Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII's Lightning story to continue in a 'new direction']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/final-fantasy-xiiis-lightning-story-to-continue-in-a-new-direc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/final-fantasy-xiiis-lightning-story-to-continue-in-a-new-direc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/final-fantasy-xiiis-lightning-story-to-continue-in-a-new-direc/#comments Final Fantasy XIII's Lightning story to continue in a 'new direction'On September 1, during a Final Fantasy anniversary event in Tokyo, Square Enix will present some kind of "new information about the direction of Lightning's story." The Final Fantasy XIII protagonist was last seen in XIII-2 DLC "Requiem of the Goddess," which at the time acted as a conclusion to her saga.

The new Lightning material is currently in the care of "Key members of the FINAL FANTASY XIII development team including the Producer, Director and Art Director."

Final Fantasy XIII was originally announced as a multi-part "Fabula Nova Crystallis" universe, consisting of FFXIII, FF Versus XIII (which we're still waiting for) and Final Fantasy Agito XIII - which was renamed Final Fantasy Type-0 and released last year on PSP in Japan. Though the Fabula Nova Crystallis thing hasn't quite panned out, Square isn't letting that get in the way of expanding the Final Fantasy XIII series.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII's Lightning story to continue in a 'new direction' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIlightningsquare-enixWed, 22 Aug 2012 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy 25th anniversary celebration includes FFXIII 'developments' talk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/final-fantasy-25th-anniversary-celebration-includes-ffxiii-deve/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/final-fantasy-25th-anniversary-celebration-includes-ffxiii-deve/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/20/final-fantasy-25th-anniversary-celebration-includes-ffxiii-deve/#comments Final Fantasy 25th anniversary celebration includes FFXIII 'developments' talkSquare Enix's "Fabula Nova Crystallis" world - the occasionally bizarre and often beautiful universe of several Final Fantasy XIII titles - is scheduled for a big exposé as part of Square's 25th anniversary celebration for the Final Fantasy series. A stage presentation on September 1 in Tokyo's Shibuya district titled, "Final Fantasy XIII Lightnight Saga: New Developments Presentation" apparently features "details on the future of the FFXIII project" (via Andriasang's translation).

Beyond Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2, the Fabula Nova Crystallis series extends to Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII (renamed Final Fantasy Type-0). Of the planned "trilogy" of games, the only one yet to see release is Final Fantasy Versus XIII. In fact, nothing has been heard of the title in quite some time - it was a no show both at last year's Tokyo Game Show and this year's E3 Expo. A demo of the next-gen technology supporting Versus, the Luminous Engine, was given at E3, but Versus wasn't part of the presentation.

Kotaku's reporting that the game may be in flux or cancelled, though Square Enix reps refused to comment on the status of the title. With any luck, we'll find out more this September.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy 25th anniversary celebration includes FFXIII 'developments' talk originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fabula-nova-crystallisfinal-fantasy-agito-xiiifinal-fantasy-type-0final-fantasy-versus-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiiiFinal-Fantasy-XIII-2japanluminous-engineshibuyasquare-enixFri, 20 Jul 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[What Square Enix learned from Final Fantasy 13's large-scale development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/what-square-enix-learned-from-ffxiiis-large-scale-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/what-square-enix-learned-from-ffxiiis-large-scale-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/27/what-square-enix-learned-from-ffxiiis-large-scale-development/#comments What Square Enix learned from the largescale development of FFXIIISquare Enix had 180 artists, 30 programmers and 36 designers working on Final Fantasy 13, and that many people on board made its development complicated, director Motomu Toriyama told Gamasutra.

"With a large-scale development team, we didn't use our time well," Toriyama said. "How do you communicate to everyone in the department what the drive of the game is?"

Toriyama and his team tried to keep the game as secret as possible within the massive workforce, which led to playtesting happening "way too late in the process," he said. Square intended to fix those issues with Final Fantasy 13-2, and implemented production-based milestones as opposed to story-based ones it used at the beginning of FF13's development. Still, more needs to change.

"We are also thinking that we will not do large-scale internal development any longer," Toriyama said. "We have a lot of great creators in Square Enix, but for larger-scale development we will be doing more distributed and outsourced development to reach our targets on time."

JoystiqWhat Square Enix learned from Final Fantasy 13's large-scale development originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-FantasyFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIFinal-Fantasy-XIII-2microsoftmotomu-toriyamaplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxWed, 27 Jun 2012 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-2 purchases on Amazon net $20 gift card]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/final-fantasy-xiii-2-purchases-on-amazon-net-20-gift-card/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/final-fantasy-xiii-2-purchases-on-amazon-net-20-gift-card/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/31/final-fantasy-xiii-2-purchases-on-amazon-net-20-gift-card/#comments Looking to do some time travel on the cheap? Amazon's not quite able to bend time just yet, but it can offer you a $20 credit on a brand new copy of the just-released Final Fantasy XIII-2, not to mention a digitized "mini strategy guide." We're hopeful that the strategies are bigger than the guide itself.

Should you choose to go with Amazon's deal, you could always put the $20 credit towards a flux capacitor or something that might actually facilitate time travel. Maybe hallucinogens? We're not sure if Amazon's in that racket yet, but that's another potential avenue for seeking your desire to float across the pond of time. Maybe a Doors album is a better way to go?

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-2 purchases on Amazon net $20 gift card originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazoncash-backdealdealsdiscountFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIImicrosoftplaystationps3square-enixxboxTue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/why-final-fantasy-xiii-just-didnt-work/#commentsThis is a column by Jason Schreier dedicated to the analysis (and occasional mocking) of his favorite genre, the Japanese role-playing game. Whether it's because they're too antiquated or just too niche, he believes JRPGs don't get enough attention in the gaming industry today. It's time to change that.
On January 31, Square Enix will release Final Fantasy XIII-2, a direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII, which the developer shipped several years ago to mixed reactions. Some fans adored the game's gorgeous aesthetics and flashy combat; others cursed Square Enix for daring to defile their beloved series.

