Topic: Dragonquest IX on the DS = Strong Wii and Nintendo support?

[NWR_pap64]

It seems that with the hype of the announcement dying down, people are now coming up with the negative reactions and the potential downfalls of this amazing announcement.

One of the points I've seen online is that just because Square is putting DQ IX on the DS it doesn't mean that they are fully supporting Nintendo as they are just following what is selling right now, which is the DS.

So my question to you is, do you agree or disagree with this?

While I agree that this doesn't mean Square is willing to fully support Nintendo as they may just stick with the sure thing while they might softly support the Wii the fact that its putting the main continuation of one of their major canon franchises on a NINTENDO console, especially after nearly 10 years of little to no support, is truly significant.

I mean, logic dictates that if they wanted to put the next DQ game on a console, they would've put it on the PS3 since that's where a great deal of the fans are. But they actually took a step BACKWARDS and went with the DS, while it being technically powerful, doesn't hold a candle against its big console brothers. So again, the fact that they skipped a next gen console in favor of a handheld one, especially a Nintendo one, says a lot of things.

Also, I believe that this WILL strengthen Square's support as once the game does well on the handheld, it will encourage them to try the rest of their franchises on the Nintendo consoles, Wii included. I mentioned before that perhaps one of the reasons they went with the DS instead of the Wii or PS3 was because they were just recently released, thus haven't created a solid user base, while the DS has a religious following. Even then, that doesn't mean that they won't support it later on when an user base is installed. And hell, they already have two games planned for it, and they will be coming out. As nice as FFXIII looks I suspect the game won't be released till early 2008, and by then it will be too late. As I mentioned before, the Wii will do for consoles what the DS did for handhelds, and once that happens they will fully support the system.

You might bring up the "but Square has been supporting the GBA and DS yadda yadda" argument, but you have to realize that a great deal of these games were remakes, re-releases, ports, spin offs and sequels to lesser known franchises. Not that I'm saying that these games weren't significant or captured the gamers' hearts and imagination, but for a minute, compare the announcement of DQ Rocket Slime vs.  the announcement of DQ IX. Which do you think people will pay the most attention to and has the most significance in the grand scheme of things? Not to diss Rocket Slime, but you know it to be true.

The success of the main series on the DS will encourage them to try and support Nintendo a little bit more, and once the Wii becomes a huge success worldwide, they will go to the Wii. I doubt Nintendo would be that stupid to let Square support the DS only. Yamauchi's Nintendo may have been more than willing to let Square go, but Iwata's Nintendo knows better. If that were to happen, a Reggination is in order...

To sum it up, Nintendo has mentioned that they are using the same magic and appeal that turned the DS from a gimmick to a powerhouse with the Wii, and it was that appeal that drove the developers back to Nintendo and the DS, especially Square. Once the Wii does that, they will flock to the Wii in hopes of not only re-inventing their games but to get a piece of the action.

And let's be honest, even if they had announced DQ IX for the Wii, some would've mentioned that this doesn't mean anything because the PS3 still had FFXIII, that this doesn't mean that Square will continue to support the Wii, that the game will be more of a gimmick, and any other negative crap they might think of. Hey, it IS the internet, you know! :p

[Terranigma Freak]

We can always hope for DQX on Wii. There's also the possibility of DQ6 remake on the Wii. They've remade every 8/16 - bit DQ except for DQ6.

[Strell]

Let's be very clear here - this is very good news, and staggeringly massive as far as Japan is concerned.  There's no down side about this UNLESS Squeenix merely wants to support the DS only, but even then it's not that bad of thing.

It proves they are taking steps toward a stronger relationship, but it doesn't prove anything post-DQIX at all.

If both DQS and DQIX sell well, and provided that the Wii ends up having a strong userbase over the 360 and the PS3 - which is pretty likely at the moment - developers will follow.  And if Nintendo is playing their cards right - which they seem to be doing right now - they will do what needs to be done to further push the Wii and DS to the forefront as the platforms to focus on.  And if that is the case, developers will follow, 'cuz that is where the money is.

Again, there is no bad side to this.  None.  It puts the DS on a higher pedestal than it was yesterday, and I'd rather be hearing we're getting support than not.  To twist this around as some sort of negative thing is just the anti-Nintendo talking in someone, mixed with a dash of stupid.

[Ceric]

Everyone forgets about DQ Sword.  It's a spin-off series but I'm really looking forward to it.

[Pittbboi]

I only have one problem with your logic here, pap: It would make sense if we weren't talking about the DS and Dragon Quest.

I mean, it's easy to say that this is Square-Enix trusting Nintendo with more support, and if the game does well then Square-Enix might be more tempted to throw more support to the sysem. But people who think that are over-looking one major thing: This is Dragon Quest and the DS. Square-Enix has absolutely nothing to lose. This game is going to sell like gold-laced hotcakes.

