"Square President: FF and DQ no longer PS3 exclusive"

[jvd]

the ff world wide apeal is very big . Europe and america are just as important as japan to the sales of those titles . I don't see why japan alone will decide things .

I don't think anyone is expecting a xbox 360 exclusive. But i do expect it on both platofrms if the game comes out before or during 2007

 

[Almasy]

FFX came out in 2001, exactly one year after PS2 launched. After one year, realistically speaking, PS3 is likely to surpass Xbox360 clearly in NA, and having a sizeable userbase in Japan and Europe.

I don´t see why XIII being released in 2007 has much to do with anything. Why are we discussing this anyway? Kitase is making FFXIII, for PS3. I find it humorous why some want to believe it´s even likely that FF will appear on X360.

 

[Sean*O]

I wasn't talking about Japan only. If Square was concerned with the 'Japan only' market they probably would not be marketing games in other territories.

Can Square/Enix assume the PS3 will dominate in Japan, I think so. But the rest of the world might be a different story. SE is a global company. If they structure their development around only Japan they would be making a huge mistake.

 

[jvd]

FFX came out in 2001, exactly one year after PS2 launched. After one year, realistically speaking, PS3 is likely to surpass Xbox360 clearly in NA, and having a sizeable userbase in Japan and Europe.

one year after what ? If we do one year after the xbox 360 the ps3 may not even be launched in all the markets yet . So how can that be ? If we do 1 year after the ps3 launches in japan that doesn't mean a year in all markets. So we can very well see japan in sony's pocket with a much larger number . But na and europe ? Ms may have been out for a full year longer ( if sony doesn't launch in these markets till fall 2006) before it even the ps3 is even out . I don't see sony catching up that quickly

 

[jvd]

I wasn't talking about Japan only. If Square was concerned with the 'Japan only' market they probably would not be marketing games in other territories.

Can Square/Enix assume the PS3 will dominate in Japan, I think so. But the rest of the world might be a different story. SE is a global company. If they structure their development around only Japan they would be making a huge mistake.

I was talking to xbox destroyer's post affter yours

 

[Sean*O]

I find it humorous why some want to believe it´s even likely that FF will appear on X360.

Realistically, I think we can expect MS to take a good chunk of the next gen market away from Sony in America. The incentives and royalties that Sony can afford to offer SE to keep titles exclusive might not be nearly enough to offset the money SE could make by taking their titles multi-platform next gen.

 

[Sean*O]

I was talking to xbox destroyer's post affter yours

..so was I ..err, Huh?

 

[Carl B]

I was talking to xbox destroyer's post affter yours

xbdestroya Jvd, xbdestroya - not xbox destroyer. I've said before why I have this name and I would appreciate it not being linked to any 'hate' of the Xbox.

Anyway if we are talking about Final Fantasy titles only, and ignoring Square-Enix's other core franchises, I agree that N. America and Europe are very important markets for Square. But I've mentioned myself the chance of a possible port to 360 for those markets concurrent with their work on the English translation, which normally takes them a year.

 

[jvd]

can you direct me to where you say why you have this name

 

[Carl B]

can you direct me to where you say why you have this name

Here ya go: Post on xbd's name origins

 

[Almasy]

I wasn't talking about Japan only. If Square was concerned with the 'Japan only' market they probably would not be marketing games in other territories.

Can Square/Enix assume the PS3 will dominate in Japan, I think so. But the rest of the world might be a different story. SE is a global company. If they structure their development around only Japan they would be making a huge mistake.

Square´s revenues are currently roughly distributed like this:

Japan: 70%

Rest of the world: 30%

Square has been saying that they want to have the west as a more significant source of revenue. However, the core of their business, and the place where FF and DQ sell the best is Japan. PS3, unless something incredibly drastic happens, WILL dominate in an overwhelming way in that territory, so that´s where the main FFs and DQs will go.

Also, as has been stated by Wada, those two franchises are "F1 cars", they are not willing to go multiplattform with them. What is he talking about then, when he mentions they will deliver each console what it should recieve? Well, we have already seen it, Xbox offers a very interesting online userbase, while GCN is getting the quirky Gauntlet FF ripoff.

