Final Fantasy Versus XIII’s Cancellation Proves Square Enix Isn't Capable of Making Good Decisions

Back in 2006, I wasn’t a videogame journalist yet. At that point, the PS3 wasn’t even out yet, and when it did come out, it was far too expensive for me to consider buying one. I mean, I was just a broke college student.

But one day, I casually walked into a GameStop and saw the trailer for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Yes, this was the trailer that had debuted at 2006’s E3.

[Kamikaze135]

You know....I feel that Versus XIII DID get canceled and it's being developed as FFXV. It's too high budget of a project to just flat out cancel and it's been so anticipated through the years. It probably won't get that mature rating it was supposed to get due to becoming a mainstream FF game.

Another thing to note is that Versus XIII was supposedly going to include a giant world like the older and more traditional FF games....which is something that "FFXV" is rumored to have.

Then there is the part where the rumors mentioned that FFXV started getting worked on shortly after XIII released.....which was around the time that SE mentioned Versus XIII development went into full throttle.

With that said, I'm sure that FFXV aka Versus XIII will be announced later this year and get released next year since they supposedly want to shorten development cycles.

[user5467007]

Thats what I think aswell but the thing is if this is true how does Nomura feel about this

FF13 Versus was his project, the reason he wanted to make it exclusively for the PS3 was so he could focus his time and effort on a machine which could bring his vision to life without limitations, FF13s cut content prooves he probably didn't want the same to happen to verus.

So what will he feel like now that his project...the story he's been building up for 6 years now is going to be made into FF15 which is a Multiplatform game. I mean if FF15 is exclusive to the PS3 then fair enough I bet he would be fine with it, happier even that a FF spin off is now a main title game but if it is MP and then have to cut a ton of stuff out of the game and dumb things down Nomura would be devestated. I wonder if he would leave Square and continue to put up with them...will they force him to make KH3 multiplatform? So many questions

If it is cancelled completely I really want to know how Nomura feels about this.

[Irishguy95]

I think he will be happy to be honest, Wada would not give him a main series FF, if he is given the title FF15 he has proven himself to them.

Basically, if he gets 15, Wada will have to admit Nomura deserved a chance in the first place.

Wada"i've been trying to salvage this POS ffxiii when I shoulda given Nomura and the team the go ahead to make versus at full speed"

[Reibooi]

I would be willing to bet that if Versus has become XV that Nomura is still in full control of the project and that little will be changed in the transition. Nomura is a very important part of SE as he is easily the only guy in the company who can consistently put out quality games. I doubt the upper management of the company would risk pissing him off in any way. Now I don't know for sure but if I was him I would think he may like to have Versus become XV as it won't have the name association with XIII(which alot of people don't like)

On top of the fact that just becoming XV doesn't prove that it will all of a sudden become multiplatform. SE saw first hand that FFXIII sold a majority of it's copies on PS3 and while the 360 did get some sales they would have to weigh the trade off in quality and keeping Nomura happy against that. SE probably knows they are not very popular right now and getting Versus out as Versus or XV and still being exclusive can be something of a vanity project.(i.e it will like not make as much money but will be a positive mark on their record as far as the fans are concerned)

All that said I am really getting annoyed with all these articles poping up about it being cancelled. It was a RUMOR and until SE confirms or denies it people should treat it as such but since the original rumor broke we have had like 3 articles treating it as if it was fact.

[morganfell]

Amazing how a rumor has now become a matter of fact announcement.

Oh wait, it's people taking another stab at being game journalists.

I am not saying that it isn't cancelled, merely that without a confirmation reporting Kotaku's earlier speculation as fact is irresponsible and a disservice to the game community.

[Darrius Cole]

1. I don't think that FFvs13 could be made multi-plat without a major downgrade in visual quality.

2. Besides if Versus is indeed not cancelled then it should get a release date next year. I think that would be too soon for a numbered FFXV.

That has me leaning toward Versus still carrying it same name...or at least not being call FFXV.

[creatchee]

@MikeCosgrove

BUT if it becomes FFXV, maybe it goes multiplayform on next-gen consoles. At that point, the disparity between 360's and PS3's storage mediums would be null, considering DVD will obviously no longer be a factor.

[Disccordia]

But.. the XV rumour was supposedly directed by the guy who did 9 and 12 and whose name I forget. Nomura relegated once again to character designer.

[wishingW3L]

@Darrius Cole visuals are not the problem, to me, it's the content! The game will either be scattered on multiple discs making the experience all disjointed or they will cut tons of stuff to make it on only 1 DVD9. No matter what Square does we lose.

