Consoles are a dying medium says wada

Square-Enix President Yoichi Wada is predicting that in the next five years "console games" won't exist. He also said that his company has been preparing for the change by beefing up production of social and browser games at its Japan studio, so when that time comes around, they'll be ready.

"In ten years time, a lot of what we call 'console games' won't exist.

"Somewhere around 2005, the console manufacturer's strategy shifted," Wada said.

"In the past the platform was hardware, but it has switched to the network. A time will come when the hardware isn't even needed anymore.

"With that, any kind of terminal becomes a potential platform on which games can be played - that's exponential growth in the potential of gaming. The potential size of the market is enormous.

Wada also warned that all distributors and sales firms will suffer a big negative impact if they fail to make the shift on time.

That's a very interesting perspective, but will broadband be ubiquitous in the U.S and Europe in the next ten years? We don't know, however it's one of the many pieces that must fit in the puzzle; so now it's a wait and see situation, but if Wada is correct on one thing, it's that manufacturers and distributors had better take heed. Because technology and time is progressing at extreme speeds.

11/26/09 Ernice Gilbert

Square-Enix is working on first global game in Montreal says Wada

Square-Enix is serious about making a big push into the western markets, in fact the acquisition of Eidos earlier this year for over $121 million is a testament to the company's commitment.

Speaking at the Montreal Game Summit, Square-Enix president Yoichi Wada confirmed that the they have in development their "first global game" at Eidos Montreal alongside Deux Ex 3 and Thief 4.

The "first global game' is Square-Enix's first title since acquiring Eidos in April.

"[It] would be the first collaboration between Square-Enix and Montreal. We would like to be able to create a new title that is made by the group as one," Wada said.

Whatever it is, it's definitely something to pay close attention to. We'll do that for you.

Get more through here.

11/16/09 Ernice Gilbert

Western version of Final Fantasy XIII reaching it's final stage of production

Gamers over in Japan will be getting their hands on the newest Final Fantasy entry very soon, but folks over here on the west side have to wait until sometime in 2010. Fear not fellow RPG fans, as Square-Enix global president Yoichi Wada has recently revealed that the North American and European versions of the game are entering the final stages of production.

Does this mean that we may be getting our hands on it sooner than we think? Remember to check back on Friday for the secret announcement Square will be revealing regarding the North American and European versions, which will no doubt be their release dates.

11/11/09 Colton West