A TRUE sign of support, in my opinion, would have been if they took one of their beloved, cash-cow franchises and put the next installment (no cop-out spin-offs) on the Wii. It would have shown that Square-Enix had faith in Nintendo's new platform and strategy and were willing to take a risk and place their bread and butter on Nintendo's still-unproven system. THAT would be a sign of growing support.

But this is the DS we're talking about. The DS is a proven money-maker, with millions already sold and millions more just waiting to be snapped up. And Dragon Quest is the darling of Japanese RPGs.

Cut the costs of having to develop the next Dragon Quest for a home console and put it on a system that's quickly becoming the biggest thing since sliced bread and what you have is purely a $$$ business decision, and not a sign of actual support.  

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Strell
Let's be very clear here - this is very good news, and staggeringly massive as far as Japan is concerned.  There's no down side about this UNLESS Squeenix merely wants to support the DS only, but even then it's not that bad of thing.

It proves they are taking steps toward a stronger relationship, but it doesn't prove anything post-DQIX at all.

If both DQS and DQIX sell well, and provided that the Wii ends up having a strong userbase over the 360 and the PS3 - which is pretty likely at the moment - developers will follow.  And if Nintendo is playing their cards right - which they seem to be doing right now - they will do what needs to be done to further push the Wii and DS to the forefront as the platforms to focus on.  And if that is the case, developers will follow, 'cuz that is where the money is.

Again, there is no bad side to this.  None.  It puts the DS on a higher pedestal than it was yesterday, and I'd rather be hearing we're getting support than not.  To twist this around as some sort of negative thing is just the anti-Nintendo talking in someone, mixed with a dash of stupid.

EXACTLY.

Another thing someone else mentioned in another forums that I go to, it would've been devastating if they decided to release it on the PSP. If there is one franchise that has the power to revive a dead console is DQ, and well all know that sales of the PSP go up whenever a highly anticipated RPG is released, even if it is for a week or two.

DQ IX on PSP would've destroyed the DS, or at least steal some of its thunder, sales would go up and developers would finally pledge PSP support.

In one way, Square is the cool kid that everyone wants to hang out with. If they say someone is cool, the others will follow, so if at the moment they say working with Nintendo is cool, everyone else will follow suit.

And Pittboi, you are being negative here. I agree that this doesn't necessarily mean full support for the Wii, but look once more. Even with the GBA being a huge seller, and the DS being a worldwide phenomenon, Square still dished out spin offs and sequels, stuff of quality, but as significant.

Again, the fact that they are releasing a big DQ game on a handheld and on a Nintendo console says a lot. You know that once the Wii takes off, they will also support it just as they supported the DS.

Also, if I am not mistaken, back when the DS was released, it too received little to no support from Square. If I am not mistaken, one of the first games released was an original IP that flopped.

At least the Wii is getting brand name games, spin off be damned.

[Pittbboi]

"If they say someone is cool, the others will follow, so if at the moment they say working with Nintendo is cool, everyone else will follow suit."

But who hasn't followed already suit with the DS?

Seriously, it's one thing to say that the Wii is going to succeed for some of the same reasons as the DS (I agree with that). But it's another thing entirely to start considering DS and Wii to be the same entity, and that EVERYTHING that works for one will work for the other. DS is portable and Wii is a home console, like it or not that will factor in somewhere. They may have the same strategy, but they both have their own battles to fight.  And frankly, I find it hard to believe that third parties are going to start putting major games on the Wii because Square-Enix is making games for the DS.


I DEFINITELY agree that this is nothing but good news for the DS, though. But I'm not so quick to say that this is Square showing true Nintendo support (I mean, there's absolutely zero risk with this move. Heck, I'll even go as far as to say that putting DQ on the DS is going to prove more profitable than if they had put it on PS2 or the Wii). And I'm definitely not going to believe that this will translate to success for the Wii. It's going to take Wii games to drive 3rd party support to the console, not DS games.  

[Ceric]

I don't think pledging support was ever a problem for the PSP.

[Strell]

Quote
Originally posted by: Pittbboi

But who hasn't followed already suit with the DS?

Mmm.

Rockstar has given it no support.  EA and Ubisoft support it, but their efforts have been completely lackluster.  Namco hasn't done a whole lot.

The biggest games on the system have been from Nintendo and Atlus, with Konami coming in just behind them.  

This doesn't really have much to do with the argument at hand, I just wanted to at least put out that Rockstar gives the DS no luv.

[Nephilim]

Nintendo could make money off this with wii sales
Exclsuive Wii download demo prelaunch? connectivity? tons of things this could do to help wii

[bustin98]

I don't see this as support for Nintendo or the Wii. Haven't we already seen support going to the GBA, and Nintendo only allowed that if they promised to develop a title for the Gamecube? And look what we got. Crystal Chronicles. Whoo hoo!

