Square Enix: Final Fantasy XIII Could Be Delayed Further

In a meeting with Japanese press to discuss their financial forecast, Square Enix Holdings were quizzed about both Dragon Quest IX, and Final Fantasy XIII. Both are obviously huge titles from an investors standpoint, and the answers given weren't exactly endearing.

[Selyah]

Hmm well that bodes well....

[irish-leprecaun]

microsofter

[Fat Bastard]

Square's and Mircrosoft's greed is biting all of us gamers in the ass. Unless you wanna look at the bright side of course. Now we all get more time to comment on n4g while waiting twice as long for Final Fantasy! Thanks Microsoft!

[doG_beLIEfs]

Good job Sqeenix, way to go.

I really, really, really miss Squaresoft.

[gaffyh]

For God's sake, just get the damn game out already. Stupid Square Enix, their biggest cash cow, and they keep delaying it.

[OGharryjoysticks]

It's not Microsoft. Square Enix is the one to blame. If they didn't have the "name" Final Fantasy on the roster, they wouldn't be any better than Koei now because they haven't been in years.

[SpoonyRedMage]

Except this is the JAPANESE RELEASE DATE!!! You know where they're only releasing the PS3 version!!!

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Spoony: Exactly. But what's a little fact when their busy doing the typical MS bash routine.

[Blaze929]

Well you should already know people on this site comment first and read later...or dont read at all.

Its exactly as you say, its the japanese release date where its ps3 only, how can Microsoft or the Xbox 360 be the blame and even besides that, the 360 version has not even started yet and will not do so until the PS3 version is finished.

[Nathan123]

I can't believe this... How much more time do they need? When the game will be out, it will be nearly half a Duke Nukem Life (5-6 years) in development. Being a FF title, I know it's gonna rock, but if the game turns out to be remotely disappointing, then SE will be in big trouble.

If they take half a decade to roll out a game, don't know when they will release FF vs 13.

I used to love these guys until they merged with Enix... And then the things started to change. Seriously, I don't blame them for turning greedy and selling FF13 to M$, but why should the PS3 gamers suffer? They themselves have said that only final touch-ups are left in PS3 version... So just do it already and release the game. Why the hell should we wait for the 360 version?

And people say that fanboys are ill mannered and curse M$... I mean who wouldn't? M$ should do what they do best... Software development. Go Sega way... Leave the hardware to other companies... And stop influencing PS3 game releases...

As far as FF goes... FF13 will rock, but SE has lost my respect.

[Tony P]

Please read the article before going into attack mode. Information is your friend.

[bpac123456789]

I've completely given up the idea of ever playing ff13 and to be honest I don't really care any more. There's so many great games that's coming out for both systems, so If square wants to drag there ass then let em. I'm not waiting anymore, the same goes for gran turismo 5. They've been developing for five years and still havnt announced a release date. If they don't give any update at e3 than F**** them too. As much as I love GT im not waiting for them anymore. There should be a rule that if u announce a game u should have to release it within the year, not 5 years in advance!

[ultimolu]

Not surprised to say the least.
I'm sorry PS3 fans but once again, the N.A version for the PS3 will be gimped.

You have the one and only to thank for that.

[ZuperAmazingCooKie]

maybe microsoft scored a new one, ffxiii on 360 in japan

[FamilyGuy]

It doesn't make sense, they said the game was almost complete just last month and that they were just putting the finishing touches on it.

About 360 development: The title is being worked on at the same time as the PS3 version but its "finishing touches" will be done after the PS3 version. (so yes, we were lied to when told otherwise before)

If there was a complication with the 360 version they might have to go back and change the PS3 version to make them the same and that might cause this delay.
Another possible reason would be including the Japanese voice overs in the american version (after hearing about our general interest in it) but something like that shouldn't have any effect on the japanese release date.
The only other possibility would be a huge bug that they recently found and need to iron out. They wouldn't want to release their flagship title bug ridden as they care more about this game than the other games they've released recently.

[Jecht]

Who is willing to bet money that FF Versus XIII comes out before FFXIII?

[aceitman]

microsoft paid to have it in japan too watch e 3 greedy micrsoft and now all gamers suffer

[TheTwelve]

By the time this game comes out in America, it's going to look sooooo outdated.

