You own Square-Enix: What's the next step for Final Fantasy?

[jhlip]

I would put it to bed... and then smother it to death...

Take it out back and put a bullet in the back of its head since its already pretty much been worked to death.

shut down the Final fantasy franchise.

I'd just burn down the company building. Honestly...don't even want the money that selling it off would bring.

Kill it with FIRE!

I'd get my shotgun and take it out behind the woodshed..

Why? If you don?t like it fine just don?t buy it. Why insist that a popular series should end just because you don?t like it anymore?

Why do you need to call out my opinion just because it is different from yours? I believe it would truly be best to let the franchise end. Besides, this is a fictional scenario, and neither of our opinions will affect the franchise beyond our own personal opinion so why don't you calm down?

 

[mxfox408]

Create a final fantasy using a western aproach, mainly getting rid of all the emo male charactors and i guess make the battle system wow based. And also remake FF VII FFVIII, CHRONO TRIGGER/CROSS

 

[Lokithrsourcerer]

BRING BACK THE MATERIA SYSTEM!!!!!!!!

that was the best lvling system I have ever played in a JRPG

 

[Manji187]

There is no future for Final Fantasy, because Squeenix as we know it is broken. Broken beyond repair.

You sound so certain...as if you already know what the future looks like...but when can a thing be said to be "broken beyond repair"?

To start fixing the problem Squeenix first has to realize it has a problem. Do you think them blind? In denial perhaps?

 

[Juventus]

Because the original versions are in some cases hard to find collectables and in most cases look like crap not to mentions bugs/issues. Most people who want remakes are mostly talking about graphics, and I see nothing wrong with wanting your favorite game to look prettier.

they are not hard to find at all. final fantasy 1 through 4 have been ported/reamde on multiple consoles. and the rest are available for psp and ps3 through pplay station network. not hard to find at all.

seems to me that it's just nostalgia talking.

 

[McMarbles]

Go back to basics... and subvert the hell out of everything. Oh, and make the central character a woman who is NOT involved in any kind of romantic subplot.

Also, build up the world's lore so that everywhere you go, something cool and interesting is happening. And de-emphasize combat, and increase emphasis on role-playing. Make it so your choices open up new places and close others. 'Cause that's what New Game + is for.

 

[Xenmut]

Well, Squaresoft *did* try to make a movie before. It was called FF: Spirits Within, and it bombed so hard that Squaresoft had to merge with Enix to become Square-Enix. I personally enjoyed it but...

IMO, FF stories are deeper than can simply be made into a 3 hour movie. I suppose it can be done with 3, 3-hour installments ala LotR, but even that has its critics that so much was left out of the movies which was present in the books, despite the fact that the movies were the epitome of EPIC.

Not to mention that movies probably cost far more than games to create.

However, if I was head of Square-Enix, IMO I'd just reform the gameplay to the fact that there is less "you encountered a monster. Kill it. Pick up lewtz. Repeat.", and even *MOAR* focus on the story. Yes, combat systems are a part of gameplay, but the whole "let's make a freaking RITUAL out of bashing a monster" has honestly irritated me. I see random encounters as a necessary evil to provide some modicum of "gameplay", despite the fact that, oh, visual novels are pretty damn popular in Japan, and the only gameplay they have is decision making in order to move the story (EG "Do I kiss the heroine? Yes/No). IMO, if VNs can get away with *that little* interaction and have just ONE route provide a fantastic anime (Fate route = Fate/Stay Night, Ein route=Requiem for the Phantom...aside from the REALLY STUPID last one minute), then why the heck do RPGs have to have all of the monster bashing to begin with? Because U.S. gamers are attention-deficient numbskulls that always want to stab/shoot/kill something?

That kind of crap is the reason that games aren't seen in the same light as books and movies.

IMO, if I was head of Square-Enix, I'd cut out all of the combat except for the *absolutely necessary*, and by absolutely necessary, I mean that if it doesn't advance the freaking plot, or provide exposition, then cut it out. Yeah, okay, you might run into the occasional monster, but not being able to take 3 steps out of towns without something trying to kill you = "Can I please get past these randomly colored weird-looking oversized dogs and continue on with the story already?"