Square has shown the love for Nintendo handhelds for years. Doesn't translate to console love though. But I'm not giving up hope to see a new (true) Final Fantasy game on the Wii. (That new Crystal Chronicles already announced doesn't count!!)

[RiskyChris]

Square has not shown Nintendo FLAGSHIP ITERATION love in what, over a decade now?

[Pittbboi]

You know...There's not much reason to suspect this could happen, but... it would be hella great, and not to mention a cheaper way to demonstrate their support for Nintendo consoles, if they ported FFXII to the Wii. It's a great game; its sales are sagging just a little bit on PS2, and it would be a nice way to get Nintendo fans caught up on the story leading up to FFXII: Revenant Wings (the fact that they're releasing the follow-up to a current Final Fantasy game on the DS is in itself a big deal), and that in turn would help drive sales of the DS follow-up.

I'd kiss Square's angst-ridden arse if they did something like that.  

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: bustin98
I don't see this as support for Nintendo or the Wii. Haven't we already seen support going to the GBA, and Nintendo only allowed that if they promised to develop a title for the Gamecube? And look what we got. Crystal Chronicles. Whoo hoo!

Square has shown the love for Nintendo handhelds for years. Doesn't translate to console love though. But I'm not giving up hope to see a new (true) Final Fantasy game on the Wii. (That new Crystal Chronicles already announced doesn't count!!)

Once again, even if they have shown a lot of love towards the handhelds, the game have been mostly remakes, ports, spin off and sequels to lesser known franchises. Again, not that they are bad or anything, but DQ IX marks the first time a canon franchise gets a direct sequel on a Nintendo platform. Its the first time a numbered DQ sequel has appeared on a Nintendo system since DQ 6 on the SNES.

And in fear of sounding like a breaking record, this is a HUGE development in Square's relationship with Nintendo. And believe me, it WILL transcend to the Wii, one way or another. Maybe not today, maybe not in 2007, but the love WILL reach the Wii soon.

[LunaticFringe]

I may come off sounding stupid here


But could DQIX even have used the full capacity of PS3?  Not that it really matters if they did.

DQ has never been all about pushing the envelope on graphics like the main FF series has.  DQVIII's graphics were great imo (and i would rather see it than what DE does with the realism in FF).  With that said, it seems to me that the cell shaded, DBZ syle of Akira can only go so far before it needs something else.  PS3 gives DQ9 what?  Size for a huge story? which it doesnt need because there is a point where games are too long.  Graphics? which I dont think is what DQ has ever been about?  User base?  This remains to be seen.

Other than those three things, I don't see where PS3 has an advantage over any other console in where it would have gotten DQ9.  The move to DS was amazingly smart.

Also, should we have expected this?  someone said that DS wasn't even on the radar. Though it is a handheld, it does have a large user base.  Also, we knew about DQ:Swords for Wii, would they necessarily produce two games (one spin off, and one flagship) for an unproven console?  I think DQ:Swords will be the real question as to SE's support of Wii.  I agree that I hope it isnt a huge joke like CC, but I think if we support it and show that people on the Wii want and will support RPGs and games like this, I think they will make their move towards more support.

[Hocotate]

Rest assured, DQ:Swords will not be a big joke (at least I hope not lol)


And I agree with Pap, DQIX on DS is HUGE and will contribute to more Wii support simply based on the fact that DQIX will not be on the PS3/2 (thus cutting it's sales it would have recieved in Japan greatly). The lack of DQ on PS3, coupled with EVERY recent DQ game being a Nintendo exclusive, I think its rather obvious the the DQ series is Nintendo's this gen. We all know SE said they would not support Sony like they did last gen and this is proof right here. Getting a numbered DQ of the main series exclusively on a Nintendo console is about the biggest blow possible to Sony. All things are pointing to DQ being Nintendo exclusive this gen. DQX will be either on DS or Wii, I almost want to say this is fact. I mean, who doesn't believe DQIX will be a smash hit?  

[Nick DiMola]

People, lets remember something here, DQ is Square's BIGGEST franchise. Laws have been put in place about being sold only on the weekends (in Japan) because the economic loss to the country due to the release of the cgame was catastrophic. More copies of DQVIII were sold on the PS2 (in Japan) than any other PS2 game. The fact that Square threw this bone to Nintendo is huge. Think about it this way, had DQIX been announced for the PS3, you know people would be buying PS3s in droves as new shipments become available in anticipation for the game. This really does help the Wii because their competitor was crippled, in addition I think Squeenix is telling fans that Nintendo products = good. Of course Nintendo will cross promote this with the Wii game and probably move some Wii units as a result which I would think Square would take note of. If Square finds Nintendo a pleasurable business partner (seems likely lately) they might start showing stronger support for the home console, especially if there is a strong user base. I take this DQIX news as a sign of things to come for Nintendo.

