[UPDATE: It seems this story was based on this original report from a satire web site. Joystiq regrets the error.]

With the recent success of the Final Fantasy Advance games on the GBA and the 3D remake of Final Fantasy III on the DS, Square-Enix has announced a new business model that, well, isn't new at all. The company has decided to focus on re-releasing old games for new systems, punching up the visuals and adding bonus content in the process. Get ready to own the original Final Fantasy ... again.
Cashing in on gamers' nostalgia has been profitable for many companies (especially Nintendo), and despite our cries to stop the ports and sequels, we still hand over the cash. We can't say we're thrilled with the news, but it does bring a glimmer of hope for some of the company's forgotten franchises.
First person to say "FFVII ON TEH PS3" or "CHRONO TRIGGER 3D ON THEE DS!!!1" wins a cookie.
[Via Siliconera]












(Page 1) Reader Comments
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At least this way we know exactly what to expect and based on the past it should be a lot of fun.
http://blog.myspace.com/nohithair
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If the remake seems sluggish or off somehow compared to the original, I'll pass. Things such as odd changes in difficulty, odd calculations, etc.
However, if the remake does more to the game than just new visual and audio, such as new levels, characters, items, etc, then it may be worth it.
Megaman: Powered Up for PSP is a perfect example of a great remake. Not only was the original NES game remade with new visuals and sound, but there were two new Robot Masters (Oilman and Timeman), the ability to play as different characters (multiple versions of Megaman, original Rock, Roll, Protoman, and all 8 Robot Masters), a challenge mode, AND a level constructor.
If more remakes had the same level of new content as MMPU had, then more of them would be worth buying (that is, if you already owned the original).
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Then again, another part of me can't wait to shell out Too Much Money for all of these shitty remakes.
*sigh*
And if they are going to remake games, they had better at least stay away from the first three Final Fucking Fantasy games. They suck. The DS version of III? IT SUCKS. The sooner everyone realizes that NES RPG's are all too old for even nostalgia to save them, the better we will all be.
Now FFVI or VII or perhaps the juggernaut that is Chrono Trigger remade with next gen graphics?
Well THAT would be a different story.
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I believe this works when technology changes. In the GBA remakes it was portability, on the Virtual Console it's convenience and low price. I see no point in the PSP versions and won't be picking them up as they've already been made portable.
A handheld port of FF7 would be ideal for me since I only played the original for about an hour.
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"Late Wednesday night, on their Japanese web site, Square Enix announced that it will be working under a new business model, focused more on re-releasing existing titles and creating sequels to older games."
Seriously how is that a "NEW" model. Same thing they've been doing. NEW games were rare to begin with from them. Sequels and milking franchises...not so much.
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Give me something along the lines of Chrono Resurrection, and I'll be happy to fork over my money.
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Note to Squeenix: PLEASE make your spellcastings/summons scenes SKIPPABLE!!!!! I don't mind 40+ hour gameplay games, but making it 100+ hours due to unskippable sequences is friggin' RIDICULOUS and makes it extremely difficult to pick up and replay.
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And it's not like the EA shit where all EA has to do is make the players look slightly less shitty each year. Square's gotta create a whoe world every time they make a new game.
So, a followup to Final Fantasy is probably going to take just a tad bit more than the standard EA Shovel-product, so they're probably doing remakes to "tread water" until their new games are done.
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Nintendo seems more reliable... so expect a lot of remakes on the Nintendo console and handheld.
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Never finished it, but had a hell of a time cleaning everything else out
But yes, Squaresoft should focus on new content, the concept sort of works with Nintendo because they usually tastefully employ nostalgia (like the original song's presence in Sunshine, or all the references in Super Paper Mario)
But we'll have to see how far they take this model, or maybe this is a wait-and-see thing because there doesn't seem to be any console besides the DS that's a sure bet this generation...
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Be honest. Wouldn't you be more excited to hear about a remake of "Super Metroid" than the announcement of some totally new title? I think a hatred of video game sequels is something people want to believe, but in their heart of hearts knows it's a silly kneejerk reaction they don't really mean.
