Square Enix Recruiting Staff For A New Studio That Will Focus On Console RPGs

[Crystal Power]

Wow, this is very interesting! I'm excited about this news!

Square Enix are currently looking to recruit staff who will be part of the core members for a new studio that will focus on RPGs for consoles. Inside Games shares more details about the recruitment page that was recently put up by Square Enix.



According to the report, Square Enix are gathering the best people to put together a team of core members that will be in charge of developing a new RPG title for consoles.



At the moment, Square are looking for directors [battle and event], planners [lead and battle], programmers and lead programmers, marketing directors, and various designers ranging from technical artists to menu designers.



On the recruitment page, there’s a message that reads: “We went through all kinds of adventures back when we were children. Now that we’re adults, what kind of new stories can we come up with?”



This message is followed by information stating that they’re currently recruiting core staff members for a brand new studio that will specialize in RPGs. To be more specific, a project featuring a gathering of an elite team to develop a completely new RPG geared for consoles.



While they don’t share much more about what the game will be about, they’re looking for staff with experience in their respective fields, and the deadline is September 30, 2014.

SOURCE: http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/0...ing-staff-new-studio-will-focus-console-rpgs/

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

Final Fantasy XV must have absorbed all their resources.

 

[Orenji]

By studio, they mean something like the Osaka Studio that is working on KH, right? I'm curious to know what kind of games they have in mind.

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

By studio, they mean something like the Osaka Studio that is working on KH, right? I'm curious to know what kind of games they have in mind.

Pretty much. It not going to be a team within Square Enix Japan. Brand new development studio set up by Square Enix Holdings.

 

[Orenji]

So they won't develop JRPGs, you're saying? Now I'm ironically more curious about what they have in mind, haha!

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

So they won't develop JRPGs, you're saying? Now I'm ironically more curious about what they have in mind, haha!

They're hiring to make console RPGs.

They're just not a new studio internally at Square Enix Japan.

 

[Takoyaki]

Pretty excited. Looks like SE CEO is keeping to his word about more RPGs.

Surprised this seems to be based in Tokyo? with the main office in Tokyo, as well.

 

[StarNox70]

Don't know what to think of this, TBH. I mean, I'm glad they're branching out, but why are they forming an entirely different studio? Why can't they just expand on their existing entity? Are they trying to focus more of their effort into publishing?

On the recruitment page, there’s a message that reads: “We went through all kinds of adventures back when we were children. Now that we’re adults, what kind of new stories can we come up with?”

This statement stood out to me the most. Perhaps they're finally recognizing the need to infuse some sort of alternate narrative creativity/direction in their properties. Only wish they apply that to their existing IPs (considering the whole 'friendship/defying your destiny' themes have been severely abused in FF & KH).

Not enough info. to judge properly. Interesting, nonetheless. Will wait & see.

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

Don't know what to think of this, TBH. I mean, I'm glad they're branching out, but why are they forming an entirely different studio? Why can't they just expand on their existing entity? Are they trying to focus more of their effort into publishing?.

They probably just don't have the space.

 

[KOKAYI5]

Maybe this is a studio for making their classic traditional RPGs. Since BD did so well they want to have a team to make those kind of games and have the rest of the workforce doing the PS4, PS3 and etc stuff that is more western influenced.

 

[Takoyaki]

I don't think "traditional" is the right word. This is for a new IP, but "heavy JRPG" like FF or DQ as Matsuda put it would be correct:

“For the new games we’ll be developing from this point on, while this may sound a bit extreme, we’ve been talking about making them as heavy JRPGs. I believe that way, we can better focus on our target, which will also bring better results.”

They've got Bravely Second, FF Explorers coming and I think its apart of that continued development^

 

[KOKAYI5]

They've got Bravely Second, FF Explorers coming and I think its apart of that continued development^

Sounds good to me. I hope they're not all handheld games. I just sold my Vita and PSP so I can raise money to move out. But since handhelds other than 3DS seem to be failing in the world outside Asian nations, I think it won't be. But then again, when you're just starting out, wouldn't it be smart to do a fun game that lower budget (like Nintendo's whole library), than a big flashy game that gets old quick (like how the 13s ended up, unfortunately)? So maybe they'll do games on 3DS.

 

[Fleur]

Their first game may be centuries away yet, but I'm all up for a batch of fresh new talent to be brought under Square-Enix's umbrella.

How management will be organised however...

 

[Takoyaki]

Their first game may be centuries away yet, but I'm all up for a batch of fresh new talent to be brought under Square-Enix's umbrella.

How management will be organised however...

Actually, that's something I've been wondering about. Is management a universal thing across all studios? so from the Shinjuku branch? or Osaka has its own, etc.

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

Could this mean that Square is going all in to hasten Final Fantasy XV's development?

No.

Could this be the start where we might expect the game to release soon, like late 2015?

No.

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

The cloud of excitement has dissipated.

And whose fault is that?

They make it pretty clear what this job recruitment is about. This has nothing to do with Final Fantasy XV.

 

[Crystal Power]

Maybe this is a studio for making their classic traditional RPGs. Since BD did so well they want to have a team to make those kind of games and have the rest of the workforce doing the PS4, PS3 and etc stuff that is more western influenced.

I wonder if the success of Bravely Default does has anything to do with this. It wouldn't be a random theory seeing as how Square Enix were so pleased with it they released those statements about it's success and it had them rethinking their plans.

 

[Squirrel Emperor]

I wonder if the success of Bravely Default does has anything to do with this. It wouldn't be a random theory seeing as how Square Enix were so pleased with it they released those statements about it's success and it had them rethinking their plans.

It probably helped, but I think it has more to do with current market conditions. You either make casual games for mobile devices or make core games for consoles. The handheld market (3DS and PSVita) isn't going to last much longer unless Nintendo and Sony make some pretty big drastic changes. It's a dead end.

 

[Kaii]

This statement stood out to me the most. Perhaps they're finally recognizing the need to infuse some sort of alternate narrative creativity/direction in their properties. Only wish they apply that to their existing IPs (considering the whole 'friendship/defying your destiny' themes have been severely abused in FF & KH).

I think StarNox is right to be optimistic about them asking "What kind of new stories can we come up with?” A huge problem with games being put out on faster development schedules is that less attention is paid to the story and they become kind of formulaic (save the princess, save the world, etc.) and the morality becomes one-note (friendship, destiny, love, bravery, etc.). I'm really glad that they're looking to expand and try new things; I think the fresh blood will help.

 

[Jenova]

Would be nice if we received some new IPs from this. I'd appreciate seeing more variety coming from Square-Enix like back in their Squaresoft days.