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General discussion (archive)Have GOG thought about approaching Square Enix?(13 posts)(13 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted May 16, 2011
I've noticed that there have been quite a few threads requesting Final Fantasy 7 and 8 on here. People keep mentioning that an agreement needs to be concluded with Eidos first, but that's not strictly true. Eidos has been taken over by Square Enix and rebranded as Square Enix Europe, which gives them access to a formidable back catalogue of Eidos titles.

Not only that, but approaching Square Enix would also open the door to the possibility of releasing the earlier Final Fantasy titles for the PC for the first time (note: I probably wouldn't buy them, as I have all except part 3 on various consoles) as well as Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger et al.

I think the one major obstacle is that someone at Square Enix has decided that latching onto Steam like a fly to crap is apparently a "good idea". Note that pretty much all major releases from them lately have been Steam-only, and Dungeon Siege 3 isn't looking any better.

Of course, it is possible that negotiations are going on behind the scenes already, but if not, how's this for an idea?
Posted May 16, 2011
No, I doubt they've even thought about it.
</sarcasm>

I'm pretty sure they've at the very least begun talks, though I obviously have no idea if an agreement has been reached or how the talks have gone. We'll know about it at most a couple weeks before any of their games start appearing, and even then probably only through other sources (meant for the business side, not consumers). Most probably we won't know for sure until the very day the first game is added.
Post edited May 16, 2011 by Miaghstir
Posted May 16, 2011
I'd love to see the whole PS1 era of RPG's on the PC but I doubt it'll ever happen sadly. That stuff's restricted to PSP, PSN and the like.

And why not? Keeping it exclusive for their own services ensures a certain follower loyalty.
Posted May 16, 2011
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Pheace: I'd love to see the whole PS1 era of RPG's on the PC but I doubt it'll ever happen sadly. That stuff's restricted to PSP, PSN and the like.

And why not? Keeping it exclusive for their own services ensures a certain follower loyalty.
FF VII & VIII were released for PC as well.
Posted May 16, 2011
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jamyskis: I've noticed that there have been quite a few threads requesting Final Fantasy 7 and 8 on here. People keep mentioning that an agreement needs to be concluded with Eidos first, but that's not strictly true. Eidos has been taken over by Square Enix and rebranded as Square Enix Europe, which gives them access to a formidable back catalogue of Eidos titles.

Not only that, but approaching Square Enix would also open the door to the possibility of releasing the earlier Final Fantasy titles for the PC for the first time (note: I probably wouldn't buy them, as I have all except part 3 on various consoles) as well as Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger et al.

I think the one major obstacle is that someone at Square Enix has decided that latching onto Steam like a fly to crap is apparently a "good idea". Note that pretty much all major releases from them lately have been Steam-only, and Dungeon Siege 3 isn't looking any better.

Of course, it is possible that negotiations are going on behind the scenes already, but if not, how's this for an idea?
OMFG, you're right... why didn't anything think of it before?!?!? Why doesn't GOG just go and talk to the publishers and start negotiations rather just sit here and wish on falling stars that they magically appear! I'm so glad you're here, because no one has ever thought of that, and I don't think anyone else ever would have either, you're truly a unique snow flake!
Posted May 16, 2011
Xenogears and Valkyrie Profile would be two great additions to the GOG catalogue. Dragon Quest VII would be nice too, I don't think they're re-releasing that, unlike how they've just released the PS1 remakes of DQIV-VI on the DS. This also makes me think of Atlus games like SMT3 - but like many of the SE games, it'd involve either making a PC port just for the GOG release (I really can't see that happening) or licensing an emulator for use (ePSXe for example) and console emulators are obviously far more controversial than things like SCUMM. Not to mention, to emulate PS2 games requires a pretty beefy PC (nothing too amazing, but certainly something that was impressive over the past few years).
Post edited May 16, 2011 by Export
Posted May 16, 2011
Square was on GOG's list of "top 5 publishers we want" at their last press conference. Of those 5 GOG has said one is already signed and 2 more are close to signing. Since two of those on the list were Microsoft and Lucasarts, widely expected not to be on here for along time, it's like Square is one of the publishers we should be getting soon.

Cross your fingers!
Posted May 16, 2011
I doubt we'll see emulation though...
Posted May 16, 2011
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link6616: I doubt we'll see emulation though...
Well technically a load of GOG games use emulation, but they're emulating DOS rather than a console. It's unlikely, I agree, but there is no way that a company is going to remake a game for PC just for it to be released DRM free. It's like asking someone if you can borrow some money and then insisting they walk down to the bank and take out some nice new banknotes for you since their ones are all crumpled.
Posted May 16, 2011
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link6616: I doubt we'll see emulation though...
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Export: Well technically a load of GOG games use emulation, but they're emulating DOS rather than a console. It's unlikely, I agree, but there is no way that a company is going to remake a game for PC just for it to be released DRM free. It's like asking someone if you can borrow some money and then insisting they walk down to the bank and take out some nice new banknotes for you since their ones are all crumpled.
I don't think the DRM thing is the issue. Sega's emulated PC releases are DRM free on every digital store.

The real issue is to emulate legally you need to own the console as well as the games. To emulate the Playstation in a commercial release like on GOG Square would also have to bring Sony into the deal, and Sony is not going to do that. They want to make sure people buy these games on the Playstation Network. Square could do remakes, removing all trace of Sony or Nintendo hardware, but that would be too much effort for a $5 GOG release.
Posted May 16, 2011
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StingingVelvet: ...
The DRM point was in reference to them making a port. It would seem like a lot of effort for them to port an old game to PC just for it to sell for a price far below what such old games seem to go for when sold through the consoles' integrated shops - and for it to be DRM-free as well when they cling so fervently to their old IPs. And yes, the problem with emulating is the company that owns the machine being emulated. I feel that a larger issue would be at stake in that the company would be seen to be condoning emulation when so far it's been something that they hate but have to put up with, like developers with the pre-owned market.
Post edited May 16, 2011 by Export
Posted May 17, 2011
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StingingVelvet: I don't think the DRM thing is the issue. Sega's emulated PC releases are DRM free on every digital store.

The real issue is to emulate legally you need to own the console as well as the games. To emulate the Playstation in a commercial release like on GOG Square would also have to bring Sony into the deal, and Sony is not going to do that. They want to make sure people buy these games on the Playstation Network. Square could do remakes, removing all trace of Sony or Nintendo hardware, but that would be too much effort for a $5 GOG release.
True, but there's nothing preventing SNES or Sega Mega Drive emulation, because no copyright-protected BIOS is required to emulate these platforms. EA Replay on the PSP emulated both of these platforms and the emulator effectively blotched out any trace of "Licensed by Nintendo" or "Licensed by Sega". You do not need to own the original hardware to legally emulate anything,

Technically speaking there is no legal right to make an image of the BIOS from your console either even if you own one of these consoles anyway, so owning the console is a moot point. Besides, inroads have been made towards emulating platforms without the need for the consoles' proprietary BIOS.
Posted May 17, 2011
I don't think there are any SE/Eidos games I'd be interested in except for Thief since I own all the good Deus Ex/Final Fantasy/Tomb Raider etc games so personally I hope GOG's next big publisher will be another.
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General discussion (archive)Have GOG thought about approaching Square Enix?(13 posts)(13 posts)
(13 posts)