Sequels have a tendency to ruin movies, but in video games they usually improve things. Anything is technically possible anymore with a movie, so in order to mamake ke an excellent sequel creativity is required in all aspects. Video games are different because things are constantly omitted due to development and technological restrictions. You could literally take "Super Metroid", give it nothing more than HD visuals and it will be superior to the SNES "Super Metriod". Could you take an old classic like Citizen Kane and remake it under modern filming techniques and create a superior film? It's possible, but doubtful. When it comes to video game remakes I say bring them on. Most of my favorite gaming memories are with sequels and remakes. Damn I loved Super Mario All Stars: that's a title filled with both.
And people often get the impression that this is an either-or situation. Either you get all-new games or you get sequels. I guess with Square-Enix it is but even when it is it will allow the creative juices some time to create a quality sequel. Instead of demanding a new entry every 1 or 2 years and destroy a franchise (i.e. Lara Croft, Sonic) the developers can create superior versions of quality older entries while allowing creative juices to flow for a true new sequel in 4 years.
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FFVII already has the established popularity, and the whole extreme cool factor to it. Because of this, I think an FFVII remake would push consoles even more than FF13.
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Make it happen S-E.
F(*^, while you are at it, port Seiken Densetsu 3 to DS too. jerks
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---"*sigh* Square Enix hasn't said they will only focus on remakes. They said (an almost direct quote:) "in the future we will focus MORE on SEQUELS and remaking older games"."---
When was the last time they actually released a new game? I'll give them FFXII, since main-series FF games are unique enough to be called totally new even though they're technically sequels. But besides that?
What I'm getting at is that they're -already- almost 100% focused on remakes and spinoffs. If they're focusing even -more- on them now, what room is left for new games? Just how long are we going to have to wait between new content releases from this company?
I miss the Squaresoft of the early PSX era that wasn't terrified of taking a risk on something besides an FF spinoff/remake. What happened to the company that gave us Tobal and Einhander and Brave Fencer Musashi and all those other unique, totally awesome games?
Oh yeah. That movie. They released Spirits Within and it almost crushed them, and it made the company into a big blubbering coward. But come on - it was 6 years ago. At some point you've got to crawl back out of your cave and brave the sunshine.
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It's ridiculous that gaming is one the newest form of media and yet it's among the most based on nostalgia. I'm amazed at the number of people here who get excited over playing old games again with slight graphical improvements. People who are buying those remakes are just encouraging publishers to take less and less risks -- we're not going to see many original titles if remakes become the norm and sequels become the risky thing to make...
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By the way, Chrono Trigger on XBLA give it achievements for all the different endings, different time to kill Lavos, do all the combo special moves, getting Ayla's special Knuckles!
It would be heaven for me
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COME ON, SERIOUSLY
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personally i'd love to see a few of squareenix's classics updated, including secret of mana, rad racer, chrono trigger, einhander, illusion of gaia, and front mission 3
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square enix are makine NEW games
AND
remaking old CLASSICS loved by thousands to the standards and graphics of todays games!
pretty freakin good news to me!
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higher quality next gen games take MORE TIME. stfu and live with it, or join the games industry and help.
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I have a huge problem with what Square Enix is doing though, because they are remaking games that have already been remade. We don't need a new set of remakes for every console/handheld generation. It's getting pretty fucking ridiculous. And you figure that sooner or later they'll be releasing games on VC/PSN/XBLA, so essentially they're aiming to flood the market with 15-year-old games.
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You couldn't be more correct. Most overrated game of all time short of Halo.
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Sslapping a plot tweak and a new number at the end of the "final fantasy" title does not a new game make.
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To # 38 & 43
You are so right, FFVII is bad.(Halo also)
When Square entered the PS era with Final Fantasy, that's when the series went downhill.
Graphics became more important than story. (FMVs)
What happened?
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DS, PS2, or Virtual Boy, I don't care
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People don't read anymore, that's why. Gamers today would rather have flashy graphics over a well written story.
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You know what, if Engadget is allowed to report from "The Onion", I think you guys should to report on whatever satire you please.
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