Admittedly, Octopath Traveler II got here out after a 12 months stuffed with HD-2D — Triangle Technique and the Dwell A Dwell remake each dropped in 2022, each utilizing these gorgeous pixel artwork visuals. Triangle Technique admittedly is way more area of interest than a turn-based RPG, and it managed to shift a million copies by the tip of 2022, whereas Dwell A Dwell amassed 500k gross sales on Swap as of September 2022. Not earth-shattering numbers in any respect, however fairly notable.
To the typical participant, seeing Octopath Traveler II — the third HD-2D recreation in 12 months — would possibly trigger some fatigue. But when Octopath and these HD-2D initiatives fall below that ‘smaller’ challenge umbrella — regardless of Tomoya Asano saying that the artwork model “prices greater than you suppose” — is that this the tip of larger studios utilizing pixel artwork visuals? I actually hope not.
Video games like Harvestella or Paranormasight won’t have the broad attraction that the model of Closing Fantasy has these days, however the gaming world could be much more boring with out them. Harvestella would possibly observe within the footsteps of Rune Manufacturing facility, however for Sq. Enix to dip its toe into a unique sub-genre was enjoyable to see play out. And Paranormasight, developed by indie studio Xeen, felt like a really distinctive horror visible novel. but it surely bought hardly any advertising within the West, solely being introduced throughout a Japanese Nintendo Direct. And now the ‘sequel’ can be within the type of a comic book.
And I believe that is simply one of many huge issues which have induced Sq. Enix to submit these “extraordinary losses.” Advertising wants to be higher for these smaller titles. This big writer places out one of many higher visible novels in recent times and it basically evaporates into the ether? It bought extraordinarily good word-of-mouth, however that does not appear to have performed a lot.
Secondly, project-wise, Sq. Enix simply threw every little thing on the wall, did not it? The developer launched method too many video games between 2021 and 2024. Closing Fantasy XIV nonetheless continues to be the corporate’s greatest moneymaker, with Endwalker being an enormous hit. However even mainline video games like Closing Fantasy XVI and, extra not too long ago, VII Rebirth, undergo due to the glut of releases, recreation launch delays resulting from COVID, and the truth that they’re locked to a single console. Regarding that glut — from Dragon Quest Treasures to Infinity Strash, the Pixel Remasters to Disaster Core, Techniques Ogre: Reborn to Minstrel Music, that is lots to launch over the course of a few years. I am cherry-picking, too. And I do know these are all created from completely different improvement studios inside Sq. Enix, however there needs to be some knock-on impact sooner or later.
And it looks as if “content material abandonment losses” is that knock-on impact. We will lose these bizarre dangers that Sq. Enix typically takes, and spreadsheet figures would possibly be higher for it. However the richness of the online game trade and the tradition it feeds can be diluted consequently, because it has been with the closure of studios like Tango Gameworks, Paladins, and the massive layoffs at Embracer. AAA video games are crucial, sure, however so are smaller video games.
I need to see extra than simply crowd-pleasers come out of a giant developer.
After all, I am speculating right here, however as a lot as I really like Closing Fantasy (I confess that Rebirth is most likely going to be my GOTY, except Silksong decides to make an look), I additionally love video games that take a threat, that really feel completely different, and that dip a toe in experimental waters. Whether or not that is altering up the artwork model, happening a unique style route than anticipated, or just taking a punt on a small studio, I need to see extra than simply predictable crowd-pleasers come out of massive corporations. It is a part of what has drawn me to Sq. Enix, and different builders, over time.
I perceive that, on the finish of the day, this trade — like most — is all about creating wealth. However video video games are various, enjoyable, fascinating, creative, and diversified. I do not need to see larger studios hand over on ‘mid-budget’ video games. We’ll lose that extra human contact that selection and creativity offers us.
NFT video games, although? Get outta right here. What do you consider Sq. Enix’s technique? Tell us down beneath.
