[Shamdeo]

Final Fantasy XIII-2 had an update where you could opt to post game progress on your Facebook.

Obviously this is the end of the world as we know it.

[Eusis]

Final Fantasy XIII-2 had an update where you could opt to post game progress on your Facebook. Obviously this is the end of the world as we know it.

That stuff's mainly just dumb, it's stuff like what's in the article TucoBenedictoPacifico linked and what the Japanese government is starting to seriously pay attention to that will fuck things up if they're adopted as THEY standard for all games.

EDIT: Though I must admit, I'm getting really tired of seeing the Facebook/Twitter icons on everything. Can't even have a drink without them being on the can or cup anymore.

[AdventureRacing]

At the same time we have seen devs all but give up on co-op gaming, fucking thing sucks.

[TelemachusD]

If this means Just Cause 3 has co-op, I'll take it.

[Erethian]

Considering certain types of gameplay mechanics and genres are better suited to having an online component than others, I'm not sure how much of a good thing this is.

Also I wish a company would straight up say, "We're putting online in this game so people take longer to sell it and there are less used copies in circulation."

[Impeccable]

You can just have mechanics where you can compare thousands of stats with other players of the game. You don't necessarily need multi-player or co-op game play.

[Shamdeo]

I don't really see this as "social-izing" games, but rather a new attention to games in the social/mobile market -- which as much as people here might groan about (myself included), is a burgeoning market any serious company is looking into.

Roger even says they want to "expand" themselves into that market, but not change the company so that everything becomes focused solely on social aspects.

Bottom line?

I think they just want to make social mobile games abroad, in addition to the games they're making now.

[WanderingWind]

It's weird. I seem to remember games being pretty awesome before Facebook. Must of dreamt that stuff.

[Emitan]

It's weird. I seem to remember games being pretty awesome before Facebook. Must of dreamt that stuff.

This has nothing to do with Facebook.

[Riposte]

I see people like to pretend that CEO of Europe could turn Final Fantasy, Eidos titles, etc into social games. Nirolak isn't the type of poster to put a detail like that in the thread title though.

[SatelliteOfLove]

Great point. Seeing SE say that, I couldn't help but think of EA, Ubi, R*, etc. who feel the need to control things but open opt-in communities are the way to go. Then again, their open nature means you don't have to do anything. My point was more that if there has to be a standardized framework of "social" features, I'd rather not leave it to publishers. FWIW, I don't consider spamming twitter/Facebook with game updates as "social". It's just the result of dumb suits somewhere in an office thinking they "get" social features while they don't.

It's that cart before the horse crap, it becomes in the service of selling us, the playerbase something rather than reaping the windfall of word-of-mouth for big dinero. It all leads to neither-fish-nor-fowl games with tacked on wasteful fluff at best, leering cash-grabs at worst.

In other news, pirates will now cut out not only annoying DRM but also annoying social features. Which will be countered by prohibiting used game sales for consoles. Everything according to keikaku. Also, after FFXIV, I don't trust Square Enix with anything even remotely related to online.

Also that.

[Eusis]

I see people like to pretend that CEO of Europe could turn Final Fantasy, Eidos titles, etc into social games. Nirolak isn't the type of poster to put a detail like that in the thread title though.

Final Fantasy? Probably not, though he's in a position they'd listen to him. Eidos? He was the CEO of Eidos, it seems likely he'll have plenty of pull there.

[Wyndstryker]

Square Enix, your games need to be good to survive.

[TucoBenedictoPacifico]

Final Fantasy XIII-2 had an update where you could opt to post game progress on your Facebook. Obviously this is the end of the world as we know it.

On the other hand, I honestly wonder if there is a single person on this planet that after reading on Facebook "Jessica is finally level 10 in FF XIII-2" actually thought "Wow, that's fucking interesting!".
Apparently yes, as this sort of crap is popular somehow.

[WanderingWind]

This has nothing to do with Facebook.

Yes, actually it does. In every professional circle, trying to "make something more social" is about adapting social media to fit whatever thing is being pushed. If they were simply talking about adding more multiplayer, they would've said that, as the lingo is already there. They want things like leaderboards, social media integration, mobile tie-ins and other adapted shared experiences as integral parts of their games going forward.

Which, honestly, there is nothing wrong with. There is something wrong with thinking EVERY game needs these things in order to survive.

[Nirolak]

I see people like to pretend that CEO of Europe could turn Final Fantasy, Eidos titles, etc into social games. Nirolak isn't the type of poster to put a detail like that in the thread title though.

Square Enix Europe *is* Eidos. Phil Rogers was Eidos' CEO before they merged, and still runs the division.

Riposte isn't one to research his posts though.

