Final Fantasy XIII demo may be sold separately
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Sep 2nd 2008 at 11:30AM }
Yes, while demos have long been given away for free, Square Enix may considering selling the demo at a slight premium. This is unheard of, but considering the incredible demand for this hotly anticipated title, we wouldn't be surprised to see thousands of fans forking over some dough to get an early taste of the game. Hopefully, distribution of the demo outside of Japan will be a bit more ... free.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jarhead906 @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:02PM
Turning a new leaf, are we, Square-Enix?
God, I miss the good ol' days.
sinergy @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:42AM
lol, milk it for all its worth! i really hope this is a joke.
Echnaton @ Sep 3rd 2008 2:08AM
Well it just show the real intention behind gready sqenix. It's all about money. Net income in the last financel period went down by 20 %
Source:
http://www.square-enix.com/jp/ir/e/data/financial/download/20080523en_34.pdf
TinyTim121 @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:17PM
@ Echnaton
Try to remember that Square Enix is a BUSINESS and businesses aim to make money and survive. Now seeing as they're income is going down the crapper, they need to go multiplatform and charge products people are prepared to buy in order to survive.
Ultimatly, yes, it is all about money and yes that does affect the consumer. But do you want Square Enix to go bust and not make another Final Fantasy? This is why Gran Turismo had to make their last two prologue games; to get some cash in to improve the final game.
Business aside, yeah i agree sinergy, i hope this is a joke, but i can see in the very near future more and more companies charging for extra stuff.
Echnaton @ Sep 3rd 2008 2:08AM
@TinyTim121
Well I guess that's what I ment ... but there is a line between making money and milking customers.
Besides, SE product quality is getting worse. How many FF Tactics Games do we count by now? What about Gameplay? Well, most changes were within the gametitle ... ? Well slight gameplay variations, some new grafics... that's it!
Did we get a good game with "FF7 Crisis Core"? If you ask me - not at all. It wasn't even a good storyline ...
Frankly, games like Pixeljunk Eden are worth the money - manyfold - SE Games are not ... at least not any more!
At least we got companies like Sony, creating new cool stuff ...
Sorry, for being sarcastic and a bit "unfriendly" :-) I just say what I think ...
freeblue @ Sep 2nd 2008 9:32PM
i don't think it's money.. well not for the users anyway. But saying that the demo is separated from Blu ray disc. Damn SE is preparing to put the demo on a dvd and DLC (a.k.a, Xbox is getting the demo too). They're probably going to tell us "We wish everyone has the change to enjoy and experence what FF13 has to offer." BS line within month of the demo's planned to come out.
thanks you SE for stabbing us on the back one more time.
alberto @ Sep 2nd 2008 9:56PM
Ok...charge for a demo. Whatever. Hasn't the last FF games kinda sucked a$$. They did. Yeah, great cgi...always great cgi...but lately the game play has been boring and predicable in the last game.
We are not sheep that will blend over and get rimmed. We should charge SE just for considering to play the demo.
bambino @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:44AM
Meh.. Final fantasy XIII Versus has me more excited
Action RPGs FTW!
doc j @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:41PM
I'm with you in that FF Versus XIII has me more excited.
Jack Tretton @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:16PM
After the announcement FF XIII would be released also for the 360 -- simultaneously in the U.S. no less -- I too became much more excited for FF XIII Versus! But then I'd always been more excited for Versus! Honest injun! I swearz!!!!1!!
ryan @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:07PM
i agree, exclusives make me more excited. i also get off on others not being able to play them. i wonder why? oh yeah, fanboyism!
GAME-HERO @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:44AM
WHAT? I will not buy a demo, I would rather put those monies toward the game, that is of course if I am no long upset with Square dishonoring us Playstation fans!
SparkyJ23 @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:43AM
What is the USP is behind Qore? Oh yes Pay for Qore and get into Closed Betas. How is that different?
Whatever it takes to get get the good stuff out there - bring it on. Leave it to US to choose whether we buy or don't buy without Packaging it around some 'online magazine'
Metal_Gear @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:26PM
Yes, because Qore doesn't have exclusive interviews and behind the scenes stuff, all it is is access to Closed Betas. ¬_¬
So let me get this straight, first they DELAY the game for PS3 owners outside of Japan while they localise then port the game over to the 360, and now they expect us to PAY to play a demo of that game? ...