Besides, Kitase has hinted at working on a new FF for the PS3, so I´d say everything points to FF being PS3 exclusive. And DQ will follow suit.

 

[Almasy]

one year after what ? If we do one year after the xbox 360 the ps3 may not even be launched in all the markets yet . So how can that be ? If we do 1 year after the ps3 launches in japan that doesn't mean a year in all markets. So we can very well see japan in sony's pocket with a much larger number . But na and europe ? Ms may have been out for a full year longer ( if sony doesn't launch in these markets till fall 2006) before it even the ps3 is even out . I don't see sony catching up that quickly

Give me a break, we are talking realistic estimations, not one of your famous "let´s use the absolute worst case scenario for Sony for kicks" scenarios. Most likely PS3 release date is ~March 2006 for Japan and ~October 2006 for NA. Europe is slightly different, but to assume PS3´s launch will be beyond Q1 2007 calendar year is..farfetched, to say the least.

FFX was released 1 year after PS2 launched in Japan, while also being released in America 1 year after the console appeared in America. FFXIII I´ll dare to say is following a very similar schedule, and REALISTICALLY, it will have a very healthy userbase in Japan, selling well above all competition, a very strong one in NA where they´ll be already past the Xbox360 as well as a sizeable one in Europe, where Sony dominates quite firmly.

So, UNLESS Xbox 360 shatters all records and manages not only to dominate America, but also stablish very strong leads in Europe AND Japan, this is what is going to happen.

 

[jvd]

noted destroyer . I will responed to that in pm though as its not a subject for these forums

 

[jvd]

Square´s revenues are currently roughly distributed like this:

Can you post a lik to these numbers . Do these numbers include just games or other things like anime movies which while becoming more popular in other countrys still are not as popular as they are in japan

Give me a break, we are talking realistic estimations, not one of your famous "let´s use the absolute worst case scenario for Sony for kicks" scenarios. Most likely PS3 release date is ~March 2006 for Japan and ~October 2006 for NA. Europe is slightly different, but to assume PS3´s launch will be beyond Q1 2007 calendar year is..farfetched, to say the least.

You just said what I said . xbox 360 will be out from this november in na and december in japan and europe . Thus almost 1 full year (what 10-11 months ) before the ps3 is released world wide .

Thus it will have one full year in some markets . To claim that sony will catch up to ms who was in 3 markets for a full year before sony has even launched in 3 markets is one of your troll comments spelling doom for ms .

Sony has not yet made a world wide announcment . Till they do i will look at the ps2 launching senario . Which i feel is the best idea for sony and the ps3 . I could be wrong and htey may want to launch world wide or in two markets this march , I could be wrong and europe wont get it till 2007 . But i think i'm right with japan getting in in march and na and europe getting it that fall .

FFX was released 1 year after PS2 launched in Japan, while also being released in America 1 year after the console appeared in America. FFXIII I´ll dare to say is following a very similar schedule, and REALISTICALLY, it will have a very healthy userbase in Japan, selling well above all competition, a very strong one in NA where they´ll be already past the Xbox360 as well as a sizeable one in Europe, where Sony dominates quite firmly.

Once again this is your speculation . However you haven o explained why you believe this .

xbox 360 2005 launch north america . When does the ps3 launch in america ? Once again its 1 or 2 likely choices . March 06' thus or much more likely fall 06' . Thus giving ms a year advantage in the states and most likely europe . Please explain to me how in another years time fall 2007 lets say the ps3 will over take the xbox 360 ?

Its your flights of fancy that are the problems not mine .

Now if you want to talk 2007 for ps3 to start over taking xbox 360s lead world wide then that is fine . I agree with you in 2007 the ps3 will start to take over the lead . However I believe that will be due to japan. IN europe and na it will take longer . Most likely into 2008 when they finaly start to move past ms .

