Rumor: FFXIII director predicts demo in 2008 [update]
We know that Final Fantasy games, much like fine wine and Radiohead albums, take some time to come together nicely -- still, it's hard for us to believe that Final Fantasy XIII (in all its shapes and forms) will be dropping any time soon. We've had our hearts broken so many times by delays for hotly anticipated titles that we've sadly come to expect them.
Fear not, for the long wait for the Fabula Nova Crystallis collection will be over soon enough. According to FinalFantasyVersusXIII.net's translation (there appear to be conflicting versions), game director Motomu Toriyama teases that a playable demo for FFXIII would be arriving in 2008 to show off the game's revamped battle system. So don your steepled hat and cuddle tight your cactuar plushie -- your chance to sit down with the unluckiest chapter in Square Enix's seminal RPG franchise may have just gotten a teensy bit closer.
[Update: We originally posted an incorrect interpretation of the original translated comments. The post has been corrected and Joystiq apologizes for the error.]
[Update 2: Square Enix has released an official response – and we eat more crow.]
Fear not, for the long wait for the Fabula Nova Crystallis collection will be over soon enough. According to FinalFantasyVersusXIII.net's translation (there appear to be conflicting versions), game director Motomu Toriyama teases that a playable demo for FFXIII would be arriving in 2008 to show off the game's revamped battle system. So don your steepled hat and cuddle tight your cactuar plushie -- your chance to sit down with the unluckiest chapter in Square Enix's seminal RPG franchise may have just gotten a teensy bit closer.
[Update: We originally posted an incorrect interpretation of the original translated comments. The post has been corrected and Joystiq apologizes for the error.]
[Update 2: Square Enix has released an official response – and we eat more crow.]






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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
flameofdoom666 @ Jan 27th 2008 3:20PM
I would drop 400$ on a PS3 for FF13. I love the FF series, and 13 is going to have 2-3 installments!
Josh Warner @ Jan 27th 2008 5:55PM
"Wow, I really want to give Square my money again and again and again!"
That's what I heard. Personally, if I want to see that many cutscenes I just go rent a movie and get rid of the 'interactive' farce breaking them up. FFXII's Gambit system blew my mind - you don't even have to personally play their games anymore! Penny Arcade had a great comic on it.
flameofdoom666 @ Jan 27th 2008 6:20PM
The gambits were there to micromanage. It was a great system- cause do you really need to control 3 people? You control your 'leader!'
Ed @ Jan 28th 2008 1:34AM
The prblem with that is I WANT TO CONTROL THREE PEOPLE. I really wish people who don't play FF games would quit whining about the combat.
Dan @ Apr 15th 2008 4:26PM
You guys stupid or something? If you want to control three people then turn the damn gambits off. Gambit system = awesome for us lazy people, and you can still play it old school anyway.
Slayer @ Jan 27th 2008 3:25PM
I'll be getting a ps3 within the next two weeks. I can't wait to play FF13
copa @ Jan 27th 2008 4:44PM
Well, then you're in luck! FFXIII is confirmed for a release in 2008!
Oh, you wanted a localized English-language version? Ah, well, sit down for a minute. I've got some bad news...
Slayer @ Jan 27th 2008 5:07PM
Seriously dude, your acting like a fucking douche. I already know it's not coming out anytime soon so stfu.
LaughingTarget @ Jan 27th 2008 5:09PM
Then why get the PS3 now when you can get it when FFXIII shows up, with an almost guaranteed price drop and the games out now are much cheaper?
Slayer @ Jan 27th 2008 5:15PM
Because I want one now. Is there a problem with that?
LaughingTarget @ Jan 27th 2008 5:17PM
Not really, just talking from experience. I had to have one now and I'm kicking myself over it. Next year, $300 with DualShock 3 and could have paid half as much for the games. That's a savings of $220.
