Square Enix looking to develop more best-selling IPs

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 29th 2009 at 5:30PM }

RPG juggernaut Square Enix already has a handful of reliable ~~internet protocols~~ intellectual properties in Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts -- however, the company is looking to expand its portfolio of best-selling franchises. In a recent interview with Reuters, Squeenix's Yoichi Wada explained that the developer is hoping to have eight flagship IPs, each installment in which will be capable of selling two million units. He added that with the company's average development time of two years, one of these flagship games could be released every quarter.

So, where are these other five franchises going to come from? According to the interview, Square Enix is cooking up two or three potential blockbusters which should drop by late 2010 or early 2011. For the other IPs, the company may not need to look further than its recent Eidos acquisitions -- a haul which includes the recently successful Batman: Arkham Asylum. We certainly wouldn't mind seeing more of Bruce Wayne on a biennial basis.

[Via Siliconera]

Tags: batman-arkham-asylum, dragon-quest, eidos, final-fantasy, kingdom-hearts, square-enix, yoichi-wada

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

shadowhowl1900 @ Sep 29th 2009 5:36PM

Final Fantasy: Quest for the Kingdom of Dragon's Heart

Marco le Polo @ Sep 29th 2009 5:36PM

Well this would be cool. Something other than Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest? I will be looking forward to seeing what they pull out of those awesome outfits.

Mr Khan @ Sep 29th 2009 5:38PM

Something certainly seems off about his ability to quantify flagship series. A flagship series is a precious thing, and certainly not something that can be treated as "oh, let's build two more awesome new IPs by the end of next year. Tick-tock!"

Though it is good to see Square Enix trying to branch out.

Wes @ Sep 29th 2009 6:28PM

Yes, Square Enix's branching out could be potentially scaryyyy. I remember that space-flight sim game they made which was rather awwwful from my experience. Technically, it was in association with Tri-ace but it still was rather so-so and under the Square Enix name.

How about Flagship Series 'Revivals' though? I wouldn't mind seeing a new Chrono Trigger world-themed game come out once every 2 years? Heck a next-generation(following this genernation) CT remake could be awesome. I mean, since Snes, technology has came a long long way. Seeing a real CT remake with a brand new engine on the PS4/Xbox 720 or a CT Sequel would be great. I'd definiately be in favour of playing it!

[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 29th 2009 5:38PM

SO, MORE GAMES IN THE FASHION OF THE WORLD ENDS WITH YOU, THEN?

I'M MIGHT ACTUALLY LIKE THAT.

[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 29th 2009 5:39PM

FUCK!!! Why was the fucking caps lock on!!

Courtney @ Sep 29th 2009 5:58PM

Clearly your subconscious knew that you were screaming that in your head.

David @ Sep 29th 2009 6:00PM

I think the better question is why do you apparently keep your eyes closed while typing?

[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 29th 2009 6:03PM

I was actually paying more attention at the keyboard than the screen; I suck at typing while looking at the screen.

Sly (Now equipped with DS!) @ Sep 29th 2009 6:21PM

I'm might?

[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 29th 2009 6:26PM

Wow, I just realize that now.

Ugh, I got to proofread things better.....

[ArchiGamer] [Live from Omicron Persei 8] @ Sep 29th 2009 6:28PM

Ugh, this post has fail all over it.

Can I just delete this or edit, please??
*sheds tears*

Courtney @ Sep 29th 2009 6:29PM

For the low, low cost of only $5 per post, I would be happy to offer my services as your personal blog comment copy editor. We could also discuss a bulk rate of $45 per 10 posts. This will help you ensure that problems such as typos, poor grammar and caps lock errors never appear in your blog comments.

Please allow 24-48 hours editing turnaround.

Sly (Now equipped with DS!) @ Sep 29th 2009 6:46PM

I'll do $4 per post or $35 for 10.

fred @ Sep 29th 2009 11:01PM

I'll do 3 for $5 and 10 for $2. I don't know how math works.

Eh @ Sep 29th 2009 5:40PM

hint: Xenogears, Chrono Trigger

Square needs to create high quality original RPG's again. Not low budget spin offs or shitty low budget action games.

gobo @ Sep 29th 2009 5:50PM

They need to stop greenlighting projects every time an employee writes a story too. Chrono Trigger and Xenogears are one thing, they obviously put the same amount of care in them as they put in their Final Fantasy games, but they definitely took a wrong turn when they decided they should proceed with Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant. They aren't bad games, mind, but the stories are just awful. Both memorable IPs, they'll just be remembered for the entirely wrong reasons.

