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FFXIII Not Due Until Next Year
IGN translated an article discussing a financials meeting recently held by Final Fantasy creator Square/Enix. According to company president Yoichi Wada, don't expect FFXIII until next year. At least. "'It will still take a bit more time. At the very least, [a release] this fiscal year is definitely out of the question.' Japanese is known for being a pretty vague language, but Wada's words were pretty clear. No FFXIII in Japan until some time after March 2008. Let's hope Square Enix starts the translation before development finishes up." The implication there, of course, is that if we follow the trend from FFXII the U.S. may not see the game until Winter 08, or even early 09.
The thing is, given how poorly the PS3 is doing in Japan, it would be financial suicide to release the primary Final Fantasy XIII as a PS3 exclusive. A big budget Final Fantasy game has to be a multimillion seller and it can't do that unless Sony can sell 5 million more PS3s between now and FF XIII's release. And Sony can't manage that unless they can cut the price in half before this Christmas.
Mark my words: the primary Final Fantasy XIII will not be a PS3 exclusive even if they have to rewrite half the game to get it to run on the Wii or even if they have to make a deal to bundle Final Fantasy XIII and the Xbox 360 (that would be one of the few things that could actually get the 360 to sell in Japan).
They don't have to sell PS3s BETWEEN now and then. People will buy them once FFXIII comes out. You mention that it would sell 360s - why wouldn't it sell PS3s?
Basically, the PS3 is doing poorly now because of the lack of good games, particularly good RPGs, which are a Japanese staple. I'll guarantee you that PS3s will fly off the shelves once FFXIII comes out.
Sadly for Sony, this looks to be a yearish away.
Actually....yes they do.
If no(or very few) PS3s sell between now and then, would you feel comfortable releasing a game you've just spent $30mil making on a console that doesn't have a large enough market to make back your money?
Sure, FFXIII will sell consoles, but how many people do you know will be willing to pay close to $800 (PS3, game, better cables, tax) just for _one_ game?
There are already very unsubstantiated rumors that many PS3 titles have been delayed simply so that the publishers can take more of a 'wait & see' attitude with the PS3. Poor console sales isn't going to encourage publishers to release games for it.
I'm guessing Square probably had a contract with Sony for FFXIII to be released as an exclusive on the PS3 - which is probably part of their announcement that FFXIII will be a "franchise" with titles going to other consoles and handhelds.
However, if the PS3 really doesn't improve between now and then, look for Square to try and wiggle out of their contract by announcing a "collector's edition" for at one or both of the other major consoles.