Final Fantasy exclusivity clarified at Square Enix conference
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Jul 14th 2008 at 4:42PM }
In addition, Final Fantasy XIII will release in Japan first -- and then will be localized for the international audience. That means Japanese gamers will enjoy FFXIII on PS3 long before the rest of the world will see it go multiplatform. Hashimoto says that the Xbox 360's large install base in English territories is what led to the decision to make the game multiplatform. Because the decision was recent, there's no way of estimating how many discs the Xbox 360 version will be.
Also, Final Fantasy Versus XIII is still in development as a PS3 exclusive.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Juan San @ Jul 14th 2008 4:47PM
I'll buy the Versus version
Xoonaka @ Jul 14th 2008 4:46PM
Those "english speaking territories" is where Sony needed this game most...
Ayrkain @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
Actually, Square usually only makes half of it's money outside of Japan, and that's on the ones that sell well. Stuff like 12 or 9 usually the ratio is even worse. This guarantees they'll do well outside of Japan, so strategically it's a good move for them.
AnimaOnline @ Jul 14th 2008 6:34PM
A lot of people bought their PS3s knowing FFXIII was a PS3 exclusive. No doubt the majority of their fan base would have followed suit.
I'm a huge Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Final Fantasy fan but it heart when I heard it wasn't Playstation 3 exclusive. Not because I want to see Playstation 3 beat Xbox 360 but because the Xbox 360 will hold the Playstation 3 version back. The PS3 can produce some technical masterpieces which an X360 could only dream off. I guess we wont get to look forward to that until Versus.
Dirk Dorkelson @ Jul 15th 2008 2:33AM
AnimaOnline,
Read it again. They're developing the Japanese PS3 version first, then working on the 360. I fail to see how this is the 360 version holding the PS3 version back. Bottom line: They'll probably look similar because neither console is all that much more powerful than the other one. Free your mind from corporate talkingheadspeak.
Pip @ Jul 15th 2008 9:20AM
You can also bet if it sells really well on the 360, and it will, they will release every game they plan on offering for it as well. The 360 fanbase buys literally everything. I would guess FFXIII will sell more on the 360 than on the PS3 easily. It really makes sense for them to do this to make money. I'll still be buying the PS3 version because I think Home will play out with trophies better than whatever Microsoft has as its achievements in the next dashboard Mii upgrade.
MexicanTerrorist @ Jul 14th 2008 4:47PM
If the decision was so recent, it can be changed.
CHANGE IT PLEASE.
They won't change it.
I'll just get Versus 13.
Eggy @ Jul 14th 2008 5:56PM
Some of you guys are really pathetic. It's just a freaking game and a freaking console. Get your priorities straightened out FFS.
BLee @ Jul 14th 2008 4:47PM
I dont care.. This is huge blow to the PS3.. FF13 was one of the few reason I bought a PS3.. I mean games like LBP and Patapon are cute and entertaining.. But with the Xbox360 having FF13, Gears2, Fallout3 exclusive content, GTA4 exclusive content, it just seems like SCEA doesnt care..
I must seriously consider trading in my PS3.. How many times can I beat MGS4?
McBonk @ Jul 14th 2008 4:57PM
How many missions can you run in GTAIV? How much extra content did you use in Oblivion?
Dan @ Jul 14th 2008 4:59PM
Seriously.... if you couldn't find a game other MGS4 to warrant owning a PS3 then I question your decision.
Theres a hole list of games that have been out for the PS3 that rock. Please try looking. :)
Paul (PSN: heypaul) @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
Seriously. I've been defending Sony on Weblogs Inc. for a long time now, and as I posted on Joystiq earlier, I think I'm about ready to hang up my cape.
You know, Sony, Squenix is like the girlfriend that just walked out on you after giving you a swift kick in the 'nads. She says that it's not you, it's her, but don't you think you could've kept her around if you bought her a bigger ring? I mean, all your friends really liked her!
Dan @ Jul 14th 2008 5:08PM
@Paul
Lets at least wait for Sony's announcement tomorrow.
Hell I love Sony, sure I own a 360 and I still like it, but I've been a playstation guy all my life. Hopefully tomorrow some awesome stuff come out. If not... well I'll still have my Soul Calibur 4.... )-;
kris.barratt @ Jul 14th 2008 5:27PM
Same here.
I'm seriously thinking of trading in my PS3 now.
Idecide a while back that I didn't need both consoles and sold my xbox thinking "well MGS4 and FF13 coming up!".
Now MGS4 is my only reason for having it. Other than upscaling my old ps2 games.
Uncharted etc are great, but the 360 has just pulled me back into the fold with this, Netflix, Gears OF War 2 and Galaga.
