Topic: Surprise Bravely Default success sparks Square Enix rethink

[idolminds]

"If you focus too much on the global aspect, you might lose sight of who you're actually making the game for."

Pretty surprising seeing this come from Square.

Matsuda referenced IO Interactive's Hitman: Absolution, which some criticised for deviating too far from the core stealth-based Hitman gameplay of previous titles.

"The development team for Hitman: Absolution really struggled in this regard," he said. "They implemented a vast amount of 'elements for the mass' instead of for the core fans, as a way to try getting as many new players possible.

"It was a strategy to gain mass appeal. However, what makes the Hitman series good is its appeal to core gamers, and many fans felt the lack of focus in that regard, which ended up making it struggle in sales.

"So, as for the AAA titles we're currently developing for series, we basically want to go back to their roots and focus on the core audience, while working hard on content that can have fans say things like 'this is the Hitman we know'. I believe that is the best way for our development studios to display their strengths."

Maybe there is hope yet for the next Tomb Raider.

[Quemaqua]

Sort of OT, but why make a new thread?

Anyone else playing Bravely Default? I'm really loving it. It's got a ton of charm, it's pretty, I like the game systems, and it's got lasting appeal. I put in about 26 hours when I first got my DS, then put it down for a while. Picked it back up the other day and still really liking it. Just killed my first nemesis boss (these are traded with Spotpass), doing a little leveling. I can see putting a ton of hours into this game. Looks like there's probably going to be a lot to see and do by the end of it.