Perhaps because of that fan ambivalence, a large part of Square Enix's marketing plan for Final Fantasy XIII-2 has revolved around the message "This is not Final Fantasy XIII!" During preview events and demos, the developer has been careful to show off all of the new elements that the first game did not have: towns, NPCs, sidequests, and so forth.

Will Final Fantasy XIII-2 be worth playing? I'll tell you in a few weeks. But while we wait to see whether or not the newest Final Fantasy is worth our time, let's figure out why Square Enix is so eager to make it feel different than its predecessor.

Just where did Final Fantasy XIII go wrong?

Continue reading Why Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work

JoystiqWhy Final Fantasy XIII just didn't work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIfinal-fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIjrpgmicrosoftplaystationps3square-enixxboxFri, 13 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailer shows off combat system improvements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-shows-off-combat-system-improvement/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-shows-off-combat-system-improvement/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailer-shows-off-combat-system-improvement/#comments
Final Fantasy XIII-2 won't just append an additional number and some monster-collecting mechanics to the (thirteenth) original, you know. Check out the trailer above to see the "Enhanced" combat system in action. (Read: Quick-Time Events!)

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII-2 (12/1/11)

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-2 trailer shows off combat system improvements originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiii-2microsoftplaystationps3rpgsquaresquare-enixxboxThu, 01 Dec 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailers X 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailers-x-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailers-x-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/final-fantasy-xiii-2-trailers-x-2/#comments
It's a scientific improbability, but these Final Fantasy XIII-2 clips feature more melodrama than should be containable in a piece of Square Enix media -- barring any Kingdom Hearts climax monologue, of course.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII-2 trailers X 2

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-2 trailers X 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-13-2final-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiii-2Square-EnixTue, 20 Sep 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix announces Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/square-enix-announces-final-fantasy-xiii-2-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/square-enix-announces-final-fantasy-xiii-2-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/20/square-enix-announces-final-fantasy-xiii-2-dlc/#comments DLC is the new black, you know? During the recently concluded Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase announced a fair amount of DLC for this winter's sequel to a sequel: Final Fantasy XIII-2.

Now, DLC is par for the course for a lot of western RPGs, thanks in no small part to the Dragon Ages and Mass Effects of the world, but it's virgin territory for the everlasting, oxymoronic Final Fantasy series, spinoffs not withstanding. Nothing specific was revealed, but Kitase did mention weapons, monsters and costumes as being on tap. We hope Square Enix goes whole hog; we'd pay 1200 MS Points for a blinged out Historia Crux.

JoystiqSquare Enix announces Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DLCFinal-Fantasy-13-2final-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiii-2microsoftplaystationps3square-enixTGS-2011xboxTue, 20 Sep 2011 00:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-2 has time travel, we have new screenshots]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/final-fantasy-xiii-2-has-time-travel-we-have-new-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/final-fantasy-xiii-2-has-time-travel-we-have-new-screenshots/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/11/final-fantasy-xiii-2-has-time-travel-we-have-new-screenshots/#comments Listen up, Cher: With Final Fantasy XIII-2's time travel/plot device the "Historia Crux," you can turn back time, and maybe even find a way, provided you find the right stuff. By locating hidden "Artefacts," Cher can unlock new locations and times for Noel and Serah to visit via the Historia Crux, which serves as the sequel's main vehicle for story progression and world navigation.

As any seasoned time traveller will tell you, changing stuff in the past changes stuff in the future, and because of that XIII-2's overall experience is said to be much less linear and direct than its predecessor. According to director Motomu Toriyama, Square Enix is aiming for a "much more player driven concept," with the "gameplay and story itself" changing around the player's actions. You can also expect to encounter younger (and potentially older) versions of characters from Final Fantasy XIII proper along the way.

This may be Final Fantasy's first and last hoorah in the realm of time travel, however. Toriyama says that each entry in the series receives its own unique gameplay system, and that have no intentions of making time travel key in future installments. Additionally, player-testing has already revealed strong comparisons to Chrono Trigger, and while Toriyama doesn't categorize that information as being especially negative, we doubt Square Enix wants to seem iterative or uninspired.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII-2 (TGS 2011)

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-2 has time travel, we have new screenshots originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiii-2microsoftplaystationps3Square-EnixTime-travelxboxSun, 11 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-3 gets a head start on domain-name registration]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/final-fantasy-xiii-3-gets-a-head-start-on-domain-name-registrati/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/final-fantasy-xiii-3-gets-a-head-start-on-domain-name-registrati/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/final-fantasy-xiii-3-gets-a-head-start-on-domain-name-registrati/#comments This is it -- the moment Final Fantasy XIII fans have been waiting for. The announcement of a potential announcement for the third series installment, Final Fantasy XIII-3, in the form of a domain-name registration months before XIII-2 is even released. Please, contain your excitement. Corporation Service Company registered finalfantasyxiii-3.com on September 7; Square Enix has previously used CSC to register its domains and this fits Square's modus operandi.

XIII-3 hasn't yet been officially announced, but XIII-2 is expected to drop in January 2012.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-3 gets a head start on domain-name registration originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>domain-registrationfinal-fantasy-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiii-2microsoftplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxSat, 10 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon celebrates PS3 price drop with discounted games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/amazon-celebrates-ps3-price-drop-with-discounted-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/amazon-celebrates-ps3-price-drop-with-discounted-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/21/amazon-celebrates-ps3-price-drop-with-discounted-games/#comments
The temptation was just too much. Even with the car payment, the mortgage, and the hospital bills from having your squeedlyspooch removed, you still couldn't resist dropping the tantalizingly reasonable 250 clams for a new PlayStation 3. And who can blame you? We went out and bought a second PS3 that we have absolutely no use for, it was that enticing of a proposition.

