WiiWare Final Fantasy to charge for downloadable races
SiliconEra is reporting (via Square's Japanese web site) that players who pay 1,500 Wii Shop Points to purchase the ridiculously-abbreviated FFCC:MLaaK will only have access to one of the game's races. Players wishing to recruit any of the other three races will have to spend 100 to 300 Wii Shop Points to construct a home for them. Players will also be able to lay down real money for new character costumes, which don't seem to have any effect on the gameplay.
Given the controversy surrounding the pricing of additional gameplay content for Lumines Live, we can't imagine Wii owners will be happy shelling out 1,500 points for what's essentially an incomplete product. Then again, the wide variety of Final Fantasy collectibles suggests a fan base willing to shell out whatever it takes to get their dose of apocalyptic, Japanese RPG goodness. We'll see soon enough, we suppose.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
joeyg @ Mar 25th 2008 1:35PM
in before fernando says this is reasonable.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 25th 2008 1:38PM
Wow, you managed to beat him by 2 minutes.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 1:39PM
People pay for extra maps in other games, and people pay for Gamerpics and Themes, and soon others will pay for extra clothes and furniture for Home.
Paying $1 to $3 dlls. for extra clothes, races and dungeons (you forgot to add Dungeons, Joystiq) is very undersatable.
dark_inchworm @ Mar 25th 2008 1:48PM
Your comment could only be more complete if it included news of Joan Rivers's death.
ssuk @ Mar 25th 2008 2:47PM
Someone give this guy a medal. The most awesome comment I've seen in a long time.
itsburnsie @ Mar 25th 2008 3:49PM
You sir, are my new hero. I wish I could vote up your comment twice.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 1:37PM
It's a very complete game from day one. Almost everyone will play the game without downloading extra races or clothes.
At least is cheap... 100 points ($1 dollar) is affordable =p
But before the bashign start, please, consider this. It's not Nintendo... it's Square Enix.
Kye NFC: 7016 - 9552 - 1191 - 8991 @ Mar 25th 2008 2:01PM
Fernando, there comes a time wen you have to stop defending Nintendo.
Some of the things they do and allow are really, really dumb.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 2:04PM
This is a Square Enix game!
Why bash Nintendo?
Kye BWii: 008 721 786 740 (fuck I hate friend codes) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:11PM
Because they piss me off!
Even as a self-confessed fanboy they really piss me the f#ck off.
First I have to enter a credit-card sized number and wait for the other person to enter one as well so I can send Mii's and short messages.
Then, that's not enough, when I buy a game that's "online" I have to enter a game-specific code as well?! What for!!?
That's like saying they trust me to send you a Mii, but come game time I might try to groom you for rape...
NO!!! I only want to play a frickin game!
How the f*ck am I suppose to organise anything in battalion wars with 'Sean' (who I've only seen once and will never see again), if I can not only voice chat, but lack all abilities to communicate other than requesting help?
Now this shit. It is. Essentially. As I understand it in my draft read. An incomplete game!
Kye BWii: 008 721 786 740 (fuck I hate friend codes) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:12PM
OK, aggression mis-directed.
Square. This sucks!
Benny @ Mar 25th 2008 2:38PM
But Mummy, all the other kids are doing it!
That basically sums up Nintendo's attitude here. If anyone is going to put a stop to the ever-increasing ridiculousness of microtransactions, it needs to be Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony.
Don't palm the blame off onto Square for taking advantage of a clearly abusable system (and considering it's Final Fantasy we're talking about, a clearly abusable fanbase).
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 25th 2008 1:37PM
Now is this a one time fee, or do you have to pay it once per game.
A one time fee is defensible, pay everytime you start a new game is an outrage.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 1:40PM
It's not a fee for play the game. It's just extra DLC.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 25th 2008 1:44PM
Yes, but if I spend 100 points to recruit a race in one of my towns, will I have to spend another 100 points to recruit that same race if I start a new town?
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 1:47PM
I don't think that they are going to charge again for something you already bought.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 25th 2008 1:49PM
It says you spend 100-300 points to "construct a home for them (other races)". That tells me that the races are town specific, and that if you start up a new town without the "home" for them, then they won't be available until you do.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 1:52PM
This is from IGN:
"And for those who get really into it, the game could expand even further. Square Enix has provided some provisional details at its website on upcoming downloads for the game. Examples of content include additional houses which, when combined with clearing a special dungeon, unlock new character classes for your soldiers. Also planned are clothing downloads for your king. Pricing is expected to range between 100 and 300 points."
