No plans for a FFXIII demo outside of Japan
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jan 12th 2009 at 12:30PM }
With FFXIII releasing on both PS3 and Xbox 360 outside of Japan we imagine demo distribution will be a bit more complex. Especially since development on the 360 version hasn't even started, so a demo will be a long way off. We have a feeling us English speakers are going to be sitting here twiddling our thumbs for quite a while as our Japanese cousins are having a whale of a time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 12th 2009 12:47PM
"No Plans" from Sony means nothing as they had "No Plans for a price drop in late 2007" and "No Plans for a new Non-B/C PS3 model either"
but at the same time Glad I have a JP PSN Account......lol
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 12th 2009 1:00PM
and Yes I know that its Square....but all these companies are the same......Sony, Square, EA, Nintendo.....all tell us stuff on a "Need to Know" basis
Archon @ Jan 12th 2009 1:16PM
The demo will be Advent Children Blu-Ray exclusive. There are no plans for a PSN release.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 12th 2009 1:52PM
No Plans for PSN huh????
oh well.......Import Advent it is then.....
Steve Childs @ Jan 12th 2009 7:21PM
Yeah, fine if you can understand Japanese. Damn, wish I had learnt it in school now. Not that they taught it in my school, but hey. Its a good example to kids of why its good to learn different languages.
"See Jonny, if you could read Japanese you could translate for me as I play Final Fantasy". "But Dad, I'm only 3!"
DarthNemesis @ Jan 12th 2009 12:58PM
Well you have already missed out on the best FF games so there is not point in getting into the series now ebcause it's past it's prime.
Neo Senku @ Jan 12th 2009 1:02PM
Well, How incredibly lame. But I've no doubt plans will come at some point, ending up for sale on PSN and Live respectively for some price.
Smitty @ Jan 12th 2009 1:03PM
Is anybody really surprised by this? It always feels like half the saga of any given FF is in the incredibly long pre-release tease period.
PSN: Aggie_CEO @ Jan 12th 2009 1:03PM
Darth: thats pointless.....by your logic Square shouldnt make anymore after the next 10 years or so simply because the best games are long gone......and no one will buy it without knowing the back story....
esoterikal @ Jan 12th 2009 1:06PM
I'm not seeing the problem here for NA PS3 owners... Japan is part of the same region as far as Blu-Ray is concerned, and games on the ps3 are region-free... Sure, it may not include any english, but since when are stories in demos important?
DjDATZ @ Jan 12th 2009 1:12PM
I guess I'll have to make that Japanese XBL account when the demo hits... :P LOL
ryan @ Jan 12th 2009 1:42PM
Why would they release a 360 demo in Japan when there will be no 360 release in Japan?
DjDATZ @ Jan 12th 2009 1:46PM
LOL...you do make a very valid point here...lol :S
rgoff31 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:12PM
We all know what the game play will be like. There will be lots of video footage out there for people to see. Demos are nice, but I don't think they are necessary for a game like this to move copies.
Gaucho @ Jan 12th 2009 1:15PM
When is this game supposed to release? ever since FF 8 my interest in the series has dropped. Frankly XII was my absolute least favorite out of the 12 and the spin-offs. Bah, I would have hoped that since this went multi plat at least so would the new Star Ocean. :(
JohnHype @ Jan 12th 2009 1:17PM
Sorry, but there was a study that demonstrated that the availability of demo's had no real effect on sales.
SapporoBBOY @ Jan 12th 2009 1:27PM
umm....i dont have any Japanese cousins...
drdre74 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:23PM
can you play Jap blu ray movies on a US PS3? If so I'll import it. The movie was pretty good and I'd like to see it in high def.
Little Big PSN ID: johnnynumber5 @ Jan 12th 2009 8:30PM
Yes you can play any region Blu-Rays on any other regions BR players. Other than a few scant titles there is no region coding on Blu-Ray movies or games.