But now that you've got the system, these tough economic times have left you with very little money for actual games. What's a gamer like you to do? You can't even sell your squeedlyspooch on the black market.

Thankfully, Amazon has your back, as they have both recognized and seized the opportunity to get that skrill provide valuable savings by shoveling a big ol' pile of discounted PS3 titles in your face. The sale is an eclectic mix, to be certain: Bulletstorm and Def Jam Rapstar aren't often mentioned in the same sentence, for instance, and while some titles may be better than others, this still seems like a good way to get some use out of your new console.

JoystiqAmazon celebrates PS3 price drop with discounted games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmazonBulletstormDef-Jam-Rapstarfinal-fantasy-13final-fantasy-xiiiNierplaystationps3Sun, 21 Aug 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massive Final Fantasy collection for sale on eBay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/massive-final-fantasy-collection-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/massive-final-fantasy-collection-for-sale-on-ebay/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/massive-final-fantasy-collection-for-sale-on-ebay/#comments This Final Fantasy collection for sale on eBay is one of the most impressive assemblages of video game titles we've ever seen. Not only are all of the numbered Final Fantasy games brought together by this seller, but almost all of the various spinoffs and versions are included as well. From the very first Final Fantasy cartridge on Famicom up to three different versions of Final Fantasy 8 on the PC -- and even an Advent Children Cloud Black PS3 console bundle.

In short, just buying this collection could set you up as the curator of your own Final Fantasy museum, dedicated to huge swords and great battle themes from throughout the years. The price for such an honor? It's currently sitting at around $15,000, with no bids as of this writing. If that's something you want to invest in, we can only wish you good luck ... and could we borrow a buck?

JoystiqMassive Final Fantasy collection for sale on eBay originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 May 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auctioncollectionebayfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-8final-fantasy-xiiirpgsquare-enixWed, 25 May 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII-2 domain name registered]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/final-fantasy-xiii-2-domain-name-registered/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/final-fantasy-xiii-2-domain-name-registered/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/13/final-fantasy-xiii-2-domain-name-registered/#comments"Corporation Service Company" has registered the "Finalfantasy13-2game.com" domain name, according to Superannuation. The company has previously registered domains for Nier, Mindjack, and other Square Enix games, suggesting that this is also the work of Square Enix.

This domain name could simply be Square Enix grabbing related names just in case, but it could also be evidence of a direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII -- possibly, like Final Fantasy X-2, one built on the engine and assets from the previous, expensive game. Of course, unlike Final Fantasy X, the Final Fantasy XIII "franchise" is already somewhat crowded, with Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII on the way sometime before the end of the universe.

Square is holding a "1st Production Party Premiere Event" in Japan on January 18, so if there really is a new Final Fantasy to announce, we'll likely hear about it, and any costume-change-based fighting it may contain, then.

[Thanks, Vallanthaz]

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII-2 domain name registered originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>domain-registrationFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-13-2Final-Fantasy-XIIIFinal-Fantasy-XIII-2microsoftplaystationps3square-enixxboxThu, 13 Jan 2011 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Unlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/unlocking-the-3rd-birthdays-hidden-lightning-costume-is-a-chore/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/unlocking-the-3rd-birthdays-hidden-lightning-costume-is-a-chore/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/08/unlocking-the-3rd-birthdays-hidden-lightning-costume-is-a-chore/#comments A costume modeled after Final Fantasy XIII's surly heroine, Lightning, is hidden in fellow Square Enix offering The 3rd Birthday. To unlock it, all players have to do is sign up for the game's official members site after completing the game -- or, if you're a madman, by beating the game 30 times.

Continue reading Unlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore

JoystiqUnlocking The 3rd Birthday's hidden Lightning costume is a chore originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasy-xiiilightningplaystationpspsonysquare-enixthe-3rd-birthdaySat, 08 Jan 2011 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/01/best-of-the-rest-ludwigs-picks-of-2010/#comments Vanquish
Shinji Mikami is still playing the game of Telephone he started in 2005. With Resident Evil 4, he revitalized Capcom's stagnant survival-horror franchise by turning it into a strictly paced shooter, where standing your ground (you couldn't move and shoot at the same time, remember?) was the only way to advance. The idea made it all the way across the ocean -- mostly intact -- and eventually found its way into Epic's Gears of War.

The Mikami-led team at Platinum Games, in turn, heard all the bits about military meatheads and enemies that can be demolished without remorse, but the part about lumbering man-tanks got garbled. Instead, we get a protagonist that can slide across the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

At its nuclear-powered core, Vanquish still honors Resident Evil 4's balance of risk and reward. It's an exceptionally hectic shooter where rocketing in and out of critical engagements is key -- but if your suit overheats, you're slow again. And then you're dead.

Even Gears of War's train level comes back a little warped. Now there are two trains, and one of them is upside-down.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Ludwig's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bayonettabest-of-the-rest-2010blurcastlevania-lords-of-shadowdonkey-kong-country-returnsfinal-fantasy-xiiihalo-reachiphonelara-croft-and-the-guardian-of-lightmicrosoftmobilenintendopac-man-championship-edition-dxplaystationps3tilt-to-livevanquishwiixboxSat, 01 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Best of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/best-of-the-rest-mikes-picks-of-2010/#comments Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Ninja Theory put a heck of a game together here, with some incredible art direction and animation, level design, and the best adventurous duo since Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher. The world traversed by Monkey and Trip is colorfully portrayed and brilliantly built, the gameplay is perfectly formulated to support the characters and the story, and while I admit the game's early levels outdo the somewhat abrupt ending, this was the best original IP I played in 2010.

