So I loved Square since it was Squaresoft and ever since it became squareenix theyve really been slacking. Dont get me wrong, Kingdom hearts and FFX where amazing, but alot of their stuff has been weak since the merger.

So as an rpg fan I am sick of the lack of quality rpg games coming out this gen. (Lost Odyssey is awesome btw).

So as much as this would suck I would also welcome it.

I would not mind seeing Microsoft aquiring SquareEnix and Sony aquiring Level 5 (2 amazing rpg developers). The competition between RPG developers seems soooo weak, I want that competition to heat up, I want to see what SE can do with MS funding them and competeing against Sony, I want to see what Level 5 makes with Sony backing them, I want to see both these developers at each others throats and 1 uping eachother.

I want to see what all of you think.

I personally would have to keep buying microsoft systems (i prefer Sony systems) just for Final Fantasy, but hey if it makes these 2 companies go at it and make games that are amazing then I approve.

This is about game quality , not necessarly sells...so keep that in mind

This obsession with Level 5 somehow being on Square Enix's level has to stop. It doesn't make any sense and it's not really fair in Level 5's case because they work in an entirely different manner and on a different scale.

Level 5's most renowned for two things: Dragon Quest and Professor Layton. Not surprisingly both franchises have been sticking mighty close to Nintendo platforms. If Sony were to acquire Level 5 (which isn't going to happen, they've shown interest in growing, not being swallowed by other companies) then they're practically locked out of their two biggest assets. Layton hasn't been done on anything but DS...they could try but we'd see how popular it would remain. And Sony definitely wouldn't let a second party work on a cash cow for a competitor's console (Dragon Quest), and that's if Enix doesn't find a replacement first.

Level 5 does one RPG for Sony on the PS3 and suddenly people think they need to be bought out? Why? To increase "quality?" Sure, that worked wonders for Rare.

And exactly how is Square Enix being pawned off into Microsoft's court? They made a total of ONE inhouse game for the 360 (The Last Remnant) and it's multiplat with PS3 and PC. Their two biggest games announced are Final Fantasy XIII (PS3 exclusive in Japan) and Dragon Quest X (entirely Wii exclusive). They're being paired up with MS because...their biggest exclusive AREN'T on the 360?

The entire notion is bizarre.

It is bizarre, but for some reason some sites are saying L5 has  offered to be aquired by sony depending on WKC and Ive seen a site saying should MS aquire SE...yes it is far fetched but I was saying why I would approve of it.

The quality would not come from being bought out but from competition!!!!

also to the best of my knowledge, L5 made only 2 of nine Dragon quests and I beleive DQ is actually owned and started by Enix.

Also L5 is known for the Dark Cloud series and Rogue Galaxy, not just those 2 DQ games and Layton.

If that was the case... ff13vs would be my last final fantasy. No way I'm buying xbox. I would have to stick with level 5. I think having both solely on ps3 would be the best :D

What about Nintendo buying Either. They have more money than they know what to do with.

Near the end of last gen I thought it was a given that Sony would purchase level 5 one day. They had very close ties with the studio, and Sony often buys it's second parties after awhile of working together (the exception being Insomniac, who loves their freedom, and Sucker Punch).

Then Level 5 got a gig with SE, and started expanding and publishing their own stuff. It's obvious that do not want to be under the control of somebody else.

I kind've wished they had bought Level 5, though. RPGs are the one area in which Sony's internal development studios are really lacking. That and fighters, I suppose.

Well, I think SE never would let MS buy them. Think about it. To wich platforms do they release and sell most games? Yeah, Wii, DS and PSP. I don't think even Microsoft's money could change their minds to only make games for Xbox consoles. And I don't really think MS would let SE make Wii, DS and PSP game, despite that Rare has released a few GBA and DS titles. I mean if Microsoft released Dragon Quest X for the Wii it wouln't help their console.

So it's never going to happen. Not as far as I'm concerned anyway.

And Sony and Level-5 could be possible, but I don't think that Sony have that kind of money right now in their current state so they will leave it be.

And I really don't think the games should increase in the quality if, in first hand, Microsoft bought Square Enix. Even they don't have the money to fund development costs and publishing for all SE games so they rellay could increase in quality.

^^Microsoft wouldn't be opposed to DS and PSP games--they're in a market Microsoft doesn't exist in. Hell, Rare has made a couple of DS games.

You have it backward. If Microsoft would buy them, they didn't have to worry about what platforms they used to sell most on. They would be single platform. 'SE would not be an independent company anymore, but a Microsoft studio, which means they don't have shareholders to please anymore, but only Microsoft.

Sony doesn't have any money and more than enough problems at the moment, so the idea of them buying L5 is completely ridiculous (I know you said that, this is general).

SquareEnix has a way to high market cap to be bought by any company, even Nintendo, which has even more cash on hand than Microsoft. So the scenario of SE being taken over is not going to happen.

I don't care too much really about who buys what, I'd just like more J/WRPG's on the PS3
sure there are a couple (like my current fave Fallout 3 and VC, Eternal Sonata etc.) but I'd like a bit more RPG love.