A few days ago we broke the news regarding Square Enix’s E3 plans, which included the announcement of three all new games. At the time of writing we had been requested to not divulge the names or giveaway said titles, but we’ve just received new information about one of those three games that comes with no such restrictions. So here we go…
Contrary to what we were originally told, there will be a Square Enix press conference after all, at 11a.m on the Wednesday of the show. This will be a portal for selected media to learn more about one of Square Enix’s currently unannounced games, which we can reveal is an MMO codenamed Rapture, and set for release on PS3 and PC. The game is expected to be unveiled at the Sony press conference on the Tuesday.
While the PC and Xbox 360 have shared a strong software relationship over the last three years, the PC and PS3 have a more open rapport when it comes to online interactivity between the software and the gamers. It seems bizarre given Microsoft’s networking know-how, but the heavy restrictions it puts in place with the way developers can manipulate and engage their audience through Xbox Live makes it difficult for some games to make the most of their potential. Also worthy of note is the fact that the PS3 is free to play online, and it is more flexible in the headsets, keyboards and mice that can be used with it than the Xbox 360.
A classic precedent for all this is Epic Games’ decision to launch Unreal Tournament III on PS3 and PC well ahead of Xbox 360, claiming that Sony’s console better facilitated what they wanted to achieve in access and distribution of user-created Mods.
All that said and done, MMOs have still struggled to find the success on consoles that they have on PCs: even Square Enix own Final Fantasy XI failed to impress. It should be noted, however, that the company has used the term MMO, not MMORPG, which means it could be something totally unexpected.