Continue reading Best of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2010

JoystiqBest of the Rest: Mike's picks of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-of-the-rest-2010darksidersenslaved-odyssey-to-the-westfinal-fantasy-xiiilord-of-ultimamicrosoftmobileneed-for-speed-hot-pursuitpcplaystationpocket-frogsps3puzzle-agentpuzzle-quest-2world-of-warcraft-cataclysmxboxThu, 30 Dec 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII launches on Japanese Xbox 360 to tepid sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/final-fantasy-xiii-launches-on-japanese-xbox-360-to-tepid-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/final-fantasy-xiii-launches-on-japanese-xbox-360-to-tepid-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/23/final-fantasy-xiii-launches-on-japanese-xbox-360-to-tepid-sales/#comments
 Final Fantasy XIII launched exclusively on PlayStation 3 in Japan last December, beating the multiplatform English release by just under three months, and the local Xbox 360 version by a year. The Japanese Xbox 360 game, dubbed Final Fantasy XIII Ultimate Hits International, arrived on December 16th, bringing with it an English voiceover track, an "Easy" mode and a bonus book. According to launch week sales figures, Square Enix's turnaround in supporting the Japanese 360 may have been overly optimistic.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase told Japanese mag Famitsu in September that the redesigned Xbox 360 hardware had revitalized interest in a local edition of Final Fantasy XIII. "We feel that there are ... a lot of people in Japan who own nothing but 360s," he said. "Thanks to the new system and such, the situation's a lot different than it was in July 2008."

In its first four days, Final Fantasy XIII sold fewer than 22,579 copies -- the cut-off point for that week's top 20 sales as tracked by Media Create -- and landed in the 39th spot. It's not an unsurprising outcome for a year-old title meeting a relatively small user base, but it raises an interesting question: Would Square have benefited more if it had launched its flagship property on both platforms last December, or was this tardy tradeoff its best shot at a small target?

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII launches on Japanese Xbox 360 to tepid sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIfinal-fantasy-xiii-ultimate-hits-internationaljapanmicrosoftsalessquare-enixxboxThu, 23 Dec 2010 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon gets critical hit on Final Fantasy XIII PS3 price for DOTD]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/amazon-gets-critical-hit-on-final-fantasy-xiii-ps3-price-for-dot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/amazon-gets-critical-hit-on-final-fantasy-xiii-ps3-price-for-dot/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/03/amazon-gets-critical-hit-on-final-fantasy-xiii-ps3-price-for-dot/#comments Look, guys. Amazon really, really wants you to buy Final Fantasy XIII. For the millionth time this year, the retailer has cut the price of the PS3 version of the game for its Deal of the Day promotion -- this time around, you can grab the lengthy JRPG for $18.99, more than half off the usual cost.

Continue reading Amazon gets critical hit on Final Fantasy XIII PS3 price for DOTD

JoystiqAmazon gets critical hit on Final Fantasy XIII PS3 price for DOTD originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondeal-of-the-dayFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIplaystationps3square-enixWed, 03 Nov 2010 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix lowers six-month financial forecast, cuts expected sales by $100M]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/square-enix-lowers-six-month-financial-forecast-cuts-expected-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/square-enix-lowers-six-month-financial-forecast-cuts-expected-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/01/square-enix-lowers-six-month-financial-forecast-cuts-expected-s/#comments It looks like Square Enix characters will have to hold that spiky hair with generic product, as the company lowered its earnings forecast today for the six months (first half of its fiscal year) ending September 30, 2010. The publisher reduced new sales expectations by 10.5 percent to ¥68 billion ($846 million), which is far below the ¥90.6 billion the company took in during the same period last year. Squeenix also lowered its net income expectations for the two quarters to ¥1.7 billion ($21 million), a reduction of just over 29 percent from the original forecast.

The company said that the declining figures were due to the "challenging operating environment" in which new games experienced "relatively slow growth." Squeenix's operating income remains high, however, thanks to "profitable carryover sales of major titles released in March of the previous fiscal year" -- i.e., Final Fantasy 13 et al. Square Enix will release its actual second fiscal quarter results in the near future.

JoystiqSquare Enix lowers six-month financial forecast, cuts expected sales by $100M originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsearningsFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIfinancialforecastmicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3q1q2Square-EnixxboxMon, 01 Nov 2010 14:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII postmortem talks about lack of shared vision on dev team]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/final-fantasy-xiii-postmortem-talks-about-lack-of-shared-vision/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/final-fantasy-xiii-postmortem-talks-about-lack-of-shared-vision/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/final-fantasy-xiii-postmortem-talks-about-lack-of-shared-vision/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The latest Game Developer Magazine has a full postmortem of Final Fantasy XIII, featuring Square Enix developers Motomu Toriyama and Akihiko Maeda revealing just what went right and wrong with the thirteenth iteration of the classic series. The main issue with the game, they say, was a lack of "shared vision" among the developers for what the title should be. Some developers wanted to create a game to answer Western concerns about JRPGs, while others wanted it to serve as a showpiece for a crossplatform engine, and still others wanted to simply emulate the feeling of that first trailer back in 2006.

In the end, what made the vision concrete was the creation of the demo available with Advent Children -- that demo changed the team's talks "from theoretical discussions based solely on abstract concepts to concrete dialogue," and helped the team realize the kind of work they'd have to do on the title before release.

The few clips of the postmortem on Gamasutra don't mention the linear aspects of the game that turned quite a few players off, but the devs say that the more realistic picture of the production brought about by that demo helped them target what to work on by "keeping in mind exactly how the asset would be used in the game." In other words, focusing on one path was supposed to help them make sure that path was worth playing. But of course it's up to players to decide how that worked out.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII postmortem talks about lack of shared vision on dev team originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIImicrosoftplaystationps3xboxFri, 15 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix producers have more Final Fantasy 13 stories in mind]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/square-enix-producers-have-more-final-fantasy-13-stories-in-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/square-enix-producers-have-more-final-fantasy-13-stories-in-mind/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/04/square-enix-producers-have-more-final-fantasy-13-stories-in-mind/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Despite the eventual existence of Final Fantasy Agito XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, there's apparently still room for more "Fabula Nova Crystallis" games from Square Enix. Maybe.