[Riposte]

Square Enix Europe *is* Eidos. Phil Rogers was Eidos' CEO before they merged, and still runs the division. Riposte isn't one to research his posts though.

lol, then I'm wrong. Or half right. So it could be an Eidos issue.

[BurntPork]

God damn SE.

[Eusis]

On the other hand, I honestly wonder if there is a single person on this planet that after reading on Facebook "Jessica is finally level 10 in FF XIII-2" actually thought "Wow, that's fucking interesting!". Apparently yes, as this sort of crap is popular somehow.

I imagine it's frequently an effort versus reward issue, and something like Facebook integration can probably be whipped out in a day or two, few weeks at worst, to placate a few people that seriously like to throw this crap up on Facebook. If it were more expensive or hard to implant I can guarantee that very, VERY few games would have it.

[Nirolak]

lol, then I'm wrong. Or half right. So it could be an Eidos issue.

I feel, reading one of Square Enix's recent fiscal transcripts, that this is definitely a direction being pushed from Japan as well: http://www.square-enix.com/eng/news/pdf/20111104_01.pdf

I mean, basically half this presentation is on the subject.

[Kamek]

I have no interest in social aspects in single player games.

Pretty much. If I'm playing a traditional (non Crystal Chronicles) type of FF, I want to feel engrossed in the world and I'd rather it be a solo experience.

[charsace]

Every big dev has jumped on this bandwagon and they might be right. Because every time a game is announced people ask if their is multiplayer or something social in it.

[Tawney Bomb]

If Demon's Souls is considered a social game, I'm okay with this. If it means I have to play with other people, I won't be getting behind this notion.

[Eusis]

If Demon's Souls is considered a social game, I'm okay with this. If it means I have to play with other people, I won't be getting behind this notion.

And if it means skinner box-type games that rope people in to pay a lot either to actually make decent progress or for social status then it needs to die die die.

[Fine Ham Abounds]

I'm fine with something creative like the Souls games' online features, or Journey. I'd even be cool with a cellphone metagame for a single player game, sorta like an old Dreamcast VMU game or something.

Not sure I have confidence in SE being able to be that creative anymore though. Maybe Versus XIII is being delayed to allow you to tweet ingame?

[PokéKong]

Final Fantasy XIII-2 had an update where you could opt to post game progress on your Facebook. Obviously this is the end of the world as we know it.

I came into this thread thinking "yup that has to be right, the feature to post to FB from the Historia Crux was a deal maker for me, there's no way I would have reserved the collector's edition otherwise."

[graywolf323]

no just no

please God no

[Vane_MagicCity]

On the other hand, I honestly wonder if there is a single person on this planet that after reading on Facebook "Jessica is finally level 10 in FF XIII-2" actually thought "Wow, that's fucking interesting!". Apparently yes, as this sort of crap is popular somehow.

Probably just people pushing "Like" to be polite. I am just guessing here, I don't know how XIII-2 works with Facebook but I know how people use the Like system on Facebook. It's like an obligation.

[Eusis]

I came into this thread thinking "yup that has to be right, the feature to post to FB from the Historia Crux was a deal maker for me, there's no way I would have reserved the collector's edition otherwise."

Well, that was only added in a patch, so you could just NOT update the game. Not as if you lose any serious online functionality until the DLC you want comes out (if any ever interests you.)

[Shadow780]

Can't say I would say no to Chocobo farmville, or Nomura dressing room.

[Gunloc]

Nope.

[Junie12]

Just make the game good Square, that's how they'll survive :)

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

I feel my time as a gamer on the cutting edge, or rather playing on the most mainstream of devices is drawing to a close.

I, point blank can never be arsed with multiplayer games outside of fighters. I might play the odd match online but that's it.

More and more games are moving to a multiplayer or social model, while single player innovations in gameplay seem to have stalled.

When was the last time the GAMEPLAY of a game was heralded as fresh, creative an innovative?

It's all about it's art, it's graphics and it's multiplayer modes these days. I'm sorry, but that shit bores me. Give me unique addictive gameplay every single time.

I'm sick of the arms race. I'm quite close to being done.

[laika09]

I feel my time as a gamer on the cutting edge, or rather playing on the most mainstream of devices is drawing to a close. I, point blank can never be arsed with multiplayer games outside of fighters. I might play the odd match online but that's it. More and more games are moving to a multiplayer or social model, while single player innovations in gameplay seem to have stalled. When was the last time the GAMEPLAY of a game was heralded as fresh, creative an innovative? It's all about it's art, it's graphics and it's multiplayer modes these days. I'm sorry, but that shit bores me. Give me unique addictive gameplay every single time. I'm sick of the arms race. I'm quite close to being done.

Games are just experiencing what every other medium has gone through when it's ceased being a niche activity.

Relax. There will always be games made for you. Facebook games will never crowd out the stuff we're accustomed to.