12

[pain777pas]

White Knight better be so good cause this is getting ridiculous. What is the holdup I mean the game looks pretty good and already I mean they said that it was just a matter of putting it together and polishing it up. This is incredible and I must say that M$ has screwed this franchise and by the time it comes out it may seem dated.

[CrazedFiend]

@SpoonyRedMage

True, except for that fact that what ever adjustments that have to be made so that it can fit into the Xbox have to be made to the actual game itself, and that is totally independent of and true across all regions.

For example, if a particular effect was in the game and then later found that it couldn't be done on the Xbox due to power, size or whatever reason, then that effect has to be taken out of the source code of the game REGARDLESS of region. So yes, even if FFXIII never sees the light of day in Japan, the Japanese version can STILL be delayed by the development of the Xbox version.

@Blaze

And come on man, are you kidding me? You haven't heard, have you? Square stated a while ago that they're working on the engines of both versions simultaneously now. And they've already said that the Xbox version will not be able to fit the original voices. The game's already being scaled back to fit the Xbox and delayed even more because SE has decided to divide its development resources.

Forgive me for repeating myself, but M$ SHOULD have waited until FFIV, when they've built a box that can fit the game...

[Jaces]

Woops, guess they ran out of DVDs.

[Matpan]

People just love to bash for the sake of it...

go figure.

MS is to blame for a delay in the release date where the game is a PS3 exclusive... yeah, sure.

My puppy died when I was 10 and I was very very sad. Guess who was to blame?

[madjedi]

By the time damn game finally comes out, the next gen will almost be here.

@1.20

You call another poster an idiot, after saying sony and playstation are the worst thing that happened in gaming.

Okay you retard if sony had never gotten into gaming we would still be playing mainly mario, zelda, pokemon type games, sega was almost dead. How about you know your gaming history(ps1 games vs n64 games) before spouting some horseshit like that.

fyi if sony hadn't made the ps1, you probably wouldn't have your precious xbox 360.

Now xbox fanboy if the ps3 has such crappy hardware, why is it ps3 exclusives are getting better and better looking all the time.

Want proof look at uncharted 2's gameplay footage, answer me this then why is it the 360 has to rely on multiplatform games to show its horsepower.

Does microsoft game studios have that little faith in their consoles hardware, they can't produce an exclusive that can go toe to toe visually with ps3 exclusives?

[Statix]

Looks like they're going to break their promise of "We'll finish the PS3 version before STARTING work on the 360 version." Well, if they haven't already.

[skip2mylou]

hey square can u get versus 13 out before we lose our minds!!!??? itd be better than having to wait for 13 to come out in 2013 because of how the team is taking their sweet damn time on it

[AAACE5]

There's no point trying to argue! Everyone is trying to look for something to blame, so they just go to what they hate the most...Microsoft!

Even though, SE reinterated several times over that they are creating the Ps3 version first, before doing anything for the 360 version. They are only making it for Ps3 in japan, so the 360 is not an issue.

So as much as you guys would like the believe this is somehow MS' fault... you can't ignore the facts.

This is N4G, and ignorance runs wild, so i'll say something stupid. Ms has screwed us all, FFXIII won't come out until 2015! WWIII will start because the world will be tired of waiting for FFXIII, and everyone will attack japan and america thinking they are in some conspiracy to keep FF games away from Ps3 gamers. MS will pay SE to never release FFXIII versus, because they are scared that it will make the 360 go the way of the Dreamcast.

That was kind of fun! I can see why people like being fanboys! You can say the most off the wall sh*t, and no one cares... hahaha!

[You Already Know]

the thing is.....there's only one difference between the game that Japan and the rest of the world gets....and that's voice dubbing...

it's not like Japan is getting a different version of the game..

so if they have to work a way around fitting the game onto enough DVD9's as well as on the 360 console while still keeping the game the way they want it...that would affect the Japanese version as well...

edit: also...whether or not they have started the 360 version or not is neither here nor there because you will never know...

why would they let you think that the 360 deal would slow the development of this game? They would rather make it seem as if they haven't even started porting it yet.....rather than working on a version that would work on both consoles?...nah never ahaha

[ShawnCollier]

Not surprising. Until we get a clear date, it's going to keep shifting.

