We're not going on much here, so we'll give you the facts right up front -- Square Enix prez Yoichi Wada recently told IT Media regarding the release of Final Fantasy XIII that "We'll be making an announcement in a few weeks." As Kotaku reports, the unsurprisingly non-descript wording leads us to believe that the announcement in scheduled for late September's Tokyo Game Show.
Unfortunately, the rest of the planet will have to lay in wait as the release date will likely only be for the Japanese semi-exclusive PlayStation 3 version still set to drop this year. We'd like to take this time to thank Square Enix for not completely wasting our time (and more importantly, yours) with an arbitrary countdown that may or may not result in the release of actual information.
[Via Kotaku]
Reader Comments (46)
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:10PM whatthegeek said
Wow, I never looked at it like that - you're so insightful!
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:06PM whatthegeek said
March 13 2007
Wait, that can't be right.... maybe my information is out dated.....
Seriously though, hasn't this game missed like six announced or hinted at release windows by now?
Reply
Wait, that can't be right.... maybe my information is out dated.....
Seriously though, hasn't this game missed like six announced or hinted at release windows by now?
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:14PM AkiraTenshi said
It's never had an official release date just made up dates from stupid websites who dont know what they are talking about.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:07PM (Unverified) said
Announcements for an announcement and a countdown site for a card game. You're on a roll Squeenix.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:20PM (Unverified) said
FF games have always been epic, so go light on them. Btw, I might buy the japanese version if it has english text.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:43PM (Unverified) said
Or you could learn Japanese! It has a lot of practical value, despite taking a very long time.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 3:12PM Jeff Kibuule said
Since FFX, it's been:
1) Japanese release - no English voices/text
2) North American release - no Japanese voices/text, 5-6 month delay
3) "International" release - both Japanese/English voices/text, 5-12 month delay
4) European release - localized languages, no Japanese voices/text, 10-12 month delay.
What's unique about North American PS3 release is that it is possible for them to actually stick in the Japanese voices/text on the disc (which would basically make it the International release).
Reply
1) Japanese release - no English voices/text
2) North American release - no Japanese voices/text, 5-6 month delay
3) "International" release - both Japanese/English voices/text, 5-12 month delay
4) European release - localized languages, no Japanese voices/text, 10-12 month delay.
What's unique about North American PS3 release is that it is possible for them to actually stick in the Japanese voices/text on the disc (which would basically make it the International release).
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 3:13PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Oh, how I try. Then Horo has to go and speak ye olden all the time, and I weep silently in a corner.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 4:46PM pika2000 said
@dagamer43: International versions (which are usually only released in Japan) have never had Japanese voice. They're basically the NA versions released in Japan.
As for PS3 version getting JP voice, don't count on it. Squenix never release their games in NA with JP voice (other than Infinite Undiscovery for the PC). In fact, Squenix has announced that the NA version of FF13 for both 360 and PS3 will be the same, and the 360 won't get JP voice, so neither will the PS3 version. Blu-ray has more storage capacity, but that doesn't mean anything (PS3 version of Dynasty Warrior Gundam 2 doesn't have JP voice, despite having the capacity vs 360 DVD).
Reply
As for PS3 version getting JP voice, don't count on it. Squenix never release their games in NA with JP voice (other than Infinite Undiscovery for the PC). In fact, Squenix has announced that the NA version of FF13 for both 360 and PS3 will be the same, and the 360 won't get JP voice, so neither will the PS3 version. Blu-ray has more storage capacity, but that doesn't mean anything (PS3 version of Dynasty Warrior Gundam 2 doesn't have JP voice, despite having the capacity vs 360 DVD).
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 4:57PM aughscreennames said
They deserve props, theyre the last company to needlessly localize games after development instead of simultaneously record all languages and write all text for a worldwide release.
Either they write the story as they go or they are uniquely stupid.
Reply
Either they write the story as they go or they are uniquely stupid.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:43PM TheDarkWayne said
Fucking dammit, what is it the last couple years with companies ANNOUNCING ANNOUNCEMENTS!? What the hell?
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:02PM Shadowbender said
Haha, I agree.
I mean, they could at least hint at a release date.
Reply
I mean, they could at least hint at a release date.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 1:54PM (Unverified) said
I know I'm in the minority here, but I actually like countdowns. It's kinda fun guessing what it could be. Although the card game one was stupid.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:13PM (Unverified) said
Exactly, it gives you something to look forward to.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:17PM TheDarkWayne said
see i just look forward to the game, not hearing an announcement about when they're gonna tell me it's gonna come out
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:49PM (Unverified) said
I was talking about looking forward to the new game announcements after countdowns. Not looking forward to a release date announcement. Although like Vcizer said, it's not really an announcement so much as them answering a question.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:54PM Sly C said
"At least you know you're getting some news soon instead of waking up one morning going on the internet and finding an announcement out of nowhere"
but we did wake up this morning and find an announcement out of nowhere. except it's announcing an announcement instead of something useful.