Jerses @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:49AM
Im not surprised... GT5 prologue was a demo too and it sold well. But im not sure if this final fantasy xiii demo will be 90 minutes lenght.. they always lie about gameplay time. maybe its just 30 min. 15 will be cutscenes, 10 will be talking to random people (no voice just dialogue) 5 min of pushing the attack command and watching the character do tons of movements with just one command...
Eggy @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:53AM
GT5 prologue is not a demo.
Jimmijam @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:15PM
GT5 Prologue is a demo. Hence the name "prologue" (look it up, it means "Preface").
I would pay for this if somehow it would apply as a credit to purchase the full game.
farfisa @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:50PM
Then they should call it a "prologue"--bam, $$$ profit!
glitched @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:02PM
GT5 Prologue is a Prologue. not a Demo.
Jimmijam @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:53PM
"Preview" "Prologue" "Demo" "Sneak Peak" "Public Beta" "Prelude"
Meh, they all mean the same thing me: Play a portion of the full release title. They can spin it however they like (and it sounds like some of us bought in the marketing message "Prologue is not a demo").
Vincent060 @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:32PM
But it's not a portion of the next GT. Demo's are part or parts of the full game, but GT is it's own game. It has nothing locked out, we're not even sure that the next GT would even look anything like Prologue.
If it had another name, it would be considered it's own game, but because it has GT in there, it's being called a demo of the next GT.
Hyams @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:42PM
GT5:P has enough content to be considered more than a mere demo.
Steve Childs @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:26PM
Yeah, GT5P is a game into itself. Its got more than 90 mins content. Its just a small game. Hell, its got more game play value than many PSN games!
Whilst a 90min demo could be considered quite decent for a demo, it is still not a complete game in itself. Once you complete it, its back to the start.
Thinking about it, one of the Clancy games, I forget which, had a demo on the PS3 - ok, not 90mins in length, but a good 20-30 mins and that was free.
Firstly they upset fans by defecting to the 360 and then they say they're going to charge for a demo. Are they on a mission to totally alienate their fanbase?
OK, slight over-reaction perhaps, its not going to turn loads of people off, but it does strike of desperation to get a bit of $$.
After all there is no infrastructure (e.g online game servers) required to run the demo so there should be no direct costs for players to pay for.
Its money grabbing, plain and simple.
Saying that, price it at £2.99 and I'd pay for it! ;) Any more than £5 they can forget it, I'll wait for the full game.
dartmerc @ Sep 2nd 2008 6:39PM
easy to see Jimmijam never bought GT5P :p
and I remember paying $10 for the doom + wacky races demos on CD-ROM.
mshimer5 @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:52AM
Unheard of? Gran Turismo 5: Prologue says "Hi!"
Tolkienfanatic @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:51AM
No matter how much I love FF and SE, I will not pay for a demo alone.
Dirty @ Sep 2nd 2008 11:58AM
Wow, this is a lame move. Is the demo coming with the blu-ray in the States? Im confused if this is a Japan only deal.
Also the demo will sell well in Japan, but it will make American Gamers angry.
John @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:20PM
You'll get your money when you finish the game, Square Enix. But I guess this is for those 360 kids that wouldn't want a useless blu-ray of Advent Children.
ryan @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:41PM
PS3 isn't the only blu-ray player available. quit assuming.
CJLopez @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:46PM
Oh!!! burn!!!!!!
Metal_Gear @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:27PM
GT5:P is 90 minutes long now?
Vcize @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:01PM
6 tracks and broken online play? Yep, held my attention for about 90 minutes, if that.
ryan @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:29PM
the only way they will get a sale from me is through a 20 hour demo that includes half of the game's content. we'll call it FF 13: Prologue.
or y'know, they could save every one the trouble and send the sucker over the PSN. just a thought.
Jnas @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:32PM
This is an outrage, however i'm sad to say that i'd one of those people who'd pay for the demo :P
Roto13 @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:36PM
PS3 games are too expensive anyway without paying extra for the privilege of starting earlier.
CJLopez @ Sep 2nd 2008 12:48PM
'll be waiting to the demo that will be included with the blue ray movie
Yes, i like that movie a lot, cuz I can understand it!!! And 'll be getting it on BRD, even though I already have it on DVD, :P
HEAVY @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:05PM
ridiculous
that's S!#$@!!! I never will pay for a demo... noway this happens
Ty @ Sep 2nd 2008 1:35PM
People have payed for demos in other ways before. Usually the costs are tied into something else so that the demo LOOKS free. (I don't have an example off the head right now).
