Ben-DutkaThese days, the biggest difference between Japanese and Western video games is the art style. In the past, there were distinct differences in standard gameplay and even quality but now, it's more about the embedded anime-ish flair with a certain character design that tends to make Japanese-developed titles stand out.
This is how we all see the Final Fantasy franchise, which has been quintessentially Japanese from the get-go. But in this big push by many Eastern developers to embrace gamers outside Japan who may not dig that atmosphere, we may start seeing Japanese designers purposely going another route. Heck, it has already begun to happen, obviously. But what if Square-Enix decided to lend out the FF license to a Western developer? …wouldn't the world implode, or something? According to what S-E boss Yoichi Wada told European website Play.tm , there's the possibility that we might see a Western-created Final Fantasy entry at some point. Said Wada:
"That is one of the possible paths, but it’s not something that we would shift completely over to. There is always a possibility that Final Fantasy could be produced with the input of our Western developers, overseen by our Japanese developers."
He goes on to mention Batman: Arkham Asylum as a potential template for producing titles that really appeal to the Western masses. He says it's a game "that is very like the Japanese taste in games" and also says it's "like the best aspects of Metal Gear Solid, but evolved." Okay, Batman was great but we're not going that far. Even so, we understand his zeal; Square-Enix has been trying to expand and diversify their core demographic for the past few years, which has resulted in games with a heavier "Western tinge" ( Nier comes to mind) and the opening of their LA studio. But a FF from a Western team?
Oh, I have plenty of faith in the talented devs out there but one of the reasons we all love FF is that distinctly Japanese flair. Or am I wrong…?
just….no.
I don't know what else to say. That's just all around a horrible idea.
Oh hell no.
Somebody grab Yoichi's Bow and shoot him…
Haha, I agree, if this happens then Final Fantasy as we know it is officially dead. Guess it was just a matter of time.
come to think of it.
i remember when i think it was GRIN that closed down last year, they released some concept art of a FF VII remake.
maybe thats what hes hinting at.
maybe since GRIN bit the bullet they gave the project to someone else to finish off.
No.
shut the hell up wada! unless the words that are coming out of your mouth is "Final Fantasy VII,VIII, or IX remake is coming out exclusive on ps3" or "Final Fantasy VS XIII will stay exclusive to ps3" then i dont want to hear anything from you.
fully agree, i said the exact same thing below.
oh boy Wada has become poison to SE they got rid of ff creator ever sense he left SE has gone down hill.
SE could pick something else to try and appeal to western gamers with besides rpg's. I want FF games without western influences. …..except for English language.
Last edited by tes37 on 1/5/2010 4:46:50 PM
No.
This has turned from poison to disease (Demon's Souls reference here)
Nasty…
haha, plague loses hp faster than poison. good analogy
Maybe the western people could give FF something NEW for a change. I like all the FF games I've played, but they recycle too many characters and plot lines for my tastes. Change it up a little!
I disagree…
How are FFVII-XII similar at all aside from being rpgs and having Ifrit/Shiva? (and Cid)?
Anyway, the day I see a "Western" Final Fantasy will be the day FF becomes a legend of the past and no longer great.
i say again, fire this stupid Wada. just shut up and leave SE.
Gamers will be much better off without him!
put it this way, he basically ruined the SE especially since the merge.
Guess I'm gonna be a fan of FF till western developers poop on it.
Ok, where's my Persona 4 and Rogue Galaxy……
Alright, FF:FPS, this is gonna suck ._.
Wada load of crap coming out of Wada!
now thats a disaster waiting to happen!
western cultures and eastern are completley different.
there idea of a perfect game is completley different to ours, mix them up, switching teams is just going to screw the whole system up.
FF is a Japanese game, it needs to be made by Japanese people because it has that essence its what suits the game.
i want Japanese cooking my Japanese food, i want Italians cooking my Italian food, i want Chinese cooking my Chinese food.
i do not want a Chinese cooking my Italian food and vise verse.
FF has a Japanese esc feeling to it such that it feels fantasy.
some of the things they have in there are so over the top and typical to a Japanese game.
i think the perfect example of a Japanese esc game and one thats not would be bayonetta and DMC.
devil may cry does not feel, seem like its made by a Japanese developer, but bayonetta is a dead giveaway.
both should just stick to what there use to.
As long as it comes out to the PS3, I am excited to see what they would do with it, as long as the Japanese team has complete control and approval over what the Western team does. Combining the 2 genres, eastern and western games, is inevitable. It is the best of both worlds, assuming it is not the worst of both. Either way, we will see if it is a success, or a failure.
Still, as long as it comes out on the PS3, I don't see how it could be that bad. Plenty of excellent "western" games have come out lately, even better than the Japanese ones (like Uncharted 2), and Japan is still keeping it competitive and trying to take advantage of the situation, which may be best for all. We will see.