Reply
but we did wake up this morning and find an announcement out of nowhere. except it's announcing an announcement instead of something useful.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:02PM (Unverified) said
this game isn't coming out anytime soon(at least outside of japan)...we need more than just an announcement *sigh*
- - - - - -
http://12tb.com/browse/VideoGames/11846801/search?key=Final+fantasy&p=1
Reply
- - - - - -
http://12tb.com/browse/VideoGames/11846801/search?key=Final+fantasy&p=1
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 3:15PM The Blank Mage Returns said
Sly, on the one hand, Org. XIII was actually plretty awesome.
On the other, real life people look retarded by comparison, regardless of attire.
Reply
On the other, real life people look retarded by comparison, regardless of attire.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:53PM (Unverified) said
Those billboards they had at E3 said 2010 on them. I would imagine that's would be for the American release.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 2:46PM Accessgranted said
@ Longhorn: "At least you know you're getting some news soon instead of waking up one morning going on the internet and finding an announcement out of nowhere."
Isn't that what announcements are supposed to be?
I rather be actually surprised than know that an announcement is coming... I don't know about you guys though.
Reply
Isn't that what announcements are supposed to be?
I rather be actually surprised than know that an announcement is coming... I don't know about you guys though.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 3:16PM The Blank Mage Returns said
They haven't made a decision, but they'd like to us to know they're thinking about deciding on a decision in the near future.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 4:01PM ArchiGamer said
So in a matter of weeks, we get to hear an announcement of an announcing of a decision to decide when to release FFXIII?
I...
*begins to into a seizure*
Reply
I...
*begins to into a seizure*
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 4:25PM (Unverified) said
Please help me understand if you can:
I have never played a FF game. I see tons of news on the Stiq about FF14 and then every once and a while I read about FF13 never coming out. What's the deal? Is it different developers making 2 different games or what?
Reply
I have never played a FF game. I see tons of news on the Stiq about FF14 and then every once and a while I read about FF13 never coming out. What's the deal? Is it different developers making 2 different games or what?
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 6:10PM SheppyReturns said
It's better than that. It's different teams. For example, the FFXI team is now on FFXIV. Meanwhile the FFX and FFXII team is on FFXIII. Meanwhile the Kingdom Hearts team is on FFXIII Versus. The Crisis Core team is on FFXIII Agito. Meanwhile the Harlem Globtrotters Team is on Mario Saga Endless Hoop Fantasy Crystalis 3-on-3.
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 5:51PM FreakinPuertoRican said
Ive never played a FF game before but I will most likely pick up this one. But its goina take forever for it to come out if they havent even announced it in Japan yet..... :(
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 6:16PM SheppyReturns said
You know, the whole "announcing and announcement" trend people are complaining about IS directly tied to when someone answers a question they're not allowed to respond to yet with a "we'll say something very soon," then the entire blogocube turns around and keeps posting and posting and posting this no news bullcrap.
Dear Joystiq,
I don't visit Kotaku because of this nonsensical moronic craptacular retarded behavior headed up by douchente. Since the fanboy sites have merged with the main page, you've been increasing your Kotaku like behavior. STOP posting non-news just for hits. You don't have to report on every little thing. It makes you guys look shamelessly unprofessional. Let Kotaku wear the retard crown.
Reply
Dear Joystiq,
I don't visit Kotaku because of this nonsensical moronic craptacular retarded behavior headed up by douchente. Since the fanboy sites have merged with the main page, you've been increasing your Kotaku like behavior. STOP posting non-news just for hits. You don't have to report on every little thing. It makes you guys look shamelessly unprofessional. Let Kotaku wear the retard crown.
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 10:31PM TheDarkWayne said
at least joystiq doesnt make posts longing for a childhood where kids cab roam around safely through the neighborhood and blah blah blah culture of fear blah blah. Fucking Crecente
Reply
Posted: Aug 8th 2009 6:18PM (Unverified) said
Am I the only one who took forever to figure out what the pic was?
Reply
Sorry, you must be logged in to leave a comment.
Featured Stories
The most popular posts
in the last 7 days
- Vita 'UMD Passport' won't be offered in US 220 comments
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning review: A tempting fate 153 comments
- David Jaffe leaves Eat Sleep Play, layoffs hit developer [Update] 107 comments
- Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear 95 comments
- Battleship movie adapted into FPS by Double Helix 93 comments










