Exclusivity and Blame

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)

Sony “sensed” Final Fantasy XIII heading elsewhere

Sony vice president of product development, Scott Rohde said in a video interview (see GameTrailers video below) at E3 this week that the company “knew it was coming” when asked about Microsoft’s huge capture of Final Fantasy XIII at its E3 2008 press conference on Monday within Los Angeles.

However, Rohde seems unperturbed by the news, proclaiming that 2008 is “the year of the PlayStation.”

Rohde also gives us the rundown on God of War 3, M.A.G., PSN updates, and more within the Interview.

Click here to open the Video of the Interview with Scott Rohde in a new window.

Source: GameTrailers

Hashimoto and Kitase talk Final Fantasy XIII & VII

Final Fantasy XIII’s producers talk more about the Xbox 360 version, voice casting, and even hint at a major FFVII announcement in the coming weeks.

Two days after Square Enix president Yoichi Wada stunned attendees at Microsoft’s E3 press conference by revealing that the previously PlayStation 3-exclusive Final Fantasy XIII would also appear on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (in North America and Europe, at least), 1UP had the very rare opportunity to speak with two of the masterminds behind Square Enix’s flagship property. Coproducers Shinji Hashimoto and Yoshinori Kitase still remain nebulous about specific FFXIII gameplay details, but they dropped plenty of hints about both the ambitious multigame Fabula Nova Crystallis project and the future of Final Fantasy VII.

The main points picked up from the interview include:
- They confirmed that Final Fantasy XIII’s story has now been writen and completed and they’re ready to start voice acting.
- The game will appear first on Playstation 3 in Japan.
- Lightning’s character will have a gentle side along with her tough girl look.
- Kitase asks fans to be patient as Square Enix will be keeping Final Fantasy XIII under lock and key a while longer.
- Fans will have to wait for Square Enix’s Private Party 2008 for news on the Final Fantasy VII related surprise.

Below is the full interview:

- Will the development of FFXIII for Xbox 360 result in a delay for the PS3 version in Japan?

Shinji Hashimoto: No, the development of a 360 version won’t necessarily affect the PS3 version, purely because the PS3 game will be completed first. That’s been in development for some time and is still on schedule. And, really, since we haven’t ever announced any sort of release date…then it couldn’t really be “delayed,” right?

- For the upcoming 360/PS3 role-playing game The Last Remnant, Square Enix began the localization process much earlier in development than with past Final Fantasy titles; that game will see a simultaneous worldwide release. We know that FFXIII will still debut in Japan first, but will the traditional nine-to-12-month gap between releases be reduced?

SH: Yes, a simultaneous release would be difficult for FFXIII, but we’re definitely trying to decrease the gap between the Japanese launch and when we release it to the rest of the world.

- In terms of lessening the gap between the Eastern and Western releases, does it help that the game’s been in development for such a long time? The story should be nearly complete by now, right?

Yoshinori Kitase: As you mentioned, it definitely helps the localization when you’ve got a finalized story. Our story is now complete, and we’re just about to start the voice casting and recording. Once that’s complete, we can really get into the localization process.

- Can you discuss the process of developing the game’s engine — as it evolved from the White Engine into Crystal Tools, did everything go as planned, or were there some bumps along the way?

YK: I’d say that it’s on schedule as we’d originally planned, but it certainly hasn’t been easy, and it’s been quite a time-consuming process. FFXIII currently functions in all the basic ways, but we’re still working to polish the engine. People may be under the impression that it’s a total package that only needs to be tweaked a little bit in order to port the game to 360, but that’s not the case — we still have to fix it to make it more platform-specific.

- Lightning, the game’s heroine, seems to break from the tradition of more reserved female characters in your past FF games. She seems much more dynamic and assertive than FFVII’s Aerith, FFVIII’s Rinoa, or FFX’s Yuna, for example. What can you tell us about her?

YK: The game’s director and scenarist definitely wanted to create a new type of character, one who’s stronger and carries herself in a certain manner. But although she’s strong and outspoken, she also has a kindness within her that balances her personality. Right now, the team is trying very hard to find someone who can portray both her powerful and gentle sides.

The summons are back and even more powerful.

- It’s been seven years since FFX released, and although FFXI, FFXII, and the other various spin-offs have been largely well received, none had the unique feel of a “Kitase Final Fantasy.” Do you worry that it’s been so long since FFVII, FFVIII, and FFX that the fans’ expectations will be hard to meet? Do you feel a strong pressure to deliver this game?

YK: Even though it’s been seven years since FFX, I haven’t been far from the series, since I was working on the various Compilation of FFVII games. I don’t specifically feel any pressure; instead, I’m looking forward to being able to provide FFXIII to the fans and seeing their reaction to the game.

- For the last two years, you’ve been adding a few new scenes to the existing FFXIII trailer at each successive press event. How much longer will you keep this trend going? Will you blow us all away with an all-new trailer anytime soon?

SH: We’re going to work like this for just a little bit longer; with every update, we’re working very hard to include new material. Please be patient — it’ll be just a little bit longer.

- Do you have any update on the mobile title Final Fantasy Agito XIII? U.S. cellphone tech is starting to catch up with Japan’s, and we have the iPhone now…. Do you think that’s a potential platform for it?

SH: No plans have been confirmed, but we’re constantly researching the potential for bringing it to the U.S. Still, Japanese mobile tech is very powerful compared to other markets.

- Has there been any negative reaction from Japanese Xbox 360 owners about the FFXIII announcement? It’s not coming out on 360 there, and Japanese gamers won’t be able to play the U.S. import on their systems, since the console’s region-locked.

SH: There doesn’t seem to be any overly negative feedback yet, as Japanese users have known since the beginning that it’s coming to PS3.

Final Fantasy XIII’s graphics will be the best yet.

- In the last few FF titles, you’ve had a vocal theme song performed by a popular artist. Have you decided if FFXIII will also have one?

YK: We’re definitely considering a vocal theme for FFXIII, but we’re nowhere near recording it or anything like that yet.

- Recently, Square Enix was one of the first publishers to announce downloadable content for a WiiWare title. Do you think you may offer DLC for FFXIII as well?

YK: Currently, there is no DLC planned for FFXIII, but I’m personally very interested in the concept, so I’m very conscious of it.

- Last week, Final Fantasy Versus XIII director Tetsuya Nomura said that he’s hard at work adding new scenes to the FFVII: Advent Children Complete Blu-ray release. Can you give us any update on that project?

SH: You can look forward to the upcoming invite-only fan event DKS3713 [taking place in Tokyo on August 2 and 3], where we’ll have a major announcement that will shock the fans in attendance.

- Both of you named FFVII as your favorite FF game. Do you think we’ll see more Compilation of FFVII titles?

SH: Well, there’s Advent Children Complete, of course.

- FFVII’s characters are so beloved that they’ll probably never go away, right? Just like Mickey Mouse….

SH: [Laughs] That’s true, because today’s 15-year-old kids were only 5 when the game released. Even though they weren’t interested in it then, now they’re getting into it. We’re seeing a new cycle of fans emerging….

Source: 1UP