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Surprised this is the European CEO saying this. But it's not surprising, nor is it a bad thing. XIII-2 has Facebook interaction. It's just a small step, but the potential is there for something better. Imagine playing something like FFX or FFVII for the first time and having your Facebook wall update that you are going to go save Yuna or something. Your friends could then further talk and make comments or hints of what to do right there. I mean further bringing some interaction with others in this Single player game. I mean what's so bad about that?

Because my Facebook has more than gamers on it and they are no more interested in what I do in my video games as I am in their toilet habits.

I don't understand this need to show the world what your doing at any given moment. Your life is not that important that everyone you assosiate with needs to know how far your getting in a fucking videogame.

Games are just experiencing what every other medium has gone through when it's ceased being a niche activity. Relax. There will always be games made for you. Facebook games will never crowd out the stuff we're accustomed to.

Tbh, I'm not so sure. My tastes are seemingly becoming increasingly niche. I'm fine with it as there are more games already out there that I'd like that I could possibly play in a lifetime especially if I revisit some of the previous generations gems.

I'm just saying that as it stands, I can't see myself picking up many more current and future generations of games if these attitudes continue. It's a bunch of nonsense and playing the hottest thing on the block is becoming less and less appealing to me, when you factor in statements like the one in the OP.

[Rahxephon91]

Because my Facebook has more than gamers on it and they are no more interested in what I do in my video games as I am in their toilet habits.

Just because you don't care dosen't mean others don't. I think Facebook is stupid, but I don't complain.

[laika09]

Tbh, I'm not so sure. My tastes are seemingly becoming increasingly niche. I'm fine with it as there are more games already out there that I'd like that I could possibly play in a lifetime especially if I revisit some of the previous generations gems. I'm just saying that as it stands, I can't see myself picking up many more current and future generations of games if these attitudes continue. It's a bunch of nonsense and playing the hottest thing on the block is becoming less and less appealing to me, when you factor in statements like the one in the OP.

I don't use Facebook. I have no interest in basically any type of multiplayer experiences, anyway. (Journey was okay though.) Hell I don't even like leaderboards. But I don't really share the same concern that you do.

There will be a time when the 'hottest thing on the block' no longer appeals to you, just like a Michael Bay movie won't appeal to someone who enjoys thoughtful, meaningful classic cinema. But there's still a huge subsection of the industry that devotes their life's work to producing such movies, even if they only get one run at indie theaters. Given how hugely popular video games were even before the recent dudebro explosion, there's not a chance that the same thing doesn't happen in this industry.

[ThoughtsOfSpeaking]

Just because you don't care dosen't mean others don't. I think Facebook is stupid, but I don't complain.

Which is true, but what I'm seeing is once things like this get implemented, they start to be required.

I'm not saying it will get so bad that you need to log into a Facebook account to play your game, but I can see publishers starting to require you sign up to their social network to play their games. It won't be put that blunt, but that's what it will boil down to.

Having to enter Codes for online passes in the box are irritating enough. I just want to play my fucking game.

I don't use Facebook. I have no interest in basically any type of multiplayer experiences, anyway. (Journey was okay though.) Hell I don't even like leaderboards. But I don't really share the same concern that you do. There will be a time when the 'hottest thing on the block' no longer appeals to you, just like a Michael Bay movie won't appeal to someone who enjoys thoughtful, meaningful classic cinema. But there's still a huge subsection of the industry that devotes their life's work to producing such movies, even if they only get one run at indie theaters. Given how hugely popular video games were even before the recent dudebro explosion, there's not a chance that the same thing doesn't happen in this industry.

If and when such a thing happens, they won't be on the forefront of the industry. They will be the games people "in the know" talk about.

Your point doesn't really invalidate mine. We are both talking about the same thing, I'm just being slightly more pessmistic about it. It is hyperbole on my part to say I won't buy ANY future game, but I still stand by the idea that I will be buying less and less new titles in the coming years by the looks of it.

[Schnei871]

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. I miss old Squaresoft and Enix. I miss old videogames.

.

[FieryBalrog]

I mostly agree with him. I find myself increasingly bored by games that other people have no presence in UNLESS they're on handhelds (pick up and play any time) or arcade-y games.

The "big budget solo cinematic experience" is dying to me.

[Rahxephon91]

Which is true, but what I'm seeing is once things like this get implemented, they start to be required. I'm not saying it will get so bad that you need to log into a Facebook account to play your game, but I can see publishers starting to require you sign up to their social network to play their games. It won't be put that blunt, but that's what it will boil down to.

I don't think they will ever be required. Just something optional. But the thing is I hope they move away from "John beat Alpha weapon X" as their status that clogs up their wall. But I mean they need to start somewhere.

