Exclusivity and Blame
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I, for one, purchased my Sony PlayStation 3 shortly after its release for $600. Keep in mind that upon release the $600 version of PlayStation was a 60 Gig. An 80 Gig PlayStation was eventually released and the 60 was taken out of production. My PlayStation was not purchased because Sony had exclusive rights to Final Fantasy but because I’ve always been amazed at Sony’s gaming products. I still am. My PlayStation comes in very handy for its extra-gaming uses. Hypothetically speaking, if Square Enix announced after the release of FFXII that the next installment would be an XBOX 360 exclusive I would’ve still purchased a PS3 for full time usage. It would’ve sat comfortably next to the 360 that I purchased solely to play FFXIII.
The issue isn’t that Square Enix has “sold out” or betrayed their loyal fan base. The makers of Final Fantasy run a business and business isn’t as good as it could be if they’re releasing their titles exclusively for one console. Particularly when that console has the ball on their end of the court but hasn’t the slightest idea what to do with it.
Don’t believe me? Where’s PlayStation Home? The initial release date for PSHome was around September 2007. Later that year, at TGS ’07, Home was announced to be delayed till Spring ’08. MTV’s parties in Panama City ended a long time ago and still no PSHome. Some of the anticipated launch titles weren’t released till much later and many of the launch titles sucked (for lack of a better term). Granted the console has gained some positive momentum recently, they were moving backward just before that.
Ultimately, the Final Fantasy fans that are upset genuinely have the right to be. They’re unfortunately aiming their distaste in the wrong direction. Blaming Square Enix for making the best decision they could almost defends Sony, which is where the real problem appears to be. It also appears to be a problem that has long forgotten about those blowing the air out of their lungs to complain. Sony’s PlayStation is no longer just a gaming system but a part of the larger Home Entertainment System. They’ve got the senior demographic (ages 45 and up) to prove it. On the brighter side it may be safe to say that XIII’s release on more than one system will increase Square’s profits. That’s more money to dump into the next Final Fantasy title that goes into production (VII remake…maybe…please!?!?!?!). As far as the disgruntled PlayStation owner/Final Fantasy fan is concerned, you know that you thought Versus XIII looked way cooler anyway…admit it.
If you’re interested in the demographic information of PS3 and XBOX360 it can be downloaded for free at:
Experian Consumer Research - Gamer Demographics
Yourstrulyinhd (Gerry)
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July 18, 2008 pm31 3:42 pm
At the moment Microsoft is investing huge amounts into the games industry. Sony on the otherhand isnt on the same level.
And when that happens games will come to Microsoft.
July 18, 2008 pm31 4:58 pm
I agree and disagree;Yes,Sony haven’t delivered some of their products on time and as a result have generated a bad rep for meeting release dates,NO,to blame Sony for Square Enixs AND Microsofts new business partnership is simply fanboyism and ignorance.
If you truthfully believe that Microsoft aren’t investing HEAVILY in Square,then you’re ignorant;Microsoft have done this before and are doing it again this time,that is,they are partially funding 3rd Party Projects to gain leverage on them.It’s as simple as that.Add in the fact that they’ve paid for Infinite Undiscovery,Last Remnant,Star Ocean,and a few others,it’s obvious to see why Square would be willing to make their flagship franchise Multi-Platform.
What I’ll tell you is this much;Sonys relations with Square Enix as a business partner are NEVER going to be the same again after they’ve finished their contracted deals,such as Advent Children Complete on Blu Ray and such.I wouldn’t be surprised at all if FF7 never gets remade,because I can assure you;Square WILL want the remake to be Multi-platform,but since Sony still owns the Publishing rights to FF7,they’ll never agree to this.Expect some FF7 spinoff to make an appearance on the Xbox 360 as a result.
Does FF13 coming to the Ps3 hurt Sony financially?Yes,but it’s absolutely nothing-think of it as a slight pinch on their arm that will sting for a day or two.FF13 being exclusive to the Ps3 in Japan(Something which might change if Infinite Undiscovery/The Last Remnant prove to be a humongous commercial success in Japan,I’m talking about 2 Million+ in Sales over there),is arguably the main reason why Sony didn’t bother paying up to 90 Million dollars for complete Exclusivity of FF13.The simple fact is;Final Fantasy 13 won’t be releasing for the Xbox 360 in the region it NEEDS IT MOST.FF has ALWAYS sold more in Japan than anywhere else,the Playstation 3 will be raking in all of the sales from Japan,and this,my friends,is why Sony aren’t crying over it.
Here’s an estimation of what the FF13 Sales will look like for both platforms;
-PS3 Version: 2.3 Million in NA,1.1 Million in EU,2.9 Million in JP.
-Xbox 360 Version: 2.1 Million in NA,870,000 in EU,0 in JP.