Its not going to be full price. And when you consider people have been waiting forever to touch this game, they WILL pay for it. SE doesn't care about those of you who wont buy their demo to try and prove a point. They'll make rolls of money of this because of how many people WILL buy it. And these people don't listen or care about you. Infact this takes me back to my whole most blog posts are a waste of space thing. I digress...
You should be amazed by this game (and or FFVXIII):
- If you can comprehend what a game might look like if it uses the PS3 to its fullest.
- If you've played MGS4 and realise that FFXIII will probably be an even better experience (FFVXIII included...)(except for the fact that FF has always been overly Japanese and weird... konami had that caucasian guy who helped temper MGS4 for a more international audience remember)
- If you liked FFIV, or FFV, or FFVII or FFVII!! or FFX or FFX!! or FFXII!! (its not like all of these games added together but you can tell its taking alot from them. FFXII took alot from FFXI and the cutscene amazing looking gameplay in FFXIII is clearly more than some interactive popups)
- if you like games that take have great art direction
- if cool things from japan make you wet, or hard, or whatever.
ryan @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:10PM
FF 12 left me quite dry actually...
Vcize @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:16PM
Yeah, I can't really complain because assuming it's reasonably priced (less than $10), I'll probably buy this.
That's basically the cost of some demo-less PSN game that you buy that ends up being lousy. Fair enough.
Binaryfiend @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:28PM
Wow, that's just ghetto.
Kyrra @ Sep 2nd 2008 2:58PM
I'm enough of a FF fanboy to buy it. Bring it on Square Enix, I'll happily give you my money.
Damian @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:04PM
Final Fantasy games are so boring , all that wizard goblins orcs mages stuff is the biggest geekfest ever its teaching young kids to be soft long haired sandal wearing liberals.
Square should start making proper games like Mercs2 , Battlefields ,COD's and GTA's , we want stuff too blow up , lots of big bangs and blood . (things to run over would also be good) . This would make sure our children are more well balanced individuals and ready for any possible invasions etc .
Britain didn't become great by playing wizards witches etc , in fact we used to burn them at the stake or drown them in the local pond .
I really worry about the future of our society.
When the Germans or Romans invade again our young men will get butchered because they will be thinking they can just stand back and take turns at cissy spells .
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Sep 3rd 2008 12:11AM
well thats just your opinion. i played FF when i was younger (and still do) and i turned out to be an All-State/Conference MVP Football player in high school and even went on to play in college. i dont consider myself soft by any means.
your no better than those moms that blame GTA for turning their kids into serial killers. it aint the games, its the parents not raising their damn kids.
bkalasin @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:17PM
Well, they must know they have a hit on their hands, because I for one will never pay for a demo. In the days of buying demos, I'll simply go by the reviews. If the games good, I'll pick it up.
It might cost them some casual buyers who wont be exposed to and turned on to something they wouldn't usually buy, but I guess they figure the money they will make is worth it.
No sense in crying about it. Take a stand. If you don't like it, make it a point not to purchase it no matter how badly you want the game early. Bad public relations + very little money = no more charging for demos...
bigwilly @ Sep 2nd 2008 3:56PM
i was kinda looking forward to this game but now i dont give a shit...jrpg's are outdated and 'final' fantasy 13 is gunna look great but prop play like 7...'great' if ur a fecking twat oh and gt5prol is a fecking demo or taster of the full game which is never gunna be released coz it takes 200men 5years to do the 3d model of a fiat panda
realityzero @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:29PM
I don't see why any of this is a problem as I was planning on buying the movie anyways. It's also a cheaper alternative to those who don't want to buy the movie.
Miguel @ Sep 2nd 2008 4:45PM
That's the dumbest thing Ive ever heard. What about the millions of people who haven't been exposed to FF? They don't want to give them a free taste to see if they are interested?
I have never played FF because it has never piqued my interest; however, if it was available on the PSN store I might try a demo and if I like it I would buy it, but no way in hell would I pay for a demo for a game I am not currently interested in.
Stupid move.
exetermako @ Sep 2nd 2008 5:49PM
I'd pay $5 for it, and maybe $3 to import it. That's $8, so I'd be paying about the same as a movie for something about as long as a movie. I wish it was free, but I'd rather enjoy a little bit of it early than none of it for many many more months. Hopefully there's some sort of preorder program somewhere so that I can actually get it.
Dreadhead541 @ Sep 2nd 2008 9:26PM
Meh, it all comes down to price for me. Personally i'm glad their not forcing me to buy AC and at least giving me another option.