom Hearts 3 please.
2. Squenix has tried action games before and they've all sucked (The Bouncer, that Vincent Valentine 3rd-person shooter last year, Project Sylpheed is fun but forgetable).

[Tricky Thumb]

If they start making things other than RPGs than I don't see it going too well for them. I hope that they've realized that their RPG titles are what their western audience wants, because we get plenty action, FPS and other types of games from far more capable developers.

[gzsfrk]

1. I want Square Enix making RPGs - not action games. Kingdom Hearts 3 please.
2. Squenix has tried action games before and they've all sucked (The Bouncer, that Vincent Valentine 3rd-person shooter last year, Project Sylpheed is fun but forgetable).

Right, and let's just not mention Einhander (best shooter on the PS1, imo), the Bushido Blade games, or the Tobal fighters (rated by many, many hardcore fighting fans as the best fighter ever).

Give them their props where they've had success; they HAVE made some really good action games in the past. None of them have achieved the sales nor notoriety as FF or Kingdom Hearts, of course, but some have been quality nonetheless.

Don't put Squeenix in a corner!

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j117/celebritymound/patrick.jpg

[Majster Wichajster]

Can you say

Kingdom Heart 2 Final Mix+

Chrono Trigger Reprise

Limited Editions NIS style?

[Tricky Thumb]

Right, and let's just not mention Einhander (best shooter on the PS1, imo), the Bushido Blade games, or the Tobal fighters (rated by many, many hardcore fighting fans as the best fighter ever).


I'll give you Einhander, that was a great game. I don't think that the Bushido Blade games were much to write home about however and the same goes for Tobal. They weren't bad games, but they definitely weren't games that can compare to the level of quality some of Squeenix's RPG-based games have been in the past.

[Rune_74]

Still does not make them pioneers...sorry guys.

[Gorvi]

Still does not make them pioneers...sorry guys.
Between Squaresoft and Enix they basically created the JRPG genre. If that doesn't make them pioneers, what exactly would it take for them to be considered as such?

[president_fred]

Between Squaresoft and Enix they basically created the JRPG genre. If that doesn't make them pioneers, what exactly would it take for them to be considered as such?
Discovering America?

[bean19]

Right, and let's just not mention Einhander (best shooter on the PS1, imo), the Bushido Blade games, or the Tobal fighters (rated by many, many hardcore fighting fans as the best fighter ever).

Could they make another good side-scrolling shooter? Probably. However, Bushido Blade was so super realistic that ONLY hardcore fans could stomach it and I guess I'll have to take your word on it for Tobal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG_Hifur6Uw&mode=related&search=). Somehow, I never played that game and thus I suspect it also only appealed to a small, hardcore group.

It's "Nobody puts Square Enix in a corner", btw.

[silv]

I never bought into the whole FF going multiplatform thing, but this does start to lend a little credence to it.

[[Jez]]

Discovering America?

No that would make them Vikings :D

So does this mean less world saving 16 year old shemales?

[The Continental]

Don't put Squeenix in a corner! [Pic of the Swayze]Man, Swayze looks almost as bad as Square's chances of creating a successful IP without the words Final or Fantasy in it somewhere.

[JazGalaxy]

Could they make another good side-scrolling shooter? Probably. However, Bushido Blade was so super realistic that ONLY hardcore fans could stomach it and I guess I'll have to take your word on it for Tobal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG_Hifur6Uw&mode=related&search=). Somehow, I never played that game and thus I suspect it also only appealed to a small, hardcore group.

It's "Nobody puts Square Enix in a corner", btw.


Actually you probably never played Tobal because it was released in ridiculous small numbers. (kind of like Atlus games). The main reason people bought it was because it came with a demo of Final Fantasy VII. Some people, though, found out that the game was actually better than FFVII and thus it became rather legendary. My oldest brohter bought it and that's how my middle brother and i were exposed to it. In all honesty it probably is the greatest fighting game ever made. I can't remmeber it exactly, but it's blocking system was so in depth that my brother and I, hwo know eachother extremely well, could fight for like 2 minutes and never score a hit on eachother. In this way, it came off looking exactly like a fight from DragonBall Z. (made more so because of the Akira Toriyama character designs) I guess that was probably what they were going for. Also of note was the fact that it used actual martial arts at 60 fps, so it was inredibly realistic as far as fighting goes. No fireballs, no flying, just fighting.

[menage]

the Tobal fighters (rated by many, many hardcore fighting fans as the best fighter ever).


And one of the most clinically boring.

[Skyelan]

Again, I guess an argument could be made that MODERN day square couldn't make great new IPs, maybe, but Square's made so many fun non-RPG games in the past it isn't funny.

Man, Swayze looks almost as bad as Square's chances of creating a successful IP without the words Final or Fantasy in it somewhere.

Well, given that Kingdom Hearts contains neither the words 'Final' or 'Fantasy', you must be practically lusting to jump his bones at this point. ;)

[Shodan2020]

I applaud Square for trying out different generes of games over the years. Secret of mana, Einhander, The Bouncer, Vagrant story are all pioneers in that regard.