And I think it'll be better if Square starts the development of FFXV on next gen consoles because seeing how slow they are by the time the game comes out this gen will be more than dead.

[Darrius Cole]

@wishingW3L

I was thinking about graphical assets. They could something like Skyrim, on 1 DVD9, but Skyrim doesn't have the graphical diversity of Final Fantasy and the graphical assets that are present don't approach the quality of FFXIII. And FF13 was gutted of content, degraded in quality, and made linear as hell all for the sake of 3 DVD9's.

So, you are correct. Unless they all the way back to PS2 graphics...early PS2 graphics we are screwed if it is multi-plat.

[under taker 34]

tombraider and deus ex's sequel is probably on SE's mind, those just cause 3, ff13-3 and batman arkham world. too many games for them to start splitting up tasks let alone finishing them.

[Whitefeather]

Rocksteady was bought by WB way before Arkham City. Square Enix has no ties to it anymore.

[WeskerChildReborned]

I know, it had potential so i'm hoping that it was so good that it had to be a numbered sequel thus it maybe being XV.

[geddesmond]

This is just another one of those shitty rumours made up to get everyone talking. There is no way SE would cancel the only final fantasy game fans are excited for. If any FF game got canceled its FF13-3 because hardly anyone wants another crappy title from that crappy world.

If anything, only the name of the game got changed and not canceled. I mean if SE did cancel this game then they might as well just close up their doors for good because no fan will ever like them again especially after dragging fans through 6 years of anticipation for a game that won't see the light of day.

[Flewid638]

It's been confirmed already, dear.

[Ranma1]

I dont know a single good console games SE made this gen.

Do you?

[turgore]

Well not made, but they published Deus Ex: HR. Also sleeping dogs seems to be a great game judging by early reviews.

[darthawesome90]

I hope it just became FFXV, like the rumor that was released in May revealing that Versus may be multi-platform for the Wii U and PS3. If not then someone needs to start firing some people and replacing them with talent.

here is the link to the Wii U multiplat and re-branding rumor
http://www.gamesradar.com/f...

I don't really think it's cancelled. It has everything going for it. Likeable characters (from what we've seen), dark like FFVII, great aesthetics, huge fan base, etc. If they can't perfect something that has been in dev. for six years then what makes Square-Enix believe that they can create FFXV? (assuming it's not FF-Versus rebranded)

[Majin-vegeta]

SE already confirmed it's fake-__-.
http://n4g.com/news/1008678...

[Kanzes]

They made FF13-3 instead. lol. way to go to make fans angry, SE

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

I smell a 13-4 incoming...

[helghast102]

Nope, not angry yet.

[CaitSith]

How many XIII-(insert iteration here) do you need for you to get angry?

[xflo360]

I think they should just hand over final fantasy franchise to level 5 so a decent developer can make a proper final fantasy with a rich open world.

[Cyb3r]

Please no more FF13 spinoffs FF13-2 was more than enough. Square just concentrate on Versus

[LiamDirish]

If FFv13 is cancelled it will have been a huge waste of time and is the result of very bad decisions and bad management. I really don't know what's going on over in SE but they had better sort it out or the Final Fantasy brand is gonna be dead pretty soon.

[skyrim]

The game is still being made it's just ffxv now they literally just changed the name.People are saying all this canceled stuff just for hits I assure you the game is intact just under a new name and release schedule.

[chrispen9]

Three words: Kingdom Hearts Three

[chadwarden]

3 is a number

[chrispen9]

Edited.

[Qrphe]

NVM

[_Aarix_]

Three is the worded form of 3 so three is a word, 3 isn't.

[Flewid638]

Three is a number, written out as a word.

[Lord_Sloth]

It can't PROVE anything since it's cancellation is not yet confirmed. It's still only a rumor.

[mafiahajeri]

Im starting to think people are spreading rumors just so they can know whats really going on with the game.

[Game4life]

everyone would LOVE that now wouldnt they ahah

Hey guys final fantasy vs 13 is coming out tomorrow....
Awesome i gotta go preorder.

[Blackpool]

lol, i agree. I think someone from square will eventually put these rumors to rest.

[greenpowerz]

They made their new engine and will be moving on to world class multi platform next gen games. They've been globalizing their company for a few years now.

[Patriots_Pride]

Finally someone with some sense.

With this generation closing it would make more sense to release this game next gen - this way they game would sell more and it would have longer legs.

Plus they can take advantage of the net gen tech. Also I dont see this game still being exclusive unless SQUARE singed a contract with Sony, times are hard and game studios need every bit of money they can get.

