Yep, it's another blog. I'm on a roll. This one is about Square Enix and how they've just lost touch.
Leave it to Square Enix to take the wind out of everyone's sails by vaguely commenting that Final Fantasy VII's Remake could very well be episodic and that each episode will play differently than the last. No one wants FFVII-1 FFVII-2 and so on and so on. When fans asked for a remake after the PS3 Tech Demo, we had something very clear and simple in mind. Take Final Fantasy VII from the PS1, and simply update the visuals to the Present Day. A very simply stated request no?
Now say what you want about ATB vs. Action-RPG, I myself was adamant that turn-based was necessary but have since reversed my position slightly after seeing the gameplay trailer from PSX. Yes, there's still the questions of how it will work on the overworld (if there will be an overworld), and the depth of the Materia system, and how limit breaks work, but for now I'm pleased with the combat. The point though is that that really was the only contention among fans and some are adamant that they will not be buying FFVIIR now because of the switch. That's all well and good but the problem is SE's latest comment.
FFVII is apparently too big to release as one game. This is troubling for many reasons. First we'll focus on the game itself, then my worries about FFXV.
For starters, FFVII was too big during the days of the PS1, that's why it came on 3 discs but you paid for it as one game. Before all of you start with your "game development costs are higher now so they can't do that again" argument, I present to you this....
http://vgsales.wikia.com/wi...
That is a list of the most expensive games ever made, and it just so happens to include Final Fantasy VII. The cost of making the game back in '97 was 45 million dollars. After inflation, that would be approx. 68 million dollars today, which is essentially right around the average for AAA games today. To suggest that it would cost more today to make FFVII really doesn't follow the math. It would cost the same today as it did then precisely because SE have had the habit of making use of the very latest tech they could for their big releases.
So SE's reasoning that FFVII is too big to release as one game isn't backed up by history or numbers.
Next we'll discuss the potential for price gouging. The cynics among us have presented a very plausible case that SE will charge full retail price for each episode, meaning at least $180 if we were to follow the 3 disc model of the original release. That is ridiculous, and in no way worth the price. Assuming that the game ISN'T following the 3 disc model, the price could end up being higher, or if the game is being released in the same way as FFXIII 1 thru 3, then we'll be getting completely different games which may justify the price. Given SE's track record, I'm siding with the cynics for now because I also believe SE will release ridiculous graphic novels and "true ending" DLC a la FFXIII-2.
Now that that's out of the way, why does this make me worried for FFXV? Because SE have boasted about its size forever. If FFXV truly is as big as SE have claimed, why can it be released as a whole game yet FFVII can't? Either SE are exaggerating about the size of FFXV, or owing to the many changes it's undergone since Nomura left, SE have stripped out so much of the game in other areas that that's the only way they could make it fit as one game. Likely FFXV will have a lot of DLC, probably other "parts", graphic novels, etc...
What really baffles me is when you consider that MUCH smaller devs (comparatively) can make MASSIVE, content filled games without splitting them up into "parts", why can't SE do the same? CD Projekt Red are based out of Poland. Do you think Poland is a particularly rich nation? Do you think CDPR are a big developer? The answer to both is no, and yet look at the scope of The Witcher 3. Then there's Bethesda. Skyrim is huge, and has so much to physically interact with ingame that it must have been an immense undertaking (which explains the lengthy development time) and even though it released with a lot of bugs, it still released as a whole, one part game.
I'll admit that there are still a lot of questions about this, but SE have developed a very bad habit of being more vague than any other studio out there, and enjoying trolling us all to boot. After FFXIII, SE don't exactly have the clout to be able to afford upsetting the FF fanbase any more than they already have, and I can't imagine that the Japanese fanbase is any happier with this potentially episodic release of FFVIIR than we are. No matter what you may feel about it, the one objective truth in all this is that no one knows what SE are smoking these days.
The combat put me over the fence, the "multi-part series" put me right back on it again.
Nagoshi Studio’s YouTube channel with the Gang of Dragon trailers appears to have been removed following reports that NetEase will stop funding.
Dear team,
Xbox has always been different.
We started with a simple idea. Games should bring people together through shared experiences. That led to the first Xbox in 2001, Xbox Live in 2002, and new ways to connect, from friends lists and achievements to parties and play across devices. Today, Xbox reaches over 500 million players around the world, with some of the most important franchises in entertainment.
re-evaluating exclusivity 💀
PS players will need to go back to pretending to dislike Xbox games
Or meaning since it’s doing so good they might just do everything day 1.
They didnt say re-evaluating their multiplatform approach.