IMO FFs are fantastic at telling a story, and all of the combat just takes so much away from them. I'd do away with as much of the filler combat crap as possible, and tell the "MUST KILL SMASH STAB EVERYTHING IN SIGHT" gamers to go and find an FPS.

i see your point and yes random encounters are irritating, but more because like u sayd, its a ritual, something that normaly a person would think press "x" and erase the S***ofa**** from the earth with your sword , with these rpgs it takes like 5 minutes to do. Yes something i'd do is make it quicker and effective, even with the chance of just avoind or runn away like in a FPS. But if you just leave the necessary battels + 5 per stage i'd think more of it like a movie, games arent movies. think on the player, give him choises even if they dont make a huge change on the plot.

Games arent in the same light as books and movies, because ppl still sees em like toys (yup totally quoted from extra creditz) maybe in this comming generation, the point of view will change =)

 

[Atmos Duality]

There is no future for Final Fantasy, because Squeenix as we know it is broken. Broken beyond repair.

You sound so certain...as if you already know what the future looks like...but when can a thing be said to be "broken beyond repair"?

To start fixing the problem Squeenix first has to realize it has a problem. Do you think them blind? In denial perhaps?

I'm not entirely sure what goes on at their management level, but apart from Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts, they've systematically carted all of their previous franchises to their graves.

Spoiler: Squeenix's Track Record

FF12 starts out looking promising, but the lead story writer quits half-way through production; leaving an otherwise solid game devoid of character and plot.

Every title in the FF7 compilation/compendium (including Advent Children) is a filthy, pandering mess, with the possible exception of Crisis Core (whose gameplay was horribly bland and repetitive anyway).

The Mana series hit a creative peak with the relatively unknown Legend of Mana in 2000, then the series was struck again and again with lazy, half-hearted gameboy titles until any anticipation for the series evaporated entirely. What used to be a testing ground for their hybrid action-rpg is nothing more than a graveyard.

FF13 launches and promptly falls on its face, with gameplay shockingly reminiscent of another failed jrpg (Xenosaga Episode 2, which was so bad that it nearly killed the series entirely).

Front Mission Evolved is announced, rushed, and forced out the corporate anus to critical and public shame (hell, Unskippable is doing a bit on it now; it's that bad).

FF14's beta launch was so poorly-received (and with good reason) that Squeenix has come out to publicly apologize for it. Twice.

It's really hard to remain patient with a company that has so consistently gone from Great to Bad to Worse over the better part of a decade. In fact, I'd dare call it insanity to even try at this point; at least if you're one of us who remembers Squaresoft's work fondly.

If Squeenix is to be "redeemed", they have to figure out what they want to do, and do it well because these half-assed, overbudgeted titles aren't cutting it for them. If I were in command, the first thing I'd do would be to stop this exploit-cheaply-made-sequels-for-a-quick-buck bullshit.

I've little doubt at this point last year that their management was in denial, but after posting an 80% loss in their profits (still in the black) from the previous year, I think some of them are waking up.

It can't even be blamed entirely on market shrinkage; Atlus's JRPGs are still well-made and showcase potent stories/characters (albeit, the gameplay is becoming a little too formulaic).

 

[Solo-Wing]

Kingdom Hearts 3
Tactics 2
And remakes for 7/8/9
As well as a new Dragon Quest game as a side project.

Oh and make sure any new Final Fantasy games have the classic Battle system. No more of this roaming, monsters can be seen before battle crap. MAKE IT RANDOM AGAIN!

As well as bring back the classic terms. Ability to cast spells like Ultima, Holy and summon Bahamut, Odin, and other classic summons.

 

[RaikuFA]

Remake FFV and FFVI on 3DS.

Then hire Yasumi Matsuno to direct the Final Fantasy Tactics sequel.

Then pump more budget into Dragon Quest.

Then get a good FF MMO going.

i just said that. look at the post above you

That just means you're awesome.

square says they will but only if the 3ds sells well and nintendo said its their fastest selling handheld yet so it is inevitable

 

[RogerKevin]

Remakes of V, VI, VII and CT. **** it. Me being in charge of SE isn't going to magically make their writers get their **** in order. This way I'll stay rich and I do actually want to see these games done in a good graphics.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I'd like to say stop, but that wont be happening as long as it makes MONEY! (because theres no other way of saying the kinda money that FF makes).

So maybe just mix it up completely. Steal from Atlus.

EDIT:

Snip

The World Ends With You wasnt that bad of a game was it?