[Marojado]

Agreed. Look at FFXII. Started production in 2001. It finally hit stores in Japan in 2006, and Hit Europe in 2007. That's a hell of a long development cycle.

[Kyll]

I'm surprised they actually laughed, they're usually so tight lipped about that sort of thing o_O.

[- Ghost of Sparta -]

Thank you Microsoft. This could possibly mean that they're making further downgrades to the game as we speak. Square-Enix are dead to me.

[Spike47]

if you know what I mean.

[Darrius Cole]

Of course they are.

[Jecht]

You guys do understand don't you that just because this is the japanese release date, doesn't mean that it's NOT because of the 360 version right? The japanese version will not be optimized for the PS3, it will be the same as every other version, just released earlier. So, it's entirely likely that the 360 version is still the cause.

[raztad]

Not quite sure why, you guys, are blaming MS. It seems SE is having troubles getting the game out, quite to be expected from them IMO. And btw, SE is the one suffering massive losses if they cant release the game before calendar year end. Well nvm at least, ps3 owners, got WKC to play this Winter.

[Matpan]

@Jetch...

what does that has to do with this delay? The fact they decided to go multiplat is a square enix decission, which MS encouraged and Sony did nothing to prevent... guess who is there to blame?... the THREE companies.

You see, Square, for wanting to make more revenue. MS for dishing out the cash. Sony for leting one of their flagship titles escape from under their sleeves (yes, they could have encouraged square economically or with any other deal to prevent this to happen if they cared SO much for their franchise and customers).

This is a business, so you might see it as an ill fated move for you, but a wider audience is going to enjoy this game. It got a little delayed, big deal! it´s not like any other titles (including sony´s first and second party studio titles don´t get any delays and take ages to release... right? GT5... KZ2... any?) So why b1tch about another title getting released later...

And even then, this release is affecting the only place where the title is a PS3 exclusive, which surely has less to do with MS and the 360...

As for the "optimization" you are not getting. What makes you think the game was vamped to become multiplat. It might have been as well designed as a multiplat in mind from the go (even if they took their time to announce it would be that way). Or where you delissional enoguh to believe a 2005 E3 trailer with dubious CG(/or any previous footage that might have been release prior to the multiplat announcement for what that matters)*...

*for the record, I don´t recall any, but maybe there was(I was just trying to make a point, anyways)...

So as far as you are concerned, you cannot assure 100% that this is MS evil deed... if any, the 3 are to "blame".

Face it and get the game when it releases.

[I did not murder him]

@4.3 they don't wan't to read they wan't to say what they say.

[AAACE5]

That's right man, they are probably downgrading it down to FFVIII quality. Or even worse FFIII quality.

Thanks alot MS;(

[You Already Know]

jecht gets bubbles for that one....finally someone makes some sense...

[You Already Know]

so you're saying that Sony should have paid Square to NOT put the game out on the 360?...

why would they be stupid enough to get manipulated like that?....

[kevnb]

not that sony should have, but that would have been the only way ffxiii would have been exclusive to playstation... it just doesnt make business sense for ffxiii to be exclusive to 360 or ps3.

[Matpan]

@You Already Know

Be it money or any other kind of arrangement... sitting and watching it just happen, specially for a flagship title like FF just doesn´t seem like the best thing to do.

It has nothing to do with manipulation, you either decide to protect something you consider "yours" or not. Sony clearly did not care, be it for business practice ethics, financial difficulties in the entertainment dept... Or maybe they did care, but square would only want to go multiplat for the cash, no matter what had sony to offer.

MS just did what they felt right for their console, get another title, and an important one, for what it matters. and now PS3 owners complain for a delay, when there was clearly no confirmed release date at all. I just find all this as a crybaby attitude. You sure had delays for no other reason than the game getting a LOT of time to develop in the past... How do you know this is not the case?

[Haruhi Suzumiya]

How could it be delay when there was no released date for it yet!?!?!?!?!

[mephman]

Well, at the end of the demo it said "Coming Winter 2009", so most people believed that was the prospective release period.

