Ever heard of the Square Enix Collective? Essentially, it’s a platform that will allow third parties to hit Square Enix with an idea based on a defunct property, and judging by the reactions from the public and Square Enix, allow said idea to get crowdfunded through channels such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo. With the idea now entrenched, Square Enix is keen to make use of some of their older properties that are gathering dust. And those three licenses waiting for a resurrection happen to be a trio of classics.
If you ever played Gex, Fear Effect or Anachronox then you, yes you, I like. Gex was a solid platformer starring a likeable gecko, Fear Effect was a more action-packed upgrade of the point ‘n click genre but with experimental graphics that were ahead of its time and Anachronox…Anachronox just deserved better than what it got when it was released back in 2001. That’s one of the finest RPGs ever made, and another example of game design that was years ahead of the curve.
Anyway, if you happen to be a developer, and find yourself attracted to those properties, then throw some ideas at Square Enix.
“Essentially, we’re trying to help small teams build awareness of their ideas, and ultimately self-publish — while retaining IP and full creative control,” explains the site’s about page.
Feel free to mash up genres, and get creative, and then put the idea out on Collective for community voting. At the end of that period we’ll weigh up the response, and then decide whether or not to proceed further.
Get enough support, and the game hits the crowdfunding avenues. And the Square takes a cut of the profit.
“[W]e’ll still take 5% of net crowdfunds raised (assuming the initial target is reached); and we will also distribute the game when it’s done — for that we take the standard distribution fee of 10% net sales revenue, but we’ll also charge a 10% license fee for the use of the IP. And, obviously, we’ll have more involvement in the direction of development — because let’s face it, we want to make sure the game that’s released is the game that’s promised.”
It’s a lot of work, to be honest. But I’d kill for a new Anachronox. Although if you pitch a freemium model of the game to Square Enix, then you and I will have words. For I do have a very specific lack of skills, skills that I have acquired over a weekend course in car-guard academy. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like myself. If you let the freemium idea go now, that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you because my bicycle is in the shop. But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will most likely slip on a puddle and kill myself.
Last Updated: February 18, 2015
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 18, 2015 at 11:53
Hmm. I’d prefer if they did what Ubi do, make smaller titles themselves with their less-used IPs. I think they actually have a heck of a cheek to mention crowd funding. A game is being made in their name, while they assume zero risk, because it costs them nothing. You’re a big corporate, you can fund your own games.
RinceThis
February 18, 2015 at 12:02
YETH!
Hammersteyn
February 18, 2015 at 12:09
That and stop making horrible games for tables, like Dues Ex and then porting it to PC
Blood Emperor Trevor
February 18, 2015 at 12:21
There’s a Batman tablet game that’s been ported to PC, it tempts me whenever I see it on special.
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 12:01
FEAR EFFECT 🙂 I still have it.
RinceThis
February 18, 2015 at 12:02
Scaredy cat!
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 12:06
That’s what she said.
Kensei Seraph
February 18, 2015 at 12:10
O_O
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 12:12
One of the first MATURE titles that I played. That’s why Playstation always got my money.
RinceThis
February 18, 2015 at 13:43
Is this the new game for your AI girlfriend?
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 14:06
1999 PS1
Kensei Seraph
February 18, 2015 at 12:11
So basically they take 25% of the profit with absolutely no risk to themselves and are allowed to completely butcher the game you are trying to make if they feel like it?!?
RinceThis
February 18, 2015 at 12:21
Yup. Frack that.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
February 18, 2015 at 12:16
Gex can stay dead, thank you very much.
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 12:17
What happened to these awesome mature games that we were getting left right and center in the late 90s.
X-FILES WAS FANTASTIC. PS1 was the BOMB.
RustedFaith
February 18, 2015 at 12:19
yeh the xfiles adventure game was really good still have it on cd
oVg
February 18, 2015 at 12:22
FMVs need a return. We need more Wing Commander with modern gameplay.
RustedFaith
February 18, 2015 at 14:42
Star Citizen is coming 🙂
RinceThis
February 18, 2015 at 12:21
you don’t mean that!
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
February 18, 2015 at 12:53
Still need to play anachronox, heard it wasn’t too shabby
Kromas Votes LAG WCMovie Event
February 18, 2015 at 14:15
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
Anachronox
I think I have stated my case for a new Anachronox.
RustedFaith
February 18, 2015 at 14:42
Couldnt say it better myself.
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 18, 2015 at 15:11
ANACHRONOX!!! OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW OMW!!!
YEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Gerhard Davids
February 18, 2015 at 15:39
I NEED a new Anachronox game in my life!
Raptor Rants A Lot:Original #7
February 18, 2015 at 16:35
YES!!!! YES YES YES