Square-Enix aquires Unreal Engine 3 Licencse

[Epix]

"We [Square-Enix] have acquired the Unreal Engine 3 middleware from Epic Games to help in the development process of video games"

They go on to explain who Epic is and what the Unreal Engine 3 is and how it is usually used in the United States. They say that they will be using the latest version of Unreal Engine 3 which is known for its excellent balance of quality and development efficiency.

They go on to say later in the press release that they are licensing this engine to help them develop games with higher efficiency and higher quality. They say that with the way new platforms work (multi-core CPUs etc...) they have to take a different stance on game development than before and the Unreal Engine 3 will assist them in keeping "up to date" and will also help in the development of their own game development tools.

http://www.square-enix.com/jp/compan...ase_070125.pdf

[curryking1]

According to TXB... this means they have dropped the White Engine.

Now where on earth it says that, I have no clue.

Anyways, this is probably for 360 and PC games, or for multiplats on those platforms, or even 360, PS3 and PC games. I bet they will use this for an action game or something.

Maybe a PC MMO, 360 action title, multiplat something, who knows right now though.

[CygnusXI]

Squeenix is woking on a mmorpg (based on Grandia) for the Ps3 (and prolly 360/pc also). Would this engine be good for that?

[Viper]

Possibly to speed development as it's costing more, taking more time and with such low installed bases, they'll gain less for a tougher effort.

UE3 gives them a chance to help get product out faster and with less effort ensuring they get better net returns.

[VG Aficionado]

According to TXB... this means they have dropped the White Engine.LOL!

[curryking1]

Don't worry VG, I was there to set the record straight ;)

[RavenFox]

The White Engine was not dropped. Who ever believes that deserve a fist to the lips.

quare Enix Licenses Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3

Middleware to be Utilized in Square Enix's Next-Generation Game Development Process

Tokyo, Japan, (Jan. 25, 2007) – Square Enix Co., Ltd. today announced a licensing agreement with Epic Games that enables Square Enix to introduce Epic’s Unreal® Engine 3 middleware into its next-generation game development process.

Square Enix has built its highly successful franchises such as FINAL FANTASY®, DRAGON QUEST® and KINGDOM HEARTS by pushing game consoles to their limits and providing unparalleled user experiences for more than 20 years. This was achieved through the company’s proprietary technologies, which were mostly optimized for each game given the limited resources of game consoles. However, in order to ensure both game quality and development efficiency for next-generation game systems including consoles, PCs and network titles, Square Enix is now building a technology platform to be used throughout the company utilizing proprietary technologies as well as introducing third-party solutions such as Unreal Engine 3.

“The complexity of next-generation game systems featuring HD graphics and multi-core parallel processing poses a number of technological challenges to our game development. However, we can expedite our game development process significantly while allowing extra time and resources to be spent on game design and mechanics by establishing an effective technology platform,” said Taku Murata, General Manager, Research and Development Division, Square Enix, Co., Ltd. “The technology platform for game development is becoming more important than ever. I'm excited to be partnering with Epic Games in such an important area.”

“We’re extremely excited to be working with Square Enix,” said Jay Wilbur, Vice President, Epic Games, Inc. “Square Enix is one of the biggest and most influential companies in the world-wide game business, and having them work with Unreal Engine 3 is a major honor for us and something we’re very proud to be announcing.”

About Unreal Engine 3
The award-winning Unreal Engine is known for cutting-edge graphics and a best-of-breed toolset. Unreal Engine 3 is expected to maintain those features while adding massive world support, multi-processor support, next-generation console optimizations, and one of the most mature tool pipelines in the industry. Unreal Engine 3’s new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained at www.unrealtechnology.com.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd.
With its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY, which has shipped over 70 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has shipped over 41 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. More information on Square Enix can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/jp/.

About Square Enix Ltd.
Located in London, Square Enix Ltd. handles operations in Europe and other PAL territories including sales, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

About Epic Games
Epic Games, Inc., based in Cary, NC and established in 1991, develops cutting-edge games and game engine technology for PC and console. The company has created multiple million-selling, award-winning titles in their Unreal® series and their latest game, Gears of War®, broke sales records on Xbox 360 selling more than 3 million copies worldwide in the first ten weeks and winning GameSpot’s overall Game of the Year for 2006. Epic is also responsible for the Unreal Engine, which is the underlying technology for a wide range of games including, Console Game of the Year winner, "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell TM" by Ubi Soft; PC Gamer's Game of the Year, "Deus Ex" from Ion Storm/Eidos; "America's Army: Special Forces," by the United States Army, and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (PC) by Electronic Arts. Epic's Unreal Engine 3 is the current holder, and three-time consecutive winner, of Game Developer magazine's Front Line award for Best Game Engine. Epic Games was also awarded Studio of the Year at the 2006 Spike TV Video Game Awards. Additional information about Epic can be obtained through Epic's Web site at http://www.epicgames.com.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the Square Enix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Unreal and Gears of War are registered trademarks of Epic Games Inc in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Square Enix Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under the number 3679704 whose registered office is Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LS.

