Final Fantasy XIII not available on 360 in Japan, Versus XIII still PS3-exclusive
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 14th 2008 at 4:56PM }
According to Siliconera, Final Fantasy XIII's 360 port has not been announced for release in Asia. The team is currently focused on finishing the Japanese PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII. "The priority is to bring it to the PS3 first." Once the game releases in Japan, the team can then work on localization and porting it to the Xbox 360. This may mean we're going to suffer through an intolerable wait for an English-language release.
The main reason behind today's announcement is obvious: the Xbox 360's significant userbase in countries not named "Japan." However, although Final Fantasy XIII has been announced for Microsoft's console, Versus XIII is still in development as a PS3 exclusive. Of course, considering today's revelation -- will that exclusivity truly last?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
fwacce @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
I have to say that I couldn't care less that the 360 gets FFXIII. The more the merrier, actually. However, I am concerned that the game will be of a lower quality to accommodate a multi-platform release. (Before anyone goes nuts, I'm not dissing the 360, just all multi-platform releases by their very nature) I was really looking forward to this game, and the cinematic quality that it could have brought. Maybe it still will, we'll see, but I am a little let down on the possibility that it won't be all that it could be.
On another note, I know a lot of people don't like Sony. Personally, I don't like some of their practices, just like I don't like some of Microsoft's. However, competition is ALWAYS needed, IMO. Just think of a world where Sony had the only console. How restricted would the games be? The same can be said of Microsoft. They are not an evil company by any means, but I would say that any company that has too much control and not enough competition is not a good thing for the marketplace. I mean, Microsoft is forcing Sony to try and get a good version of a Live service, and Sony is forcing Microsoft to try and add more JRPG style games. Neither would happen without the other being there for competition. Just something to think about.
Replica23 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
I'm pretty sure SquareEnix said (at their press conference that followed the MS one) they wouldn't begin "porting" FF13 to the 360 until they began English localization. In other words, FF13 is only being developed on the PS3 right now, when it is done a port for the 360 will be made. This in turn suggests the game is still being designed for the PS3 and its quality likely won't be affected.
Lorem @ Jul 14th 2008 5:15PM
Are you retarded? You said you don't care at all about the 360 getting the title yet you don't want the quality lower to allow a better port. PORTS in ANY form are the death to gaming. exclusive titles MUST remain for each system.
Monkeys Suck @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
I agree with that. After seeing the initial videos, I was floored. I thought that this would be one of the games that show the PS3's raw power, and that its architecture, albeit difficult, could produce an amazing game. I hope it isn't diminished. I think the 360 could handle a lot, but not what the PS3 could.
arrrgh @ Jul 14th 2008 5:16PM
didnt hurt gta4 or assassins creed or burnout paradise...
did multiplat releases ever really hurt xbox? i know the ps3 orange box got assfucked in development, but the xbox ones seem solid so far iirc
The funny thing is how many people bought into sony's "raw power of the ps3" lines. In terms of actual performance, the 360 and ps3 are very close. People just don't like to believe that the 360 could pull off slick ffXIII gfx...maybe they forgot what a good video card was for?
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jul 14th 2008 5:21PM
You know, you're absolutely right. In order to accommodate a multi-platform strategy, they're going to have to make some compromises. For example, you can't just cut off the game in the middle of a series of intense battles for a disc change - as trivial as it may seem, those disc swaps have to come at appropriate and opportune times. Are they going to have to tweak the story so that it has proper "breaks" for disc changing? Sure, they could put the disc swaps during the natural breaks in the story, but from an economic standpoint, Squenix would be wise to minimize the number of discs they stamp, (i.e. Put as much content on each disc as possible) Assuming a four disc game, what are the chances those breaks actually take place at the most economic 25/25/25/25 spots? Will working this out prolong the already ridiculous development process?
From the Kotaku liveblog, it sounds like SE is going to complete the Japanese PS3 FFXIII first, then work on a PS3 localization and a 360 port/localization simultaneously. Since the localization is bound to take less time than a combined port/localization, does this mean SE is going to be sitting on a completed English PS3 version in order to release simultaneously in Western territories?
So many questions. Oh Don Mattrick... You've ruined many a Sony fanboys' lives!
MN Guy @ Jul 14th 2008 5:31PM
You shouldn't worry for a few reasons.
1. FFXIII does not require much performance. The fancy stuff is all pre-rendered. Walking around and battling won't push either system to their fullest.
2. PS3 and 360 much more similar than consoles past. One could argue that COD4, a multiplatform game, is the best performing title on each system.
3. It's a turn based RPG. The physics, feel of controls, etc. None of that is real demanding. The impressive stuff is pre-rendered. RPG's are amongst the easiest to port.
Just be prepared for a lot of disc swapping on the 360 version.
bm @ Jul 14th 2008 5:32PM
lol oh man
Guess what, Sony kids. Your Playstation 3 is nothing special. I know Sony said it was! I know they said it was going to be a million times better than the most powerful PC. But it isn't! It's good at protein folding, and any game developer will tell you that's all it's better at. You don't have to worry about dumbed down ports the way Xbox and Gamecube owners had to during the last generation. It's ok. Breathe.
arrrgh @ Jul 14th 2008 5:42PM
@ PAUL
You mean sort of like how you have to do and install at EVERY ACT for MGS4?