MizzDiva @ Jan 13th 2009 2:48AM
@ Little Big,Actually though Japan and the US/CA (and Hong Kong) call all play on each others respective systems--not all can. Blu-rays ARE region coded specific, just not as strictly as DVDs. For example, you can't play a EU or UK blu-ray in a US(CA/JPN/HK) PS3 nor vice versa (as most of EU/UK runs on PAL, not NTSC). Google blu-ray region codes and you'll see what I mean. Yes, games are the only exception to region unlocks on the PS3, but movies are not. That being said I guess I'll possibly pick up the JPN version of the movie (well at least when I find out if it has English b/c my Japanese is still work in progress....slow progress, lol) since 9 times out of 10 they'll probably release the movie over there first.
LokeSTL @ Jan 12th 2009 1:33PM
Those SE bastards! Can't believe the Sony didn't at least pay them for timed exclusivity at least. This game is a system seller. I'd be willing to bet that a time exclusive demo would even sell some systems. The RPG genre is a trainwreck this gen. Full of idiot execs making stupid decisions.
1) Sony didn't secure FFXIII exclusivity.
2) Square holding off the localized version of FFXIII to release with a port. (unheard of)
3) Sony removing PS2 BC (A lot of us RPGers keep our old games and play them long past the life of the system it originally played on)
4) DQIX made for DS. Not a total disaster but less exciting than a console release.
5) If we even get a demo for XIII, I guarantee that we'll have to wait until it's port is finished.
I could go on and on, but I'll cut it there. So aggrivating....
Topher08 @ Jan 12th 2009 2:00PM
Chances are that no matter what Sony would have paid SE, SE has been dissing the PS3 since its release so it would not have mattered. Also I admire Sony for not throwing money around the way Microsoft is to steal exclusives and generate propaganda. Microsoft is ruining the game industry and Sony doesn't need to sink that low.
Personally, SE is coming off as one of the most arrogant, self-righteous game developers of all time (they make EA look docile and Valve look humble). They been going on about how Sony didn't position the PS3 as a game console, and then SE has been releasing movies and "other" company's games while they slowly develop another derivative FF title.
Personally I will buy FF13 used if the game ends up being any good. I have never finished any FF title because they get sooo boring and repetitive around the 20 hour mark and I don't want to give SE one red cent for the experience.
Danton @ Jan 12th 2009 2:16PM
Points 1 and 2) I'm not gonna answer because it's pretty obvious that MS like buying people's hearts with money, they'll run themselves into the red with that kind of attitude, assuming they aren't already.
Point 3) The removal of the BC is no big deal, PS2 hardware sales are still going strong, so until it's no longer proven to be a profitable format on it's own, maybe then Sony will release a firmware update to give PS3s backwards compatibility.
Point 4) Dragon Quest games ALWAYS go on the most popular systems at the time. For 1-4, it was NES, 5 and 6, it was SNES, for 7, PS1, 8, PS2. So it is logical that 9 is for DS and 10 for Wii as they will most definitely get the most sales. No use trying to convince them otherwise.
Point 5) Just import the film from Japan when it's first released, hopefully it won't be too hard to get a hold of from ebay or play asia, PS3s are region free for games so the extra disc can be played on every PS3.
Besides, if it's supposedly the first 2 hours, then for the NA/EU demo they could just translate the first 2 hours and release it like SE are doing in Japan right now, after all we don't have to wait for the 360 port to be done seeing as the meat and potatoes for the demo is already available. FFVII ACC will more than likely get a release outside of Japan.
Oh and about 360 RPGs, they will do better on PS3, look at Eternal Sonata, wasn't that supposed to be an "Exclusive"? Looks like lucky PS3 owners got the perfect edition. Same will go for any other RPG that does underwhelming on 360, or doesn't do well as MS hopes for. Sooner or later ToV, SO4, and goodness knows what else will appear on PS3 with more stuff like new costumes, extra content, extended scenes etc.