The same will go for MGS5 it will be multi-plat next gen because as much as Kojima loves the PS3 share holders have more of a say in which platforms the game releases on to maximize profit,

[Qrphe]

Why do people keep on saying that vxXIII would be turned into XV?
Have you ever played any two numbered FF games? The background of XIII is all over vsXIII for it to be simply turned/renamed into XV; no main FF game has ever shared the background of any other main FF game.

[Irishguy95]

Backround of Versus is nothing like XIII. They run on the same Mythos, nothing more. They aren't even similar.

[Qrphe]

They exactly run on the same mythos. Etro, a deity of Pulse, is involved in vsXIII (and most likely fal'Cie too given that concept art from years ago) just like in every Fabula Nova Crystallis title.

FFXV will most likely have a franchise of its own (thus original mythos and lore) like most non-MMO FF games.

[Irishguy95]

You'd be surprised how much the 'backrounds' are alike in most FF's. Especially with regards to the crystals. Etro is completely different in this one, Fal'cie and L'cie are also in this game, however, they are nothing like the ones in FFXIII or Type 0. Same names, completely different stories/ They have no relation at all, Versus has Crystals with power in it like Most FF's/

Noct or his family is likely a chosen L'cie of either Etro or the death god(if they aren't the same being). So is Stella. Same names, but L'cie is still way different in this one/ The only resemblance is Noct is given power by a higher being. You could give the same comparison for someone blessed by God for example/ Only the name really relates the two. Also due to this, it would be very easy to get rid of the word L'cie and Fal'cie, then there is no resemblance at all(or at least, it's only as much as other FF's resemble)

Although one could argue that Noct's families focus is to protect the crystal/ Anyhow the story so far goes completely against him having a focus in the way XIII does, since he goes on a road trip with his cronies after his city is attacked/taken over

[user5467007]

With how long it's been in developmnt they could easily change the mythology of the game.....

[Skateboard]

There have been more fails then good things i will admit. I'm tired of people wanting the exacts games like the old ones with annoying battle screens and random battles every 3 secs.

[DragonKnight]

"Back in 2006, I wasn’t a videogame journalist yet."

And with that title you aren't one now. There is no cancellation as of right now. Kotaku has successfully made idiots out of so many pseudo journalists who will have to retract all of these statements later.

The amount of people making "articles" about a rumour that has literally no substantial evidence in even the smallest amount is epic facepalm inducing. Actually no, it induces this...

[32froshes]

You know, the article doesn't ever say it's anything more than a rumor. The title is a little heavy-handed, sure, but if you read the article, it makes more sense.

Also, the title had to be shortened to fit N4G's 100 character limit. The ACTUAL article title is longer, but more accurate.

[DragonKnight]

Read the whole article, including the actual title, and the only word difference in the title is that the word "may" has been removed from it, and even then it's just before prove. The title SHOULD read "FFVersus XIII's rumoured cancellation may prove SE isn't capable of making good decisions."

The article spends more time reminiscing than talking about the actual rumour, and not until the 8th paragraph is the word rumour even used, and only briefly. And in the last paragraph you have "whatever the reason for this decision" as though it's something that has actually happened.

Sorry, but the article is written by a blogger, not a journalist.

[wastedcells]

Moving forward square will make all it's money on the EIDOS purchase which was a great decision. Deus Ex sold well, tomb raider will sell millions, hitman will sell, true crime is going to be a massive hit and just cause has a growing fan base. They might be in a slump with the final fantasy games but they will bounce back. Looking back I think a lot of companies are kicking themselves for making the decision not to buy EIDOS. Who knows maybe they will let one of the Eidos development studios to make the next FF game or spin off.

[riot365]

I believe that the "fake" E3 trailer depicting Versus XIII as XV was indeed real.... Wishful thinking.

[wastedcells]

And versus isnt cancelled, I bet it's going next gen!

[DarkZane]

Versus isn't cancelled. The news came from kotaku which never said who their sources were.

Also, apparently, a reliable source on neogaf apparently says there will be info at TGS.

Now who should I believe? Kotaku or someone reliable close to SE who gave good infos in the past?

[Summons75]

Finally someone with some common sense. It's one thing to read a rumor and have your own speculation on it but it's another to take that rumor and proclaim it as fact like all these amateur bloggers are doing. Kotaku started this wild fire with the unnamed sources, which should have been a red flag right there. Neogaf at least is a bit more believable but until Square Enix comes out and says something either now, a week and a half from now at the FF 25th special or at TGS than no should believe for sure. I have my own speculations about it but watching this thing blow up like it has today is just irritating. I just can't wait till Square says the official status and puts this whole ting to rest.