I'm gonna wait and see but Sony had better pull off something bloody amazing tomorrow.
BLee @ Jul 14th 2008 5:41PM
oh jeez.. Netflix too.. I'm a netflix user.. and I was very much hoping it would come to the PS3 so I could stream the shows I watch on it on my tv.. thats exclusive as well.. ugggh...
I really like my PS3.. 360 is ugly :).. i wonder when the 60gb ones go on sale..
BLee @ Jul 14th 2008 4:48PM
Versus is a completely separate game.. in the vein of Kingdom Hearts I think..
FFXIII was the purebreed..
Jonathan @ Jul 14th 2008 4:52PM
@Kspraydad oh please you know very well that a next gen, HD game would have to be completely different on the Wii, so much so that it would have to be a completely different game.
360 is just as powerful as PS3 and has a huge install base. The Wii isn't next gen and couldn't handle FF13 and you know it.
Phantom @ Jul 14th 2008 10:10PM
the 360 is nothing compared to the PS3 , the PS3 is more than twice as powerfull true the 360 has more RAM , but it runns at 700mhz , while the PS3's 256mb of XDR ram runs at 3.2 GHz
Shadowdane @ Jul 15th 2008 12:14AM
Phantom you don't have a clue...
the PS3's Main Memory uses XDR Rambus Memory which is 16-bit memory. It runs at high speed but is basically the same as running with DDR2-800 memory, which is common in most PCs today.
Some math to explain how I got these numbers below...
(Bus-Width in bytes) x (Speed in Mhz) = Memory Bandwidth in MB/sec
So.... first convert your bits to bytes.
bits / 8 = bytes
---------
PS3 System Ram uses 3.2GHz 256MB XDR at 16bits
2 bytes x 3200Mhz = 6400 Mb/sec (6.4Gb/sec Bandwidth)
PS3 Video Ram uses 1.4Ghz 256MB GDDR3 at 128bits
16 bytes x 1400Mhz = 22400 Mb/sec (22.4Gb/sec Bandwidth)
---------
Xbox360 uses 1.4Ghz 512MB GDDR3 at 128bits
16 bytes x 1400Mhz = 22400 Mb/sec (22.4Gb/sec Bandwidth)
The Cell has a LOT of power behind it, but the split memory design on the PS3 doesn't help it at all. And the graphics memory for the PS3 is exactly the same as the Xbox360.
Nineteen88 @ Jul 14th 2008 4:49PM
Basically He's just rubbing salt to a big opened wound. :)
Kspraydad @ Jul 14th 2008 4:49PM
If install base was the reason they'd make it for the Wii.
This is what 10% ownership buys you SONY?
The Calibur @ Jul 14th 2008 4:50PM
So I have to wait for FFXIII on PS3 just so they could (probably) pare it down to a 360 version?
=shaft
Juan San @ Jul 14th 2008 4:50PM
If you don't want a ps3 why did you buy it? Ps3 has better games than GOW 1.5 fallout 3 against Resistance2 or Killzone 2? is a sad news about FFXIII anyhow VERSUS still exclusive that's what I care
Shin @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
Thank god Squeenix did left us Versus XIII in the exclusive list.
And good news that Japan PS3 owners will have exclusive version of XIII.
Parker @ Jul 14th 2008 5:02PM
Do you honestly believe a word they say after what they just did to us today??
Akio @ Jul 14th 2008 4:51PM
No one bought a 360 to play FFXIII, most people already bought the ps3 for FFXIII. Most people that own a 360 wouldn't buy FFXIII in the first place. Because of this announcement, it's going to take longer for them to develope this game for english speaking territorries. I thought Sony grabbed this to be an exclusive for the ps3 everywhere.
Wise Guy @ Jul 14th 2008 5:17PM
Ummm..... FINAL FANTASY is a pretty big franchise. How can you make a naive prediction like that when FF didn't originate on the Playstation to begin with. I've been waiting for this franchise to come over ever since I sold my playstation 2 and final fantasy 7, 8, and 9 to get and xbox. I own a 360 and will be buying this game and I'm sure this game will reignite interest in JRP's in the states. I know they were pretty big back in the nintendo days and back when Sony actually had the biggest installed base in the US. Deal with it fanboys. The days of exclusives are diminishing due to rising production costs. You think companies are going to care about your crying over making their money back over years of hard work on a title?
KingOfGods @ Jul 14th 2008 5:21PM
So you still have your PS3 that you purchased to play this game...how does the fact that it's going to the 360 affect that?
soul899er @ Jul 14th 2008 4:51PM
yay, well Versus is the one that people were most interested in so xD yeah! FFXIII 360, 13 Disks watered down version on DVD9 Confirmed!
matthew_neitzer @ Jul 14th 2008 5:39PM
Hmm.. how long until they go back on their word again. All they said all year was how it was PS3 exclusive; I trust them no longer.
