Square Enix “taking root” in 2010, says Wada

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

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Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has said in a public statement that 2010 will see the company “taking root,” adding, “We want to start moving towards competing with movie studios.”

“In the near future, the rate of convergence between video games and other digital entertainment content will only continue to accelerate,” said the exec, as reported by Kotaku.

“It is for that reason we will make 2010 a year of taking root, in which we use this environment of change as an opportunity for establishing a strong foothold with which to lead the global entertainment industry.”
Another Final Fantasy movie this decade, then.

Square Enix has made considerable moves in the past year to grow its business, especially in the west.

The company bought Eidos last February for $120 million, and has brought traditionally western-style games into its fold, such as Supreme Commander 2.

 

[Martel]

All I can really say in response to this statement is this: "Put your money where your mouth is."

Its going to be interesting to see how SE actually "take root", if they do at all. Also, I have to wonder if its going to be some wonderful flowers they'll create as a result, or some truly disgusting weeds, if you'll pardon the unoriginal analogy. Making moves to expand is a good start, but...well, we'll see, I guess.

 

[Linnaete]

I hope SE manages to improve their fortunes this new year. A fellow JRPG developer- Nippon Ichi pledges greater support to the PS3 (according to andriasang), and SE should really do that- and forget about the Xbox 360- last year supporting the 360 didn't bring the best of success.

The Final Fantasy FMVs seem to be a mighty competition to many high-budget movies anyway. If they plan another movie, I'm not sure what to make of it. Neither Advent Children or Spirits Within were necessarily success stories. I can see some kind of Fabula Nova Crystallis movie.

Wada, watch where your company is expanding to. First and foremost is good quality games- other moneymaking mediums can come afterwards, be it movies, anime, iPhone app or whatever.

 

[King Sean]

I hope that "Taking Root" actually happens

I dont want to be hyped up with statements like this and then see no action. As long as games are released that meet fans expectations, then we dont have a problem. They bought out Eidos, which should allow for game diversity and new ideas which should do the job. Good Luck, SE

 

[The Witch]

Another Final Fantasy movie this decade, then.

WHA?
Shweet. That'd be awesome. Wonder what it could be about? I'd like to see a Live-Action film. That'd be so cool.

 

[Tmoo]

this is like a precursor to fulfillment of a statement i've said in the past - visual media and gaming are converging and will eventually merge...what the final product will look like, who knows.

 

[SapphireStar]

How about making some decent video games instead of going head to head with Hollywood? Seriously, SE are churring out nothing but garbage IMO. Focus on what you are; a computer games company. Stop trying to branch out into other regions of media when you cant even focus on your main occupation.

 

[Fusionist]

No, no, no Wada. You guys make games, not movies

I mean, I love the graphics as much as the next person, and I do like lengthy cutscenes in games, but Square-Enix is still a gaming company, right? Shouldn't game play be the focus before you pretty it up?

I know Square-Enix has it's hand in things like anime, manga and various products, and while that is lucrative, shouldn't the focus be about games?

I still like what Square has been releasing despite the bashing people give them, but movies aren't what I think of when I think about SE >_>

 

[The Witch]

How about making some decent video games instead of going head to head with Hollywood? Seriously, SE are churring out nothing but garbage IMO. Focus on what you are; a computer games company. Stop trying to branch out into other regions of media when you cant even focus on your main occupation.

You speak the truth now that I think about it.
SE, we need better games first, movies later.

It's like they think because they have one good movie on their belt that that means they can make more.
Uhh, no.

 

[Kandy-Sugar]

They may have 'made considerable moves in the past year to grow it's business' but that doesn't mean that that should make them totally lose sight of what they are, which is a gaming company.

We already have plenty of people who produce movies all the time. It's very rare that I at least come across a game that I enjoy and so far they've all been from SE.

I really hope this movie business doesn't hurt the gaming side of things.

 

[Rey]

If they do make another Final Fantasy movie it better not be based on VII because it has too many things imo. I would love to see a movie on VIII or X because these were such awesome games. But yeah SE wants to take root and make another movie instead of games? Imo its an "ok" idea.

 

[caucasian-eagle]

heeeeeeey im hell excited about this!!!! O__O i dono about u game-lovers, but i lov movies as well! >.<

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

I already don't trust about 90% of anything good Wada says. He always manages to screw it up, or change things last minute to appeal to the westerners. Besides, we all know what happened last time Square tried to "take root" in the movie business.

Lol... The Spirits Within. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_Pictures

I R not a big fan of Mr. Wada.

 

[Linnaete]

Wada has shown to me and the gaming world that he is an incompetent CEO. He speaks empty words, lies, boasts and generally crap a lot of the time whilst oblivious to the fact that SE are plunging into a dangerous position. Though this is just an assumption- I'm not surprised if Wada has responsibility for SE's deterioration in fortune.

I want SE to be great again- and either Wada realises that and mobilises his staff- or he goes. He is not James Cameron or Spielberg- he is the head of a gaming company and should direct the making of games- not movies. The games come before anything else. Let others make FF movies if they are necessary.

Tsuki- you should overthrow Wada