So, UNLESS Xbox 360 shatters all records and manages not only to dominate America, but also stablish very strong leads in Europe AND Japan, this is what is going to happen.
04-Aug-05 22:10

All they need to do is hit thier targets . You have yet to post any reason why I should belive sony will quickly suprase the xbox 360s worldwide head start which is anywhere from 6-11 months if not more

 

[Almasy]

Can you post a lik to these numbers . Do these numbers include just games or other things like anime movies which while becoming more popular in other countrys still are not as popular as they are in japan

http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2005/1534.html

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Square Enix reported sales of 11.05 million copies of (packaged) game software worldwide. 6.3 million were sold in Japan, 3.76 million in North America, 920,000 in the European PAL territories and 70,000 in the Asia Pacific region.
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This is for fiscal year 2004/2005. It´s strictly game software. That´s why Square Enix focuses so much on Japan, it´s their biggest market. All points to, once again, FF and DQ being on the console with the biggest userbase in Japan. FF first, DQ next.

You just said what I said . xbox 360 will be out from this november in na and december in japan and europe . Thus almost 1 full year (what 10-11 months ) before the ps3 is released world wide .

Thus it will have one full year in some markets . To claim that sony will catch up to ms who was in 3 markets for a full year before sony has even launched in 3 markets is one of your troll comments spelling doom for ms .

I think you toss the word troll around far too easily (glad you aren´t a mod anymore). Anyway, Europe is a very weak market for MS, as of march 2005 there was only 5 million Xbox units sold in the entire territory, while there were 21 million PS2 units. Unless MS has a TREMENDOUS hits with Xbox 360, it´s far more likely that when PS3 launches, it will catch up in few months. It doesn´t matter in the end whether Xbox 360 launches if it fails to break the 4:1 selling ratio. The situation will be very similar in Japan, except worse.

That leaves us with NA, MS biggest market and where the battle will be far more interesting. Sony constantly outsells MS in a ratio of ~2.5:1 every month, however given MS´s relative strength they might be able to improve that ratio and make it harder for Sony to catch up in a short time frame.

Still, if market trends remain, and there´s no evidence that it will, Sony WILL eventually catch up in NA as well. The only territory where a quick turnaround is questionable is NA, all other markets should be rapidly captured.

Its your flights of fancy that are the problems not mine .

Not really, it´s a combination of your latent f*nboyism and your inability to comprehend what is written that is the problem here.

All they need to do is hit thier targets . You have yet to post any reason why I should belive sony will quickly suprase the xbox 360s worldwide head start which is anywhere from 6-11 months if not more

And you have evidence of the contrary? That MS will have a runaway success in NA, Europe and a moderate one in Japan that will allow them to mantain the lead for a long time? All we have to rely on is reality, and market trends, and they show no evidence of your "best case scenario for MS, Sony doomed" coming true.

 

[jvd]

Square Enix reported sales of 11.05 million copies of (packaged) game software worldwide. 6.3 million were sold in Japan, 3.76 million in North America, 920,000 in the European PAL territories and 70,000 in the Asia Pacific region.

So wait . Out of 11 million copies your telling me that 3.7 of that isn't important to them . NOr is the almost 1m in pal territories ? IF you put that together thats 4.7 million about . Not far off from 6.3 million . Its about 40% of thier sales realisticly . You don't scoff at 40% of your sales my friend dispite having less titles released there

.

This is for fiscal year 2004/2005. It´s strictly game software. That´s why Square Enix focuses so much on Japan, it´s their biggest market. All points to, once again, FF and DQ being on the console with the biggest userbase in Japan. FF first, DQ next.

Right your also forgeting that japan got things like ff x / x2 ultimate box and other software that other markets have yet to get or wont get .

So your numbers uptop are skewed towards that . Releasing more games in japan will make its total sales differ . Perhaps you should find the slaes break downs of titles released in both sectors

I think you toss the word troll around far too easily (glad you aren´t a mod anymore). Anyway, Europe is a very weak market for MS, as of march 2005 there was only 5 million Xbox units sold in the entire territory, while there were 21 million PS2 units. Unless MS has a TREMENDOUS hits with Xbox 360, it´s far more likely that when PS3 launches, it will catch up in few months. It doesn´t matter in the end whether Xbox 360 launches if it fails to break the 4:1 selling ratio. The situation will be very similar in Japan, except worse.

Glad i'm not either , that way I can call a fence a fence and a troll a troll . And you myfriend are a troll .

Europe was a weak market for ms . Yet its grown well for ms over the years and xbox 360 isn't the xbox and it will have a year head start . Yes xbox did not sell as well as ps2 . It was however over a year later than the ps2 . Using these points it can very well be the ps3 that is 15 million units behind .