In an interview in the Final Fantasy XIII Ultimania Omega guide, producer Yoshinori Kitase expressed an interest in continuing the Final Fantasy XIII story. "I'd like to at some point make a story where Lightning ends up happy," director Motomu Toriyama said. Whether or not this becomes a game depends on demand from fans.

The team also revealed content that was planned as DLC but cut from Final Fantasy XIII: an area called "Seventh Ark" that would have offered "free battles." This was axed for quality reasons, as well as for differences in PSN and Xbox Live.

JoystiqSquare Enix producers have more Final Fantasy 13 stories in mind originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfabula-nova-crystallisFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIImicrosoftmotomu-toriyamaplaystationps3square-enixxboxyoshinori-kitaseMon, 04 Oct 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon offering PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII for $XX]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/amazon-offering-ps3-version-of-final-fantasy-xiii-for-xx/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/amazon-offering-ps3-version-of-final-fantasy-xiii-for-xx/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/12/amazon-offering-ps3-version-of-final-fantasy-xiii-for-xx/#comments If you're one of those people who performs complex time vs. price equations before purchasing a new game, Amazon's making an awfully hard sell for the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII. You can now lock down the 45-odd-hour adventure for $19.99, a full 60 percent off its usual retail price.

Final Fantasy XIII -- $19.99, down from $49.99

JoystiqAmazon offering PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII for $XX originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonFFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIplaystationps3rpgsquare-enixSun, 12 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Dissidia Duodecim: Final Fantasy coming to PSP next year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dissidia-duodecim-final-fantasy-coming-to-psp-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dissidia-duodecim-final-fantasy-coming-to-psp-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dissidia-duodecim-final-fantasy-coming-to-psp-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Square Enix just revealed in the latest issue of Shonen Jump (via Siliconera) that a sequel to Dissidia: Final Fantasy will arrive on Japanese PSPs sometime in 2011. Titled "Dissidia Duodecim: Final Fantasy," the new fighter was created specifically as a challenge to website copy editors.

Outside of FFIV's Kain and FFXIII's Lightning, no other playable characters have been confirmed. We get the feeling you'll see an expanded roster of fan-favorite brawlers at next week's Tokyo Game Show.

JoystiqDissidia Duodecim: Final Fantasy coming to PSP next year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dissidia-duodecim-final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-ivfinal-fantasy-xiiikainlightningplaystationpspshonen-jumpsonysquare-enixtokyo-game-showtokyo-game-show-2010Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII Ultimate Hits International confirmed for Xbox 360 in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/final-fantasy-xiii-ultimate-hits-international-confirmed-for-xbox-360-in-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/final-fantasy-xiii-ultimate-hits-international-confirmed-for-xbox-360-in-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/final-fantasy-xiii-ultimate-hits-international-confirmed-for-xbox-360-in-jap/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Square Enix has confirmed the forthcoming release of FFXIII on Xbox 360 in Japan, dubbed "Final Fantasy XIII Ultimate Hits International." The game will be released in December and features English voice acting with Japanese subtitles (other subtitle options are also available). Despite early reports of the release, no additional content will arrive with FFXIII -- it differs from the PlayStation 3 version in Japan in that it will feature content originally only in the US release. It will also add an easy mode and "Final Fantasy XIII - Episode 1" (a short story book).

Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase told Famitsu (via Gamasutra) that the new version was spurred by the launch of the remodeled 360 earlier this year, which aimed to bolster the console's install base in Japan. "We feel that there are ... a lot of people in Japan who own nothing but 360s. Thanks to the new system and such, the situation's a lot different than it was in July 2008," he explained. FFXIII will be the first Xbox 360 title released under Square's "Ultimate Hits" budget line, dropping at ¥4,980 ($59.50) on December 16.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII Ultimate Hits International confirmed for Xbox 360 in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIIfinal-fantasy-xiii-ultimate-hits-internationaljapanmicrosoftsquare-enixultimate-hitsxboxyoshinori-kitaseWed, 08 Sep 2010 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Watchdog group dubs Xbox 360 FFXIII ad 'misleading']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/watchdog-group-dubs-xbox-360-ffxiii-ad-misleading/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/watchdog-group-dubs-xbox-360-ffxiii-ad-misleading/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/18/watchdog-group-dubs-xbox-360-ffxiii-ad-misleading/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to Telegraph.co.uk, the UK group Advertising Standards Authority has concluded that a recent advertisement for the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII is "misleading." It seems the commercial in question used footage from the PlayStation 3 version of the game. While it's acknowledged that the Xbox 360 version looks slightly inferior to the PS3 version, what makes the ASA's claim interesting is that the commercial is composed entirely of pre-rendered FMV footage.

Using a side-by-side comparison of each version of the game, the ASA reached the conclusion that the PS3 version "appeared sharper and colours were more vivid" and thus the commercial "exaggerated the quality of the footage available on the XBOX 360, albeit marginally."

For its part, Square-Enix admitted that the FMV was captured from a PlayStation console but added that there was "no substantive difference" between the footage on either console and that only those watching in HD would notice the "slight difference." The ASA has ordered that the commercial not be shown again.

JoystiqWatchdog group dubs Xbox 360 FFXIII ad 'misleading' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FFXIIIFinal-Fantasy-13Final-Fantasy-XIIImicrosoftplaystationps3Square-EnixxboxWed, 18 Aug 2010 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy sale discounts Bayonetta, DJ Hero and Xbox 360 bundles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/#comments Frugal shoppers should take note of a massive Best Buy sale going on right now. It would seem everything must go, as Best Buy is not only discounting Platinum Games' excellent Bayonetta down to $20 on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, but also slashing prices across the board on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and DS games.

If hardware is more you thing, Best Buy has the Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell: Conviction Xbox 360 bundles for $299.99 a piece, with a $50 gift card. Our strong-wristed readers will likely be interested in the DJ Hero bundle, which comes with one turntable controller -- it's only $40 right now.

