Should SE mix things up and allow a western developer make the next FF?

[Wolf Kanno]

Not anything new but here's an article where someone ponders the question. So I ask you Eyes on FF, have we reached a point where this might be the fresh break the FF series needs. or should we stick to the Japanese teams, cause you either don't agree that something is wrong, or feel that FF would lose something in the cultural exchange?

Have fun debate.

[VeloZer0]

I think having a western team make 'an FF' wouldn't be that bad of an idea. I don't think there is any reason a western developer can't make a good JRPG, so long as they were not trying to re-invent th series as a WRPG.

And even if it sucks they can probably have a few cracks at it before SE would release a single title of their own.

[ShinGundam]

Not anything new but here's an article where someone ponders the question. So I ask you Eyes on FF, have we reached a point where this might be the fresh break the FF series needs. or should we stick to the Japanese teams, cause you either don't agree that something is wrong, or feel that FF would lose something in the cultural exchange?

Have fun debate.

There is nothing to debate here, it is all about your preference, whether you like WRPG or JRPG. For me I DISLIKE this idea, we in a drought for traditional/Adventure RPGs so i would rather to keep FF as it is. Also, I do see harm in making a western FF. It will be a good reason for this increasingly frustrated community to hail other JRPGs as gifts from heaven and declare SE as Activision of Japan, no matter how the other JRPGs are actually filled with many compromises .

Another point, the major difference between JRPG and WRPG is that WRPG often combine three main components :

1- Morality system AKA role playing.
2- Quest/Mission structure AKA Non-linearity.
3- Avatar system

What i dislike, is that people often tend to romanticized some of these concepts beyond its actual value .

[VeloZer0]

Just because it is made by a western company doesn't mean it has to be in typical western fashion. A more worldly gamer than myself could probably throw out some great examples of JRPGs made by western developers.

For me a JRPG is a style, not a physical place.

[kotora]

yes because apparently they can't properly make games anymore themselves (actually they never could ever since Square Soft became Square Enix, all their games have sucked since then). At least Western devs wouldn't bitch about 'HD towns' being too hard to make and we wouldn't have to deal with as much non-interactive cutscenes, which were originally used to make up for things that couldn't be done with gameplay mechanics and graphics but are now just an excuse to be lazy.

[Slothy]

A more worldly gamer than myself could probably throw out some great examples of JRPGs made by western developers.

The only one I can think of off the top of my head right now is Secret of Evermore which was made by a NA team but borrowed many gameplay elements from Secret of Mana. I've never played it though so I don't know how good it is.

Anyway, in theory, I have no reason to believe that a western developer couldn't make a good FF title. In reality though, I'd be lying if I didn't say that I feel some of the better titles charming quirks have come from the cultural differences between Japan and the West (or from questionable translation choices), and even if a western developed an FF with a great story, great characters and awesome gameplay, I still think it would be missing something.

Of course, the fact that switching to a western developer has worked out so well for Silent Hill isn't making this seem like any better of an idea for me.

[kotora]

Septerra Core was a pretty good game made by an American studio in Japanese RPG style. It didn't have that great production values because it was made by a small studio, but it had voice acting for every line of dialogue in the game (including the guy who later on voiced Master Chief) and a much better story than FF8 which came out at around the same time.

[Del Murder]

I don't really know the difference between JRPG and WRPG, but I do think having a western influence in FF would not be a bad idea. Like hiring some actual writers to create a story for them.

[Miriel]

Why can't they bring in some non-Japanese folks to collaborate with them? They don't need to turn the whole thing over to another team, but I definitely feel like they need to do something to change things up. An infusion of new talent is usually a good thing.

[Mirage]

"Yes! FF has always been about trying new ideas and taking risks."

or in my own words

sure whynot

I don't really know the difference between JRPG and WRPG

These days, WRPG means non-linear somewhat sandboxy world where you can solve lots of subquests in several different ways, and you've got statistics that are useful outside of battle.

JRPG means more or less -edit- splerg derg slurp durp
I have no idea how to define jrpg

[ShinGundam]

Why can't they bring in some non-Japanese folks to collaborate with them? They don't need to turn the whole thing over to another team, but I definitely feel like they need to do something to change things up. An infusion of new talent is usually a good thing.

Front Mission Evolved ? the game itself was a mixture of Japanese and American ideas regarding storytelling, game design and art didn't lead to growth of the franchise or generates a positive momentum.

[Laddy]

If BioWare or something like that would do it, I'd be fine.

I just don't want it to turn into too much into a Gears of War or Call of Duty in style.

[blackmage_nuke]

I when I play a JRPG it's because I want to play a JRPG. If i wanted to play a WRPG i would do so, not some JRPG trying to appeal to western audience (which i feel is the reason i disliked FFXII). I feel trying to appeal to western audiences instead of just trying to be uniquely japanese is actualy what's causing the recent decline in FFs

[ShinGundam]

If BioWare or something like that would do it, I'd be fine.

I just don't want it to turn into too much into a Gears of War or Call of Duty in style.

Bioware is an EA partner.

when I play a JRPG it's because I want to play a JRPG. If i wanted to play a WRPG i would do so, not some JRPG trying to appeal to western audience (which i feel is the reason i disliked FFXII). I feel trying to appeal to western audiences instead of just trying to be uniquely japanese is actualy what's causing the recent decline in FFs

It's funny, i found people complain about traditional parts of the franchise (e.g. Menu/command battles, lack of realtime battles, smashing X repeatedly, Linearity in general, Overworld, random battles). It seems to me that people don't want an FF game . What happened now is the result of losing some of it positive momentum.

[VeloZer0]

It's funny, i found people complain about traditional parts of the franchise (e.g. Menu/command battles, lack of realtime battles, smashing X repeatedly, Linearity in general, Overworld, random battles). It seems to me that people don't want an FF game .

I love all those things and I want them back!