Slayer @ Jan 27th 2008 5:26PM
Well the current price isn't much of an issue for me. I had set aside more than enough money for either the 360 or the ps3. When I pick up the ps3 I'll have plenty left for games.
outforprophets @ Jan 27th 2008 5:45PM
You think in a year's time Slayer would care about a $220 savings? That's less than $1 per day saved. Not to mention later when he gets all those games at once he won't be able to sit down and enjoy them all until the "next" big title drops.
I say get it now if you want it Slayer, seriously.
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Jan 27th 2008 5:58PM
If he wants it now then I say he should get it now.
The only I'm waiting on is for either GT5 or FFXIII to drop. Those are my must haves for the PS3 and everything else I will get later.
Phi Nguyen @ Jan 27th 2008 9:33PM
"Well the current price isn't much of an issue for me. I had set aside more than enough money for either the 360 or the ps3. When I pick up the ps3 I'll have plenty left for --Bluray movies--." There, fixed it for ya. LOL.
Note to self... It's kinda fun to pretend to be a fanboy. I better stop before I turn the corner and join the likes of Fernando and Shaggitarius! LOL. j/k. Love all of you Joystiquers! Especially those of the Linebeck/Devil persuasion.
Phi ^_^
LaughingTarget @ Jan 28th 2008 3:29PM
$1 a day if you just sit on it. Take the money you would have otherwise used to buy the PS3 and the two or three games worth buying for the system today, drop it into a decent investment account (12% is my bare minimum). That $580 is now suddenly $650. The $220 savings has now increased to $290, which is $290 more in games you can now buy.
Instead, buy it now and spend an extra $290 while the PS3 does a lot of sitting and doing nothing until the good stuff starts rolling in on a regular basis.
Slayer @ Jan 28th 2008 10:26PM
I really don't care what anybody says at this point. I'm getting one regardless.
mmendoza27 @ Jan 27th 2008 3:27PM
The PS3 is in need of a major installment game like this. When my Xbox 360 got the RROD, I had a decision, to buy the PS3 (which blu-ray had an effect on swaying me) or stick with my then awesome 360. I'm just waiting for the 360 to become a little more stable (which I think it has) but another reason I chose the PS3 was for the Final Fantasy series.
I can't wait for this game to come out!!
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 3:29PM
So, any date of the 360 version? =p
simmcity @ Jan 27th 2008 3:35PM
Why am I not surprised that you would say that. And besides its not coming to 360. Its been confirmed a million times a PS3 exclusive, end of story.
Sam406 @ Jan 27th 2008 3:38PM
Fernando? huh, I just don't recognnise you with out the Linebeck avartar.
It's like Samfish without the naked Peach
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 3:41PM
Yeah, you are right... back to Linebeck =)
Daniel @ Jan 27th 2008 9:09PM
How many times did the ps3 rape you when you were a child :(?, or where does this all hate comes from?. Seriously a normal person would have no reason to wish that a product fails, unless , for instance, it directly affects you, which i bet is not the case.
Sora267 @ Jan 27th 2008 4:10PM
"Its been confirmed a million times a PS3 exclusive, end of story. "
Isn't that what people said about DMC4? ~_~
HighFiveJesus @ Jan 27th 2008 4:26PM
360's already got a final fantasy, don't be greedy meow.
Lifted 0ne 4l9 (NDF - Fire!) @ Jan 27th 2008 4:29PM
and if squeenix doesn't make much of a profit on it on the PS3 it will end up coming out on the 360
samfish @ Jan 27th 2008 8:01PM
"It's like Samfish without the naked Peach"
I'm hoping that Sega gives me a reason to change it to Naked Ulala.
...at least for a little while.
Raikage (Wii FC 5508 0487 4434 0992) @ Jan 28th 2008 1:28AM
Wow, looks like you guys forgot this little article... http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/26/square-enix-commits-to-no-one-or-is-it-everyone/
Someone has to defend Fernando...
