Enix and Namco to support squares Playonline service

from http://www.coremagazine.com

What began as a mutual stock purchasing agreement between Enix, Namco and Square has blossomed into a relationship with industry wide implications. All three companies are said to be working on a future arcade project together, and both Enix and Namco plan to support Square\'s PlayOnline service with their software. In an effort to better understand the intricacy of the deal, DengekiPS recently spoke with representatives from all three companies regarding their plans.

DengekiPS: All three companies are developing projects for the PlayOnline network, what preparations are being made?

Square: Project committees have been established in Enix and Namco to focus on game development for the PlayOnline network. We\'ve been meeting together weekly, and both companies have projects in the works.

DengekiPS: The relationship between Enix, Namco, and Square began as a mutual stock purchasing agreement. Sony and NTT Communications recently announced plans to support the PlayOnline service, will they be added to the investment group?

Square: Their support will be limited to the PlayOnline service and strengthening our existing relationships, there\'s no stock purchasing agreement associated with their support.

DengekiPS: At a recent shareholders meeting you announced plans to jointly develop future arcade projects, can you elaborate on that?

Namco: Right now, all three companies are examining the possibilities. Following our partnership with Sega on titles such as Vampire Night, we plan to pursue cooperative arcade projects in the future, including but not limited to our relationship with Enix and Square.

Square: We\'re still in the planning stages, so we can\'t discuss any definitive plans yet.

DengekiPS: Similarly, Enix and Square has confirmed plans to jointly develop a game which will be compatible with the PlayOnline service. Can you tell us about that?

Square: That\'s somewhat different from our joint arcade development. Enix is developing the game entirely on their own, we\'re just supplying technical support and making the game compatible with the PlayOnline network. So it\'s not necessarily a joint-project, per say.

Enix: It\'s based on the knowledge we\'ve acquired in the PC market with projects such as Cross Gate, and it\'s scheduled for release in spring 2002.

DengekiPS: Will the next chapter in the Dragon Quest series feature online compatibility?

Enix: We\'re planning to take the Dragon Quest series online in the future as network gaming becomes more mainstream. That doesn\'t necessarily mean we have a time frame, or Dragon Quest VIII will have online compatibility.

DengekiPS: You\'ve also agreed to mutually license characters between companies?

Namco: Enix and Square characters will be used in future lines of merchandise, though there\'s no plans to use them in games together yet.

-- Tanslation Asst. Tsuno Okashi

just thought you guys might be interested in the dragon quest thing

this could bring interesting things