However, in order to ensure both game quality and development efficiency for next-generation game systems including consoles, PCs and network titles, Square Enix is now building a technology platform to be used throughout the company utilizing proprietary technologies as well as introducing third-party solutions such as Unreal Engine 3.


Its for their Vista/PS3/360 cross platform online RPG and Im sure some lucrative oppurtunities in the Korean sector would be nice.

[yoshaw]

*Waits for FFXIII multiplatform stories to trickle on the internet*

sigh! this is gonna be an ugly weekend for the forums.

[Red_Eyes]

Nice. So this will be for FFXI-2 Online.

[OG_Monkey]

Why would sqaure be using the URE3 when they have the white engine? I think this is false. Besides, the URE3 was made my Epic right...in America, you know how that goes with the Japanese and american things.

besides, that link doesnt work.

BUT, if it IS true then they are using it for the 360 probably and maybe the PS3 too. Maybe even the Wii...nah. I dont know...

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Well, Square is more than just the Final Fantasy teams. So maybe that's what it's for? I dunno.

[Viper]

Why would sqaure be using the URE3 when they have the white engine? I think this is false. Besides, the URE3 was made my Epic right...in America, you know how that goes with the Japanese and american things.

besides, that link doesnt work.

BUT, if it IS true then they are using it for the 360 probably and maybe the PS3 too. Maybe even the Wii...nah. I dont know...
The article is legit. The reasons are to reduce development time and costs for certain titles.

[frosty]

Exactly. White engine may not be suited for some titles they are trying to put out, and therefore licensing this engine will allow them to put them out faster without having to write a new one.

[Cless]

Indeed less development cost and making more multiplatform games.

or maybe, after they saw Lost Odyssey ingame/gameplay transition they want to do it too with Final Fantasy XIII :P. To beat it you have to know how it has been done. ;) I am just kidding btw, even without UE3.0 I am sure Square-Enix with their talent can top that.

[rpgamer_2k5]

Dawn of Mana on the PS2 uses Havoc for physics and that's a title developed and published by Square-Enix.

Square-Enix adopting third-party solutions isn't new. Nor is acquiring American middle-ware unorthodox for Japanese firms. O_o'

[cliffbo]

Exactly. White engine may not be suited for some titles they are trying to put out, and therefore licensing this engine will allow them to put them out faster without having to write a new one.

perhaps they are planning a new franchise Unreal Grandia: the first FPSMMOLRPG

[Smokey]

perhaps they are planning a new franchise Unreal Grandia: the first FPSMMOLRPG

only you would think of that cliff lol

[Z]

from the FF13 thread:

you might have something there. for me, I have no reason to think they'll just dump their White Engine that they have been working on for so long and which has amazing results even before it is completed with any other engine.
I see them using UE3 for some multiplatform games and low-medium level titles. their next MMO that has been announced may very well use something like UE3. anybody know what engine FF11 uses?

also, I am thinkjng of smaller project like Musashi having to use the engine for easier porting. they will likely use it for simple Network/LIVE games as well. also, handheld projects may be another good candidate for using an already available and good solution as UE3 and others.

as for the big fry (namely FF on PS3) I think that is the whole point of their Cell research and White Engine development.
Edit/Delete Message

and what MG said:
White Engine for PS3 (and consequently, for FFXIII, Vs XIII, and likely the Kingdom Hearts series), and UE3 for Xbox 360 and PC hardware (for which they have no engine at the moment). Square does work on multiple platforms, obviously, so there will be titles along the way releasing for these platforms, and they need to have an engine ready, years in advance of their release, so there ya have it. UE3 for yet another revision of FFXI, or Fantasy Earth or their equivalent, or maybe a new property. hmmm

[Nameless]

I agree with Yoshaw, let the FUD begin...
I already read some forum posters on other sites stating the White Engine was scrapped and the PS3 is too difficult for development. I hope Square is planning another press release to suppress all the FUD associated with this press release.

