66 MCV 11/06/10
MCV INTERVIEW PHIL ROGERS, CEO, SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
All the right angles
Square Enix is preparing a myriad of new releases following its acquisition of Eidos last year. European CEO Phil Rogers chats to Dominic Sacco about plans for E3 and the year ahead…
WITH PROFITS UP 68 per cent year- on-year, Square Enix is riding a strong wave of growth in the industry. The publisher has had two UK No.1’s this year alone – Just Cause 2 and Final Fantasy XIII – both established franchises that it aims to grow during the years ahead.
After acquiring Eidos last year, Square Enix arguably gained one of the most important series in video game history – and now it’s embracing digital avenues to point the Tomb Raider games in a new direction.
DIGITAL QUEST
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be a digital-only release, adding co- op and a top-down viewpoint to the IP. “Digital is a very big topic of course and one that has significant focus within Square Enix,” says the publisher’s Europe CEO Phil Rogers.
“In terms of content we have already released a lot of online games and there is significantly more to come, not only in the form of our new MMO Final Fantasy XIV, but also iPhone and iPad games like Chaos Rings and Chocobo Panic.” “This is not to mention social networking, browser-based and social games. The digital space covers such a wide range and as content owners it is very important to us.” However that’s not to say Square Enix doesn’t believe in the boxed product model. But what does it think of the idea that digital could replace traditional High Street games retail? “In terms of complete replacement I
don’t think this will happen in the next few years or even necessarily beyond that,” adds Rogers.
“Of course there is a new generation of gamers in the market today – gamers who have grown up with digital content and are happy not to own physical goods. And we also have gamers who are used to physical product and may always want to purchase content in that physical form.
“It is our job to make sure every interested consumer can have access to our products, whichever form is their preference. However, we are all
spending more and more of our time online and that’s a trend I see continuing. I think the digital era will ultimately be driven by consumer taste and consumer demand.”
E3 FANTASY
Square Enix is using E3 as a platform to promote several key upcoming titles – namely its 22-year-strong Final Fantasy franchise, of which MMO Final Fantasy XIV and new DS title The 4 Heroes of Light will be revealed in-depth. Other titles being shown off at the
event (see ‘Final Fantasy Seven’) include third-person shooter Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, mech adventure Front Mission Evolved, action RPG Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep and FPS Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
“Individually each game offers something original and exciting, and collectively our line-up characterises the global ambition of Square Enix,” comments Rogers. “We have high expectations for E3 this year – I think when you visit the Square Enix stand you will see that we have a truly diverse range of titles on show which illustrates the strength and breadth of our product portfolio. “I’m sure there may also be one or two other titles in the line-up but you will have to wait and see.”
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The publisher has a strong emphasis on building its existing gaming brands, but what of new IP and platforms? “Strengthening our own IPs is a major focus – we want to drive a number of initiatives to challenge ourselves to both create new IPs and also increase the appeal of existing IPs.” Square Enix has also used Apple products for distributing iPhone hit Chaos Rings and other Final Fantasy games. What kind of impact does it think these platforms are having on the
current video game model? “I think it is having a significant impact,” says Rogers. “We talk internally about consumer ‘touch points’ and how as consumer tastes and habits change, so does the way they interact and experience new video games. Apple’s iPhone has proved itself as a very affordable, vast portable gaming library – one which a consumer carries with them every hour of the day and one capable of extending the games market. “I think the iPad has the potential to become the equivalent to the digital boardgame, as it is so tactile and quick. “What the iPad will have also learnt from the iPhone is that one of the keys to success is to have software designed specifically for that platform.”
There is a new generation of gamers today who have grown up with digital content and are happy not to own physical goods.
Phil Rogers, Square Enix Europe
WWW.MCVUK.COM
THE WILD WEST Games such as Dragon Quest IX – hugely successful in Japan – can often take a while to reach Western markets. However simultaneous worldwide releases are looking increasingly likely to become an industry standard, and one that Square Enix is hopeful of. “We are working hard on achieving global releases and you’ll see that the distance is getting shorter,” adds Rogers. “With Final Fantasy XIII we had a simultaneous European and North American ship which was much closer to the release in Japan. Naturally as a global business we aim to be doing more global releases whereby we can leverage news and community services across worldwide gaming audiences.” So what’s next on the horizon for Square Enix this year? “We are looking to continue to strengthen our operations and business relationships in Europe,” says Rogers. “Content-wise I’d like to see us build deeper collaborations across our studios in Europe, North America and Japan.”
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