[couchmonkey]

Okay, here's what I think is going on:

Square Enix has said that it doesn't want either Wii or PS3 to do "too well".  It wants a sort of stalemate.  This makes sense because Square Enix knows as well as anyone that incumbent hardware developers get cocky when they have no competition.  They impose silly standards on developers, and create hardware that's designed in their own interests instead of consumer or developer interests (N64 with carts, PS3 with Cell Processors and Blu-ray).

So Square Enix could put DQ IX on PS3...but Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest gives way too much power to Sony (and requires high budgets).  It could put it on Wii...but with all of PS3's screwups, and with Nintendo's recent hot streak, that might give too much power to Nintendo.  Also, think of the fans: if I had to buy a PS3 for Final Fantasy and a Wii for Dragon Quest, I might be a little PO'd at Square (this is the exact mistake Sega has made since going multiplatform).

So Square Enix puts it on the DS.  It makes perfect sense since DS is easily the most popular system everywhere right now, and it gives Square Enix a way around all those other problems I just mentioned.  Complaints that the DS can't offer the same experience as a home console are understandable, but there are too many advantages.

So will Square Enix support Wii with more than just spin-offs?  I'd say that once Wii starts really taking the lead in Japan, Square Enix will have no choice, but until then I suspect it will throw most of its support at DS and PS3 in the hopes of preventing Nintendo from achieving another near-monopoly in Japan. This is still good news for Nintendo fans though, because like Strell said, it cripples PS3.

[couchmonkey]

Edit: double-posted!

[Magik]

With DQIX being on the DS, I see it as an indication of major support for Nintendo's handheld.  It however doesn't indicate strong support for the Wii.  

Square-Enix is the type of company that will base their support on which system, handheld or console, that has the biggest userbase that will allow them to earn the most money.

Square-Enix has to be the smartest Japanese company at this moment.  The move to bring DQIX to the DS has to be the most brilliant moves any video game company has done for quite some time.  Square-Enix has positioned themselves perfectly so that they will earn a lot of profit off the DS and at the same time force Sony to pay even MORE money for any of Square-Enix's future titles.  It's absolutely brilliant.

[bmmontfort]

I really hope to see more support from Square for the Wii, and with Dragon Quest 9 for the DS I think we might see that. More major numbered titles for the platform. It's great to get new IPs but I would also like to see FF14 on the Wii or other things along that design. I'm only hoping for the time being!

[NWR_pap64]

In all honesty, I would crap my pants if the next KH game is a Wii exclusive. I personally doubt it will happen NOW (considering that Nomura, the game's creator, has kept the series close to the PS2, to the point where they took the GBA game and turned it into a PS2 game), but if it were too happen I will be very happy.

Anything can happen, I guess.

[archioverload]

"...fully supporting Nintendo as they are just following what is selling right now, which is the DS." This is just my opinion, but following what's selling is the definition of fully supporting a console, and it's never been any different. I don't know if there's any magical formula involved for what consoles are supported or not. There's no "Square Enix pixie dust" that they're hiding away in a secret bag, which they use to coronate certain consoles.

[Smash_Brother]

Someone mentioned that FF tends to be Square's flashier, graphically superior series, but if that's the case, why no FF game for the PSP which is the better of the two handhelds in terms of graphics?

I'm new to the world of DQ, but I'll be picking this up at launch as well as swords.

Quote
Originally posted by: archioverload
"...fully supporting Nintendo as they are just following what is selling right now, which is the DS." This is just my opinion, but following what's selling is the definition of fully supporting a console, and it's never been any different. I don't know if there's any magical formula involved for what consoles are supported or not. There's no "Square Enix pixie dust" that they're hiding away in a secret bag, which they use to coronate certain consoles.

First of all, your icon rocks.

Second, what he's referring to is deals and bargains being struck behind closed doors.

Support for the most popular console is a standard practice with normal devs, but Square is the type of dev who console manufacturers will PAY to receive support from.

The fact that DQ9 is going to the DS means that Sony either didn't throw a big enough money hat or their money hat couldn't hope to match the potential sales the DS would generate for the game.

Either way, it's an incredibly good sign, and the picture of Iwata shaking hands with a Square rep is likewise a milestone in that it couldn't have happened until rather recently.

This means that old wounds truly HAVE healed and while it doesn't mean support for the Wii, it does mean that Square has no reason to NOT support the Wii because of old grudges.

[Magik]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
Someone mentioned that FF tends to be Square's flashier, graphically superior series, but if that's the case, why no FF game for the PSP which is the better of the two handhelds in terms of graphics?

I'm new to the world of DQ, but I'll be picking this up at launch as well as swords.

The closet Final Fantasy title would be the recently announced Final Fantasy Tactics PSP game.