[Relientk77]

At the title:

Ain't that the truth

[CLOUD1983]

I think it will be better if we make some patient for the next 2 months until TGS start if SE doesn't show anything about Versus there then u can start believing all those rumors.

[tidusforeverx2]

I am very sick of people restating these rumors of the cancellation of versus xiii when there has still been no confirmation. And there is no reason to rename. 0 benefit to doing that. Use some damn logic. Why would they roll it into a supposed XV only to receive ridicule for doing so. Considering this all blew up from kotaku and their constant made up crap that they can't seem to verify I'm calling shenanigans!!!

[Jazz4108]

I hope this game does release only on the ps3 and when its crap I am wondering how the n4g faithfull will blame ms for this one? Btw its only a rumor. I could start a rumo that fina fantasy 13vs is now exclusive to the 360. If you guys on ps3 are itching for a great rpg go play Lost Odessey on the 360 or witcher 2 on 360 or pc. What's really sad is a small team like mistwalker can put out a huge game in a few years and this vs crap is dragging on and on. Something is wrong. Either Sony announced it to soon or se messed up. Eithr way I smell lawsuits from fans who purchased a ps3 for this game if its cancelled.

[catch]

Final Fantasy XVersus

[DivineAssault]

Versus 13 has been canceled??? NVM its a rumor...

[Hozi]

It's SE way of going Multiplat without pissing off too many fans. We all know they're gonna take that Versus 13 and make it into FF15. I bet they are gonna split it into at least 2 parts just like FF13.

[TheDivine]

Isnt VS13 a rumor to begin with? A rumored cancelation for a vaporware game? AWESOME. Square and Sony need to be bitch slapped for this. They hyped this title up to sell ps3's and many people did for this one game and the ps4 is going to release without ever seeing the game people bought the damn system for. Same thing with Last Guardian, Agent and other titles. Stop annoucing titles before production starts and quit trying to sell systems with games that wont be out for 6-7 years IF ever.

[Killman]

Since 13-2 was just a giant middle finger to FF fans, I wouldn't be surprised if they stuck the other one up as well.

They will not cancel this though, waaaaaaaay too much ambition, despite the lack of information.

[mechlord]

i really really hope FFvsXIII gone FFXV. it'll be easier to write at least.

[carlocgc]

i was never really hopeful of versus to be honest XIII XIV SHOULD have been great be weren't i dont see why se would suddenly release a great FF spin off it hasn't happened yet except Tactics to my knowledge. if they release FFXIII-3 they can go to the devil for all i care it kills me to say it being a diehard VII & XI fan (fan being an under statement) nothing good lasts forever especially good developers :) unless you like CoD of course (best CoD was number 3, yea check that one TANKS FTW) FF is dead to me. ill be playing CD projects new RPG instead of FFXV

[GARBAGE LICKER]

I feel like a Japanese news site would receive info that it was cancelled before kotaku, Im not buying this rumor at all

[Ken22]

Yea,that's what i'm thinking how would American news know and not the Japanese News??If it were true i'm pretty sure this would be all over the web on the Japanese news.

You would have to be pretty dumb to cancel this.
http://youtu.be/1LCDWDoncow

[Run_bare]

Makes me so angry if they cancelled this, they could just owned up to the fans and say the truth. Japanese of old has moral and sense of pride and truth, what happen now is pathetic. I think greed has won if this were true.

[cozeh]

Seriously how stupid is the US? Only they are capable of pulling off this kind of garbage. Saddest journalistic standards I've ever seen.

[Frodosmugins]

Even if its true "Square Enix Isn't Capable of Making Good Decisions" is bit of a overstatment!!

Yeah ok for past 5-6 years they was going the wrong route but I think Square is in a transition and Im excited what lies ahead..

For example Square have redone FF14 Online in a way wich willl appeal to more people.. I mean the guy has got his team siting down playing western mmos to get ideas on how to make a good mmorpg...

[tiffac008]

I blame Wada for everything.

[SephirothX21]

This will now be FFXV and will be next gen multiplatform with early 2014 release.

[Ken22]

Hate to break it to you bub but no.
http://n4g.com/news/1008678...

[Agent_hitman]

LOL Some people here predicted or speculated that FFversus13 was renamed to FF15... And allow me to speculate that FF15 is AGNI's Philosophy not versus13..

[Braid]

What cancellation are you guys talking about?

There's no official statement yet. And I'm sorry but I'm not going to argue over rumors unless it comes from a highly credible source.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

Square enix I Believe has never canclled a Game and not only that its just a rumor. Im damn ure they know they cant get away with something like that either. Ill w8 for TGS if there is no announcemnet about VersusXIII thats when Ill have lost some faith.