But either way there is an entire website about normal people telling you what they are up to. Games might as well use it. I mean its also advertising and well I'm sure a lot of gamers will like to share thier progress regardless of how lame it is. Is'nt that half the point behind achievements?

Like I said, these games should attempt to focus on having something that allows you to make your own "Lets Play"/general game videos in the game itself for some sort of comunity website. People like that stuff and I believe that's a social aspect that many gamers could get behind.

[key]

I just started playing Chrono Trigger today, and so far it's brilliant. Single player experiences have their place.

[IrishNinja]

A leaderboard is just one way of connecting single player games to each other, but there are so many other ways it can be done. Think more along the lines of the aspects of Demon's Souls and Dark Souls that didn't directly involve co-op or combat with other players. There's a TON of uncharted territory there, but people aren't willing to open their minds to those possibilities because they're too busy recoiling in horror at the thought of all games being multiplayer-focused or on Facebook.

i think this is a good post, and a good response to the hyperbole backlash.

another rough idea: would anyone care if TWEWY2 gave bonuses/rare buttons via streetpass? that wouldn't interfere, and it'd actually fit the game's design too.

i don't think it's as binary as "TACKED-ON MULTI/NO SP MODE" as it's being made out to be.

I just started playing Chrono Trigger today, and so far it's brilliant. Single player experiences have their place.

congrats! and of course - but if there was an optional mode to see if you could call the winner at the Millennial Fair more than others, etc would that affect your game? i don't think it would.

always bet on catalack

[v1oz]

The problem with traditional single player experiences is that you can easily rent a game like that, play through it once and never look at it again. In order to encourage gamers to actually buy and continually play their games developers have moved towards adding multi-player experiences. Look at the some of the most successful franchises out there like Call of Duty and Madden. Both games have yearly updates that continually get purchased, and it's because of the multi-player.

You can still buy second hand for cheap.

[BaroqueSampson]

I think if 'social' aspects do nothing more than augment (rather than complete) a single-player experience, that'd be fine.

I don't want to have to invite my friends on facebook to a certain app to unlock certain aspects of story or equipment. Maybe have social be 'faster' for those that wish to partake.

The instant 'social' becomes necessary for a 'single player' experience is the instant I find other hobbies.

If more games had multiplayer like Journey, we'd be in a good state. The multi for that, from what I hear, absolutely adds a brilliant feeling of camaraderie to the game. The sad part is that most of the multi we get is tacked on or rehashed.

[Marlowe89]

That's a ridiculous statement, plenty of single-player games sell just fine. I find it hilarious that SE, who's internal development projects are having quite a bit of trouble financially, is giving advice on how to make profitable games.

Right on the fucking mark.

Square Enix, of all companies, has no business telling me or anyone what should be in "every game" I play in order for a franchise to survive in the market.

Not that it will ever happen anytime soon anyway.

[Rahxephon91]

You guys realize which part of Square Enix is saying this....right?.......

[djtiesto]

As an anti-social single player gamer who thinks Square's 16-bit output was the peak of the videogame medium, this is terrible news :(

[nelsonroyale]

I have never bothered with online gaming...and I probably never will. When I want to interact I go to the pub, play sports, speak on skype...SP games I fine for me

[Dunan]

While I certainly enjoyed the social aspects of Demon's Souls, my favorite social gaming experience is Assassin's Creed 2.

Whether the developers thought of it this way or not, that game incorporated three different levels of gameplay: the core, in which "your" ancestor Ezio Auditore ran around late-1400s Firenze and Venezia being an assassino; the frame, in which Desmond Miles is reliving his ancestor's memories in our 2012 world; and, thanks to the secret information hidden behind the puzzles (that Desmond is presumably solving) that reveals various things about the conspiracy behind the game's story. This last part is basically too obscure for any single player or even group of friends to thoroughly solve, so in order to get the most out of it, you have to go on the internet and talk about it on forums like The Hidden Blade, GAF, GameFAQs, and the like. Only then will you really get the most out of AC2.

The game, then the meta-game, then the meta-meta-game, if you will. And I found myself enjoying doing my own research on the internet to figure out the most-carefully-hidden stuff, trading possible solutions with other like-minded fans, just as much as I enjoyed exploring the streets of Renaissance Italy. In Brotherhood, I found myself trying to be the very first person to find some stuff. That social part was a lot more fun than some silly Facebook- or Twitter-based garbage where the game "tweets" your accomplishments to a bunch of friends who probably have no idea what's going on.

Want to really be social? How about offering us custom themes for our computers and phones -- a red-and-white Animus 2.0; a black-and-gold Deus Ex HUD -- so we can feel like we're really in the game when our consoles are off and we're back in the "real" world but still chatting about the games we're playing? Go beyond "social media" and genuinely integrate these games into people's lives, in a non-heavy-handed good way.