360 is still doing rather badly in Japan with about 10-20k sales weekly and a few one time surges that won't do any damage. PS3 is now picking up a huge amount of steam getting pretty much 35-60k sales weekly I believe (Thanks to WKC, or as Level 5 might like to think of it as "Fuck you Microsoft!" (Search True Fantasy Live Online on wikipedia and you'll know what I mean)).
It won't take long for MS to crack under the pressure and abandon all hope of getting Japan's interests. The only way they could potentially get Japan's interested in 360 is if they get DQ on 360, but that will NEVER happen.
LokeSTL @ Jan 12th 2009 1:28PM
Those SE bastards! Can't believe the Sony didn't at least pay them for timed exclusivity at least. This game is a system seller. I'd be willing to bet that a time exclusive demo would even sell some systems. The RPG genre is a trainwreck this gen. Full of idiot execs making stupid decisions.
1) Sony didn't secure FFXIII exclusivity.
2) Square holding off the localized version of FFXIII to release with a port. (unheard of)
3) Sony removing PS2 BC (A lot of us RPGers keep our old games and play them long past the life of the system it originally played on)
4) DQIX made for DS. Not a total disaster but less exciting than a console release.
5) If we even get a demo for XIII, I guarantee that we'll have to wait until it's port is finished.
I could go on and on, but I'll cut it there. So aggrivating....
Roto13 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:34PM
Considering the series has been around for 20 years and has been consistently successful since the beginning, most people aren't going to need a demo to decide whether or not they're interested in buying Final Fantasy XIII. In fact, I find it very weird that you haven't played one of the twelve previous installments of the series. It's like never having played a Castlevania game in your life.
@Darth: No. Just no.
LokeSTL @ Jan 12th 2009 1:34PM
Those SE bastards! Can't believe the Sony didn't at least pay them for timed exclusivity at least. This game is a system seller. I'd be willing to bet that a time exclusive demo would even sell some systems. The RPG genre is a trainwreck this gen. Full of idiot execs making stupid decisions.
1) Sony didn't secure FFXIII exclusivity.
2) Square holding off the localized version of FFXIII to release with a port. (unheard of)
3) Sony removing PS2 BC (A lot of us RPGers keep our old games and play them long past the life of the system it originally played on)
4) DQIX made for DS. Not a total disaster but less exciting than a console release.
5) If we even get a demo for XIII, I guarantee that we'll have to wait until it's port is finished.
I could go on and on, but I'll cut it there. So aggrivating....
LokeSTL @ Jan 12th 2009 1:35PM
Those SE jerks! Can't believe the Sony didn't at least pay them for timed exclusivity at least. This game is a system seller. I'd be willing to bet that a time exclusive demo would even sell some systems. The RPG genre is a trainwreck this gen. Full of idiot execs making stupid decisions.
1) Sony didn't secure FFXIII exclusivity.
2) Square holding off the localized version of FFXIII to release with a port. (unheard of)
3) Sony removing PS2 BC (A lot of us RPGers keep our old games and play them long past the life of the system it originally played on)
4) DQIX made for DS. Not a total disaster but less exciting than a console release.
5) If we even get a demo for XIII, I guarantee that we'll have to wait until it's port is finished.
I could go on and on, but I'll cut it there. So aggrivating....
Roto13 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:40PM
Well I never played the Final Fantasy X demo but I heard bad things about it compared to the final game. I did play the Final Fantasy XII demo and thought it was terrible, but I ended up impulse buying the full game (on launch day, no less) and it turned out to be one of my favourite games ever. The demo was a terrible representation of the final product.
So yeah, history says we're probably better off without a demo. People will play it and decide that the game is going to be awful until it actually comes out.
jojo29 @ Jan 12th 2009 1:41PM
This is stupid. The ONLY reason we are not getting a demo is because of the crapbox 360. I can't believe there are STILL RRODs.