Ms doesn't need a trenmendous hit . Your talking bull . Ms just needs strong sales . They are expecting 10 million in the first year which puts it right on track for the ps2 sales numbers .

It is sony htat needs a miricale as they have an expensive product on thier hands with parts that have never been mass produced like its bluray drive .

That leaves us with NA, MS biggest market and where the battle will be far more interesting. Sony constantly outsells MS in a ratio of ~2.5:1 every month, however given MS´s relative strength they might be able to improve that ratio and make it harder for Sony to catch up in a short time frame.

that is currently . Things will be much diffrent next generation. Ms will have the launch line up , ms will most likely have the price advantage and ms will have the production advantage .

Still, if market trends remain, and there´s no evidence that it will, Sony WILL eventually catch up in NA as well. The only territory where a quick turnaround is questionable is NA, all other markets should be rapidly captured.

If the market did what it allways did nintendo would have been number 1 for all these years. Yet they haven't been . If the market did what it allways did sega wouldn't have been able to capture 40% of the market with the genesis .

Your very narrow minded and all your posts are highly negative to ms .

Not really, it´s a combination of your latent f*nboyism and your inability tocomprehend what is written that is the problem here.

Sure and now perhaps your sony clan will come in and pounce also . Sadly though members who actually know what they are talking about can see through your bs .

Your whole arguement stands and fanboish ties to sony . Its very easy to see .

And you have evidence of the contrary? That MS will have a runaway success in NA, Europe and a moderate one in Japan that will allow them to mantain the lead for a long time? All we have to rely on is reality, and market trends, and they show no evidence of your "best case scenario for MS, Sony doomed" coming true.

In both europe and na ms's yearly sales both software wise and hardware wise has continued to grow evne creating shortages at times . Growth will continue and they will head into a market with brand name games , a name known in the console busniess , a powerfull yet cheap console and a head start instead of being a year late

Manythings that ms did not have last generation . Yet you want to play the deaf and blind boy when it comes to changes from last gen to this upcoming gen .

 

[scooby_dooby]

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Square Enix reported sales of 11.05 million copies of (packaged) game software worldwide. 6.3 million were sold in Japan, 3.76 million in North America, 920,000 in the European PAL territories and 70,000 in the Asia Pacific region.
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so the numbers are more like 57% japan 43% world, not the 70/30 you claimed.

And what makes you think SE is content with lousy North American sales? North America is THE biggest market by far in the entire world. Square wants a piece of that, Final Fantasy is their bigget North American hit ever, and releasing it on x360 ensures BETTER penetration in the NA market at least somewhere into 2007-2008.

I just don't see your reasoning, you seem to think that as a corporation they are content with underselling in the worlds largest market, whish isn't true, and that they do not want to expand, which isn't true. As CEO it's Wada job to constantly grow income and profits, and what's more they've even stated point blank, that they want to penetrate NA more, and that they are going multi-platform.

who knows if FF is coming to x360, but you can't just dismiss it, it's a very real possibility.

 

[Xenus]

I don't think you get the point. I am pretty darn sure that Sony would pay a pretty hefty sum for the numbered Final Fantasy's and Dragon Warrior serieses to stay exclusive on their console. So even if Square-enix goes multi-platform I'm pretty sure it is safe to assume that those two will stay on the PS3.

 

[jvd]

I don't think you get the point. I am pretty darn sure that Sony would pay a pretty hefty sum for the numbered Final Fantasy's and Dragon Warrior serieses to stay exclusive on their console. So even if Square-enix goes multi-platform I'm pretty sure it is safe to assume that those two will stay on the PS3.

What you don't think that ms wouldn't pay just as much to have it multi system ?

Just let that sink in

Ms offers what sony offers plus a second market to sell the product too. Which in the end means more money for square than sonys deal

 

[Carl B]

I think we should all just step back from this for a moment and let ourselves cool down.

Fact is, there's a number of cases to be made both for and aganst. Since we can't read the inscrutible mind of Wada, we may just need to wait for TGS (or the next unexpected sound bite) for some further indication of direction before we start laying down arguments again.