Square Enix Developers On Why They Make Arcade Games

We’ve recently seen Square Enix push more arcade titles such as their Gunslinger Stratos and Lord of Vermilion series, and more recently Dissidia Final Fantasy. Key  developers from the company spoke with 4Gamer about making games for arcades, and why they do it.

During the interview, 4Gamer mention how the Square Enix developers previously mentioned that the reason they continue making arcade games is because there are valuable customers to be reached. They ask them to share more on just exactly what type of customers these are.

“I think it’s all about making a choice between paying 2,000 yen to go karaoke, or going to the arcades to play 2,000 yen’s worth,” says Lord of Vermilion III producer Yuichi Tanzawa. “And if there are people who continue to choose games, then to us, they’re nothing but the most valuable customers.”

“If you talk to some of the passionate people, you’ll hear them go on about ‘this is worth so-and-so credit’. When we made books for the fans, we’ve even had some say ‘but given this book’s price, I could play 15 times instead!’” adds Gunslinger Stratos series producer Nobuki Kadoi with a laugh.

4Gamer point out the importance of giving each credit the right value However, lately, it hasn’t been just arcade games that allow players to enjoy content for small change, as we’ve been seeing more for items in free-to-play titles and smaller DLC in console titles as well.

According to Drakengard series producer Takamasa Shiba, there are indeed similarities between these, and he suggests that perhaps online games can provide the same type of excitement you get from arcade centers if done properly. However, he says that when you consider the aspect of actually being at an arcade center, there’s more value there.

4Gamer asks if he’s talking about the offline community.

“Yes. Arcade centers have spontaneous manners of communication—be it by speaking, showing, or teaching, which I believe is something that can’t be replicated in online games nowadays,” says Shiba. “To top it off, it’s not that cheap for these players to step into an arcade center just to play. As a developer, a part of me feels that those are the kind of people I’d like to speak with, when possible.”