Wada: “Some kind of multiplayer” in all future Square Enix games [6/23]

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Role-playing games are generally a single-player experience. Some titles, like the Tales series, incorporate local multiplayer additions to further the experience. Other titles, such as Final Fantasy, feature no multiplayer features. According to Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada, that may change in the future.

“In all of the games we will be releasing going forward, some kind of multiplayer element will be incorporated one way or another,” Wada told Forbes during E3 in Los Angeles last week.

Wada explains that he doesn’t expect an MMO out of the developers.
“It is not as if all the [all of our] game creators will become capable of creating MMORPG-type games,” he says. “What we will encourage them to do is to incorporate some kind of multiplayer element even in single player games.”

If that isn’t frightening enough for RPG fans, Wada plans on bringing in “fresh blood” to “change the old culture” of the company.

“Frankly, the people who excelled at creating game software about 10 years ago are really not good at making multiplayer games,” Wada says. “We are striving to change the old culture, and as a part of such effort we are trying to bring in fresh blood.”

All I have to say is, while it works for some, not all games need multiplayer.

Source: ScrawlFX

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Weeeell...S-E isn't only working on RPG games, so if multi-player is applicable to specific games, I say why not?

But if we're talking RPGs specifically, I don't play RPGs with other people. Multi-player just seems plain odd in this kind of genre o_O
 
They really don't need to go that far and make it for all of their games. I could support it if they make it sort of MMO style but overall: It's another move by Wada that I don't really like at all.
 
I wouldn't get too excited. I'm sure it will turn out to be leaderboards or something you could really care less about.

If they could somehow make a co-op mode, that would be fantastic.
 
Lol this is pretty cool. But Uhm how would co-op work in FF lol. I know IX had it but its been out ever since. Would be cool to have some mp back :monster: But if its just future online games. why not.
 
Ugh, Wada really needs to get out of there. I seriously think he is going to end up ruining their (SE) RPG genre. That along with the whole Facebook generation of "gamers", and companies wanting to cash in on that, I feel, is really going to screw gaming up for the hardcore set.

The only thing I can think of that wouldnt be bad is if you could play something along the lines of Tripe Triad online in a FF game.
 
RPG + Multiplayer will be weird, but I know the first game to have this: The 4 Heroes of Light! That one is the only reason I'm buying a DS... lol
-Bretboy129 ~ Bret Hudson
 
Multiplayer Rpg?? sounds interesting depending on the game. I can probably see it if its Real-time rpg,cause turn-based really wouldn't work for multiplayer.
 
Fusionist said:
Weeeell...S-E isn't only working on RPG games, so if multi-player is applicable to specific games, I say why not?

But if we're talking RPGs specifically, I don't play RPGs with other people. Multi-player just seems plain odd in this kind of genre o_O
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I agree with ya Fusion.

If it's RPG.... naah, not going to work out too well IMHO because i'm the same way I can't play an RPG with others it has to be by myself.

but, if they're working on something else that isn't an RPG it might work depending :hmmm: Why not give it a shot to see how it might turn out?
 
non rpg game= cool
rpg = maybe a fail. now the multiplayer could just be like an online shop where players could trade parts, and weapons. sorta like a FF ebay. :p that might be cool.
 
There was an additional part, but separate article which tied into this article. I'm not sure if it warranted it's own thread, but it takes about the multiplayer-ness in possible Future FF's, but also talks about future FF's being broken down into 'chapter's and being sold for 5 bucks a piece as opposed to paying an upfront cost of 60/70$.

Like many in the industry, Wada says digital distribution of games and online social games are the future, and Square Enix must focus on them. "Two things are clear: The distribution channels will change and the revenue model will change," Wada told Forbes at the E3 videogame conference. "It will happen in the entire industry, and we want to stay on top of this trend."

Wada sees digital distribution as a more direct channel of communication between the company and its customers, compared with selling boxed videogames in brick-and-mortar stores, as well as a different way to monetize games. For example, instead of selling a complete "Final Fantasy" title for $60 or $70, Wada says the game could be broken into separate chapters and sold in pieces for $5 each.

The old model of a traditional game maker like Electronic Arts is passing, Wada says. He is now seeking to emulate the high profit margins of online game companies from China and South Korea, such as Tencent or NCSoft, which make money from selling virtual items in their free-to-play games. Such a move would take Square Enix in a very different direction. For a "Final Fantasy" game, you pay a high upfront cost to get access to a very polished title with Hollywood-level production values and storyline. A typical online game from Tencent doesn't have that same level of production value but is free to play.

"What is polished is in the eye of the beholder," Wada says. "Our games' graphics are very polished, but Tencent is actually very polished in terms of the experience."

Going forward, Wada says some element of multiplayer or social gaming will be incorporated into each title Square Enix produces, even titles that have traditionally been single-player. This means a company-wide shift in the way it approaches game development.

"Frankly, the people who excelled at creating game software about 10 years ago are really not good at making multiplayer games," Wada says. "We are striving to change the old culture, and as a part of such effort we are trying to bring in fresh blood....
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And then it goes on to talk about what was mentioned in the OP.
 
Eh, they can't mess anything up. They've already done that. Maybe this will help the games, or maybe not. :)
 
Hmm... it depends on how much they plan on shifting how FF works. I mean, they've done a lot shifting so far, right?

An RPG that featured multi-player that worked out pretty well was Legend of Mana. Pick an NPC character, or import your own from your memory card, and help the other dude beat the crap out of monsters and assorted doomsday plotting people. That worked out pretty well (though I'm not putting in a good light, am I? Despite how I worded it, the game is awesome, and I love it).
 
Ack, I'm dreading the day the game industry as a whole goes onto rely on digital-only distribution of their games Dx

DLC, if it ties into the story, pisses me off, but I can reluctantly accept that if the majority of the game is still available upfront. But the whole effin' thing?

I like my hardware thank you very much :mokken:
 
I think they have to. Almost every game these days has some sort of multiplayer and that's what customers are looking for IMO. Some sort of way to play with others/ friends and add play time to a game. FF has to keep up because if you look at RDR and games like ModNation Racers (which isn't out yet I don't think), they are trying to create online communities which is attracting more people etc.
 
FF is the only thing I play from SE on PS only, so I couldnt care less about MP's coming from SE.

If FF gets some kind of MP it could be interesting, Versus perhaps you could have a score leaderboard, or exchange weapons, magic or any item.. perhaps you could download a DLC (free or fee) a dungeon map of some sort, where the baddest fiends live, like a add-on or something....maybe lvl 99 or 100 "may" be exceeded....

We'll see but it could be interesting...but its "some kind" MP so Im not picturing dedicated servers or something like that.....
 
For example, instead of selling a complete "Final Fantasy" title for $60 or $70, Wada says the game could be broken into separate chapters and sold in pieces for $5 each.
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What a ridiculous idea, I'd rather have the finished product, stuff this "we'll sell it in pieces" I'd refuse to buy any of their products any longer. But multiplayer is a wise move, it's where a large portion of the market is at. :hmmm:
 
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