I agree with you guys that this engine could be used for Final Fantasy MMO, because the White Engine is being developed to truely harness the power of the Cell/RSX & the Engine would have to be rebuilt from scratch for other platforms. :stirpot:
If our assumptions are correct this is a great move by Square to ensure all platforms receive quality game engines. Peace

[Nameless]

I couldn't resist... Final Fantasy Of War!

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g289/InfiniteBC/gearsofff-1.jpg

http://photos.imageevent.com/scomer/gs/square_ue3.jpg

ROFLMAO~ :lol:

[Z]

Squeenix is woking on a mmorpg (based on Grandia) for the Ps3 (and prolly 360/pc also). Would this engine be good for that?

is that your speculation or have you read that somewhere? because SE said it was a totally new MMO- though that doesn't mean it couldn't be based on an existing IP.

[mario25]

maybe SE is working on a FFVII spinoff feauturing barret.......shoot shoot shoot move shoot shoot shoot

[Logan Cano]

It's most likely for their new MMORPG...I don't see any other rational explanation, since I doubt they'll want to make multiplattform their important titles.

[Z]

for MMO and PSN/LIVE games. maybe even PSP.
are any DS games using the UE3 engine?

[VG Aficionado]

maybe SE is working on a FFVII spinoff feauturing barret.......shoot shoot shoot move shoot shoot shoot:laugh:

for MMO and PSN/LIVE games. maybe even PSP.Surely they're using Kingdom Hearts 2 engine on FFVII: Crisis Core, but I don't think UE3 will play a significant role in PSP ever.

[CygnusXI]

Posted on Friday, September 16 @ 19:43:04 PDT

Square Enix today revealed that it is working on a new title in their Grandia franchise. Unlike previous installments the new product will be an MMORPG, bringing the series online for the very first time. Under development at Gung Ho Entertainment, in collaboration with Game Arts, Grandia Online is currently schedule for release on the PC, although with nextgen consoles going full out with online capabilities it might be possible that we will see console ports in the distant future.

Thats from worthplaying.com



GungHo Talks Grandia Online, Console Gaming
01.18.07 - 5:15 PM

In a recent interview with GameWatch, GungHo Online Entertainment president Kazuki Morishita not only talked about his company's plans for the new year, but also about Grandia Online. This PC-based MMORPG title was originally announced at Tokyo Game Show 2005 before disappearing from public view. In his interview, Morishita offered an explanation for this lack of follow-up information. While Grandia Online was originally developed by the makers of the four offline Grandia installments, GameArts, development responsibilities for the title have since been transferred to GameArts' parent company, GungHo. While the basic game design and systems have not undergone a change, the character designs and visuals have been altered following this transfer. Explaining that this was his personal decision, the president explained the move was necessary to make Grandia Online a new gaming experience, more online-oriented, thus capable of successfully competing in the market place.
While GungHo had already set its sight on console gaming, Morishita would not commit on a console release of Grandia Online. He did, however, stress his company's ability to develop games for consoles. On the topic of next-generation hardware, Morishita apparently liked both the Wii and the PlayStation 3. Talking about the former, he liked the strong sales performance and the easy development process. As for online gaming, the PlayStation 3 with its hard disc drive and high specs seems to be very appealing to GungHo. The PlayStation 3's free-of-charge software, Mainichi Issho, was in fact developed by GungHo. According to Morishita, developing an MMORPG for the WiFi-enabled DS would be difficult, but he was optimistic his company could create online content for that platform as well.

And that one is from rpgfan.com

[Z]

thanks fro the links. now, SE has actually announced two MMOs for PS3- or was that SOE? I'm a little lost.

in any case, I know that there are three unannounced MMO coming from SE and SOE- other than the DC one from SOE. if Grandia is one of them, that leaves two more to be announced. :)

[Red_Eyes]

A FPS game featuring Barret from FF7?

[Z]

A FPS game featuring Barret from FF7?
just imagine Vincent is Barret and you get the same shitty experience as Dirge of Cerberus. damn fine CG though, that's for sure.

[Red_Eyes]

Well, Vincent's game wasn't built on the Unreal Engine. And beside, Vincent was trying to be more like DMC instead of Unreal Tournament. But now that Square Enix has license Unreal Engine, I am pretty sure that a Barret game would be at the least a decent FPS game.

[venomv]

Yeah, Vincent is DMC, Barret wouldn't fit well in that role.....something slower and grittier....GeoW.....yeah, that works...