14 DAY TRIAL // Everyone makes a New Year's resolution, a list in which they take the opportunity of a brand new 12-month package deal to motivate them for the future. They take the calendar's blank slate as one that can also be applied to them, and they look forward to making this a fresh start for them as well. Japan is one country that takes its New Year resolution very seriously, and of course, Japanese companies do the same. But they do a little bit more than just hope for a brighter future, they issue official statements in which they declare their intentions.
While it may sound like they're just trying to set the record straight with their investors, the general attitude and mentality of Japan makes it more likely that this is a death threat to the competition. Of course, all dressed up in the pretty words of Japanese diplomacy. One gaming publisher that has already released its new year statement is Square Enix, and the company is aiming big, though it does so through the specific cryptic and reserved talk.
As 2010 begins, Square Enix's “lead Chocobo,” Yoichi Wada, announced the company's goal for the rest of the year is to “take root.” While this may not clear things up much, the statement in which the goal is explained may do the opposite. “In the near future, the rate of convergence between video games and other digital entertainment content will only continue to accelerate,” Wada stated.
“It is for that reason we will make 2010 a year of taking root, in which we use this environment of change as an opportunity for establishing a strong foothold with which to lead the global entertainment industry”.
So, by all accounts, all those Final Fantasy cinematics were just a warm up, as Square Enix seems to plan on expanding into other areas of entrainment, and the movie business would be the most obvious choice for them. The only thing left to figure out is whether it will go for live action films, CGI productions or the more locally popular anime industry.