Square-Enix responds to Final Fantasy XIII Exclusivity Issue

[Fuzz]

Quick news on the whole Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity issue with the PS3. Appears that Square Enix has finally officially addressed the issue:

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Corporate Director Shinji Hashimoto and series Producer Yoshinori Kitase spoke with Kikizo about the fan complaints. "I'd rather they not think of this as a 'betrayal' or disappointment," Hashimoto explained. "It's not like we're canceling or delaying the PS3 version at all! It's more of an added bonus for 360 fans. We won't be putting them at a disadvantage in any way." Kitase added that "the PS3 version is what's in development right now, and the team is working to specialize that version to the very best of the PS3's abilities" and stated that there wouldn't be a "decrease in quality as a result of the game appearing across two platforms."

Source: ARS Techina

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Quick news on the whole Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity issue with the PS3. Appears that Square Enix has finally officially addressed the issue:

-----

Corporate Director Shinji Hashimoto and series Producer Yoshinori Kitase spoke with Kikizo about the fan complaints. "I'd rather they not think of this as a 'betrayal' or disappointment," Hashimoto explained. "It's not like we're canceling or delaying the PS3 version at all! It's more of an added bonus for 360 fans. We won't be putting them at a disadvantage in any way." Kitase added that "the PS3 version is what's in development right now, and the team is working to specialize that version to the very best of the PS3's abilities" and stated that there wouldn't be a "decrease in quality as a result of the game appearing across two platforms."

Source: ARS Techina

To me, I find it kinda sad that Hashimoto even needed to make that statement about his fanboys feeling 'betrayal' over the whole issue. Square-Enix was simply trying to make some more cash, just like any other business, and they decided to tap into the Microsoft markets, which in my opinion was an extremely smart decision they made. Sony simply hasn't been selling their consoles, whereas Microsoft has, and on top of that, SE owes alliegance to no one, they can sell games regardless of what platform they are on, and they have shown that time and time again in the past. In any case, I'm happy for this decision, as I am a 360 owner and not a PS3, and I am quite dissapointed that the butthurt PS3 fanboys are taking this in a poor manner. I've said this before and I will say it again; SE is a business, not a company that caters to just one demographic, but to as many as they can profit over. Get over it.

[Silver]

Well said Rocky.
To add to it, I'd state that it's a smart move on SE's part due to how a lot of western RPG players seem to have migrated over to the xbox360 camp. A larger playerbase on any console means that's right where the money is.

I get the feeling a big part of the 'Exclusivity Issue' is merely some people regretting paying a small fortune for a machine that is basically a Net surfing machine/Cheap Blu ray player that currently fails as a gaming platform due to less games and the inability for many third party developers to easily work with the hardware. That could change in future as more developers get used to working with the PS3 and bring out more of it's potential, but by then the 360 will get more and more established, very much like a hard to kill weed.

Regardless, I'm happy the machine I chose is getting the games I want to play. I'll likely buy a PS3 myself when there's the PS3's value in good exclusives released. Hopefully by then it'll be half price.

[Emperor Griffith]

Originally Posted by Silver

Well said Rocky.
To add to it, I'd state that it's a smart move on SE's part due to how a lot of western RPG players seem to have migrated over to the xbox360 camp. A larger playerbase on any console means that's right where the money is.

I think this one of the few smart moves that I actually respect SE doing after the last like 7 years. I would've liked to see FF games that were made for the PSX/2 be on the XBOX/360. Sadly, they've betrayed me with just about everything else they've done. If 13 doesn't give me an exploding boner, I'm done with FF.

Anyway, yeah, he didn't really need to address the fanboys about this issue. They don't owe anything to them to give them a reason as to why they did it. We already know why. I'd say it's a great move in the aspect that now not everyone will have to spend so much f-ing money to get a PS3 JUST to play that one game. That's probably one reason fanboys are crying so much.