Wait, what's that sound? It's as if millions of piggy banks cried out in terror, only to be silenced. I fear something -- oh, right.

JoystiqBest Buy sale discounts Bayonetta, DJ Hero and Xbox 360 bundles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bayonettabest-buydj-herodsfinal-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3splinter-cell-convictionwiixboxMon, 16 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Source: Best Buy offering $300 FF13, Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox bundles next week]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/#comments On August 2, Amazon is having a pretty sweet deal on the Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 bundle, but if online retailers aren't your thing, Joystiq has just discovered from a reliable source that a new initiative at brick-and-mortar retailer Best Buy will discount both the Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell: Conviction bundles to $299.99 permanently, starting August 1, and lasting until the retailer runs out of stock. How else did you think the retailer would clear shelf space for the new hotness?

Each bundle comes with the titular game, two wireless controllers, a 250GB HDD and Xbox 360 console. The suggested retail price of each bundle right now is $349.99 (they both initially launched at a $399.99 price point), so this saves consumers a cool $50.

JoystiqSource: Best Buy offering $300 FF13, Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox bundles next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buybundlefinal-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftsplinter-cell-convictionxboxFri, 30 Jul 2010 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII Xbox bundle $50 off on Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/final-fantasy-xiii-xbox-bundle-50-off-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/final-fantasy-xiii-xbox-bundle-50-off-on-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/final-fantasy-xiii-xbox-bundle-50-off-on-amazon/#comments If you value function over form -- or, rather, Fantasy over form -- you may want to examine an alternative to purchasing the newer, slimmer Xbox 360. Amazon's current Deal of the Day is the Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 bundle, which has had its price reduced by one Grant, down to $300.

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII Xbox bundle $50 off on Amazon

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII Xbox bundle $50 off on Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondeal-of-the-dayFFXIIIFinal-FantasyFinal-Fantasy-13final-fantasy-xiiimicrosoftsquare-enixxboxMon, 19 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon offering Final Fantasy XIII for $37]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/amazon-offering-final-fantasy-xiii-for-37/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/amazon-offering-final-fantasy-xiii-for-37/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/09/amazon-offering-final-fantasy-xiii-for-37/#comments Yes, we know you've already bought a small handful of discounted PS3 games over the past few days, but if you have any dollars left over in your checking account, you should check out Amazon's current Deal of the Day. This time around, it's the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII, which is temporarily available for $36.99. If you've got the cash (and, well, the time) to invest in Square Enix's slow-starting RPG, this is probably the best deal you're going to see on it for a long, long time.

JoystiqAmazon offering Final Fantasy XIII for $37 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiiiplaystationps3square-enixWed, 09 Jun 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New game sales up in GameStop's fiscal Q1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/new-game-sales-up-in-gamestops-fiscal-q1/#commentsGameStop reported earnings for its fiscal first quarter (February-April). Sales are up five percent over the first quarter of 2009, to $2.08 billion.

Some of that growth is no doubt due to strong sales of new games. The retailer announced that new software sales increased 13.3 percent in the quarter -- a trend that the GameStop should be happy to see, now that EA and THQ are taking aim at the used games business.

The company identified five games in particular that drove revenue growth: Battlefield Bad Company 2, God of War 3, Final Fantasy XIII, Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and BioShock 2. We all love buying sequels at GameStop, apparently.

JoystiqNew game sales up in GameStop's fiscal Q1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2bioshock-2earningsfinal-fantasy-xiiifinancial-reportfinancialsfy-2010gamestopgod-of-war-3pokemon-heartgoldpokemon-soul-silverq1retailsalessoftwareThu, 20 May 2010 11:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix 'looking into' Xbox 360 release of Final Fantasy Versus XIII]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/square-enix-looking-into-xbox-360-release-of-final-fantasy-ver/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/square-enix-looking-into-xbox-360-release-of-final-fantasy-ver/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/19/square-enix-looking-into-xbox-360-release-of-final-fantasy-ver/#commentsDuring an investor meeting in Tokyo, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada indicated that the company is considering a multiplatform release for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. An attendee asked Wada about the possibility of putting the currently PS3-exclusive Fabula Nova Crystallis game on Xbox 360 like Final Fantasy XIII, in order to boost sales outside of Japan, to which Wada responded (according to Andriasang's translation) "We'll be looking into it internally until right before the formal announcement."

Wada did not mention when that "formal announcement" would take place. E3 is coming up, so it's entirely possible Wada is building up to that, having expressed his hope for an E3 unveil previously. But we've given up on expecting this game to become real any time soon. When it stops existing only in secret trailer form and becomes an actual, playable game, we'll be shocked, regardless of the platform (or platforms).

Update: Wada responded on Twitter (via Andriasang) to speculation about his comments: "It looks like the 'net is heating up. Versus on Xbox? What I said at the earnings press conference was just that until a formal announcement is made at the announcement time, all points about all titles are not finalized." In other words, he is stressing that Square hasn't made any decisions.

JoystiqSquare Enix 'looking into' Xbox 360 release of Final Fantasy Versus XIII originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fabula-nova-crystallisfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-versus-xiiifinal-fantasy-xiiiMicrosoftrpgsquare-enixXbox-360yoichi-wadaWed, 19 May 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII, Dragon Quest IX, Batman sales lead Square Enix fiscal year]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/final-fantasy-xiii-dragon-quest-ix-batman-sales-lead-square-en/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/final-fantasy-xiii-dragon-quest-ix-batman-sales-lead-square-en/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/final-fantasy-xiii-dragon-quest-ix-batman-sales-lead-square-en/#comments Square Enix had a good fiscal year (ended March 31, 2010), but its games division had a very good year. Final Fantasy XIII sold over five million units globally during the period, with the Japan-only release of Dragon Quest IX coming in second with 4.26 million units. Thanks to the company's acquisition of Eidos last year, the company could count on some Batman: Arkham Asylum cash, with the pointy-eared detective's critically acclaimed title selling 3.24 million units -- it's a shame Square won't get a piece of the sequel.