 

[Ignatz_Zwakh]

Turn over all the story-writing and concept design to Yasumi Matsuno. FF needs more sweeping historical plots and darker settings!

 

[P3LICANT]

Go back to making movies about their games, continue of where 'advent children' left off or continue with the 'Spirits Within' story line, perhaps?

 

[David Demers]

Make a FINAL fantasy.

 

[McMarbles]

I would put it to bed... and then smother it to death...

Take it out back and put a bullet in the back of its head since its already pretty much been worked to death.

shut down the Final fantasy franchise.

I'd just burn down the company building. Honestly...don't even want the money that selling it off would bring.

Kill it with FIRE!

I'd get my shotgun and take it out behind the woodshed..

Why? If you don?t like it fine just don?t buy it. Why insist that a popular series should end just because you don?t like it anymore?

Why do you need to call out my opinion just because it is different from yours? I believe it would truly be best to let the franchise end. Besides, this is a fictional scenario, and neither of our opinions will affect the franchise beyond our own personal opinion so why don't you calm down?

Becau "herp derp kill it cuz it sux" adds nothing constructive to the conversation.

Captcha: Techedu 2000 would be a great title for an anime.

 

[remnant_phoenix]

I usually just lurk around, but I registered to comment on this.

Here's where I'm coming from:
-I've been a long time fan of Final Fantasy.
-I've played all the (non-MMO) main series games from start to finish and while I definitely have favorites, they all have their redeeming qualities in my book.
-I HATED Final Fantasy XIII.

If I was given the reins of Square-Enix, I would re-coup the 2010 profit deficit by selling the Final Fantasy brand to Mistwalker, the company that was founded by Hironobu Sakaguchi (the godfather of Final Fantasy) and employs several of the original Final Fantasy staff that originally made the series good.

I'm serious.

The series just kind of lost its magic after FFX. FFX was the last main series (non-MMO) game that Sakaguchi worked on. In my book, FFXII was good, but it didn't have the same "heart," for lack of a better word, as the previous games. FFXIII was just bad. If you like it, fine, but I have a stack of objective arguments for why the game was just...not good.

On the other hand, Mistwalker's Lost Odyssey felt more like a true Final Fantasy game than anything Square-Enix has made since 2001. I've only played the first few hours of Blue Dragon and I still it enjoyed it more than the whole of Final Fantasy XII.

All of this is beyond coincidence.

As owner of Square-Enix, I would sell Final Fantasy to Mistwalker for lump sum up front and a small royalty off of all Final Fantasy sales.

Or, I would hire Mistwalker to make each Final Fantasy game (at least the main series titles).

Either way, the series would be in the hands of those who created it and know what to do with it, Square-Enix could make their money, and the fans would get games that they like. Everybody wins.

 

[Feylynn]

I think I'd try going back to 2D+traverse-able random, encounter filled world map.
For the longest time I didn't realize that 7,8, and 9 were largely not 3D.
If it would make Dev time remotely more efficient I think it would be worth a shot, artists would be free to give real character to every map, especially with today's resolutions.
Odin Sphere and BlazBlue would be definite inspirations for artistic direction.

Battle system is a tough one, I'm not educated enough to say what would work or not. I like the idea of going back to ATB. Perhaps try part of FF13, where ATB was split into more then one segment requiring you to charge more than one turn for stronger moves. You'd definitely control the whole party though and it would be geared for strategy, a lot of elemental play, status moves used appropriately would be important. Overall a big step AWAY from action rpg.
I think I'd try something Legend of Dragoon-ish with the Additions for auto attacks.
Summons would only replace the summoner allowing you to integrate them into your core team without breaking flow into this big gimmick cinematic. They'd each have health and take damage for the summoner, but if they die the summoner would suffer a backlash taking a portion of the damage themselves. This would make it advantageous to dismiss them when they were in danger.
They'd have their own level able move sets that you play like a normal character, not ff8 at all.

Minigames and interesting side quests. Nuff said.

After that I think it's up to unique Ideas and interesting story.

I think for this game I'd stick with traditional JRPG, no customization, maybe some decisions and what not that matter in the course of the game, multiple endings, then again maybe not. But for this purpose I don't think the style would support freedom in defining the character.
Future games I'd definitely want to test the team with something closer to Dragon Age though.