🤣🤣🤣 Xbox is so dead. I know you scared🤣🫵ӿ 97;
Even when the topic is strictly Xbox he can't stop talking about PlayStation. Xbox has basically become the hate of PlayStation... and not much else.
Hurt over video games 🤣🤣
Lmao we all grew and got jobs but apparently you stayed home broke 🤣🤣.
Man I love loyal dogs like you. MS kicked Spit and slapped you around but you still come back on all 4s.
Good little boy 🤣🤣
My only question is what games are PlayStation gamers gonna play now? They don’t really come out with new games anymore. I’m looking forward to wolverine, but after that then what?
Lmao
There’s no way after everything it’s going back, the damage is done
What you are seeing now is the new management telling what the core fanbase (aka…you) want to hear so they are pumped full of hope and are more likely to invest in the next Xbox console
When Phil took over after the awful Xbox One reveal he did the same thing, he told people what they wanted to hear for damage control.
It’s crazy people are getting suckered into this again.
FWIW..... wasn't the new management speaking to the other staff.... not so much us (regular folk)?
And you'll now go back to again thinking exclusives suddenly matter, that multiplatform is no longer the future, or that revenue from multiplatforms doesn't matter, like all you flop flopping xbox grifters lol.
The whole post just sounds like the previous phil corpo slop talk to me, whole thing reads like a nothing burger lol.
“re-evaluating exclusivity”
She also said this.
“The model that got us here won’t be the one that takes us forward.”
I don't know if they have a model anymore it's flipped so many times since the xbox one reveal
There's a bunch just like him but that's what happens when some rely on dreams, hope and wishful thinking. lol
"pretending"? Bro gears hasnt broke 1mil on ps5, and starfield hasn't passed 200k, Hellblade 2 was even stated to be a financial disappointment in sales on its own console, let alone ps5. Im not saying people don't like them, but they certainly aren't setting the community on fire, Forza may be different tho
Xbawx is ''re-evaluating exclusivity''... Translation: After throwing all sort of crap to the wall to see if something sticks but clearly nothing worked, we, including our lord ''in charge'' Phil came to the conclusion that exclusives indeed do matter so please forget if we ever said otherwise.
Yup, I feel it in my gut, next gen belongs to xbox, PS6 is cooked...
Someone can’t sleep after those 5 million forza games PURCHASED by PlayStation owners🤣 🧌 💥
Well with the decreased price of gamespass even with cod off it there is no way it is profitable given the cost of making their 1st party games (not if you actually include that cost in gamespass costs which they typically dont but should) they will just make a loss without the sales on
If they go back to exclusive games it at least shows that they are finally getting it. They would be turning down immediate money for something that will potentially workout in the long term.
Only issue is they've already opened Pandora's box. A lot of their base has moved to PC or jumped to PS. So will be a long road to get back on track.
We have been saying this from day one exclusives are a must if you are going to be selling hardware look at Nintendo and Sony before Jim Ryan. That's the proven formula. You had some that were deluded and blinded by loyalty accepting that multiplat was the future and that MS was merely getting ahead of where the industry was headed, but at least they can finally see the light and agree with what everyone has been saying for a decade+
True, blame it on the rabid fanboys. MS can do no wrong and spinner this multiplatform move. While the actual fans moved on.
I feel like with the new Xbox coming they are hoping to bring back those old fans and then if it goes well. Bring back exclusives.
If the new console is performing like series x and one. Naw they staying multiplatform.
Actual fans dont move on... they can add to their hobby while waiting for the next new release. If you believe what you typed then I guess PS fans moved on too.... you know, since its been a Sahara for 1st party games this gen.
Funny world where Sony is pro consumer and Xbox is not? At least according to what you loyalists have been saying all this time 🤭
@itveds For how many years have you been doing this sad stuff? For how many years have you been creating fake accounts to troll? For how many years have you always been cl vnn
Pathetic incels with nothing better to do than argue over a box... Because they don't have any good games to play on theirs, obviously. If your precious box is so special, why don't you shut the fuck up and go play it?
I think it's too late, xbox sales were diving even before ABK, they got even worse since then even long before the full multiplatform push. I'd be surprised if they even went back to timed exclusivity at this point, Helix is basically a PC and is going to be expensive, they already struggle to sell cheaper xbox consoles, it will be low volume and they'll have a very small 'console' base to sell to, which has already been conditioned to just play via gamepass anyway.
