Square Enix announces Virtual World

soul · 10:28 AM

Well since I'm at work I've got no time to translate, but here's the PDF file the company has released in its Members Area:

http://www.square-enix.com/jp/compan...0071204_68.pdf

You can still view the file for some images, etc. Anyone that has the time and is willing to translate, I'll make sure to edit this thread and include the info. If none will do so until I get back I shall translate myself...

grandjedi6 · (12-04-2007, 10:14 AM)

It's a PC game, thought I'm note sure its technically a "game".

Dibbz · (12-04-2007, 10:14 AM)

Wait, the box art is for the Wii, but it seems to have some sort of specification for PC's in there. Anyone able to translate?

Doesn't look very exciting to me though.

Sharp · (12-04-2007, 10:15 AM)

Originally Posted by grandjedi6:

It's a PC game

Ah, I was wondering about the lack of responses.

Kinan · (12-04-2007, 10:16 AM)

PC MMORPG it seems.

It also mentions some Chokobo Wii game at the end.

Jonnyram · (12-04-2007, 10:16 AM)

Looks like it's running on the White Engine.
Expect a PS3 version in the new year.

grandjedi6 · (12-04-2007, 10:17 AM)

Originally Posted by Dibbz:

Wait, the box art is for the Wii, but it seems to have some sort of specification for PC's in there. Anyone able to translate?

Doesn't look very exciting to me though.

The PDF contains 3 sections. One for this Virtual World, one of the Chocobo Dungeon and a small blurb about something else

brocke · (12-04-2007, 10:18 AM)

OMG Yes!!!!!

edit: nm. premature ejaculation. I thought this was referring to the next big mmorpg by square enix :(

zallaaa · (12-04-2007, 10:20 AM)

a squeenix-themed clone of Sony's Home IMHO. After all, that's a chocobo drinking a cup of tea with an unknown guy

Tenbatsu · (12-04-2007, 10:20 AM)

Originally Posted by Kinan:

PC MMORPG it seems.

It also mentions some Chokobo Wii game at the end.

Thinks its something like Home, Wii Chocobo game will the first to be preview in the game. You create a virtual avatar and roam around the world chatting with NPCs, watch trailer etc.

donkey show · (12-04-2007, 10:21 AM)

Cool, they're bringing back those old Battletech pods with 8x8 action... wait. =(

grandjedi6 · (12-04-2007, 10:25 AM)

THe Virtual World thing sounds more like an online community than an actual MMO or HOME. Kinda like that Toon World that Disney has

Lobster · 10:36 AM

Is it me or is that particular art style being used a lot by Square?

So far it looks like they're using it on 4 games.

-Crystal Bearers
-Crystal Chronicles WiiWare
-Chocobo Tales
-Virtual World

DieH@rd · (12-04-2007, 10:26 AM)

Someone needs to translate this.

grandjedi6 · (12-04-2007, 10:28 AM)

Originally Posted by Lobster:

Is it me or is the Wii Crystal Chronicles engine being used a lot by Square?

So far it looks like they're using it on 4 games.

-Crystal Bearers
-Crystal Chronicles WiiWare
-Chocobo Tales
-Virtual World

Had no idea the engine would be tossed around that much.

Where are you getting this information from

Lobster · (12-04-2007, 10:35 AM)

Originally Posted by grandjedi6:

Where are you getting this information from

Well they all look the same. I should've said art style sorry.

I don't blame Dibbz for being confused at all. I thought the pics were for Chocobo Mystery Dungeon..

soul · (12-04-2007, 10:51 AM)

Originally Posted by Tenbatsu:

Thinks its something like Home, Wii Chocobo game will the first to be preview in the game. You create a virtual avatar and roam around the world chatting with NPCs, watch trailer etc.

Yeah, it's something similar to HOME. But it does says "More features to be revealed soon", and its only in beta stages I think?

Uremifasolasiututut · (12-04-2007, 10:54 AM)

Uremifasolasiututut announces virtual indifference.

Let me know when your games are coming out, thanks.

