Square Enix Going Into The Hardware Biz? |
Ó
In the second half of his two-part interview with Nikkei Business Online, Yoichi Wada, the president of Square Enix and chairman of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA), hinted that Square Enix might be gearing up for an entry into the hardware biz.
In the interview, Wada said that in talks between Square Enix and Taito, the possibility of releasing actual physical hardware has come up. Taito, a company that produces physical hardware (along with arcade hits like Space Invaders and Bubble Bobble), was acquired by Square Enix in August 2005.
While Wada refrained from disclosing more information about the company's plans, his reference to the Nintendo DS and the iPod during the interview leads us to believe that if Square Enix were to make a move into the hardware market, the company would be aiming for a new handheld gaming device. Releasing a new console is far too risky and would lead to friction between Square Enix and established console manufacturers that hold exclusive rights to their big-name franchises.
This is an interesting development, though. If it pushes through, the ripples that will spread throughout the videogames industry will no doubt be pretty darn big.
Opinions? Thoughts? Leave a comment.
Contact Us:
The QJ.net Network |
 |
| Site | Feed |
| QJ.NET | RSS |
| Nintendo DS | RSS |
| PlayStation 3 | RSS |
| PSP Updates | RSS |
| Wii | RSS |
| Xbox 360 | RSS |
| MMORPG | RSS |
| Personal Computer Games | RSS |
| iPhone - iPod Touch | RSS |
| QJ.NET Forums | RSS |
Add QJ.NET
User Favorites - December
User Favorites - December
Categories
Archives
Accessories
Add-ons
Applications
Artwork
Batteries
Cheats
Deals
Emulators
Events
Featured Articles
Firmware
Flash Applications
Flash games
Game Demos
Games
Hacks & Exploits
Homebrew Applications
Homebrew Demos
Homebrew Development
Homebrew Emulators
Homebrew Games
Homebrew Themes
How-To
Humor
Imports
Interviews
Magazines
Mods
MY QJ
News
Off Topic
On Shelves This Week
Opinions & Analysis
Podcasts
Previews
PSP Go
PSP Minis
PSP Slim & Lite
QJ How-To Series
QuickJump QuickGuide
QuickJump QuickPeek
Reviews
Rumors
Scans
Screenshots
Site News
Titles
UMD Movies
Videos
Weekend Warrior
Wi-Fi
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
Comments
:Ponders: NO
HELL NO!
I would say its a risky move indeed. The way the DS has been selling, No way anyone would probably buy one. No time soon anyways. It will probably be shadowed by the DS...
What are you saying 'no' to - whether you have any thoughts and opinions?
i think it's a cool idea, a squeenix handheld!! but didn't taito make crap? don't they make crummy plastic toys or those lame versions of game and watch? i can see that being a disaster.
FIRST POST WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
i think it would sell alright, and i would buy one because it would be the #1handheld for good RPG's...... square=god.
they should make a console that is ONLY full of their old RPGs :) that would rule!
id prefer that they stick with games, they are probably one of the best game gevs (best in terms of rpgs, i mean come on they're god-like) however a system would not be good, due to lack of other games on it...and lack of good rpgs on the psp, which it needs....^_^
Considering they made PlayOnline, let's hope not...
I think that this idea would sell like hot-cakes in Japan, but in the North America (and probably Europe), DS and PSP would out-do them from name alone.
there is the consideration that hardware doesnt neccessarily mean "Consolse" Enix, or maybe square-enix at the time, released a dragon warrior monsters plug and play game with motion sensoring sword, does no one remember it?
Wasnt the Wonderswan co-developed with Square-enix? Look how well that did....
WOOOOOTTTTTT more stuff to buy@!!!!!!!1!1111 seriously I would like to see a system from square enix
I love Square Enix and WOW!! I mean it probably won't sell well, but if I can play ANY of my later final fantasy's on it, I would buy it just for that
I love square enix, but I think they should release a wider range of games (i.e: Not Final Fantasy or Dragon Warrior) before they attempt to take a bite out of the console/portable market.
I had a snes for squaresoft games, then got a n64(rumors of next final fantasy being for n64), then changed it for a PsOne(FF7,8,9), then a PS2(FFX,X-2,XI,XII), now got a PsP(FF7:Crisis Core, PsOne Emulator), and i'm waiting for Ps3(FFXIII,FF7Remake), I go were square-enix goes, if the launch a new platform I'll move again.
Bandia made the wonderswan and it actually did amazingly well for the first 2 years before bandai pulled support. It died out ala dreamcast style.
i square-enix to death but this might not be a good idea!!!! dealing with the ds and psp and even the ipod!!! but i'm looking forward to ff3,ff12,ff13 for the ps3!!!
Square-Enix and real hardwear!! Now that's something I'm intrested in ^^ For all you non-belivers it's okay they'll still make the games you want (which from what I'm reading is the only complaint you have) So yes please to a handheld or home console. However it is just what it is... a rumor
I do love Square Enix, thats why I don't think they should go though with a handheld... I mean, they don't have the experience, and we really want them concentrating on quality RPG games. Viva la Square Enix.
