Wada Has High Hopes for PS3*must read*

[Loudninja]

Yoichi Wada is one of the most outspoken industry figures in Japan, often sharing his thoughts as one of his two identities: chairman of the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association or president of Square Enix. In a recent interview with Japan's Nikkei BP, Wada assumed the latter form as he discussed Dragon Quest and the future of the PS3.

With Dragon Quest IX coming out for the DS, Wada fielded a question about this meaning a shift in Square Enix's development strategy towards the platform. This isn't necessarily the case. "Following portable machines, we see the market for the PlayStation 3 and other next generation consoles taking off, so we will develop for that."

In fact, nothing has apparently been decided for the next Dragon Quest. "Aside from the Dragon Quest titles that have been announced, nothing has been decided. We're not thinking about fixing [the series] on the DS."

The Square Enix president seems to have a lot of faith in the PS3. "We have expectations from the PS3. However, it's still early. For us to do business [on the platform], it will take a bit more time."

Wada expects a shift to the PS3 to begin first with a more pronounced shift to high definition television sets. "Once the television environment is in place, at last the true game business will form. I see the PS3 market taking off starting around 2008."

"Some journalists don't understand that there's a difference in the amount of time hardware takes to spread and have taken the tone of 'the world of high vision, high quality gaming has come to an end.' However, once you see the world of high vision, there's no going back."

Closing up, Wada offered his vision for how gamers will split across all the various systems out there. "I believe casual gamers will go to the Wii, DS, or even PSP while those who want to have a fuller experience will go to the PS3 and Xbox 360."

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/763/763512p1.html

Some good news here!

[PS3 rocks]

I really hope a Dragon Quest game makes it to the PS3 within 2 years, i really loved Dragon quest 8.

[Loudninja]

So that debunked the other rumored about Dragon Quest series going to the DS only

[rpgmaster1]

Aren't there two soon-to-be DQ games already for Nintendo?

[.ElemenT.]

Whoa. Another great read.
I hope he'll start developing some cool things for the PS3... like
Kingdom Hearts 3 or somethin'

[TidusX]

You beat me to the article. I enjoyed that read, I think we are finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel from all this anti-PS3 stuff.

[Loudninja]

You beat me to the article. I enjoyed that read, I think we are finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel from all this anti-PS3 stuff.

Yeah I agree, its been another great week

[The_One]

d00fus quest? People actually play that game :suspect:?

*Flameshields, MAXIMAL* <- Yeah, I know, I look like a real d00fus doing that. Oh well.

[butterz04]

d00fus quest? People actually play that game :suspect:?

*Flameshields, MAXIMAL* <- Yeah, I know, I look like a real d00fus doing that. Oh well.

Dragon Quest is pretty fun and it's more popular in Japan than Final Fantasy. Don't hate, man. ;)

[The_One]

Dragon Quest is pretty fun and it's more popular in Japan than Final Fantasy. Don't hate, man. ;) I don't hate Dragon Quest, at all. As a matter of a fact, Dragon Quest on the SNES was, I believe, the first RPG I ever played (And boy, did I love it :D)!

I simply don't like the way the newer iterations are being presented--that's all ;).

[butterz04]

I don't hate Dragon Quest, at all. As a matter of a fact, Dragon Quest on the SNES was, I believe, the first RPG I ever played (And boy, did I love it :D)!

I simply don't like the way the newer iterations are being presented--that's all ;).

OK, I see. ALthough, I think DQVIII was pretty good, I have no intention of getting DQIX.

As far as the article goes, It's great to hear Square-Enix is always supporting the PS3. The 360 didn't really get going until Gears came out which was almost a full year later. So by the start of 2008, the PS3 should be on a roll. :D

[NextGenHorn]

Check my new signature and you find out how much I enjoyed this interview.
There are people with brains and there are the others!

[Captainnippon]

Do you honestly think Square would ever turn their back on Sony? Remember the $150 millions Final Fantasy movie square made back in 2001? Sony SAVE square by buying 20% of the company shares and take cares most of the expensive for Square.

After the merger of Square and Enix, Sony still owns 10% of Square Enix.

Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest will never be on MS 360 or the Wii...

[Loudninja]

Man, so many things debunked this week lol

[SolidSnakeUS]

I personally believe Square Enix over some other companies, considering they have never lied to the public and they have always delivered on their games. One of the better articles I have read in a while, and it is from a company I think more people can trust than others.

[Legend Killer]

I really hope a Dragon Quest game makes it to the PS3 within 2 years, i really loved Dragon quest 8.

I would like them to make one for the PSP it seems more fitting for the game rather than the PS3 imo.

[Morganator]

Now this is what I like reading about. Good news.

[coolguy]

Square Enix would never turn its back on the PS3.
they will still make games for it.....................
this is a good read thats for sure....................

