When Final Fantasy VIII released a decade ago, it included Eyes On Me by Faye Wong, marking the first lyrical theme song in series history. The single sold over 400,000 copies in Japan and reflected how mainstream Final Fantasy had become in that country. A tradition was established, with Emiko Shiratori, Rikki, and Angela Aki singing theme songs for Final Fantasy IX, X and XII respectively.
When Sayuri Sugawara was announced to sing the theme songs for the Japanese versions of Final Fantasy XIII, it shocked no one; when Leona Lewis was announced to be lending her song My Hands to the American and European versions of the game, it should have shocked nearly everyone.
Some gamers will rankle at Lewis' inclusion; for some of the so-called "hardcore" gamers, they'd likely reject any Western artist being inserted in the game if it isn't Pantera or Avenged Sevenfold or Dragonforce or something of that ilk. The attitude runs parallel to video gaming's image as the punk rock of entertainment mediums – despite revenues that can simply not be ignored, it is still thought of as a children's diversion by many people who make entertainment their livelihood and others who are not given to play games other than maybe the occasional Bejeweled session.
Leona Lewis: R&B/Pop star and genuine big deal in the music business.
But think about it: a contemporary, single-worthy song from a surefire hit album of an up-and-coming pop star is being featured in a video game on purpose and in a non-ironic fashion. Excluding music games, we can't think of this happening in the past ever, and it's really something that would have been unthinkable not long ago in the industry.
This is a sign that video games really are turning into a big boy entertainment business that's not just aiming for teenage boys with an excess of adrenaline. Most blockbuster movies, for instance, have music albums that accompany them and feature elements for both women and men. Iron Man is a perfect example; it had action, yes, but it also had a relatable female character/love interest in Pepper Potts and plenty of humor.
The Lewis song is also a keen acknowledgement by RCA and Square Enix that casual game players are among the fans of Final Fantasy. In many cases, there are those who simply watch the story unfold while someone else plays. This song reaches out to non-gamers (particularly women) who might be intimidated by a complex RPG title, along with fans of mainstream music who may have only heard of Final Fantasy in passing before this, let alone played a game in the franchise before.
We'd like to think this shows how far Final Fantasy has come in the U.S. over the past decade... and how far games in general have come, that it doesn't take a motion controlled mini-game compilation to bring in the mainstream. Gamers might scoff at the implications of this, but if this could help lead to conversations among 20 and 30 somethings in the same sort of casual way they speak about TV shows like Weeds, we're all for it.
7 Comments
November 15, 2009
David, I don't know how much you know about the gaming industry in general and its history, but I am certain that you have no idea what "hardcore" and "casual" mean in gaming.
This article is pointless and baselessly assumes that just because a Leona Lewis is used as the theme song, which, by the way, will most likely play in only one scene as well as the ending credits, more casual gamers will be attracted to a 100+ hour game.
Looks like people approve stories on N4G just for the points these days.
November 15, 2009
@Magic Carpet
I would've agreed 100% with u IF the title didn't have ( Opinion ) in it......
Good read
November 15, 2009
Ask anyone what 'casual' and 'hardcore' mean and you'll probably get dozens of definitions. It's not 100% clear cut. Do I think the inclusion of Lewis in the game means as much as David thinks it does? No. But it's an opinion piece and I think he raises some interesting points.
November 16, 2009
The synopsis of my article is this: the Leona Lewis’ inclusion in Final Fantasy XIII shows how games are maturing as an entertainment industry and might be a sign of similar things to come.
Also, her song is far more likely to turn some people on to the game (especially if it’s used in an advertisement) than it is to “ruin” FFXIII somehow.
I have yet to read a good, concise, definitive, universal definition of a casual gamer (or a hardcore gamer, for that matter).
November 16, 2009
Leona Lewis is hot. That alone will sell the game. Well, probably not, but it should:)
December 24, 2009
David Radd. I can say I'm glade their some rational thinkers out their in the game culturale journalist. This topic has become a wide controversy for the gaming cultural and its base on arbitrary reason in my opinion.
Anyways thank you for sharing your opinion. I cant say I fully understand your views on this specific topic, but your journal entry touch on some aspect that are worth mentioning. You are aware of the many essence of this controversy, and them appropriately resented th For that I thank you.
May 27, 2010
Personally i don't see the problem with this. It will
obviously help to promote the game amongst casual gamers in the US and Europe, but i agree it's all down to money and publicity at the end of the day.
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