Square's 11.23 Yokohama conference rumors

[10.01.99] » Final Fantasy IX announcement and retiring of "pillar" series rumored.

   Square's forthcoming 11.23 conference at Yokohama has the industry abuzz with speculation. When Square talks, people listen. And judging from their pre-conference press, Square has something very, very big to say indeed. But what exactly will they announce?

   A near given for the conference is Final Fantasy IX. Square ended their TGS video with a brief "IX" flashing across the video screen. This ain't Tobal No. 9, folks. Moreover, two full pages of the Tokyo Game Show press materials were devoted to the forthcoming Yokohama conference; more page than Parasite Eve II, Legend of Mana, or Front Mission 3 merited. Clearly, this conference holds great importance. Finally, the words "11.23 Yokohama" appear nine times in the booklet; surely not a coincidence for a company as carefully calculating as Square.

   New rumors, first reported by Magic Box, hold that Square intends to announce the end of one of their three 'pillar' series; namely, Final Fantasy, SaGa, or Seiken Densetsu. This 'pillar' series will then be replaced by another series, with the Parasite Eve, Xenogears, Chrono, and Chocobo series all vying for the spot. As Square previously announced that they were aiming to decrease the number of titles produced each year (and increase each title's quality), this decision would make sense.

   The Final Fantasy series is one of the largest game franchises ever, and more popular than ever in both Japan and the United States. Add a confirmed ninth title and a forthcoming movie, and killing it is extraordinarily unlikely. The SaGa series is only popular in Japan, and doesn't fit well with Square's movement towards more "cinematic" RPGs like Final Fantasy, Parasite Eve, and Vagrant Story. Seiken Densetsu was originally conceived as a trilogy, but revived earlier this year in the form of Legend of Mana. Reviving the series just to kill it off again immediately makes very little sense.

   If the rumors are true, then, Square's SaGa series seems most likely to get the axe. So what series will Square elevate into "pillar" status? Popular wisdom points to the Chrono series. It is a traditional role-playing series and can easily go the more cinematic route that Square is taking. It is also quite popular, with both Chrono Cross and the Chrono Trigger PSX remake sitting nicely on Famitsu's Top 30 Most Wanted chart (Chrono Cross is at position 2). The series also has broad audience appeal. Parasite Eve and Xenogears are potential, if less likely, replacements, while the Chocobo series seems destined for niche-genre mascot obscurity.

   Of course, it's likely that these rumors of "retiring of a 'pillar' series" are just so much bunk. But isn't it fun to speculate?

   While Square claims the Yokohama conference is solely to discuss their forthcoming PlayStation 2 plans, signs point to announcements on a much larger scale. Expect much discussion on the state of Square and their future plans. While we won't know for sure until 11.23, great change is in the air for Squaresoft.