If you’re looking forward to some stunning, next-gen only experiences from Square-Enix during the launch window of the PS5, you might be disappointed as the Japanese super publisher/developer has confirmed that from-the-ground-up PS5 and Xbox Series X titles are a way off.
The comments come from Square-Enix’s Q3 briefing to investors and can be seen below:
Q: Could you share your thinking on the development of new titles for current- and next-generation game consoles going forward?
A: The next-generation consoles will have backward compatibility, so we plan for the time being to make our new titles available for both current and next-generation consoles. It will therefore be somewhat farther down the road that we release titles exclusively for the next-generation consoles.
As a result then, it would appear that Square-Enix would be banking heavily on backwards compatibility and cross-gen development to keep itself in the black as the industry shifts from one console generation to the next.
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With PS5 versions of Final Fantasy VII Remake tipped to be on the way and the company looking at ways to get its live service focused Marvel’s Avengers title in the hands of next-generation PlayStation owners to keep a continuity of service, it would appear that this approach to development and release is already well underway.
Of course a larger question still remains unanswered.
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With Square-Enix and likely other third-party publishers electing to follow a similar approach (bespoke next-gen titles do take time to develop after all), how will Sony react given that Microsoft has said that it wants publishers to not charge owners of current-gen games anything extra for cross-gen upgrades?
Hopefully, the big ‘S’ will get on the bandwagon because nothing hurts a fan and userbase more than being punched in the wallet.
Source: Square-Enix Q&A