I know the idea of another handheld sucks, but if it doesn't cost too much, it could be pretty cool...They just need to put a ton of games on it. Bring on the FF ports...I dunno...Mixed feelings I guess...
Id buy anything with Square Enix name on it so bring it on!!
ff for the win
DONT DO IT SQUARE!! Look what happened last time they ventured out Spirts within... Dont make sony and nintendo your enemy, screw M$, idc
just make arcade games. Though...really gorgeous, crazy looking arcade games running on PS3 hardware? I dunno, just a guess.
I want my SquareStation :D Seriously that would be a breath of fresh air to see a new system come out thats not made by sony, msoft, or nintendo. I mean, Sony suprised everyone so why cant square? If they really make something, it would be nice to see a portable system thats still large enough to work as a small console so you can plug it in at home or take it on the go. Like something the size of a pmc (portable media center). I hope someone new enters the gaming market with something fresh.
Taito used to make Arcades, right? Unless I completely missed the point of this article, who wouldn't want to see a Square-Enix-based arcade game? It might be just what is needed to pump some quarters into the business. Besides, some Square ROMS- err, Arcades might be fun to download- err! Play! ... Yeah... play. But if they go into the console or portable business, I'd be pissed at them for taking money and resources from the games themselves.
just remake ff7 for psp and everybody will be happy
but they should stick with software only for now and dish out better versions of drakengard and such (ff and such r doin fine/gr8 in my eyes). i don't need to do anymore hardware buyin for software that i want, i would rather spend it on more software that i want (software = console/handheld games).
We've seen it before where a hardware company went under and just became a third party developer for major console developers (sega), but have we ever seen a [big name] software company prosper enough to come out into the console market?, well, in this case the handheld market? If that happens, it'll be a first for me!
It'll probably just be an arcade game, not a new console.
anyway they know nobody could beat nintendo on the handled maket, on enven sony had a real chance, I mean, they sell like 700k ds lite for 70k psp. And anyway I don't see how they could enter the market, now you need powerfull hardware or inovation to enter the market, nintendo is inovation and sony powerfull hardware, but I don't see how a game developper could develop something nintendo forgot... this is surely just an arcade ( taito made arcade right? )
anti-steve, Look at microsoft. a big software company that started making hardware (mice at first) next thing you know it's XBox. Pretty slick little*cough* machine. Why wouldn't sqare-enix? Now don't get me wrong. I don't think they should. but like a lot of you have already said, I think it'll likely be a move to get into arcade machines. Who knows though, I could be wrong, they could come out with something incredible, or they might flop, and hopefully the software devs keep them afloat. There's nothing like a desperation move to produce some kickass software.....
yo! ITS A SQUARE STATION!or a SQUAREBOX!
Do they like become a 1st party developer? If so then they will not support other consoles ryte? Ps3 without ff? Nightmare indeed....
A company who's success is fully on their RPG games... I don't see people going for hardware like that... it wouldn't be supported. Unless it was un-game related, like a crazy i-pod like music player/game player/video player... woops that already exists! Teh PSP yo lol.
is a ***** ...to put it frankly
they should re release some cool versions of Lunar... not to mention develop a 3rd one... good idea.
I would love a Lunar 3, but please, not another Dragon Song!!!
There aren't enough fanboys in the world to make square-enix a profit off a new system unless they make it as low grade as a gameboy. Just say'n.
Could be the start of something beautifull!
Hand held? thats not nearly going to be powerful enough for good FF games! what? don't tell me they are going to make prequel and sequel to every FF game out there for this "square enix handheld"... thats just forcing us FF fans to buy this not so useful handheld, plz cmon consider wisely!
is Square enix will go into hardware buiss they will never make it bye bye ffi-ffxi and all the other games
and in the end they´re probably just gonna come out with cloud strife-shaped ear buds
they've done pretty darn well to sya the least on the games thye have released, special mention to FF7 ^^. So why can't they at least have a go at a slice of that cake? They surely deserve a chance and would it not just increase the choice that we, as a consumer, have in buying gaming consoles or games themselves?
Yeah right. Square Enix making handheld? More like Square Enix making arcade games.
F1RST!!!!11!!1111oneone11!!1!!11!oneeleven!!11
I LOV SQUARE A HANDHELD WOULD BE GREAT BUT THEY SHOULDNT GET BIG HEADED,AND FORGET WHERE THEY CAME FROM!!! FF13,FF VERSUS13 ,WILL ROCK!!! PS3!!!!
Um. Why? Make Tamagochi of FFVII characters and watch them grow? How about instead of making new ideas for the worse, just concentrate on what you have; making good games. Everyone knows that SE delays its games on a daily freaking basis... Crisis Core? Where did that go? Oh, the developers left the project to work on the tamagochi. Yeah. Fools.
A very very risky move. Square-enix has to realize that their possibilities of making it as a good console is fairly low. Even though many hardcoe square-enix fans like myself, would like one, it probably wouldn't stand a chance agaist Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft who are all already highly experienced in the hardware industry.
Add New Comment