| a link to the past 2005-04-22, 8:38 pm |
| http://xbox.ign.com/articles/606/606821p1.html
Japanese Publishers Talk Xbox 360
From Software, Konami, Capcom, Bandai and Sega comment on the new system.
by Anoop Gantayat
April 22, 2005 - Early last week, Microsoft made public an impressive list
of worldwide 3rd party developers for the next generation Xbox platform.
From Activision to Vivendi, most of the major 3rd party game publishers are
producing content for Microsoft's new system, and this includes a number of
Asian publishers -- thirteen in all, and just one less than the number of
American publishers.
The latest Famitsu includes a summary of Asian developers now at work on the
hardware. The list includes From Software, MystWalker, Phantagram, Bandai,
Koei, Game Republic, Webzen, Capcom, Konami, Game Republic and Q
Entertainment. Sega and Namco are also included on the Famitsu list, but
listed under the names of their respective American branches.
In addition to this recap of development support, the magazine also includes
comments from Capcom, Konami, Sega, Bandai and Namco. Here's a look at what
each company had to say about the new system.
Konami: "We're very excited about the next generation Xbox. With Microsoft's
great support system, we feel that it will be possible to realize involving
network games and graphically intense entertainment titles. Konami plans on
releasing titles in a number of genres that can be enjoyed on a worldwide
basis."
Capcom: "The next generation Xbox has excellent graphics, sound and network
capabilities that are easy [for creators] to use, and this makes it a dream
machine for creators. So, what will we be making for this machine? You'll
have to wait for the announcement."
Sega: "Just looking at the excellent specifications for the next generation
Xbox, and we expect content that's remarkably evolved over the norm. We're
already developing a number of titles. With Microsoft's cooperation, we're
making strong titles which fully use the excellent abilities [of the
system]."
Namco: "We expect the next generation Xbox to offer a market that appeals to
game fans throughout the world. Namco is working to offer revolutionary
titles for this next generation system."
Bandai: "We're happy to be taking part in the next generation Xbox. We hope
to offer unique and exciting games as next generation Xbox titles."
From Software gets extra special attention in the issue -- not much of a
surprise, considering the amount of support the publisher/developer has
thrown at the current generation Xbox (for which it has produced some of the
most graphically intense titles available anywhere in the world). The
magazine features an interview with From Software CEO Naotoshi Zin and
Microsoft Xbox manager Takashi Sensui in which the two discuss From's Xbox
360 development plans.
From Software support seems to be strong for the new system. Zin comments
that there weren't any voices of dissent within the company when the
decision to support Xbox 360 was made. Zin has great praise for the Xbox
360, stating that the system is very well balanced. Sensui, meanwhile,
expects From and Microsoft to work together even closer in the next
generation than they did in this generation, stating that it's unfortunate
that the current generation games couldn't sell better.
We can expect a number of titles from From Software, with one game targeted
for arrival at the Xbox 360 launch. As for the nature of these titles, while
Zin states that his company hasn't forgotten its most well-known genre,
action-based mech games, it is also good with other genres. Sadily, he won't
go into specifics beyond this.
Only a few big names are missing from the list of Japanese publishers
working on Microsoft's machine, but even this list should be good enough to
get people dreaming about strong next generation Japanese content for the
system. Stay tuned to IGNXbox as more of Microsoft's next generation plans
come to light in the coming weeks.
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