Doodlebug · 01:07 PM

On a somewhat related note, how long before SE announces their next proper MMORPG, would you say?

After FFXIII has been released, and once there's a significant drop in FFXI activity? So...2-3 years?

I wanna hear something of it -- anything.

Jive Turkey · (12-04-2007, 11:57 AM)

Originally Posted by grandjedi6:

THe Virtual World thing sounds more like an online community than an actual MMO or HOME. Kinda like that Toon World that Disney has

Toon Town? Isn't that an actual MMO though?

Wes · (12-04-2007, 12:00 PM)

On a side note, whatever happened to that Fantasy Earth game by SE? Is it never going to come out in the other territories?

toypop · 12:16 PM

This is something like SecondLife but for PR wise, where let you watch some SE trailers and meet SE characters for free.
So, obviously not a game for us.
First town available in alpha version will be based on Chocobo's dungeon(wii).

glaurung · (12-04-2007, 12:48 PM)

Looks kind of boring and poor.

Call me when they reach the FFVII tech demo level for Midgard, Rabanastre and Alexandria.

Quazar · (12-04-2007, 06:29 PM)

Originally Posted by Doodlebug:

On a somewhat related note, how long before SE announces their next proper MMORPG, would you say?

After FFXIII has been released, and once there's a significant drop in FFXI activity? So...2-3 years?

I wanna hear something of it -- anything.

They've already announced it. We just lack a name/details. We do know it's on Vista/360 probably PS3 and that somewhere in it's development it switched to WE.

ronito · (12-04-2007, 06:48 PM)

maybe in this virtual world they can be bothered to actually market Front Mission.

jarrod · (12-04-2007, 06:50 PM)

Originally Posted by Quazar:

They've already announced it. We just lack a name/details. We do know it's on Vista/360 probably PS3 and that somewhere in it's development it switched to WE.

It's aso been rumored to be FFXIII related...

RubberJohnny · (12-04-2007, 06:57 PM)

Quote:

THe Virtual World thing sounds more like an online community than an actual MMO or HOME. Kinda like that Toon World that Disney has

And isn't HOME an online community?

Quazar · (12-04-2007, 07:00 PM)

Originally Posted by jarrod:

It's aso been rumored to be FFXIII related...

Which is highly likely because the developers themselves have said it will not be FFXI-2.

"[update]However, this morning in Tokyo, Square Enix issued a terse statement saying that it had never announced a next-gen sequel to FFXI. "The company did not make such an announcement and has not made any decisions resembling those detailed in the media report," it said.

Square Enix did assert in broken English that "it is currently developing an online [game for] next-generation platforms including game consoles and PCs." However, the company said of the game in question that "this title is being developed [as a] completely new MMORPG." "

EGM reporting old news as rumors in other words.

nestea · (12-04-2007, 07:03 PM)

The only type of virtual life online "game" that would interest me would be one where you could commit crimes like mugging or beating up the various users.

Aeris130 · (12-04-2007, 07:10 PM)

Kinda reminds me of One Piece. Looks nice anyway, but I'm still waiting for my FFVI MMORPG.

krypt0nian · (12-04-2007, 07:11 PM)

Cyber with a chocobo will be.....interesting.

jarrod · (12-04-2007, 07:17 PM)

Originally Posted by Quazar:

Which is highly likely because the developers themselves have said it will not be FFXI-2.

"[update]However, this morning in Tokyo, Square Enix issued a terse statement saying that it had never announced a next-gen sequel to FFXI. "The company did not make such an announcement and has not made any decisions resembling those detailed in the media report," it said.

Square Enix did assert in broken English that "it is currently developing an online [game for] next-generation platforms including game consoles and PCs." However, the company said of the game in question that "this title is being developed [as a] completely new MMORPG." "

EGM reporting old news as rumors in other words.

All that implies is it not being a direct FFXI-sequel actually... it could still be part of the FFXIII project (or not just as easily), but it's quite likely to at least retain the FF branding in some form.

Quazar · 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by jarrod:

All that implies is it not being a direct FFXI-sequel actually... it could still be part of the FFXIII project (or not just as easily), but it's quite likely to at least retain the FF branding in some form.