Oh and by the way
I WIN! I'll take internet cookies as my prize!
lawrence @ Jan 28th 2008 1:33AM
gay gay gay ...gay
Fox @ Jan 27th 2008 3:30PM
People still look forward to these games?
Its the same crap over and over.
Moffka @ Jan 27th 2008 4:19PM
Just like all the Nintendo games. Same concept every single game. Oh wait, Final Fantasy doesn't have the same concept every game.
InspectorDim @ Jan 27th 2008 4:54PM
That's like saying Halo sucks because it's just shooting things over and over, or Zelda sucks because you're always after some dumb-ass triforce. If anything, there's much more variety in every iteration of Final Fantasy. It's still the gold standard for RPGs, in my book.
B1gC72 - PSN: KillaKornbread @ Jan 27th 2008 7:53PM
yea seriously Fox. have you ever played any Final Fantasy games? the only thing that stays constant in these games are the RPG elements, magic names, airship and of course Cid. they constantly change battle systems, characters, leveling systems, and the stories arent even linked. it may have the Final Fantasy name but they are far from the same game. dont assume its a typical series just cause they are on number 13 now.
you cant even chuck that up to fanboyism either since every console out now has or is going to get some Final Fantasy love.
Phi Nguyen @ Jan 27th 2008 9:38PM
There's always a Biggs and Wedge too.
maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 28th 2008 9:28AM
Thats why we have the younger generation like you to make better ones for us to play.
Whats that? You don't make games, oh well, thats a shame, I was looking forward to yours.
daheavyweaponsguy312 @ Jan 27th 2008 3:30PM
is it wrong hope that this game crashes and burns
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 3:32PM
I hope that this game fails, together with MGS4 and Killzone 2 (really)
Admiral_Mike @ Jan 27th 2008 3:34PM
@Fernando Rocker- RUN DUDE! They'll maul you for that one!
Hyams @ Jan 27th 2008 3:36PM
Then you are a sad, sad individual.
Oh, BTW guys, I've found video footage of Fernando: http://i7.tinypic.com/820verp.gif
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 3:37PM
But I'm not trolling... I'm saying what I really want to happen... I want that the PS3 fails (more than now)...
Hyams @ Jan 27th 2008 3:39PM
I never said you were trolling. I said you were sad for wanting these promising games to crash because they're not on your favourite console. Honestly, that is petty beyond words.
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 3:45PM
That's not me... I'm not white, I don't have short hair... I'm not fattie, and my keyboard is wireless.
simmcity @ Jan 27th 2008 3:59PM
its called a joke
RoboChamp @ Jan 27th 2008 4:14PM
Er. Jostiq? Ban them?
Night Elve @ Jan 27th 2008 4:15PM
Fernando ... Fernandito ... You really are a sad example of Fanboyism.
deaftly @ Jan 27th 2008 4:24PM
Ludwig, I think Fernando needs a time out for a while.
Fernando Rocker @ Jan 27th 2008 4:25PM
=(
hvnlysoldr @ Jan 27th 2008 4:36PM
Pot meet kettle. Don't call for the banhammer when you're going to get nailed too.
Scotto @ Jan 27th 2008 4:48PM
As a XBOX 360 owner, I must really ask why you would pray for a game like Final Fantasy to fail? It's a good series, that always has an engrossing story, and top notch production values. Why wouldn't you support more series' like this, for the sake of your hobby?
I will eventually have a PS3, when games like LBP and FF13 are released. Right now it should be called "PotentialStation". But I do hope all three consoles do well - competition is good for consumers.
Lastly, all of you ridiculous console loyalists need to go take a Prozac, and a nap. And I'm talking to more people than just Fernando, who just happens to be the most ignorantly outspoken "fanboy" of them all.
- Scott
Knight Marquise @ Jan 27th 2008 4:54PM
deaftly said: "Ludwig, I think Fernando needs a time out for a while."
Coming from a PS3 fanbot zealot, I find your comment extremely funny.
BTW...I'm sure the Joystiq crew can manage their blog without your biased help.