Momba14 @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
Is this just a rumor.or is it 100% true.... if it is this kind of saved my whole day.Thats so so so good news i hope kingdom hearts 3 is a ps3 exclusive title.
Parker @ Jul 14th 2008 4:53PM
The decision was NOT based on install based but rather the Money Truck M$ pulled in at the Square headquarters. We are not dumb, we all know M$ is shelling out huge amounts of money, so stop acting like this has anything to do other than a payoff.
held225 @ Jul 14th 2008 5:18PM
I agree after all PS3 is only behind Xbox in North America, and only by 5 million units. PS3 outsold Xbox in the EU,Asia...Making it 2 out of 3.... so what they did is complete BS. Sony needs to win this....if M$ wins....we ALL lose.
danny @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
Why are y'all going bananas over this move. Dont tell me, "but I brought a ps3 for this game!!"
Guess what, you still get to play it on the ps3.
Check it out: IF you have a ps3, you get to play it. If you have a xbox360, you get to play it. Everyone wins.
Stupid fanboys.
Ayrkain @ Jul 14th 2008 5:00PM
Exactly! I still get to play it, so who cares if the 360 guys do also? The more, the merrier, as far as I'm concerned. I really don't like the whole exclusivity thing anyway. It basically means manipulating gamers into buying all the consoles. I don't want that. I'd rather be able to play whatever games come out on the console of my choice.
ps3 rules @ Jul 14th 2008 5:02PM
well said my friend. a last a few that don't really give a s_it
Mein Bratwurst @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
No kidding. I'm not sure why this announcement is making everyone go crazy, YOU CAN STILL PLAY IT ON YOUR PS3!
Although Final Fantasy stopped being good after 9.
Beseiged @ Jul 14th 2008 5:12PM
This is called ps3 fanboy. If you don't like fanboys then don't come to the site. Stupid Poster.
Ben @ Jul 14th 2008 5:17PM
Indeed.
The list of games XBoxers can't play is decreased by one. The list of PS3 games is unchanged.
Henry E. @ Jul 14th 2008 5:22PM
the problem with mutliplatform is the fact that the ps3 gets screw over in a way. if they had stick to ps3 exclusive, i could use oh i don't know SIXAXIS for even more unique gameplay. I'm also pretty sure the graphic/gameplay length might be cut down just to make it equal to the 360. when companies charge $60 for a game, i expect them to at least utilize most of the consoles potentials not limited because of multiplatform.
BowserUSC @ Jul 15th 2008 3:13AM
I'm all for it. I just want to start seeing more cross system multiplayer. To take a page out of the hippie handbook, we should all just hold hands and be friends, then frag the sh*t out of each other.
Juan San @ Jul 14th 2008 4:55PM
Versus would be Zelda like, and the Advent children team is working on the cutscenes in this one. (kingdom hearts 2 developers working in this title) oh yeah and seems that there will be blood, so maybe a little more mature.
BLee @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
What makes you think Versus wont go to the 360? Square is investing a lot of money into these games, and bottom line, they want to maximize sales..
I bet Versus will definitely find its way to the 360..
all we have left is God of War 3.. :(.. and LBP
(not a big FPS fan.. thus didnt care for Halo or Resistance or Killzone)
Telemnar @ Jul 14th 2008 5:09PM
Screw Square-Enix.
They can just go and **** themselves,
I lost all my credibility on them when they announced they wanted a "move in the western market".
Sorry, I'm just not in a good mood.
Lionp696 @ Jul 14th 2008 4:54PM
Im still pissed
Tez (PSN: Tezasaurus) @ Jul 14th 2008 5:14PM
Grow up.
thinkofmeasmra @ Jul 14th 2008 4:55PM
"Also, Final Fantasy Versus XIII is still in development as a PS3 exclusive"
ya well so was Final Fantasy XIII like 3 weeks ago so this statement doesnt do anything to comfort me...
someone please tell me im dreaming a terrible dream. On a side note, I hope this game makes 360's everywhere explode on contact!
McBonk @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
They already do that, don't they?
coyurtney @ Jul 14th 2008 4:56PM
haha, I love how your all like "I only wanted versus anyway"
I am not trolling it's just come on , more people have a Xbox then PS3 in the US and Square likes to make money so why would they not do this? Look at GTA4.
The PS3 is a great Blu-ray player
Dan @ Jul 14th 2008 5:01PM
I'm pretty sure it sold more on the PS3.....
But anyways yeah Square made a sound decision including the 360 on the list. But I'm sure it will stll sell more on the PS3 in the end man.