Eric E @ Jan 12th 2009 1:51PM
What about the bluRay itself, i want that so....
Will they release american bluRay close to Jap release?
If so will they re-release closer to FFXIII w/ a demo?
if not will they release it at our launch?
vizunary @ Jan 12th 2009 6:25PM
squeenix can go to hell for all i care, announcing a title nearly 3 yrs before release has all but burned out ANY enthusiasm i had for it. i MIGHT get a used copy so they will not get a sell from me....
Nathanical @ Jan 12th 2009 2:01PM
tbh i agree with darth, to a point. FF is well past its prime. Dont get me wrong, ill still be buying the new ones, and theyre still enjoyable. But while theyre still 'good games', they really have lost their magic. I cannot get excited for them like i used to. Ever since they started coming out on the PS2, the games have been good, but dissapointing, the stories have been sub par and i cant seem to develop any attatchment to any of the characters.
That being said, its certainly not worth writing them off just yet, while not what they were, theyre still good games and worth playing. Im still secretly hopefull that with the cinematic capabilities of this gen, that maybe it could be a return to form, however im not getting my hopes up. Lets just hope its not the mess that 12 was.
The1stMJC @ Jan 12th 2009 2:10PM
@Roto
I haven't played any of the games you have mentioned
Guldevito @ Jan 12th 2009 2:31PM
I think the reason NA won't get a demo is because in Japan it's exclusive to Ps3 and here it isn't. Wouldn't want to upset Microsoft with a ps3 only demo.
MizzDiva @ Jan 13th 2009 10:54AM
Ha, I'd actually like to see them upset just for the hell of it, lol.Hell, you got Xboxers getting (either by XBL Japan or torrent sites) the RE5 demo and us PS3ers haven't seen anything (and Capcom is sure taking their sweet time telling us either).....frankly I think a little fair play is in order.
FrodoTBaggins @ Jan 12th 2009 2:33PM
@ Nathanical
I can't agree with you more, thats excatly how I see the situation. Hopeful, that XIII will be better, but I doubt it will have the same magic it once did.
Josh @ Jan 12th 2009 3:22PM
That's a bad headline. "No plans" implies "never".
From my understanding of the actual quote, they just haven't worked out how they're going to make the FFXIII demo available outside of Japan just yet.
Light @ Jan 12th 2009 3:25PM
It's not strange! Japan is my the Island of my dream.
Lol
Robert @ Jan 12th 2009 4:13PM
personaly I could careless what they do with this game. Don't get me wrong I love FF, but seeing that MS has paid off . I am determened to let them continue to dig deep in the bank. I wont be getting this game. I as a bunch of my dedicated friends all Rpg fans have decided to boycott this game. If they feel the 360 is going to sell more then the PS3 to the point of punishing the west by forcing us to wait then let them. I will be the one laughing my way to the bank as they have wasted millions on MS's 50 million bribe. I could care less if it went multi platform but to punish the 20 million ps3 owners again and again is plain poor business stradegy. This crap about a new west plan is a bunch of bull. I am sure some ps3 owners will continue to wait a couple more years for this title, but not me. They have made it quite clear that the ps3 and 360 versions will launch together in the usa. Well if you fools think it will be this year I have a bridge in New York i want ti sell you. The launch in Japan will give them enough money to continue to produce the 360 version. I say hurt them where it counts in the pocket book or let MS pay for the losses, but this gamer isnt waiting 2 more years for a game we already have waited 3 years for to me that is just stupid on our parts. I feel if we loose interest maybe they may reconcider thier western plan.