I would like to see some parody games by them like capcom did with puzzle fighter.

I personally would like to see a re-make of The Bouncer.... one that isn't broken.

[destoo]

This smells like the follow up to a bad decision on their part to sign a certain contract at one point during their partnership.

It's all I'm gonna say about that. (because I have no proof at all)

[Kagger]

I would pay for a port of Chrono Trigger onto the DS

[menage]

Goddamn, now somebody mentioned Vagrant Story again. That game was awesome and garbage at the same time. I hated the way your weapons degraded during combo's. Loved everything else but that really broke it. Vagrant Story 2 without that crap would be a surefire sale.

[mister_slim]

Actraiser sequel? Maybe get the Xeno guy to write it?

[Skampy]

hopefully square learned that making movies was an unsatisfactory decision.... SE diversifying isnt bad news for anyone. Gamers will win even if its all PS3 exclusive.

[The Continental]

Well, given that Kingdom Hearts contains neither the words 'Final' or 'Fantasy', you must be practically lusting to jump his bones at this point. ;)I'm willing to give Kingdom Hearts a pass on the literal aspect of my point considering it's Final Fantasy: Disney Edition. But again, it still supports my snarky comment.

[bean19]

hopefully square learned that making movies was an unsatisfactory decision.... SE diversifying isnt bad news for anyone. Gamers will win even if its all PS3 exclusive.

Well, making bad movies. Obviously they have the artistic and technological skill to pull it off, but they would really need to hire real screenplay writers and directors. Look at Pixar, if they had reached out to the west back before the Final Fantasy movie, they could have half their business in movie-making now.

[51|RandoM]

I figure this is just them looking at the state of next-generation and realizing they have to do something different if they want to maintain last-gen's profitability. There isn't a safe bet like the PS2 this time around.

[Flatpicker]

I'd love to see SE go back to their old IP's.
How about full US releases of the Front Mission games.
Tobal 2 and a new Tobal 3 here.
Parasite Eve series in the US.
FF games on Live and PSN.
And, this one may be strange but...
A Partnership with MS to release a Halo RPG to retell the story and start a new Western IP.

Ahh, I can dream, can't i?

[J3DI]

Considering that Sony owns like what 15%+ of SE (right?). I wonder how they are going to pull off a truly diverse portfolio. Because saying they want a diverse/western increase means (to me) they want more titles on 360. I mean how else could they do it? Which is why I was so puzzled that FFXIII got that "Only on Playstation" tag at the end of the clip. That just doesn't make sense finacially. I guess they hope that their game will increase sales of the PS3 and therefore increase sales in their game. I can see sales of 360's rising if FF is released on the Xbox but I'm not so sure it'll be the same with the PS3.

What happens if the PS3 stays at the current level it is with no major increase? I

[TeeCakes]

Still does not make them pioneers...sorry guys.

Final Fantasy on the NES came forward in time after single-handedly creating the JRPG genre to smack you with the ignorant stick.

[Gorvi]

Final Fantasy on the NES came forward in time after single-handedly creating the JRPG genre to smack you with the ignorant stick.
Actually, Dragon Quest was first......

[TeeCakes]

@Gorvi- right you are!

Man, Swayze looks almost as bad as Square's chances of creating a successful IP without the words Final or Fantasy in it somewhere.

'Dragon'...'Quest'?? Those are two words, right?

We could also try 'Rad Racer' on the NES, probably the best racer of it's generation, a precursor for both the Gran Turismo/Burnout series most arguably.

But really, when each Final Fantasy game is created in a totally unique universe/reality/environment, with different characters for each iteration, with drastic different gameplay mechanics between games (sometimes bordering outside of a traditional RPG experience at times and going into MGS-zone with the cinematics *cough* FFX *cough*) then your assumed point about Square-Enix being a "one-trick pony" that only knows how to re-release the same game over and over again would be more apropos for developers like Bungie (Halo) Capcom (Resident Evil, Mega Man) NINTENDO (Super Mario X), and of course Electronic Arts (every damn sports game ever released, practically.)

Just flutter away, little butterfly.

[TeeCakes]

Considering that Sony owns like what 15%+ of SE (right?). I wonder how they are going to pull off a truly diverse portfolio. Because saying they want a diverse/western increase means (to me) they want more titles on 360. I mean how else could they do it? Which is why I was so puzzled that FFXIII got that "Only on Playstation" tag at the end of the clip. That just doesn't make sense finacially.

It makes sense when you realize that NOBODY buys an Xbox 360 to play JRPGs. So saying, those Squeenix software exclusives mentioned earlier in this thread most likely won't reach 1 million units between 'em both. Because that's not the kind of game an Xbox owner buys (see news stories of a very overrated Halo 3 breaking the all-time sales records in America for more on this.)

If you want to create an RPG that will get noticed, you create it for the PlayStation brand, or failing that, the Nintendo brand. You don't create a flagship RPG title for a console that's self-admittedly pro-Western (read: anti-Japanese) in it's software library. (see news stories of Final Fantasy 7 breaking, and still holding all-time sales records for an RPG released in America for more on this.)