When Square left Nintendo, why did they go to Sony?

[Yancakes]

I'm not criticizing their decision (it would be stupid to do so), I'm legitimately curious. I know they were interested in developing for CD and FMV technology, but they had the alternative of Sega.

Were they weary of Sega's marketing strategies during the mid-late 90's, and thought it was just a bad idea due to Sega being a sinking ship? Were they just in the habit of opposing Sega, after a decade of working with Nintendo? Did they think the Playstation presented some straight up better hardware, for their purposes?

Just looking for people's opinions and any factual information that folks might have as to why they went with the newcomers instead of Sega, who had been developing games and hardware for decades at that point. Maybe there is a definite answer to the question.

[Damm64]

The 3D. The PS1 has a better 3D capacity than the Saturn. The 3D was something new and more "realistic", everyone wanted 3D games and Sony have the best machine and the best media (CD) to do that. Also sony make shure to have a GOOD 3rd party support for their console.

At least that's what i think.

[outlaw_moon]

The 3D. The PS1 has a better 3D capacity than the Saturn.

I'm not sure about that Damm64, not to get too technical but I think the Saturn's GPU and hardware outperforms the PS1 in 3D and 2D graphics. Just look at Burning Rangers and Shining Force III while comparing it to FFVII for example.

In my opinion, Square just wanted to go to a new "fresh" platform, after all they had refused to bring any of their games on any of the previous Sega consoles. I can only imagine what FF would have done for the Saturn and later on for the DC

Imagine FFX through VGA [drool]

[Erik_Twice]

I doubt you will see any facts on this anytime soon. Unfortunatedly, Japanese companies are not exactly known for being easy to research =/

[cityside75]

I'm pretty sure the answer lies more with what Sony was willing to offer Square for making the move. Sony knew the value in luring Square away from Nintendo and was probably willing to dig into their very deep pockets to make it happen.

[Majors]

willing to dig into their very deep pockets to make it happen.

Truth. C.R.E.A.M.

[J T]

I used to drool over these pics back then. I was so disappointed that they abandoned the N64 version.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

The 3D. The PS1 has a better 3D capacity than the Saturn.

I'm not sure about that Damm64, not to get too technical but I think the Saturn's GPU and hardware outperforms the PS1 in 3D and 2D graphics. Just look at Burning Rangers and Shining Force III while comparing it to FFVII for example.

Yup, compare an early gen, ugly PS1 game with the last of the Saturn games. Totally not a flawed argument.

I love the Saturn, but the more time I spend with both, it's clear that the PS1 was much more powerful in the 3D area.

If I had to guess why Square went to Sony, I gather it was because of $$$. Whether Sony offered money to be exclusive, or Square just saw that the PlayStation had the most users, I don't know.

[sevin0seven]

I used to drool over these pics back then. I was so disappointed that they abandoned the N64 version.

likewise, i believe that game was intended to be for the 64DD which was also quickly abandoned to switch focus to the GameCube release.

[retrosportsgamer]

I thought once Nintendo told them they were sticking with the cartridge format, it sealed Square's decision to go with the PlayStation?