More detail from Square president,
no more non-mainstream games allowed

So you enjoyed The World Ends With You? Too bad. You won't be seeing anything remotely like it from Square-Enix anytime soon, according to company president Yoichi Wada, who recently issued an ultimatum to his staff: if any games are made that don't fit into the mainstream's circle of interest, job cuts will follow. So long, unique concepts that break the mold!

This was supposedly part of a heated business meeting in which Square discussed the results of their 2007 fiscal year, which were none too sunny, showing general profits down 20 percent and taking the worst of it in overseas sales.

Business is business, but I have to say my heart sank when I read those words. If Square was doing anything I was excited to see, it was things outside the Final Fantasy spectrum, but financial troubles like this certainly excise any hope of experimental titles in the future (at least until the numbers improve). I'm glad to see the giant falter a bit, if only in hopes that the results will push them towards a more focused future.

Link!

...and so begins the low-risk future of the gaming industry. Prepare to see more cookie-cut games playing off the same tried-and-true formulas. Companies either can't afford to or won't chance many ideas that may flop.

Sad days...but I've expected it since before this generation started, where devs complained about the high cost of developing for this generation of consoles. The number of engineers and artists necessary make mean high costs...which mean less room for creativity (who can afford it?).

*sigh*

Great.. I guess this means we'll be seeing an influx of lame Final Fantasy games in the next year or so.

So what we've been seeing until now was Square... breaking the mold?

...

AH HA HA HA HA HA.

hahahahahahahahahahahaha

This statement is particularly hilarious considering SE's track record for the past decade.

Fuck 'em.

Now let's see some more interesting developers like SUDA51 take charge.

Games like Parasite Eve, Einhander, Vagrant Story and Valkryie Profile were part of the non-mainstream side of the spectrum when they were released, that just shows you how stupid a move this is on SE's part.

Einhander = My favourite shooter ever.
Valkyrie Profile = One of my favourite games ever.


Good one, Square-Enix.

Get ready.

FF 12-2
Final Fantasy 13 vs versus 2.

On a more serious note, I'm not surprised. I thought they've been doing this all along, but I guess not! Remakes seem to be their specialty these days.
Trying to relive the glory days heh.

wow a real loss to Gamers every where

No wonder they had a bad year. They are spitting out 500 Final Fantasy spin-off titles and people are starting to grow tired of it. I partially blame Enix though because Square seemed to spend more time making their games before they joined together.

I for one am glad about this announcement.  Square-Enix can now stop pretending to be creative and get down to the point.



No one should be outraged because of a company being COMPLETELY HONEST.



(basically: hahahahahahaha)

No one should be outraged because of a company being COMPLETELY HONEST.

Well, I don't think anyone is upset. The general consensus among everyone seems to be:

"LOL"

This is just so.. Weird! Even coming from Square-Enix, this news just does nothing but make you go, "Haha, what???"

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest.

I blame final fantasy since 97..

    * Main Series
          o Final Fantasy VII
          o Final Fantasy VIII
          o Final Fantasy IX
          o Final Fantasy X
                + Final Fantasy X-2
                 +Final Fantasy X-2 Job System?
          o Final Fantasy XI + 4 Expansions
          o Final Fantasy XII
                + Revenant Wings/Zodiac Job System
    * Cell Phone Games
          o Before Crisis: Final Fantasy
          o Dirge of Cerberus: Lost Episode
    * Tactics Series
          o Final Fantasy Tactics
          o Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
          o Final Fantasy Tactics Advanced 2
    * Crystal Chronicles Series
          o Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
          o Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
          o Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearer
    * Remakes
          o Final Fantasy Collection
          o Final Fantasy Anthology
          o Final Fantasy Chronicles
          o Final Fantasy Origins
          o Final Fantasy I & 2: Dawn of Souls
          o Final Fantasy III DS
          o Final Fantasy IV DS
          o Final Fantasy IV Advance
          o Final Fantasy V Advance
          o Final Fantasy VI Advance
          o Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions
    * Games Featuring Final Fantasy Characters
          o Ehrgeiz
          o Kingdom Hearts
          o Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
          o Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix
          o Kingdom Hearts II
          o Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix/+
    * Movies, Anime Series & Concerts
          o Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
          o Final Fantasy: Unlimited, Entire Series
          o Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
          o Final Fantasy: Dear Friends, Entire World Tour
          o Final Fantasy VII: Last Order

*Fixed*