Deny these numbers if you will ^,I predicted the sales of DMC4,Lost Odyssey,Blue Dragon,AND GTA 4,with almost zero flaw in all(I only miscalculated the PS3 GTA 4 sales by 100,000 in EU).
So at the end of this all,what is there left to say?Pay attention to Sonys upcoming announcements regarding Level 5 and other Japanese developers,because I assure you;If the Playstation 3 will be in the black before the end of March 2009,Sony are going to be more than willing to make a few 3rd party investments of their own into the JRPG market.For those eagerly awaiting a FF7 remake,don’t hold your breath;It won’t happen as long as Microsoft are trying to get their hands on it.
July 18, 2008 pm31 5:56 pm
I still feels kinda betrayed. I bought my ps3 because of the rpg games, and what do we have so far? enchanted arms and Oblivion.. And the only thing to look forward to that we know of so far is Disgaea 3 and white knight chronicles. If I knew from the beginning that things would be like this, with Final Fantasy being released on both the ps3 and the 360 I would have bought a 360 insted
July 18, 2008 pm31 6:04 pm
yeah your right about people forgetting how big a multimedia company Sony is i think its more bothered about wanting people to use the ps3 for blueray movies and downloading films, Games will play a part of sonys plan but first they’ll try to make sure every one who owns one will be introduced to the full sony “brand” movies, music, tv etc.I mean they make huge amounts of money in the music, film industry they have a big part of the mobile phone and mp3 player sales in the EU and Japan and not to mention tv’s and other electrical products.
July 18, 2008 pm31 7:46 pm
i think every one that posted including this article is wrong. The delays has nothing to do with why Sony is behind in this console race at the moment. The reason Sony is currently behind is because of two main factors, price and that MS released their system early. Face it we all know this is true.
The delayed games have nothing to do with SE decision. SE made this decision based on royalties MS is giving them. Though SE claims that it was a market decision, which is truly false.
Even though these delays are occuring or have occured for Sony, so to speak, the GAP between Sony and MS is closing fast. The market shows this fact. This is what makes SEs claim false.
Now to get to the other fact, I don’t think Sony is losing this exclusive because the game will still release on the PS3 for JPN/NA/PAL. The 360 has a long way to go.. IU and LR will not change SE stance unless they sell 2 mil copies a piece as rabbitgather stated, and as this stands and the way things look, this would be a hefty feat.
Another thng is that people forget that Sony is the 3rd largest gaming company in the world, under Ubi and EA. They are currently producing massive amount of games as we speak. The rest of 2008 and the first half of 2009 will be all about Sony and the PS3. Now for MS people forget that truly do not have 1st party team (well they do but its nothing to brag about) and this is their problem. They rely on 3rd party devs for their system to sell. In their e3 showing they showed mostly MP games and they were their flag ship (and most people on the internet act as though they weren’t coming to other consoles, people forget that sometimes when we see a game video on the internet some companies only want to show their favorable console version).
July 18, 2008 pm31 11:23 pm
rabbitgatherer, you need to get laid… Seriously dude!!!
July 19, 2008 pm31 1:11 pm
“As far as the disgruntled PlayStation owner/Final Fantasy fan is concerned, you know that you thought Versus XIII looked way cooler anyway…admit it.”
The newest defense from a Sony Fanboy, why can’t you guys just admit that MS kncoked Sony off there high horse and is now stealing it. It’s about the games, and Sony has one realeased right now (MGS4) that makes me want to purchase a PS3. FFXIII “was” the other reason, have fuckin Versus XIII it will probally be as bad as FFX-2 <—that game was wak.
July 30, 2008 pm31 9:57 pm
That was pants i think square enix should take a finger to their backside. it is their fault. they’ve turned into being pure sellouts. lot lf people dissappointed. MS have pulled a fast one though i must say the scale has levelled on the alleged ‘console war’
July 31, 2008 pm31 9:42 am
rabbitgatherer, personal opinions and estimates based on how YOU perceive the gaming industry is at this point don’t make you an all-seeing fortune teller. Next thing we know, you’re gonna claim you’re a time traveler of some sort.
So you made a few good guesses. Woo hoo. Pat yourself on the back, why don’t you.
That’s the unfortunate part of Sony fanboys- they believe that, because they have better technology, their hardcore gaming base is better established due to a dominated last two generations that a new console won’t suddenly pull the wool from beneath your eyes and show that it’s not about the hardware, but the software. Clearly, the 360 is winning in this aspect.
August 3, 2008 pm31 7:06 pm
“Ultimately, the Final Fantasy fans that are upset genuinely have the right to be.”
Final Fantasy fans have a right to be upset that more people will get to play Final Fantasy XIII? I think what you mean is, Sony fans need to stop whining like little bitches and understand that the PlayStation 3 isn’t the godly device that the PS2 was.
August 11, 2008 pm31 7:46 pm
I have nothing to say on this topic other than that it sums up my whole point entirely. Thank you very much for the article, good sir.