.: DataFuse.net - Sakaguchi will help next gen Xbox.

.: DataFuse.net - Sakaguchi will help next gen Xbox.:

Sakaguchi will help next gen Xbox.
By Benoit Leterme: 26 Feb 2005, 2:36 pm (GMT 1)

Sakaguchi, a miracle maker for both Nintendo Co. and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is now hired by Microsoft Corp. to help the next-generation Xbox (Xbox Next or Xbox 2 as it is called at the moment) with its games.

By taking Hironobu Sakaguchi, a top Japanese video game developer, away from Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft might be able to gain a piece of the market when it comes to more fantasy like games such as popular game: Final Fantasy (which has been developed by Sakaguchi).

Microsoft will hire Saka. to develop two role-playing games which will only see the Xbox platform.

While Microsoft has only sold a quarter (20 million) of Sony's Playstation 2 consoles (80 million). Sony is very dependant on games such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Which might cause an increase for the U.S. console compared to the Japanese makers. "

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This is really huge news. For every 5 people here in the US who don't know this guy there are 50 in Japan who do. He's a legend in the gaming business.

The reason I care is because I want to see the Xbox platform prosper in Japan. So far it's been the toughest nut to crack. Most Japanese gamers and developers want console gaming to be exclusive to their country. So putting a man such as Sakaguchi in charge of content development at Microsoft Gaming Studios will bring legitimacy to our beloved US console.

I can't wait to see how his ideas unfold on Xbox Next. I love the Final Fantasy series of games. I still doubt we'll get a game with the "Final Fantasy" moniker attached to it however. I'm almost certain that's a trademark of SquareSoft which Sony has a tight grip on. What we will see are Final Fantasy calibur games on Xbox. I can't wait.