I don't see them removing PC from the equation. Considering MS has a heavy enough investment in the PC market, it would be foolish to abandon them. I could see them taking away games from PlayStation or ensuring they are timed exclusives at the very least. Say what you will but if Call of Duty ends up becoming a timed exclusive to Xbox machines, that would hurt PlayStation, don't pretend like those games don't sell millions.
They would lose out on a lot of CoD sales tho. Doesn't PS make up most of the sales?
Their lifeline of solely the Xbox consoles is dry. Good-Great games on a 1st party scale can't be made at a loss so willingly - sent to the Xbox to only sell limited copies.
They invested billions scooping up studios and need to start making returns.
Sucks that nearly every company is publicly traded and have to be so shareholder biased but that's how it is.
Their words are strong but it'll take time to see what their actions accomplish. Lowering the cost of Game Pass and taking CoD off of it was a good clear start.
More like, allot of their base just played game pass. So now they need to encourage them to start buying again.
Despite all of that, it's clear that Microsoft's Xbox division is broken beyond repair.
PlayStation is currently draining money on flop after flop. It's Sony that needs to re-evaluate their strategy
Wonder how much money was lost on perfect dark, hellbalde 2, 300 million lost revenue
by putting cod on gamepass. The recent Jason schrier news that Xbox has cancelled dozens of projects, spent 70 billion just to see Xbox sales further collapse and gamepass see little growth.
The fact is this has been PlayStation's most profitable generation and they are making loads of money and selling plenty of consoles and games. While MS won't give you any sales figures or profit numbers for Xbox, says it all really.
It isnt. But I dont think they mean in 'games', rather, footprint.
They own the OS but as far as gaming is concerned, Steam dominate. I imagine the VAST majority of people who use the Xbox app/launcher are PC gamepass subs. No ones buying their 3rd party PC games through Xbox PC.
Insider Gaming writes: "Marathon was one of the best-selling video games in March 2026 in the United States. On Wednesday, Circna released the best-selling games of the month, and it featured six new releases along with two games returning to the top 20 after previously falling out."
Is it April fools day again?
The game is dead.
EDIT: the numbers are fudged. “digital sales on Nintendo and Xbox weren’t included in the data”
well it's not on Switch / Switch 2.. so their number would be zero.
The game had a decent launch however the userbase numbers are dwindling on Steam.
“ Is it April fools day again?
The game is dead.
EDIT: the numbers are fudged. “digital sales on Nintendo and Xbox weren’t included in the data”
Does it hurt you to hear a SONY game was BEST selling ?
You gotta let go of those OBCURED feelings 🤷🏿
I mean the only reason MLB was the best selling title was because it was multi-platform. Likewise with Marathon. Will ring true for MS games. Only Nintendo titles are truly flexing their muscles when they chart as they are only to be found there.
It's kinda funny how this Obscure guy lives rent-free in your head. lol
Does Phil also live there?
It's kinda funny how this Obscure guy lives rent-free in your head. lol
Does Phil also live there?
I’m sorry did you wrote something smart ?
Or are you trying to to be funny because you failed at both
Now kid run to mommy legs the grown ups are talking.
Don’t bother writing anything I will not respond to a bratty child like you
Yeah sure, yet the player count is no where near what they want for a AAA game with so much money behind it
Why people are trying to spin this game like it’s done overly amazing is baffling to me.
It won’t even be a blip on peoples radars by the end of the year .
You must me typically wrong cuz those Steam chart numbers (AKA where the game sold the MOST) is less than what Hunt has, and Hunt didn't cost $500 million to make lol
SONY must stop promoting Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Everyone must tell SONY that.
That'll teach SQUARE ENIX not to make episodic/multi-part games.
You realize that when talking about FF7 costing as much to make plus inflation you're talking about the PS1 version exactly as it was made back then - plus inflation - right?
I mean, you're not wrong in that what Square is doing with the remake is many levels above that, but are you really accounting for the cost in work hours involved as well as the finical aspect? Would think that by today standards PS1 era FF7 could be knocked out in six months whereas Square has likely been knocking around the remake since announcing Versus-15. That more than likely its using an early build of 15 for foundation.
As for 15 itself, I expect its going to be what its always been after renaming from Versus 13: make-up for FF13's corridors. Big expansive spaces you wander about in while setting off the occasional set pieces with huge - overly so - bosses. A pseudo MMO that more about fan service than anything else.
I was hoping that Squares reference to episodes was referring to the larger FF7 family - dirge of cerebrus, advent children etc.
In regards to the cost comparison then its not reasonable to do a then for now comparison and adjust for inflation. Clearly there are massive amounts of design, artwork, textures etc that were outside the scope of the original but are required by todays standards.
Troll parade...