Now I'm more confussed... I guess we need to wait until the extra DLC is available.
WiNG @ Mar 25th 2008 2:10PM
It doesn't work that way, it's more like once you buy the DLC you will thenceforth be able to construct buildings that allow you to access the other races.
So no, it's not pay-per-play, per say.
olay!
kbomb1upc @ Mar 25th 2008 2:15PM
@Wing
Say that three times fast.
Martez @ Mar 25th 2008 1:38PM
# of sensible people < # of idiots
Just like the GH3 dlc, a majority of people will pay. We're stuck with this kind of crap, we just have to live with it.
Vcize @ Mar 25th 2008 2:37PM
Most of the GH3 DLC is free...
RobLink (McElroy Defence Force) @ Mar 25th 2008 4:30PM
It's far from free. There was the Halo theme, the Xmas song and the Paddy's Day songs. All others are 800 points per pack, or 200 per song for the obscure Euro ones.
Martez @ Mar 25th 2008 4:39PM
I was referring to the uproar over the "buy all three in a pack or none at all" system that everyone swore not to support, and yet it's still going strong.
Shignami @ Mar 25th 2008 1:46PM
I noticed a distinct lack of Belts and zippers...
I'm betting thats gonna make alot of the DLC.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:20PM
Nomaru is hard at work on Final Fantasy XIII versus and the upcoming Kingdom Hearts trinity. He doesn't have time to work on "Final Fantasy Tycoon."
Zertoss @ Mar 25th 2008 1:46PM
So where's my USB hard drive support?
kbomb1upc @ Mar 25th 2008 1:50PM
Hello Wii, Welcome to Mircotransactions. Take a seat over there by the PS3 and 360.
samfish (Brawl: 2793 0291 2277) @ Mar 25th 2008 1:51PM
Paying money for different races?
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Slave Owner.
Co @ Mar 25th 2008 1:53PM
lmao nice
ApolloIV @ Mar 25th 2008 2:32PM
One step ahead of me :(
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:54PM
That, that is just priceless. And Nintendo thought Greenpeace's misdirected fury was bad.
Chase @ Mar 25th 2008 4:01PM
I am jealous that I did not first post this comment.
You win the Internet for the day, sir.
umm....hello??? @ Mar 25th 2008 1:51PM
i LOVE the FF series, but screw this!!
bm @ Mar 25th 2008 1:51PM
Cue all the idiots usually defending DLC, flocking to this thread to bitch their guts out because it's on the Wii. :P
For me, well, I guess with Square-Enix messing up the last few FF's and losing my trust, I don't need to see this as a big loss.
Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:39PM
Well, that all depends on the DLC. Like I would be really hard pressed to defend Lumines Live despite the fact that it's on my 360 hard drive (no system, just the hard drive) and evidence of that is found in my gamerscore NME-Se7eN. But Rock Band DLC is like pure gold.
Really it comes down to these three questions in regards to DLC value over price.
-Were the features missing from the game as it was promised? Take, for example, Lumines Live and the game modes which were removed. Same with this. The game has been shown with those multiple races with no indication this was the business model.
-Is gameplay and multiplayer significantly crippled for those who do not pay the extra money? Take a look at plenty of Korean MMOs where the DLC (the only part of the game you PAY for) is cosmetic only. In most games, the pay content doesn't give players an advantage in multiplayer.
-Does the DLC add value in extending the games original experience? Take a look at Rock Band or Warhawk. Both examples expand the gameplay in unique ways and dropships have definately changed Warhawk strategies...
bm @ Mar 27th 2008 6:32AM
Look, I don't care, I dislike it whatever it is. I used to be able to buy games and get everything there is to unlock merely by skill. Now I've got to buy that shit. I don't care if it's good content or not.
Marry me Mario PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 25th 2008 1:53PM
And you WiiSports Machine Boys bash Sony's GT5P.
dark_inchworm @ Mar 25th 2008 2:01PM
Thank you for your contribution to this thread. Now shut the fuck up.
Marry me Mario PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 25th 2008 2:12PM
Yer funny, I like yew. So, WiiSports Machine Fanboys can bash Sony for GT5P over and over but if I post ONE sentence showing the hipocrisy of what you WiiSports Machine Fanboys so vigorously defend and you cry about it.
Where o where are you WiiSports Machine Fanboys gonna put all of the Kayrappy stuff? Or are you just going to relish in the FACT that you have to re-download the same Kayrap over and ovah again.
Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:15PM
What does the existence of DLC on a wiiware game have to do with buying a bloated demo for 40 dollars?
Anni (Smash FC: 0946-1930-4929) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:17PM
I humbly present a motion to be reviewed by the board that we collectively agree to in no way nourish, supply, encourage, or otherwise feed this ridiculous troll.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Fernando Rocker @ Mar 25th 2008 2:20PM
And people say that I'm a troll...
KrazyKen: The definition of a real troll.
Anni (Smash FC: 0946-1930-4929) @ Mar 25th 2008 2:24PM
I humbly present a motion to be reviewed by the board that we collectively agree to in no way nourish, supply, encourage, or otherwise feed this ridiculous troll.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
Marry me Mario PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 25th 2008 2:36PM
NOt possible Fernandos.
Yew take this fanboy stuff WAY WAY WAY more seriously than I do.
I will bash Sony when I think they do something dumb.
Yew however have NEVER said even ONE thing negative about Nintendo.
Yew sir, are on an entirely different level of troll than I can evar "hope" to be.
Kye,
Nice post...Nintendo should not SHIT on it's loyal fans as much as they do. I feel 4 u bro...I really do.
John McPoop @ Mar 25th 2008 2:54PM
I think he is saying that this is an incomplete version of the game.... It really does not apply to the GT Prologue discussion but I think thats what he was getting at....
As for Trolls... Well IMO Fernando is hunched under a bridge drinking a mug of Nintendo Gruhl... There are Trolls and then there is Fernando.... Completely different...
Side Note:
Just like the internet trends of troll, lolz, pwnd, +1 you Sir, I keed I keed, First! and any other electronic emotion we all see way to much I am growing increasingly frustrated with people doing this:
xbox guy: Hey Gt 5 Prologue is a demo
PS3 guy: SHut the F up Halo 3 was a demo with Crackdown
Xbox guy- No shit but at least it wasnt advertised as a full game
ETC
ETC
ETC
In case you missed it the fact people are going out of their way to script out little scenes at an exponential rate is starting to annoy me as bad as some of the other mentioned internet *electronic emotions*
Does anyone else agree?
BTW- This game does seem rather pathetic , doesn't it? Charging for races??? I can understand charging for a special gun or a special car but a skin tone?? Obviously it is more than that but it seems pretty nuts to me that anyone would actually buy another race in a game... Devs should take the UT3 PS3/PC mod cooker router or the Spore or LBP route and let us create our own content for the game... Not buy some total BS...
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was actually a standard tool set for end users like us to create content for any game? You know, like something supported by all platforms...
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Mar 25th 2008 3:03PM
Fernando: "And people say that I'm a troll..."
You are. But as a troll for the 360 and a troll for the Wii, you end up being 50% less troll by volume. Though you have backed off a bit from your career lows.
No reason yet to feel superior to one of your fellows however.
Marry me Mario PSN: Killjebus @ Mar 25th 2008 3:07PM
"I think he is saying that this is an incomplete version of the game.... It really does not apply to the GT Prologue discussion but I think thats what he was getting at...."
Plus ONE for you sir. You have not been posting at Joysitq long but I have enjoyed your posts.
As for the fanboy banter back and forth? You are absolutely correct. But if Joystiq did not want Fernandos threatening a NON-WiiSports Machine Fanboy...then they would NOT POST the same flame bait over and over.
I continue to bite because it (for me at least) is all in good fun, and it makes the workday go by faster.
samfish (Brawl: 2793 0291 2277) @ Mar 25th 2008 3:42PM
"I continue to bite because it (for me at least) is all in good fun, and it makes the workday go by faster."
It would make the work day go by faster for the rest of us who post here to make the work day go by faster if you would...occasionally restrain yourself a bit.
BPM X: Soul Eraser [SSBB: 5026 4120 1186] @ Mar 25th 2008 4:07PM
FERNANDO: KrazyKen: The definition of a real troll.
BPM: No, Fernando, you are the trolls.
And then, Fernando was under a bridge.
Killjebus, if it isn't your rampant fanboyism or religious hate that's annoying, then it's your odd penchant to purposely misspell things. Stop replacing "you" with "yew", will ya? There's no poisonous trees here.
And, let us all set aside these dumb, hate-ridden names for the game companies and their consoles. No more "Nintendonald's" (Seriously, Curmeo, that's the dumbest thing you've ever thought of), "Micro$oft", "$ony", RRoD 360, DelayStation 3, etc. Just knock it off. It makes you look childish, and gives me a headache.