[LoLZoRz]

it's still not even confirmed that is cancelled.

[andron]

Have this been confirmed anywhere, or is it still just a rumour?

I mean this was the last rumour doing the rounds:

http://n4g.com/news/1014829...

And this is the last official news I think:

http://n4g.com/news/992008/...

[stuntman_mike]

Even if they do release FF versus XIII it would have to go multi-plat just to get the money back on the long development time and cost, wouldnt it?

[DarkZane]

Final Fantasy Versus XIII hasn't been cancelled. A reliable source said it would be at TGS anyway.

[Unlimax]

If someone spare a "rumor" about Versus being on Cancellation ... then why the official website is still open .. AND ALIVE !?

http://www.square-enix.co.j...

Many question marks about the fate of the game is currently ؟؟؟

[modesign]

this is why sony doesnt write big fat checks for 3rd party exclusives, dont let a third party do a first party's job.

[KingOptimusOrigin111]

I think this rumor is fake for these reasons.

1.Nomura said he wants fans to have patience for new info:
http://www.novacrystallis.c...

2.This Sept is TGS 2012 & Versus 1 year full development:
http://www.novacrystallis.c...

3.Versus music in THEATRHYTHM in April a month before
Nomura's Game Informer interview:
http://www.novacrystallis.c...

4.SE executive says Versus is getting dated:
http://www.psxextreme.com/p...

[BigDollarZoe954]

Nice Sources Hope To See This Game Loading into my PS3 One day LOL

[KingOptimusOrigin111]

I hate the wait but all will be worth it come TGS 2012.

[-Gespenst-]

People should really wait for something more official before deciding this is fact.

[Avalanche]

the fact that Versus was even in development shows that SE was incapable of making good decisions.

since the enix merger. the company has yet to make a great game. i dunno if its coincidence or what.

last great Square game was FFX. please dont give me the handheld remakes as "Great Games" those dont count at all.

[Kos-Mos]

Cancellation? What cancellation? Horrible headline. No hits.

[Tzuno]

Hahahahah so it's true???, they finally realized that they can make more money releasing multiplatform therefore creating a new game because versus was only for PS3 intended and they need to make a new game that is easy to be ported or at least easily optimized for another platform too. What a kick for PS3 fans.

[KingOptimusOrigin111]

Go back to your cave troll with that last bubble comment of yours. Its not even confirmed cancelled. I'm going to private message you and laugh in your face come TGS 2012 when its finally shown as a PS3 exclusive with a release date.

I might even private message you early if it shows up at Square Enix's own event August 31 - September 2 to laugh in your face. That's if your still even around with that last bubble comment of yours.

[iamlegend9999]

I don't care. I just want to play some more final fantasy games. Don't care if its Final Fantasy XIII-3. Just give me something damn it.

[swishersweets20031]

not surprised.

[Knightofelemia]

The Final Fantasy franchise has nose dived into a ball of fire. Little is known about FFVS13 no one knows if the game is finished how much is left to finish. Hell people know more about Area 51 than they do about this game. SquareEnix uses recycled videos to build the hype on the game. The hype for FFVS13 is dying. They released a sequel to FF13 which I did not even finish both games I could not force myself to play and finish. SquareEnix were great on SNES days all the way up to the PS2 days. SquareEnix should have created the sequel to FF13 after the release of FFVS13 anybody who Youtubes the ending to FF13-2 will realize that SquareEnix leaves the game open to a FF13-3 which I am not going to buy or play. Only game I am waiting for is the HD remake of FFX and I think that might be the last Final Fantasy I will buy. I don't think FFVS13 will be out this console gen on PS3 or 360 it might hit the next gen consoles like PS4 and Xbox 720. I don't think I will buy FFVS13 unless it hits the $20 bargain bin Final Fantasy is a franchise that needs a reboot. The older games were great but the newer games just suck.

[AgnisPhilosophy]

In the meanwhile, I'd appreciate it if you guys would read my exclusive story about what REALLY goes on in the Square Enix offices. Everything in this story is 100% accurate and I found it within internal documents hidden by SE.
http://www.gamefaqs.com/boa...

[Hozi]

There is news from Square Enix Guys! They say the game is not canceled and will be shown at this year's TGS!!!! Woohoooo!!! here is the source.

Sorry for double posting but it didn't show up the first time. Link in comment below.

[Hozi]

The game is not Canceled, Square Replied to Kotaku and said the game will be shown at TGS!!!

http://playstationgang.com/...