Could FFXVI be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS?

[fat_moogle]

I wouldn't be surprised if Square Enix made FFXVI a 3DS game. From a business perspective it may actually be a wise move. Development of FFXIV was rocky, and they had to make a whole new game. FFXV has also had a turbulent development and a platform change. Costly stuff!

How to re cooperate those losses and cut development times and costs? Release a game on a handheld platform with an insane user base. It wouldn't be the first time SE have experimented with something like this, as Dragon Quest IX was released for DS.

Could FFXVI follow suit and, if so, how would you feel about the decision?

[Ayen]

I think it goes back to what Tabata says on how well FFXV does when it's released. If they don't make back what they spent, I could see it happening. Thanks to the current state of the industry they could do relatively well in sales and still not be able to make back what they threw into the budget.

I'd be all right with a 3DS entry, since I have a 3DS and I'd be able to get it faster than anything going to the PS4 and XBO.

[Mirage]

They could easily make a profit on a console-style RPG if they just didn't waste 5 years doing practically nothing.

I think it would be insane to think the profits they gain from FF15 are in any way useful in projecting profits for games that are actually made within a sensible time frame.

[Vyk]

Seems like up until recently they had an unlimited budget. People got paid for 8 years to sit on their ass and simply think about making FFXV. How are they going to make that up? The game's going to have to somehow earn them tens (if not hundreds) of millions of dollars... Hopefully they're only concerned about making recent money back. Otherwise I don't see how this can be avoided

[DMKA]

I don't play handhelds so I'd be extremely disappointed if that happened.

Then again all the handheld FFs and KHs are getting HD re-releases on consoles so I guess I'd just have to wait longer to play them. :p

The industry is so wacky these days.

[Colonel Angus]

FFXVI will be Mac exclusive. #SWERVE

[DMKA]

FFXVI will be Mac exclusive. #SWERVE
Only timed though. Then it will be ported to the Shield and the Ouya.

[VeloZer0]

Well seeing as FF16 on 3DS implies that FF15 will be released at some point I'm going to say no.

[chionos]

On that note, maybe we'll see FFXVI come out before FFXV. SE innovatin', you never saw that coming, did you?

[fat_moogle]

I'd be alright with a 3DS title as well. I don't have one, but I'm sure my sister wouldn't mind lending hers to me xD

Imagine the FFXVI 3DS Japan launch though . Pretty sure it would sell a ton more than FFXV will ever do on PS4 in the region unless PS4 sales pick up a lot in Japan. It's not been selling very well there, but maybe that will change when games like Persona 5 start to hit (but that's also on PS3).

[Fox]

Not XVI. Maybe XVII if XV underperforms.

The reason I say XVI won't be on there is because they've likely already begun pre-production on it, or at least have it approved on a schedule somewhere. If they wanted a seismic shift based on XV's performance they would have to release XV, wait a few months for sales data and then start pre-production on XVI. That's just way too much time.

[Wolf Kanno]

It will depend on a few factors but I don't think it would be unlikely. I feel that if a numbered entry can be an MMO then it can be a handheld as well. Also, even if XVI has already started pre-production, that is still largely the concept stage as opposed to actually starting to code and translate concept sketches and character sheets into models, so it could be possible for SE to wait and see how XV does. I would also point out that Type-0 HD will probably be a factor as well as FFX HD. I think SE really is trying to gauge how profitable it is for them to focus on consoles. Then again, they did say they were creating a new studio focused on it and Tabata has stated in interviews he still feels the franchise should be on console so who really knows?

[Del Murder]

A 3DS main FF game could be the last chance to return to the glory days. I'm all for it.

[Pumpkin]

I am all for it being on whatever system I have, whether that be console or handheld

/helpful

[Fox]

I wouldn't mind one built for handheld but I'd like it on consoles/PC as well. I don't care about graphics - I'm doing an FFVII playthrough right now and dear god it's ugly - but I do care about having a nice big screen with nice big speakers with which to listen to that lovely music.

So it can look rubbish in order to work on a handheld, that's fine. Just make it available for proper consoles as well.

[Bolivar]

I would rather Square figure out how to make an awesome HD RPG than a handheld entry that would probably be similar to a lot of games I've already played. I think they realize this, given how Dragon Quest has slowly crawled back to consoles (and Sony) since taking a chance with DQIX.

The next FF would be more likely to go mobile, as that's where Japan is right now. 3DS support is in decline, with Nintendo doubling down on the Wii U and not signing any games to fill the void.

[Wolf Kanno]

Um... considering Nintendo is releasing a new upgraded 3DS, I will have to disagree with your thoughts about the systems' decline and Nintendo not caring anymore. Also focusing on the part of their business that is not doing well doesn't mean they have no interest in the part that is dominating the console industry. Also Square-Enix already has a few titles dedicated for future release on the 3DS so I don't really understand where you're coming from on the "3DS being in decline".

[Del Murder]

The 3DS is the best system that's out right now. No way it's in decline.

[Bolivar]

Both output and sales have demonstrably fallen in 2014.

[Wolf Kanno]

Probably because everyone owns one already. ;)

It actually had a pretty nice spike in sales last month in anticipation for the Smash Bros. game and depending how Nintendo markets the super 3DS they decided to make, they could still stand to gain a few. Honestly they're doing fine with the system at the moment, and unlike their consoles, they don't have to worry as much about releasing content since third-party developers love their handhelds. So even the lack of a first-party game is not really a big deal for them like it is for the Wii U. I mean Persona Q, Bravery Second, Final Fantasy Explorers, Devil Survivor 2 Director's Cut, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate... the list goes on and most of this is scheduled for late 2014/early 2015 alone. So I don't feel the 3DS is slowing down at the moment and the new 3DS has freaking Xenoblade Chronicles coming out for it which still just kind of blows my mind they would do that... With the new system, I feel it's even more justified for SE to consider the idea, even if I don't believe it will happen.

[Bolivar]

Even with a sales bump, August 2014 continued the double-digit year on year decline.

http://m.neogaf.com/showpost.php?p=84806737

http://m.neogaf.com/showpost.php?p=132770732

[Rin Heartilly]

I think by the time FFXVI comes out the 3ds will be phased out by it's next nintendo handheld successor. I don't mind if it did come out on 3ds though, the 3ds has an amazing library of games already and I'm sure it'd sell well.