[rugbynuus]

it is nice to see good news more and more now

[BluBoi22]

Aren't there two soon-to-be DQ games already for Nintendo

Yeah, there is DQIX coming for the DS and DQ Sword for the Wii, both coming in 2007.


Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest will never be on MS 360 or the Wii...

See above. Sony may have helped out Square but that doesn't mean every game they make will be on a PS platform. The 2 DQ games following DQXIII for PS2 will be on Nintendo systems. FFIII is already out for the DS and FF Crystal Chronicles is coming out for the Wii and DS only.

The PS3 is still getting the FFXIII games and most likely the next DQ game after they finish making the games for Nintendo, but Square is not 100% loyal to Sony. Sony owning 10% of the company may help them keep FFXIII to the PS3, but doesn't really give them much say in everything that Square does.

[soul-sama]

Good to have this man's support. He seems to be a very powerful figure.

[Fedos]

The PS3 is still getting the FFXIII games and most likely the next DQ game after they finish making the games for Nintendo, but Square is not 100% loyal to Sony. Sony owning 10% of the company may help them keep FFXIII to the PS3, but doesn't really give them much say in everything that Square does.

This is true and is evidenced in the fact that top company brass said that they didn't want to overwhelmingly support the PS3 like they have other Playstation platforms. Also, the guy who oversees Final Fantasy XI recently revealed that he is working on an MMORPG for the 360 and Vista, though he did say that a PS3 version was a possibility. All that being said, it's good to hear that the company does indeed have high hopes for the console, as the only other legitimate alternative to the PS3 for Squeenix would be the Wii, because of it's popularity in Japan, and Square Enix making the Wii it's primary console would be just a horrible, horrible thing to see happen for an rpg head like myself.

[Svetlana]

White Knight Story will be great but a sequel to Dragon Quest VIII is what I want to play on my PS3.

[Chemo]

that was a great DQ will still see the light on the PS3.

[hisame]

I was going to post this interview but I only found the Japaness version.
Anyway in the complete interview he mentioned why DQ go on DS.
The main reason is for a Long time series like DQ you need to start off from the young generation.
Like PoketMon DQ is going low in age group, so they can cought out at low age and last as a life time customer.
I have my doubts on his logic.

As for PS3 he metioned how you need HDTV around 40"~50" and minimum 5.1 sound to feel next gen with PS3.
Which means PS3 will take off end of 2007 when HDTV price hit bottom.
I agreed with this not only because people can get a next gen home theater ready for PS3.
But really PS series has always taken at least 1~2 years to strat up.
Compare past launch (in Japan), it always took nearly good 2 years for a killer tile come out on PS series.
I don't think it's going to change.

[Uncool]

This is true and is evidenced in the fact that top company brass said that they didn't want to overwhelmingly support the PS3 like they have other Playstation platforms. Also, the guy who oversees Final Fantasy XI recently revealed that he is working on an MMORPG for the 360 and Vista, though he did say that a PS3 version was a possibility. All that being said, it's good to hear that the company does indeed have high hopes for the console, as the only other legitimate alternative to the PS3 for Squeenix would be the Wii, because of it's popularity in Japan, and Square Enix making the Wii it's primary console would be just a horrible, horrible thing to see happen for an rpg head like myself.Yeah and regardless whether or not SE is a 100% on the PS3, it still has a massive fanbase their that Se wouldn't opt and leave. And with that said, many new FF titles will be released soon over the course of a couple years when a stable amount of penetration to the home console can SE begin to release more titles for the PS3.

[MiThRaZoR]

This is exactly what I've been thinking. It takes time for the PS3 to grow like the PlayStation series has grown in the past.

But the time is killing me.

[cg5686]

In Japan, where DQ goes, lots and lots of sales follow. Now it's up to you to use your algebra skills to put 1 and 1 together and figure out why that's important to PS3 in relation to the article.

With the cinematic flair that SE has developed in its RPG's over the years, you figure it would be tough for them to let their graphical prowess go stagnate for the Wii. However, like he says in the interview, the Wii and DS aren't without their markets and great artistic design can counter the number of poly's pushed rather easily. Keep in mind though that the people who have grown up playing Final Fantasy are now much older and presumably have jobs that let them afford a 500-600 dollar console. And an HDTV... and 7.1 stereo surround sound ...

Good interview though - Wada has a good business head on his shoulders. Don't put all your eggs in one basket and all that jazz. Or was it don't put all your crack underneath one hollowed out floorboard? I forget.

[Bitbydeath]

"We have expectations from the PS3. However, it's still early. For us to do business [on the platform], it will take a bit more time."

So does this mean FFXIII is like the GT:HD of Final Fantasy? Interesting...

[mousepad]

Great news for the PS3... Dragon Quest! Woo!!!

[PersonofInterest]

Question is, if DQ goes on the PS3 and the DS, will the PS3 overtake the DS or will the DS just continue overselling...but by tons and tons more?

[wh0]

I wonder if they would try to port it with a few changes over to the psn a few months after it releases for the ds.