Here's hoping they can cull into their SNES-era spirit and pull out something new that's worth a damn.

David @ Sep 29th 2009 5:59PM

Infinite Undiscovery was developed by Tri-Ace

Massmass @ Sep 29th 2009 6:15PM

Xenosaga was a response to another Xenogears. Be careful what you wish for.

Eh @ Sep 29th 2009 6:46PM

I didnt mean sequels, I meant do the same thing that they did with those games. Create ORIGINAL games and put some damn effort into them. Square doesnt put effort into original games anymore, when they did they had a near perfect portfolio, they were like what Valve or Blizzard are today, when they made a game people just assumed it would be really good. These days they are known for shitty games and Final Fantasy.

The last thing Square needs to do right now is more sequels or remakes. They shouldnt even be focusing on making new internet protocols, they need to focus on making good games again.

Slust @ Sep 30th 2009 1:35PM

I dunno...

They do need to do more sequels, in my opinion.

---------- Einhänder 2 ----------

wait in the car @ Sep 29th 2009 5:41PM

Chrono Trigger

Miku @ Sep 29th 2009 5:43PM

Parasite Eve remake? Vagrant Story remake? How about just releasing them on PSN in the US...

deathxrebirth (PSN: dxrebirth) @ Sep 29th 2009 5:57PM

Exactly this. At least half of their new IPs could come from tapping the classics. I would love to play a new PE. Or Einhander. Or Brave Fencer Musashi for that matter.

Courtney @ Sep 29th 2009 6:00PM

PE remake, great, but I'm not sure that's a property that I want a new one of every couple of years. Seems like it would just tarnish the greatness of the original quickly.

Miku @ Sep 29th 2009 6:19PM

Courtney: Absolutely agree, but a remake for the PS3 would be epic.

Sly (Now equipped with DS!) @ Sep 29th 2009 6:23PM

New IP usually doesn't mean remake.

Miku @ Sep 29th 2009 6:33PM

No Parasite Eve or Vagrant Story since the Ps1? Might as well be new IP, probably would be "new" to a lot of younger gamers.

deathxrebirth (PSN: dxrebirth) @ Sep 29th 2009 6:51PM

@sly The original article only says 2-3 new IP. Which leaves 2-3 older options to explore to come to the '8' that they are looking towards (including FF, DQ and KH).

And as Miku just pointed out, a lot of PS1 games would be new to this gen of gamers, so why not.

Sly (Now equipped with DS!) @ Sep 29th 2009 7:16PM

good point.

Zerokku @ Sep 29th 2009 5:45PM

Give me Chrono Break, and the World Ends With You 2.

I would be happy with that much.

Jacksons @ Sep 29th 2009 5:55PM

Anything but shooters and music games an I'll be all smiles!

I don't hate those genres, there's just enough of them.

David @ Sep 29th 2009 5:58PM

Their last attempt at an intellectual property (I believe) was Last Remnant. If LR is any indication of what their new IPs are going to be like, then this is nothing at all to look forward to. And, mind you, I liked LR more than most, but I still see that it's nowhere near the quality that I'd expect from Squeenix games.

KaBob799 @ Sep 29th 2009 5:59PM

This just in: Square Enix looking to develop more money

RogueJedi86 @ Sep 29th 2009 6:00PM

So a video game company wants more best-selling games? This also just in: movie studios want more blockbusters, book authors want to be on the New York Times Bestseller List, and tv channels want more people watching their shows.

Alive @ Sep 29th 2009 6:01PM

Since there is all the talk of the market in Japan dying out, anyone else think at least one of these IP's will be a FPS or a RTS?

Exar @ Sep 29th 2009 6:10PM

CHRONO BREAK PLOX!!!!

R (Planeteers | Power of Penile Pulse) @ Sep 29th 2009 6:11PM

Step 1: Make FFXV
Step 2: Change names of all items/characters/locations to ones not FF related
Step 3: Make chocobos purple
Step 4: ???? (Tell Squeenix fanbois that its the bestest thing ever?)
Step 5: Profit

Not like anyone would notice since JRGPs are by their nature very similar to each other.

Massmass @ Sep 29th 2009 6:18PM

It's cute and funny how Square mentions how they want to create NEW IPs and everyone starts chiming in with the sequels they want (I agree with most), but at the same time, a lot of people complain about too many fantasies and quests...

I think what square needs to do is experimental stuff. Develop the game first and if it's good, by all means tack on a franchise story and go nuts if need be.

There aren't enough developers taking risks any more. Trying new things or twisting around with old things. I feel a lot of this was done on the PS1 and PS2 and the results speak for themselves...