Squenix's games division had sales of ¥109.9 billion ($1.18 billion) in the last fiscal year, up an impressive 128 percent over last year. With the Dark Knight out of the picture, Square Enix will have to depend on its other western franchises, including Kane & Lynch, Deus Ex and the games of Ms. Croft.

Source [PDF link] -- Results Briefing Session for the Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2010

Continue reading Final Fantasy XIII, Dragon Quest IX, Batman sales lead Square Enix fiscal year

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII, Dragon Quest IX, Batman sales lead Square Enix fiscal year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 18 May 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batman-arkham-asylumDQ9Dragon-QuestDragon-Quest-9-Sentinels-of-the-Starry-Skiesdragon-quest-ixDSeidosfinal-fantasy-xiiiFinancial-ResultsJRPGLevel-5MicrosoftNintendoRPGsalessquare-enixXbox-360Tue, 18 May 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Swag Sunday: Mother's Day swag bonanza [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/swag-sunday-mothers-day-swag-bonanza/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/swag-sunday-mothers-day-swag-bonanza/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/swag-sunday-mothers-day-swag-bonanza/#comments
[Kevin Dooley]
Update: This giveaway is over and winners will be contacted shortly. Thanks to everyone for entering and keep an eye on those commenter-tied inboxes!

For this week's weekend swag giveaway, we've teamed up with 80sTees.com to offer six separate prizes to you, dearest reader. You regale us with your favorite Mother's Day memory in the comments section below, and you could be one of five winners to receive a code redeemable for $28 worth of merch -- and one lucky grand prize winner will get a code worth $68 and a copy of Final Fantasy XIII for the PlayStation 3 (we're betting your mom really digs chocobos -- she does, right?). And that's it! Now go make that special Mother's Day memory a reality. If not for her, do it for some prizes (you monster).
  • Leave a comment telling us your favorite Mother's Day memory.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, because of restrictive sweepstakes laws in the province, unfortunately -- we assure you that we love the Quebecois!).
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day.
  • This entry period ends at 11:31AM ET on Monday, May 10.
  • At that time, we'll randomly select five winners to receive one code each redeemable for $28 worth of merchandise on 80sTees.com, and one winner to receive one code redeemable for $68 worth of merchandise on 80sTees.com and one copy of Final Fantasy XIII for PlayStation 3 (ARV: $59.99).
  • For a list of complete rules, click here.
What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

For more info on our policy, click here.

JoystiqSwag Sunday: Mother's Day swag bonanza [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 May 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>80stees.comfinal-fantasy-xiiigiveawayjoyswagmothers-dayswag-saturdayswag-sundaySun, 09 May 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/xbox-live-marketplace-in-may-rocket-knight-dragon-age-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/xbox-live-marketplace-in-may-rocket-knight-dragon-age-dlc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/04/xbox-live-marketplace-in-may-rocket-knight-dragon-age-dlc/#comments You know that dusty piggy bank you've had sitting on the shelf forever? Look, forget the kid's college fund -- she's not going to college for, like, years -- and bust that thing open! There's going to be some solid content on Xbox Live Marketplace this month.

In the mood for XBLA games? How does Rocket Knight or Zeno Clash tickle your fancy? Oh, so you want some DLC -- Dragon Age: Origins will have more to offer the tireless adventurer later this month. Want to learn the Secret of Monkey Island? During the week of May 17, the secret will be half-off. See what we mean?

Head past the break for more XBLM release highlights for the month provided by Microsoft.

Continue reading Xbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more

JoystiqXbox Live Marketplace in May: Rocket Knight, Dragon Age DLC and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 May 2010 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-kingdom-for-keflingsadd-onadd-onsArmy-of-TwoAtlusavatar-marketplaceavatarsbattlefieldbattlefield-2brothers-in-armsbrothers-in-arms-hells-highwayCommand-and-Conquercommand-and-conquer-3dlcdragon-agedragon-age-originsfinal-fantasy-xiiiforza-motorsport-3game-roomgames-on-demandkonamilipsmagic-the-gatheringmagic-the-gathering-duels-of-the-planeswalkersMicrosoftmiley-cyrusrock-bandrocket-knightsnoopy-flying-acesuper-street-fighter-ivthe-secret-of-monkey-island-special-editiontom-clancys-endwarubisoftxblmXbox-360xbox-livexbox-live-arcadexbox-live-deal-of-the-weekxbox-live-marketplacezeno-clashZeno-Clash-Ultimate-EditionTue, 04 May 2010 16:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Gamestop discounts FFXIII, BioShock 2 and more, offers free store credit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/gamestop-discounts-ffxiii-bioshock-2-and-more-offers-free-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/gamestop-discounts-ffxiii-bioshock-2-and-more-offers-free-store/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/27/gamestop-discounts-ffxiii-bioshock-2-and-more-offers-free-store/#comments SlickDeals tipster DJ3xclusive recently unearthed a handful of handsome discounts currently being offered by Gamestop. Anyone who enters the coupon code "15NEW" while checking out from the retailer's online storefront can save 15 percent on a few games, such as Final Fantasy XIII ($43 after coupon), GTA: Episodes from Liberty City ($28), and BioShock 2 ($38). In addition, these three games come with an additional $10 credit to be used on future purchases. Better still, the code works on pre-orders of Super Mario Galaxy 2 ($42.50), which comes with $20 credit.

The discount also applies to the BioShock 2 Collector's Edition ($68), Demon's Souls ($34) and Heavy Rain ($45), though these three don't come with the appended, complimentary 10-spot. Still, those are some pretty great deals. Or, if we could be so bold -- pretty slick deals?