[boldfox]

Yeah as long as the PS3 version isn't affected in anyway then there is no problem. I own a Wii and 360 and there is no way I want a PS3 just for one game (2+ including whatever Team Ico make) and I'm so glad it's on Xbox now.

I don't get this problem that some people have. Was there this much anger when Square abandoned Nintendo for FF7? And its not like there will be no PS3 game anyway. Some fanboys need to relax.

[Mistress Sheena]

Disgaea 3.
Final Fantasy XIII Versus
Valkyria Chronicles
Blazblue
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
Heavenly Sword

Wow. 6 games I want for my PS3. I only have 3 wii games, go me! And.. only 6 360 games, yay!

Edit: Yes, yes... there is really no need for him to address the fanboys. It's very sad that he had to.

[bluedemon]

I must admit that I was disappointed to hear that FFXIII would not be PS3 exclusive, but I am mature enough to know why and with the PS3 not doing as well as they had orginally hoped it does make sense. The only issue I have with it now is that there is a large probablity that the North America release will be delayed so the Xbox can get there game at the same time. Hopefully I am wrong.

[Akura]

yea i dont think there will be a delay its been planned for a long time and they have probs had it all sorted people working on it dont think that will be much of a worry

[Mike Piatza]

I still don't like that they are releasing it to the Xbox 360. I understand that they are a business, but they should understand that there are certain moralities that should be held. I believe that exclusive works define each platform and with the amount of exclusive games that Sony has been losing since its release infuriates me. As a business man I still have moralities in concern. I prefer mostly to have my product out in the market for the console that would most benefit it and represents the image that I am supporting. I am a fan of video games in general, but I am also a man who has views and opinions on the negatives on the industry. Frankly I don't see what the reason is for the Xbox's existence. Microsoft was already making money from video games previously with their PC games, or games for windows, and PCs themselves. There are also things business wise that I don't like about them. If the problem of the PS3's sales would put the sales of my game in jeopardy, I would make sure that the sales of the PS3 will rise before the release of my game and also market my game to the level that current people who don't own PS3's will be craving for it throughout the year of the release. With that said I am still upset about the port, but I hope that the game will still manage to be good whenever it releases.

[Silver]

Originally Posted by Mike Piatza

I still don't like that they are releasing it to the Xbox 360. I understand that they are a business, but they should understand that there are certain moralities that should be held.

LOL. Gaming industry morals? I can understand some businesses having room for good ethical practice, but THE GAMING INDUSTRY?
It's all about the money, no? And the xbox 360 has a lot of gamers addicted to it who'll become money spending consumers when the product is fed to us. Personally, I'm actually thinking of buying it on PS3 if the 360 version is on several discs for conveniance reasons, but I'd hate a large gaming demographic to miss out on a great game if it can be avoided.

Frankly I don't see what the reason is for the Xbox's existence. Microsoft was already making money from video games previously with their PC games, or games for windows, and PCs themselves.

Same reason Sony and Nintendo make games. MONEY. Yes, many of them are likely passionate about their jobs to the point where money doesn't matter so much to them, but it all does come back to money in the end. If a company does not make a good profit, why should they continue struggling forwards? I can understand a passionate game creator doing so, but those games are rarely at the same level as games made by a group of professionals. And who was it who introduced the first insanely popular online console experience and then found ways to further integrate online capabilities into your console experience? It was Microsoft.

If the problem of the PS3's sales would put the sales of my game in jeopardy, I would make sure that the sales of the PS3 will rise before the release of my game and also market my game to the level that current people who don't own PS3's will be craving for it throughout the year of the release. With that said I am still upset about the port, but I hope that the game will still manage to be good whenever it releases.

PS3 owners are almost always shitty about a lack in number of great exclusives. Yeah, there are a handful, but there's a ton more on the xbox360. And you have no need to worry about the quality of the finished product as I do believe SE said it would optimise the game for each console. All good.