[JustinSaneV2]

How can something be delayed when there hasn't been a solid release date to begin with?

Edit:
Haruhi Suzumiya, I see we share the same train of thought.

[Kyll]

They're Square Enix, they're messed like that xD.

[Kain81]

The date was announced via DEMO

[JustinSaneV2]

Well it's a good thing you aren't Japanese and don't have to worry about it right?

[Kain81]

what is your Prob.

[Matpan]

@Kain

and how many times a vague release margin like: fall / winter / spring of X year is a Solid confirmed release date?...

[Myst]

*Kicks over a trash can*

Well at least their are some other JRPGs to look at until this one comes out I suppose. With another positive being that their are also a whole slew of games coming out just as well.

[Sarcasm]

Dude... Why'd you kick my trash can...

Took me forever to get the garbage in there...

:(

[Godmars290]

Not coming out there, so it has no effect.

Unless they are compromising the PS3 version.

[CrazedFiend]

Think a little harder about that last statement...

[SpoonyRedMage]

Well that sucks. It's the Japanese date as well!(which also means it's got little to do with the 360 version). Perhaps we'll be able to get a worldwide release though?

Although I've got to say it's not very informative, who were they talking to, Wada?

Ah well, I can wait for FFXIII to be honest. I've got plenty of other SE games to be playing!

I'm starting to believe the people that said it will be a Xbox 720 launch title though! XD

[Bebedora]

If it's multi-architecture to consider, I think it can be XBox related as well. What do we know?

[Omega4]

I do wonder if it would of released faster if they started on the 360 version first, since they've been developing the PS3 version for over 5 years now and by the sounds of it they will be done with the 360 version in about 2 years if it releases in 2010 (of course it is a port though)

If only SE didnt find the PS3 so challenging

[Avenged Sevenfold]

Porting from PS3->360 > porting from 360-->PS3. Your comment was just a fanboy rant, give it a break.

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

Nice try Omega. Developing the game for 5 years now? AHAHAHAHA only an xbox fanboy can come up with such an exaggerated number.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

"Porting from PS3->360 > porting from 360-->PS3."

Yeah right, the most recent example being Terminator Salvation and it runs like complete ass on the 360. Sorry not going to buy that and you call him out as a fanboy.

[rhood022]

Considering it took them 5 years between Final Fantasy X (2001) and XII (2006) on the same console (and even 2 years between X and X-2, which used a lot of the same assets as X), I would expect a similar time frame for the leap to the PS3.

[LittleBigSackBoy]

Didn't SE say the 360 was easy to develop for? and then they released The last remnant and Star Ocean in those states...

[PotNoodle]

GiantEnemyCrab, well terminator is a rare example. There have been quite a few games using the PS3 as a lead platform that have been great on both the PS3 and 360 with hardly any differences.

[Kain81]

I hope the Fanbase let them Down.

They abandoned there Fanbase, we should abandon them, they deserved it.
This is my Opinion as a so called GAMER

[Lucreto]

@Kain81

I was the same my first game was FF VIII and it was always my favourite developer. I carried the flag for them and battled against their critics.

Now they abandoned me and I will certainly question buying a game from them again.

[PooEgg]

Although you say that we all know that the reason everyone is so upset is because they want to play the game, and come release day everyone is going to be lined up to get this game, so I would say their fanbase is doing just fine... a little angry, and a bit threatening, but they are not going anywhere from what I can see. They can start to worry when people stop being upset. : )

[Sarcasm]

One fanbase one! Two Fanbase two! ThreeeEeEE fanbase three! I count, Threeeeee fanbase! Ah hah hah hah...

[Avenged Sevenfold]

The hype has GREATLY decreased for this game. I honestly couldn't care less if FFXIII or vXIII ever come out. SE has to keep gamers informed frequently about the game, release new footage, and try to build up more hype. Face it, a lot of people probably aren't expecting much. These constant delays for these two games is really killing SE.

[MattG]

ARE YOU FU**ING KIDDING ME?!

Also the article is flawed. Where do they get the April 2010 release date for Japan?

[mephman]

Fiscal year ends March 31st 2010. They said it might not come out before then.