Update: So, the guys over at PlayStation Universe didn't cite a source for this story, which was wise, because it turns out that it's bogus. Seeing as how I along with the guys at Joystiq, Siliconera, and EvilAvatar were not really able to decipher the moon language on Square-Enix's Japanese Web site, the story was posted damn near everywhere. Chris Kohler put the pieces together -- namely, older Digg stories with similarly-worded verbiage -- and traced the "story" back to its source: an unfunny fake news report from an unfunny fake gaming news site.
The good news is that there's no indication -- no valid indication, anyway -- that Square-Enix is about to jump the shark in any official capacity. Square-Enix, however, is still churning out sequels and spinoffs by the truckload, just sans mission statement. Sort of funny that something this silly could be made so believable by Square-Enix's development habits as of late, ain't it?
Apologies all 'round for kicking up a ruckus based PSU's false claim, and big ups to Kohler for exposing our mass delusion. My original write-up which, while false, is still very entertaining in its own little way, can be read after the jump.
Guys, I've got some bad news. Turns out that the franchise-spewing womb that is Square-Enix has decided to make its recent antics a little more official. PlayStation Universe is reporting that the monolithic company has updated its website with what they're calling the new business model, one that revolves primarily around remakes of and sequels to existing titles. This means more ports to more platforms, more updates of old classics and a renewed hope for the oft-rumored Final Fantasy VII remake on the PlayStation 3.
Essentially, this news only serves to solidify what many have already come to suspect: original IP isn't exactly a high priority for Square-Enix. For those of you happy with the company's recent antics, rejoice: nothing's going to change. And to the rest of you a bit disappointed in the lack of original creative vision within the once-infallible giant, it's going to get worse before it gets better. Y'know, if it ever gets better.
There are two ways this can play out. The first and less desirable option is the development and publication of no less than 4 more Final Fantasy 7 spinoffs in the next two years. The second, of course, is Chrono Break. Put on your prayer hats, people.
Contest:
7:27 PM on 04.21.2007
| 
Dooooooooooooooooooooooo itttttttttttttttt!
Grant it, for the most part i'm very "meh" about most spinoffs... the same goes for remakes that are make such minimal changes than the orginal game that they are barely worth remaking... Frankly, i would rather see Square use that same time and energy into making something new...
Fuck SE
the Enix of Square thinks they can make never-ending sequels like DQ... doesnt work like that bub.
I sure hope im not playing fucking panzy ass Zelda in FF for the next millenium on never ending sequels. make a original FF7 and just kill Cloud and move on.
i for one preferred chrono cross to chrono trigger.
OMG, how many years will i have to wait for the next game in the series?
That's pretty much the only spin-off remake I can support at this point, other than SquareEnix getting their old games, including FFI-FFVI, on the Virtual Console.
that or 360. just please, please, square: realize that sony needs you more than you need them, and you can go anywhere with your remakes. sure, some people might buy a ps3 just for final fantasy, but not everyone, and it makes more sense to go where there already is a market, than try to make a game for a system that nobody can afford.
(i really, really don't want to have to buy a ps3. if final fantasy doesn't come out for other consoles, well..... one of two things happens: the series is dead for me, or i end up having my hand forced. the prior is more likely than the latter. and while we're talking about it: same goes for kingdom hearts!)
How could you possibly do such a thing? To play the classic, beloved Chrono Trigger and then watch Chrono Cross take a huge shit on the plot of its predecessor was just too much for me.
I would be kinda interested in an FFVII remake, but really, the only good thing that could come out of this would be a real Chrono Trigger sequel, and preferably one that pretended Chrono Cross never happened.
I loved both CC and CT, taking that CC was in kinda like in another dimension it's not like CT never happened. The plot was very interesting with many twists, when i played it, i loved it.
Ayup, I said it.
I hope no one buys these million spin off games and square enix learns what people want
a mother fucking ff7 remake
also, @whoever said the bouncer needs a sequel
go die, that game was shit. total epic shit. I felt like drop kicking my TV after I beat it.
