Final Fantasy Creator moves to XBOX

[Crash]

http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20743


According to this article (machine translation) of a Taiwanese newspaper about Taipei Game Show 2005, tomorrow (Feb 25), it's going to be announced that a certain Japanese top-class game creater joins in the Xbox 2 camp, and the name Hironobu Sakaguchi, the Final Fantasy creator, of MISTWALKER is mentioned there.

[DarkMaster]

He hasn't "moved" to Xbox. Sakaguchi has his own company called Mistwalker, and hasn't been with Square Enix for quite some time now. Nobuo Uematsu works with the company as well, along with Amano. In fact, the first game they announced to be working on is an RPG exclusive for PS2.

[CamFu]

This annoucement means completely nothing to me. I could careless if this "creator" comes to Xbox 2. I'm not going to pick up any of the games that come out from him. Never been a fan of the FF type of RPGs. To me, they are more movie then game. I guess it's great if you are an Xbox/FF fan. Personally, I still think that the buyout of Rare is by far the best thing that MS could have done. Jusy my opinion though.

[MuGen]

I like games that playout like movies, however this news means nothing as well. As long as Square Enix remains neutral.

[Jonbo298]

Unless Shigeru Miyamoto moves to Xbox2, this news doesnt affect me :p

[Canyarion]

M$ still trying desperately to gain some ground in Japan? :distress:

[Happydude]

I like games that playout like movies, however this news means nothing as well. As long as Square Enix remains neutral.
SE is neutural?! i don't remember them releasing any games to any other consoles but Sony's...which i find to be annoying because i am a huge fan of their games, and yet i can't play any of them because i don't have a ps2...HMPH...

[DarkMaster]

Ah yes, Sony owns shares in Square Enix, something like 13% I think. They still release the odd game on Nintendo consoles though, especially on their handheld. The main reason SE has mainly stuck with Sony is because back in the days of SNES, Nintendo and SE sort of had a disagreement, and it wasn't until a few years ago that SE decided to support Nintendo again with their games. And now the vast majority of their fanbase is situated on Sony's console, so Nintendo and Microsoft are pretty much SOL on receiving any SE games.

[Crash]

Video Game Legend Hironobu Sakaguchi Joins Microsoft Game Studios as a Developer for Next-Generation Xbox Platform
Father of “Final Fantasy” Series and AIAS Hall of Fame Inductee Will Develop Role-Playing Games

REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 24, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Hironobu Sakaguchi, video game legend and president of Mistwalker game studio, has joined with Microsoft® Game Studios to develop role-playing game (RPG) video games exclusively for the next-generation Xbox® video game platform. Sakaguchi is best known as the creator of the “Final Fantasy” franchise, which has sold more than 60 million units worldwide, and was executive vice president in charge of game development at Square Enix Co., Ltd. until February 2001.
Citing a shared vision with Microsoft for the next generation of video games, Sakaguchi will lead the creation of two upcoming Xbox-exclusive RPG titles to be published by Microsoft Game Studios.
“Sakaguchi-san has taken role-playing games — traditionally a niche market — and introduced them to a broad and diverse audience across the globe,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing at Microsoft. “We are ecstatic to work with Sakaguchi-san and celebrate what this news means not only for Xbox, but for gamers worldwide.”
“I’m excited about the two epic game titles we will be developing,” Sakaguchi said. “A number of talented creators have signed on to help develop these games, and I’m confident we will be able to create games that provide gamers with a new kind of thrill.
“Microsoft’s cutting-edge technologies in the next-generation platform will allow me to bring to life an array of ideas that I have had for many years,” Sakaguchi said. “I want these games to be alive with a new vision for gaming and vividly depict new characters that will transcend the game, find a place in the hearts of gamers, and make time spent with my games a fond and long-lasting memory.”

Sakaguchi started his career at Square Co. Ltd. in 1986 as director of planning and development. He was promoted to executive vice president in 1991 and eventually ascended to president of Square LA Inc. (now Square USA Inc.) in 1995. In 2000, Sakaguchi was inducted into the coveted Academy of Interactive Arts & Science (AIAS) Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking work on the “Final Fantasy” series. In 2004, Sakaguchi announced that he had started his own development studio, called Mistwalker.
Xbox is coming off a blockbuster year as the only video game console to show year-to-year growth in 2004, while competitors declined*. Driven by epic, platform-exclusive content — including “Halo® 2” by Microsoft Game Studios, “Fable” by Microsoft Game Studios., “Ninja Gaiden” by Tecmo Ltd., and Xbox Live™, the only unified online video game console service — gamers worldwide continue to flock to Xbox for an unparalleled digital entertainment experience.
yeah

[Happydude]

since i have an X-Box i should be pretty happy about this news, but the problem is...it's for next gen.

since i'm too lazy to look it up myself, is there any news on the release dates for the next-gen consoles? or do we have to wait for E3?

[jeepnut]

I haven't seen anything about Nintendo or Sony, but the Hastings here in Kirksville has a sign that says Xbox 2 arrives Fall '05.

[MuGen]

yeah Xbox2 has a slated release for Nov 05 so expect that...