Square Getting A Big Head

by Adam J. Nolin

Squaresoft is without a doubt the most controversial game developer to date. Most like Square, which produces (for the most part) quality RPGs. Their career as game developers started with Nintendo; producing for the NES, Super Nintendo, and Gameboy. Then, they switched to Sony. Which was completely understandable considering the ignorance and arrogance of Nintendo, which wouldn't release their system. And so now, here we are currently, with Square and Sony, side by side. Square's RPGs are argueably not as well made as they were on Nintendo's systems, but that's okay.

However, considering Square has been talking with Microsoft, received Dreamcast developement kits, and is rumored to have been talking to Nintendo, and their public statement of staying with Sony. I think Square is going too far. Why can't they stick with one company? Let me rephrase that, why can't they stay with one company at a time? They're turning into a sports gaming company, or a fighting game kind of company, losing that RPG mystique. They're turning into this... empire... which is greedy and power hungry. My respect for Square has declined dramatically when FF7 was released, and even though Xenogears was there, it still didn't make up for their lack of making quality RPGs. Now, they want to expand?

I know Square is a company, and money is their main priority. However, it seems like it's becoming their only priority. I mean, look at Working Designs, even if they're putting on a face, at least they make it look like they're giving more for our money. We spend enough on mediocre games alone, the least they could do is not spread out and cause some of us to have to choose systems.

Just imagine, you buying a PSX2, and you're happy with it, then you see Final Fantasy Online (not saying there will be one, just speculating) on a Dreamcast. Or vice versa. You get a Dolphin to quench the old school nostalgia Nintendo created back in Square's "Golden Age." Then, they release Seiken Densetsu 5 on X-Box. Not everyone lives in Grosse Point or Beverly Hills like they might, and can't dish out money for multiple systems.

My point is simple, at least have some respect for those who have shelled out money to buy one of your games, by keeping your business with one company.