I'm down for a new chrono trigger sequal/prequal/ I don't understand how the time line is currently set up in a game where you travel through dimensions(CC) and time (CT) other than CT was made first, and CC second.
uhm... square... could you also never make a first person shooter again? like ever?
can someone do a FF7 spinoff count for me? I think i dont have enough fingers on my hands & tows (n i was born with 11!).
Seriously, like many of you, I felt the warm magic of having a PS1 and getting that FF7 that october with a cloud T-shirt (which I still have right here next to me) BUT, SE is killing the friggin series, theres spinoff in cellphones, all next gen systems, psp, its getting so bad SE is making another sequel in my grandma's ass.
Anyone want to play? FF7 - Grannies ass adventures?
I bet the lifestream that comes out from there will kill cloud.
let's not mention the countless books that are stand alone stories but have numerous sequels.
what's wrong sequels for established things? OH NO CREATIVITY GOING DOWNT THE DRAIN!! bullshit. everything made to sell was made to make money and that's the final way of things -- to feed the consumer. you're all bitching about absolutely dick.
Yeah, I know The Bouncer was shit. That's kinda what I was gunning for. Square Enix seems to do what they do extremely well. When they branch out it never seems that successful. Not recently at least.
On the Enix side of things, I'd like to see another Actraiser. Maybe for the DS. You could use the stylus for the world building stuff. Have Yuzo Koshiro come back and do the music for it. That would be killer.
I would frequently resort to vulgarities when confronted with such a confounding combination of ignorance and arrogance, but it didn't really seem that productive an idea here, for some reason.
I didn't think Episode 3 was bad, i was better than the others for sure.
Also, your Symbol of the Torment is cool :)
for the record, i hate indiana jones and the temple of doom and think the last crusade was mediocre at best.
But those zombies in Japan are unreachable. I'm fairly certain it's in the genes of every Japanese person born: FIIIINALLLL FAAAANTASSYYYYY...
Although a Final Fantasy VII remake sounds like a good idea, I would wait for some in-depth review action or preferably hands-on experience with it before I dropped cash on it. I'd love to see it on the 360, though. That would move some systems in Japan.
@Linde: I hope you aren't proposing that either 8 or 9 is better. I liked 8, in spite of its flaws, but 9 was just boring as hell. Xenogears trumps all three however, IMHO.
Face it, this company has been living off the wallets of fanboys for years. Were it not for the brand name, I don't think people would care about the next JRPG to seep forth from their fetid loins. This is merely cementing the idea that making new content is completely unnecessary when you have a fan base that will pay a premium for old content time and time again.
They are playing to their strength and that strength is mindless fanboys with loyal wallets. Screw the company and screw the fanboys because by each supporting the other, they are only screwing themselves into a smaller, tinier niche.
that was my favorite part.
If Chrono Break is made with nothing in mind except for money, and the creators and those who really should be working on Chrono Break aren't allowed full creative freedom involving the game, I'll shit myself. In a bad way.
xenogears back in 98 to me was actually up there with FF7 in story, CG cut scene and gameplay. totally innovative, then who was it? namco? meh whoever brought xenosaga was the most piece of shit story ive seen.
How can you flock a superb story based game into crap like that? Ill give them the 3D models, graphics and renders were really nice, but gameplay and story went all the way down the drain to sit next to Splinter.
SE needs to get its act together and come up with a new name and stop whoring FF for the love of all pron.
Because about 5years ago and beyond, every FF fanboy kept begging & asking for sequels for for FF7, and Squaresoft* said no, were keeping it at master piece, but after the whole "Spirits Within" budget drop of 150+mil they had no choice but to merge with Enix, then they still had some games coming out, but werent selling as much as they expected, so now they released what all fanboys wanted...
Never ending multiplatform games of FF7... so many that even if u played them all, there would still be pieces missing, and just leave doors open for more sequel games. I agree with someone above who said they do it all for profit, but you must understand, you must do it right or if your name looses credibility, & it will backfire.
No If's not buts.
+ Kill all FF7 Fanboys.
An entirely 3d'd Final Fantasy II would RAPE ME! That game was epic...
to be honest, i don't think there has been a "great" SquareSoft game since vagrant story was made. Everything beforehand was at least good, but when PS2 came out they made The Bouncer and never quite recovered.