Starshiptrooper @ Jan 12th 2009 4:13PM
Here's a conspiracy theory for you . . . . . what if Microsoft secretly signed a North American exlusivity deal with Squeenix. What I mean is, since Sony nabbed the exclusivity rights for FFXIII in Japan, there's a slim chance that Microsoft managed to pen a deal to make FFXIII exclusive to the 360 in the U.S. I wouldn't put it past them. Think back on Battle Fantasia. The game's multiplatform in both Japan and Europe, yet it's region exclusive to Microsoft in the U.S. This might explain why Squeenix has elected to not release the demo over here. I know that I'm gonna be called out as an Xbot, but the truth is that I'm a pessimist. Until I actually here that the game has gone gold for the PS3 in the U.S., I'm not gonna hold my breath. It's better that way since there have been so many dissapointments on the PS3 when concerning JRPG's.
TV's Frank @ Jan 13th 2009 12:31AM
Why are you getting Star Ocean 4 for 360 if you want Sony to succeed you didn't even keep Warhawk. Why do you play these old man games. Well, I still like you anyway.
Starshiptrooper @ Jan 13th 2009 12:38AM
I know that you smell like three week old monkey placental droppings. Learn how to type and maybe we can talk. Jesus, it's like I can't even write a harmless comment without some hairless little chode trying to act the big man. Come the f*ck out of your little NAMBLA closet you dirty little pervert so I can whup your Queer Eye for the Straight Guy watching @55!!!!!!!!!
TV's Frank @ Jan 13th 2009 12:50AM
I don't smell too bad! I try and bathe at least 2 times a week. You know the whole Brad Pitt thing. I'm actually a fan of pretty ladies and not little boys, so maybe there's some miscommunication between us. Zoku Sayonara Sensei is an awesome anime PLEASE LOOK FOWARD TO IT!
Starshiptrooper @ Jan 13th 2009 12:58AM
You have unleashed IT!!!!!!!!!!!! The despair that I've been feeling since, and I quote Final Fantasy XIII (following the FFXIII's), "Cocoon" and "Pulse" on stage two of the world, "the world of the future lead crystal" to be painted works. 今回明らかになったのは、コクーン内部の様子を描いたシーン。 This was the scene depicting the interior of the cocoon. そこには主人公ライトニングのほか、ツインテールの少女の姿もある。 There is also the main character Lightning have seen the tail of the twin girls. 少女は、金髪の男スノウと同じくライトニングの仲間となる人物で、フルネームは“ヲルヴァ＝ダイア・ヴァニラ”。 The girl, and fellow Lightning, who like Snow blond man, full name is "Vanilla WORUVA = Dia". パルスに追放されるところを、スノウが率いる反聖府組織に救い出されたようだ。 There will be deported to a pulse, but salvaged the holy anti-government organization led by Snow.! Yes, feel my despair. Sad I feel when ファイナルファンタジーXIII （以下、 FFXIIIの） 、 "コクーン"と"パルス"は、将来の鉛の結晶"の世界を、世界の舞台の2つは、 "作品に描かれる。これは、空気が繭の中にはっきりしていた場面を描いた。このシーンは、繭の内部を描いただった。双子の女の子の尾が見られることもあるの英雄雷だった。また、双子の女の子の雷尾を見ている主人公です。少女は稲妻のような金髪の男の雪は、完全な名前を持つ男だ"とバニラWORUVA =径" 。少女は、仲間の雷は、雪のような金髪の男で、フル名は"バニラWORUVA =径" 。するには、パルスには、強制送還されるが、神聖な反政府組織が主導引き揚げ雪。パルスには、強制送還されるが、神聖な反政府組織が主導引き揚げSnow.organization雪が率いる。
Starshiptrooper @ Jan 12th 2009 4:15PM
I typed 'here' when I meant to type 'hear'. Sorry.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 12th 2009 4:35PM
To be honest I would like to have a demo. I swear the characters of FF get more annoying with every installment, reason why I couldn't get into X and XII.
Roto13 @ Jan 12th 2009 7:25PM
XII had a grand total of one annoying character.
Efeez1986 @ Jan 12th 2009 5:10PM
Whatever, i'm more interested in the US release of White Knight Chronicles and FFvs13. Square Enix isn't going to release FF13 in the US until Microsoft tells them to,lol.