With competitive gaming only getting bigger, numerous developers outside that space have begun looking to break in with properties of their own. One such developer is seminal RPG studio Square Enix, who earlier this year launched a MOBA spin-off of their arcade-based card game Lords of Vermilion.
In a recent investor briefing, Square Enix outlines losses from these recent “eSports” endeavors, though apparently still wants to get their foot in the door. “We are less-experienced in the new genre of e-sports, which prevented us from gaining player acceptance in some cases,” the report states. “Because of the strategic value of the e-sports genre, we will remain tenacious in our efforts in that space, including considering offerings for consumer game consoles, as well as global roll-outs.”
If we’re being honest with ourselves, this likely means Square Enix is developing a MOBA (like we don’t have enough of those these days) based on their mega-popular Final Fantasy franchise. But one other Final Fantasy title could definitely appeal to competitive and casual gamers alike, especially those within our community: Dissidia.
Released in arcades last month, Dissidia Final Fantasy rebooted the PlayStation Portable series for a brand new audience. No longer a one-on-one affair, the title sees two teams of three square off in arena combat that’s probably most similar to Bandai Namco’s Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. franchise. While not technically a fighting game in the most literal sense, familiar concepts like spacing and zoning do carry over.
Just think about it; characters like Cloud Strife, Terra Branford, Squall Leonhart, and Lightning duking it out in gorgeous 3D on the stage of a major competitive gaming event? We can practically hear money being shoved at computer screens right now. And with a PlayStation 4 version on the way, they wouldn’t even need to lug arcade cabinets anywhere!
Feel free to let us know what you think Square Enix’s focus on competitive gaming could mean for the community in the comments below.
Source: Square Enix via NeoGAF