You think it might be similar for FFIIIX? Maybe kinda?
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jul 14th 2008 5:50PM
That's a lot of assumptions, MN. The real-time in FFXII certainly pushed the PS2. It wasn't framerate killing, screen shredding, system exploding pushing like GoWII did, but it certainly looked better in real-time than most games did in CG. And take a look at the recent trailers again. Keep an eye out for aliasing, sharp polygon edges and the lack of self/soft shadows. You'd be surprised how much of what they've shown is, in fact, real-time. Off the top of my head I remember the battle sequence culminating in the hurricane of bodies around Lightning as well as the scene where Lightning walks into the forest and gazes around. And for an example of a disgustingly underperforming RPG port, see the PS3 port of Enchanted Arms. Just because a game isn't technically demanding doesn't mean it'll make for an easy port. Hell, with my programming skills, I doubt I could make Pong run at full speed on that beast they call the Cell.
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jul 14th 2008 6:04PM
@ARRGH
Maybe, kinda, probably not, but certainly more likely now that your mouth-breathing lot got their hands on it.
P.S. That rub-it-in-your-face-till-they-like-it attitude probably isn't the best way to make friends and influence people.
finaldarklord @ Jul 14th 2008 9:02PM
What bugs me is that the game is going to be held up in regions 1 and 3 so the game can be finished on the 360. I'm all about having big games reach more people, but for fuck sake this is the second time that I can think of where Microsoft is holding up the show on a big release.
I mean, damn. I know the series isn't what it was, but I'd like to at least play the game and find out without waiting another god damned year. It would have been perfectly acceptable if the game came out later on 360 so it could ship on time for PS3, but much like with GTA4 we're going to have to wait much longer than than needed just so MS can wave its dick around proclaiming that they get it at the same time.
Fucking hell, I'm really starting to hate this generation.
bm @ Jul 15th 2008 4:06AM
Aww they're all BAWWWWing their poor faces out, clicking that little red minus button. ;D
samfish @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
See, Sony Fanboys? It's ok. You still have the spin off to console yourselves with. You can even start a mantra! "Playstation is THE place to go if you want Final Fantasy!"
Of course, when Nintendo announces Kingdom Hearts III exclusivity, it'll be meltdowns and tears all over again!
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 14th 2008 5:07PM
I ready for an HD version of Kingdom Hearts, although I wouldn't mind for a Wii version. The more Kindgom Hearts the better:)
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:10PM
Nintendo and KH3 exclusivity? I'd take my foot and vigorously shove it into my mouth and retract anything I've ever told my friends about wanting to sell my Wii because of not having a good reason to play it (Sure, there ARE good games garnering very nice scores from reviewers coming out for the Wii, but they aren't games I actually *want to play*. It doesn't matter if it's a good game or not if I don't feel like putting myself through it!).
Mr Khan @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
While Square Enix has never put a core franchise on a Nintendo platform since the SNES, the arguments for Kingdom Hearts Wii are great, aside from the Wii's sales, would a game like Kingdom Hearts really fit with the target market for the 360, or even the PS3?
It would with the PS3 because of the Squenix fans, but the "kiddy" appeal of the game just screams for a Wii version. Especially now that Nintendo is using normal discs
acefondu @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
Japan's not getting it because Square printed the list of 360 owners in Japan and all they got were 20 people who thought the box said "PS3 now with a new green box!"
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:06PM
To put it in a less...I guess you could say blunt? way, it wouldn't be financially viable for them to release it on the 360 in Japan.
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 14th 2008 5:09PM
I don't know, they're making a 360 version anyways, all they'd need to do is place the Japanese script and voices in it, and bam! Japanese FF13 360.
Hell, it may even HELP the 360 survive in Japan. Maybe not much, as I'm sure many would still get this on PS3 in Japan.
F-Forward @ Jul 14th 2008 5:02PM
Also:
"Hashimoto pointed out that they have no plans to make the versions differences."
Wiinterfang @ Jul 14th 2008 5:04PM
Sounds fair enough.
wibby @ Jul 14th 2008 5:05PM
Japan = small
World = BIG
PS3 = Fail
Eggy @ Jul 14th 2008 5:07PM
You = moron
Ha!
Benny @ Jul 14th 2008 5:11PM
Doesn't Japan have a bit of a reputation for buying these 'video games'?
wibby @ Jul 14th 2008 5:19PM
Eggy = Twat!