JoystiqGamestop discounts FFXIII, BioShock 2 and more, offers free store credit originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshock-2dealdemons-soulsepisodes-from-liberty-cityfinal-fantasy-xiiigamestopheavy-rainMicrosoftNintendosaleslickdealsWiiXbox-360Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Asia gets limited edition Final Fantasy XIII Lightning controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/asia-gets-limited-edition-final-fantasy-xiii-lightning-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/asia-gets-limited-edition-final-fantasy-xiii-lightning-controlle/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/asia-gets-limited-edition-final-fantasy-xiii-lightning-controlle/#commentsDon't you wish you had a matching controller for that limited edition 250GB Lightning PS3 you bought from Japan? Well, if you go to Hong Kong or Taiwan, you'll be able to do just that. To celebrate the new Chinese language release of Final Fantasy XIII, a new special edition DualShock 3 controller will be released. For about $90, you'll be able to get a bundle that includes the Chinese language version of the game, a PSN card, and a special Lightning-branded white DualShock controller, featuring the same pink design as the LE console.

[Via Siliconera]

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII Limited Edition PS3

JoystiqAsia gets limited edition Final Fantasy XIII Lightning controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dualshock-3dualshock3final-fantasy-xiiihong-kongsquare-enixtaiwanwhiteFri, 23 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell 360 Elite bundles $40 off at Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/#comments Amazon has a pair of sweet deals for those in the market for an Xbox 360 console. Both the Final Fantasy XIII Elite bundle and Splinter Cell: Conviction Elite bundle are $40 off, down to a much more palatable $359.99. That's almost like getting the bundled game for free -- not to mention the value of a bigger, beefier 250gb hard drive and an extra controller.

[Via Cheap College Gamers]

Source - Splinter Cell bundle
Source - Final Fantasy XIII bundle

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell 360 Elite bundles $40 off at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-13final-fantasy-xiiiMicrosoftrpgSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionsquare-enixstealthubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Final Fantasy XIII and BioShock 2 costumes available today in Home]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/final-fantasy-xiii-and-bioshock-2-costumes-available-today-in-ho/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/final-fantasy-xiii-and-bioshock-2-costumes-available-today-in-ho/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/final-fantasy-xiii-and-bioshock-2-costumes-available-today-in-ho/#comments Your adventuring in Final Fantasy XIII may be coming to an end. You can show your fandom for the game by buying a five pound tub of hair gel and cosplaying at the next anime convention ... or you can buy a Final Fantasy XIII-themed outfit for PlayStation Home. Good news: you'll be able to take the easier option later with today's PlayStation Home update.

Costumes for Lightning, Vanille, Sazh and Snow will all be available in the Costumes store in Sony's virtual world. In addition, you'll be able to rock costumes from BioShock 2 with purchasable Big Daddy and Big Sister costumes. Expect Home to have an interesting denizen of costumers this week.

JoystiqFinal Fantasy XIII and BioShock 2 costumes available today in Home originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshock-2costumesfinal-fantasy-xiiihomeplaystation-homeThu, 22 Apr 2010 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix releases Chaos Rings on iPhone, discounts other iPhone games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/square-enix-releases-chaos-rings-on-iphone-discounts-other-ipho/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/square-enix-releases-chaos-rings-on-iphone-discounts-other-ipho/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/square-enix-releases-chaos-rings-on-iphone-discounts-other-ipho/#commentsSquare Enix's impressive-looking iPhone RPG, Chaos Rings, is now available from the App Store. If you'd like to try it, you'll have to pay the iPhone equivalent of the Square Enix Tax, as the publisher has priced the Media Vision-developed RPG at $12.99. Chaos Rings is the story of four couples (each in its own storyline) summoned to fight to the death in a tournament for some mysterious reason. The "couple" theme forms the strategic element of battles: you have to decide when to use combined attacks that also open both party members to damage.

Paradoxically, the release of this expensive-for-iPhone game also brings savings. To promote the launch of Chaos Rings, Square Enix put its other iPhone games on sale. Among others, Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II are now $6.99 each, Crystal Defenders is now $5.99, and Sliding Heroes has temporarily reached the magic $.99 price point. Even the Final Fantasy XIII gallery is on sale, priced at Still Too Much.

JoystiqSquare Enix releases Chaos Rings on iPhone, discounts other iPhone games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applechaos-ringscrystal-defendersfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiiiiPodmedia-visionrpgsalesquare-enixTue, 20 Apr 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: Final Fantasy XIII sold almost twice as many copies on PS3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/npd-final-fantasy-xiii-sold-almost-twice-as-many-copies-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/npd-final-fantasy-xiii-sold-almost-twice-as-many-copies-on-ps3/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/npd-final-fantasy-xiii-sold-almost-twice-as-many-copies-on-ps3/#comments Let's go back a couple of years, to E3 2008. At the Microsoft Press Conference, the company drops the news that Square Enix has agreed to release Final Fantasy XIII simultaneously on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. There is much cheering and/or weeping and gnashing of teeth, depending on which side of the console wars you are on.

Two years later, in April of 2010: Final Fantasy XIII is released on both consoles simultaneously. And the most recent NPD report says that while the Xbox 360 version sold a respectable 493,000 copies, the PS3 version sold 828,000 copies -- almost twice as many.

We'll let you guys sort that one out for yourselves. Do remember where the consoles were at in both places -- back in 2008, the Xbox 360 had an early lead on big software (LittleBigPlanet was Sony's biggest game of the show), and these days, PS3 sales are doing much better. But we will say that, according to NPD analyst Anita Frazier, this is Final Fantasy's biggest launch ever, and that XIII has topped the first-month sales of XII by 48%. That's a lot of l'Cie.

JoystiqNPD: Final Fantasy XIII sold almost twice as many copies on PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analysisanita-frazierapril-2010final-fantasyfinal-fantasy-xiiil-cielcielittle-big-planetmicrosoftnpdps3reportsalessonysquare-enixxbox-360Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:20:00 EST