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FFXIII Not Due Until Next Year

Posted by Zonk on from the wait-for-the-other-shoe dept.

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.

8 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. Wishful thinking by BecomingLumberg · · Score: 4, Informative

    Maybe by then I can afford a PS3 to play it on.

    --
    If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.-TJ
    1. Re:Wishful thinking by danielk82 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      FFXIII is not exclusive to the PS3 anymore, so you just probably just need to afford an Xbox 360. Link: http://www.ps3center.net/story-394.html

    2. Re:Wishful thinking by DrEldarion · · Score: 2, Informative

      No, the Final Fantasy XIII series is not PS3 exclusive. They've said that they want to develop a ton of games using the same world, and they're branching out onto other consoles to do that. See also the mobile phone game. Nobody every said anything about the FFXIII "base" game, people are just jumping to conclusions (illogical ones, at that, considering how long FFXIII has been in development for the PS3, how badly the 360 is doing in Japan, and how much Square loves their CG, meaning they require a TON of disc space...)

      I'd say that, given the success of the DS, that's the most likely place for an offshoot. They're already making an FFXII offshoot on the DS.

    3. Re:Wishful thinking by DrEldarion · · Score: 2, Insightful

      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.

    4. Re:Wishful thinking by amuro98 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      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.

  2. Re:Oh no, another year. by CelticWhisper · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, the world map isn't why they're delaying the release. The estrogen treatments are taking longer than expected to make the game's male lead sufficiently effeminate.

    --
    Help protect civil rights from abuse by the TSA - visit TSA News Blog.
    http://www.tsanewsblog.com
  3. Re:::shrug:: by quarterbrain · · Score: 4, Interesting

    FFVII will always be the last good Final Fantasy in my mind. Even though the cast would change the characters never did, the angsty hero boy, the obnoxious fighter, the cutesy mascot, all there. The outline also got recycled. At some point you will lose access to magic. Your group will get broken up. Somewhere along the way there's a fight you have to lose. No, you didn't beat the last boss, there's someone pulling the strings, and that guy has 15 different forms.

    Now I just kinda wish they'd go away.

  4. Still at the drawing board. by Spazntwich · · Score: 3, Funny

    Their biggest developmental hurdle will be choosing how many spikes the main character's hair has, his bust size, and the source of his isolation from society and inexplicable feelings of angst.

    Will his fashion sense be a hodge podge of articles from the pirate era, or the dark ages? Will his plucky love interest be a young queen society won't accept marrying him, or a rags to riches disadvantaged girl?

    Will the airship be powered by magical beads, or fire? These are all important questions the developers must answer before they can even begin work on Final Fantasy 6, no 7, no 8, no 9, no 10, wait. What?