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:22PM
Wibbly = misspelling of "wobbly", which describes Wibbly's "schlong".
wibby @ Jul 14th 2008 5:27PM
:o)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TmqbO-lY0LM
TMKIERNAN @ Jul 29th 2008 3:54AM
you should go suck a dick u little 360 fanboy because if i could see u right now my foot would be up ur ass for saying that about the ps3 cuz im getting sick and tired about these multiplatform games coming out it was bad enough when isaw dmc4 on the 360 but I can't stand seeing FFXIII on the 360 final fantasy was w/ PS from the beginning plus i think consoles need their exclusive titles that's what makes the system forexample if someone says halo ur gonna think 360 but if someone says mgs ur gonna think ps this is what they mean when they say each system brings something else to the table if everything thing has the same titles whats it going to matter what system u have the controller design thats all i got
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:05PM
I hope Versus 13 is released on the 360. As I only have a summer job (Which nets me around $1,000 a summer, all of which I blew on a new PC last year), I don't want to have to shell out for a PS3 just for this game (Yes, I'm hyped up about it so much that I'd be willing to buy a PS3 just for this, then buy God of War 3, Resistance 2, and MGS4 too).
CTC XBL-supapaypamawio PSN-ctclaw @ Jul 14th 2008 5:08PM
$1000 for an entire summer? I think you should ask for more.
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:10PM
I only work 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for minimum wage lol.
Mr Khan @ Jul 14th 2008 5:14PM
my financial situation's similar to Sora's. I get an average of 27 hours a week, and less gas expenses (most of which go to driving to the jobs) its all for spending money for games throughout the next year of college
arrrgh @ Jul 14th 2008 5:19PM
you guys should think about a change in jobs
Sora @ Jul 14th 2008 5:21PM
Well I'm only 15, I don't really have many other options available (I'm currently working at my dad's restaurant), nor would I really want anything more because of all the other crap I have to do for school this summer.
arrrgh @ Jul 14th 2008 5:24PM
rough
less games for u
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 15th 2008 1:15AM
well i work 2 jobs myself. ill be in my 4th year of college this coming semester, and for the past 3 years (1st year of college i played football and didnt have to pay for anything) i have run out of money for games right around when Q4 starts kicking (and that aint a good time to run out of money). that way, i can work full time 40 hours at my job where i get paid better and work like 25 hours at the other part time job. i have absolutely no free time, but my wallet is quite obese at the moment lol. i should be able to pay for school and games with no problems this coming semester.
F1 & The Way PC used to be. @ Jul 14th 2008 5:05PM
Don't care. Still in ecstasy over the announcement.
BananaBoat @ Jul 14th 2008 5:05PM
If the PS3 gets FFXIII first, then it's somewhat of a moot point for those of us with both consoles. Why would I wait to buy it on the 360? I don't think FFXIII would push any 360 hardware in Japan anyway, so that's not much of a shocker, but I'd be surprised if the PS3 retained some form of exclusivity in the form of versus...why would you dual release one game, and not the other? It doesn't make much sense unless a money hat was involved.
Hyams @ Jul 14th 2008 5:11PM
What they mean is that it's coming out in Japan first (on the PS3 only), and then in Europe/America later, on both consoles at the same time.
bm @ Jul 14th 2008 5:40PM
There's always a money hat involved.
Ranus Studios @ Jul 14th 2008 5:05PM
It's a mystery!
007craft @ Jul 14th 2008 5:06PM
you know, The japanese couldnt care less about FF13 on the 360 unless it was a 360 exclusive. They would still all buy it for the ps3. So this does not really matter. Im sure microsofts goal here is to simply win over the ps3 purchasers in the larger territories (europe and north america). And thats exactly whats gonna happen, because many people in these regions who were gonna buy a ps3 just for this game, now have no reason to do so.
As an xbox owner, I personally couldnt care as I wont be picking this game up. I stopped playing FF games after I played through ff8, which coming from ff6 and 7, just made me throw up. It looks like they have gotten even worse since. No thanks.
NATO_Duke @ Jul 14th 2008 5:10PM
"you know, The japanese couldnt care less about FF13 on the 360 unless it was a 360 exclusive. They would still all buy it for the ps3. So this does not really matter. "
Assume much?
Tez (PSN: Tezasaurus) @ Jul 14th 2008 5:11PM
9 was good.
arrrgh @ Jul 14th 2008 5:24PM
nope.
Hyams @ Jul 14th 2008 5:09PM
'The content will be the same, but the media or quantity of media may be different due to the size of the Blu-Ray disc.'
What does that even mean? The content will be the same, but the content or quantity of content may be different? Or are they using 'media' in some new, origional way?
BPM [MKWii: 2578 3585 8392] @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
Perhaps the 360 version will have fewer (or none) pre-rendered videos (you know how much S-E loves those!) to accomodate for the smaller disc space. Instead, opting for real-time scripted cutscenes (which would still look great, given the graphic prowess of 360 and PS3).
Mr.ESC @ Jul 14th 2008 5:18PM
It will be on several discs or they will use the engine to do the cut-scenes.
Seriously why it can't be in several discs, a lot of great games were on several disc. Screw this gen slackers, I rather have FF13 (Yeah also screw Roman numbers)on 2 or 3 discs than in 1 disc with altered cut-scenes.
Hyams @ Jul 14th 2008 5:51PM
I just thought - do you think they might mean voice acting? It'd fit in with their comment: the story is the same, the character's say the same thing, the PS3 just has more voice acting.
And as sound files are meant to be the largest type of file for games (right?), it kind of makes sense.