[Storm]

As a European I am definatly glad that FFXIII will be released on 360. Although I currently don't own any new gen consoles (with the exception of DS and PSP), I would hate to have to buy a PS3 (which being the avid Final Fantasy fan I would have ended up doing). Sony have screwed European fans over, so it would feel somewhat like selling my soul if I resoreted to buying one (unless the former PS3 PAL issues have been resolved without me realising). Also, there are more 360 games I want. I'm not getting a PS3 solely for Tekken 6. Although there is also the issue of Versus 13... I haven't heard yet whether it will be an exclusive or not- and going by trailers I found it the more impressive of the two.

As said before, it is a smart move as the XBox 360 is a much more successful console. It really annoys me when console fanboys complain- every platform has advantages, disadvantages, good games and bad games. Having the best games as non-exclusives will only make it easier for the consumer instead of having to buy one of every console, which gives issues to the less wealthy gamers.

[Fluffy]

Originally Posted by Storm

Although there is also the issue of Versus 13... I haven't heard yet whether it will be an exclusive or not- and going by trailers I found it the more impressive of the two.

Thus far, I believe they're still promoting the game as "For PlayStation 3 Only Worldwide". Keep in mind, they were promoting Final Fantasy XIII as such in the beginning. But I think they might stick to it for this one.

I agree, it does seem, so far, the more impressive of the two. I know a lot of people don't like Nomura, but I've loved almost all of his work so far. I've been saying for a long time that I'd like to see a KH-like game, without the Disney, and a more solid, mature storyline. (Not that there's anything wrong with KH, I love it.) This seems to be it.

As for losing the PS3 exclusive on FF13, I don't really care. As long as the game isn't suffering on the PS3 as a result of it, then they can do whatever they want. More money for them is better for us in the end, anyway.

[Christa Pho!]

Originally Posted by Mike Piatza

I still don't like that they are releasing it to the Xbox 360. I understand that they are a business, but they should understand that there are certain moralities that should be held. I believe that exclusive works define each platform and with the amount of exclusive games that Sony has been losing since its release infuriates me. As a business man I still have moralities in concern. I prefer mostly to have my product out in the market for the console that would most benefit it and represents the image that I am supporting.

Morals?
That's kind of ridiculous. Sure businesses should have some basic ethics when releasing a game, but exclusivity is not in any way a "moral".
If anything Square-Enix is doing it's fans a favor by making the game available to a wider demographic of gamers.

Originally Posted by Mike Piatza

I am a fan of video games in general, but I am also a man who has views and opinions on the negatives on the industry. Frankly I don't see what the reason is for the Xbox's existence. Microsoft was already making money from video games previously with their PC games, or games for windows, and PCs themselves. There are also things business wise that I don't like about them.

Yes, it is widely agreed Microsoft kind of sucks somtimes (Vista anyone?),
and that is why I run Leopard.
But if we're talking game consoles it is only natural to think that microsoft would eventually release a game system. Sure Microsoft was profiting on PC gaming, but releasing their own game system is a whole different business when one really thinks about it.

Originally Posted by Mike Piatza

If the problem of the PS3's sales would put the sales of my game in jeopardy, I would make sure that the sales of the PS3 will rise before the release of my game and also market my game to the level that current people who don't own PS3's will be craving for it throughout the year of the release. With that said I am still upset about the port, but I hope that the game will still manage to be good whenever it releases.

So instead of just, you know, releasing the game for two platforms, we wait a year and a half for sony to sell more consoles? which even at that wouldn't equal the current amount of Xbox's and PS3's.

Besides, I agree with the majority here that Versus XIII does indeed look like the superior of the two based on trailers and limited information of the games.
And I am very interested in the "Action-RPG" format of Versus, I've always wondered how an FF game would pan out when given gameplay similar to Kingdom Hearts.
So at that, I could see myself investing in PS3 in the near future if this game does indeed stay exclusive, given there are other good exclusives available at that time.

[Joas]

Well im sad that FFXIII it's not going 2 be an exclusive for the PS3, because I buyed te PS3 just for the FFXIII, but i dont care because my brother haves a 360. Well SE made a great move and i hope to see more FF games in every console