Sure but what else? I cant see them dropping FF name. And with the multiple XIII projects in the works I say it's highly likely to be XIII related. Besides the universe seems more unique to what's already been done in XI and would differentiate itself to older FFs. Besides maybe 8.(I guess X as well but come on)

jarrod · (12-04-2007, 07:29 PM)

Well, I'd say either a ground up FF universe or loosely FFXIII related (and titled as such). Wasn't FFXI loosely related to FFIX already though?

I'd personally love to see it based off the FFXII/Tactics/Vagrant Story world, but fat chance of that ever happening.

Quazar · (12-04-2007, 07:48 PM)

Originally Posted by jarrod:

Well, I'd say either a ground up FF universe or loosely FFXIII related (and titled as such). Wasn't FFXI loosely related to FFIX already though?

I'd personally love to see it based off the FFXII/Tactics/Vagrant Story world, but fat chance of that ever happening.

Whoops I meant 8 not 9.

I just dont see a point in going with a FF universe that was pretty much used up in XI's Vanadiel.(Just do XI-2 at that point) I would think they'd want to go with something from 8 or XIII. Vagrant could be cool though.

Baryn · (12-04-2007, 08:10 PM)

Looks lame, not for me.

Kyoufu · (12-04-2007, 08:13 PM)

Originally Posted by Quazar:

Whoops I meant 8 not 9.

I just dont see a point in going with a FF universe that was pretty much used up in XI's Vanadiel.(Just do XI-2 at that point) I would think they'd want to go with something from 8 or XIII. Vagrant could be cool though.

MMOs set in past games universes would suck. It is limiting to the game director and obviously the game itself.

They'll do what they did with FFXI and create a new world, where I shall be king.

krypt0nian · (12-04-2007, 08:17 PM)

Originally Posted by Kyoufu:

MMOs set in past games universes would suck. It is limiting to the game director and obviously the game itself.

They'll do what they did with FFXI and create a new world, where I shall be king.

This worked out well for Warcraft.

Quazar · (12-04-2007, 08:17 PM)

Originally Posted by Kyoufu:

MMOs set in past games universes would suck. It is limiting to the game director and obviously the game itself.

They'll do what they did with FFXI and create a new world, where I shall be king.

That's what I'm hoping they do. XIII universe just seems so possible though.

And the only thing you'll be king at doing is telling my tales.

Kyoufu · (12-04-2007, 08:20 PM)

Originally Posted by krypt0nian:

This worked out well for Warcraft.

Warcraft is different though, isn't it? Aren't all the WC games in the same universe, whereas each FF is set in a different one?

Jacobi · (12-04-2007, 08:20 PM)

"Square Enix announces Virtual World for Wii" With that title this thread would have 5 pages already

krypt0nian · (12-04-2007, 09:58 PM)

Originally Posted by Kyoufu:

Warcraft is different though, isn't it? Aren't all the WC games in the same universe, whereas each FF is set in a different one?

Well they would be picking one universe for the MMO so it would be fine. You said that setting it in one world would be limiting. I countered with WoW.

soul · (12-05-2007, 09:08 AM)

Kotaku:

Square-Enix Creates Giant Headed Virtual World To Shill Stuff

The company responsible for billions of tons of Chocobo tchochkes is giving Square-Enix Members another opportunity to be inundated with more Final Fantasy stuff. Squeenix's Virtual World launches in Japan next week, with the publisher revealing details on the members only service today. Replete with avatar creation, customization, mini-games and Chocobos, Virtual World behaves kind of like a low-rent Second Life or Home. Instead of creepy furry sexual fantasies played out with terrible graphics, Virtual World inhabitants will have tea with giant yellow birds. Instead of looking at billboards for Sony games, Virtual World users will look at billboards for Square-Enix games.

It's strictly for Windows users at this point and will likely remain that way for a long time. Virtual World will go into a public alpha testing next week, incorporate existing Square-Enix Member avatars and feature prominent ads for Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon for the Wii.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/square_enix...uff-329868.php