Final Fantasy XIII “Targeting” A 2010 European Release

@Sheky in denial...FFXIV !=MMO: I hate that, I bought some burnout DLC the other day, only to find out I somehow had bought a HK version of the game, and so I couldn't use it >_<

I laugh a little harder every time I see that picture.

Onyx-Ocelot

@Djungelurban: Honestly, just pay the import fee, no reason to wait for this game any longer than you have to.

Rinaldus

Luckily for Aussies and Brits, PS3 Blu-Ray discs aren't region locked, so for a bit more, they can import it.

Rinaldus

@-MasterDex-: *My problem* I need to sleep.

-MasterDex-

@NeoAkira: Maybe I worded it wrong. It's not so much that it bothers me, language evolves and it's going to differ region by region. My rpboelm with it is more that when I'm reading a block of text with american spelling rather than british spelling that I can't help but think "color? Ahhh, colour" It happens in milliseconds but it still takes a bit away from the flow of the game.

-MasterDex-

@Kakuki: What about Norway? We're not part of the EU, and they don't translate games to Norwegian.

Whatever, I'll import it from American States of United anyway.

@Southrncomfortjm: Kinda difficult since that game came on PS2.

Oh!!!! You must mean F F X I I I, right? Why do I keep seeing ppl typing only two Is when saying FFXIII?

@MysteryPersonX: hmmm...english subs i wonder....?

jedbeetle

Europe: Summer 2010/Fall 2010. That's what I'm guessing.

NekuSakuraba

@kumis:

Trophies should be ok. DLC however, is not at least for the PS3. All PS3 DLC are region locked. i.e. US Killzone 2 can't be played with Euro DLC map packs.

@MysteryPersonX: Which makes you wonder if they won't just simultaniously release the english version.

yanipheonu

@-MasterDex-: Wholeheartedly agree! Mistwalker's pretty much the only developer so far having grasped the essence of old school JRPG charm this generation (Blue Dragon was enjoyable and Lost Odyssey just plain dreamy) and although it's a bit of a pity that others don't follow, at least there's still plenty of good times to be had on the PS2 and DS fronts.

@KotakuFreund: In the case of HD this doesn't apply only if you're playing on an SD TV which defeats the purpose of the Xbox360 or PS3. Most HD sets handle PAL/SECAM and NTSC anyway.

masonica

@Kakuki: @Kakuki
Being Irish am aware we're part of Europe but most gamers would be tech savvy and well aware of when games of this profile are out so we'll end up importing or worse (downloading) if the game was released in Ireland and UK in sync with North American release we'd stop importing from outside EU. Then if mainland Europe wanted to import from us then at least it'd be still a European sale.

masonica

If you could easily pirate PS3 games this wouldn't be happening. Film and TV piracy made sure that all the big titles get pretty much simultaneous world wide releases, part of me wishes piracy was a problem for the PS3 so that Sqaure Enix wouldn't be able to pull stuff like this.

ClockOut

@Koztah:

Will it be translated prior to the EU release?

His glove doesn't need a zipper and most certainly doesn't need a belt.

Mearns

This game is going hit against Mass Effect 2.

I'll import a PS3 copy and then buy a 360 copy on the UK release, if I like it. I thought FF12 was dull.

@Outi: Oh and... listen when I tell you, dog. Get that finger out of my face.

Well, umm...
I'm not gonna import the game. I DON'T import games because it will cost me extra money and trouble and I don't wanna do it.
But it's not like I'll DIE if I have to wait until 2011 for this game. I mean, come on... Square-Enix always, ALWAYS delays their games in Europe. That's like the holy rule of the video game industry! "Everything is as it should be as long as Square-Enix releases all their games at least a year late in Europe"
Also, waiting until 2010 or maybe 2011 is nothing to me. I waited 11 years for Breath of Fire III until I got it on PSP because I never had a PSX and by the time I got a PS2 you couldn't find copies of that game anymore. Also, I waited 10 years for Final Fantasy Tactics (got it on PSP too) because the PS game was never even released in Europe.
So yeah. I think I'll manage even if I have to wait until 2015 for FF13.

@-MasterDex-:

I live in America and I don't think the British English bothers me. The only thing that would bother me would be if they switched constantly during a game.

Like saying "colour" in one place and "neighbor" in another. You know?

@noesmano:

You can (for the PS3), and you should.

@EldonTLH: I'd say your best hope is to play (if you haven't already) Mistwalker games.

-MasterDex-

@ThursdayNext: Using both -ize/-ise in words such as localized/localised is accepted in British English, it's American English that shows favour over one form or the other.

The Oxford Dictionary lists Localize as their preferred spelling. [www.askoxford.com]

British English tends to use -ise for words stemming from French whereas -ize is more commonly used for words of Greek origin. Either way, both spellings are accepted in British English

-MasterDex-

@Djungelurban: Yeah, thats what I'm thinking. There's no way I'm waiting any longer for it, just gonna get the NA version.

@Superspecs: The Publisher is free to make his Game Region Protected, just a side note.

KotakuFreund

@Prathik: UK uses PAL Televisions too. And PAL needs some extra tweaking to get it properly working.
Well and individual releases cost more money.
Furthermore the people wouldnt need anymore to import games from US and could avoid Region Protection.

KotakuFreund

@Koztah: I love this! Well done. I would totally lick ya boom boom dahn...or something... :D

ThursdayNext

@Superspecs: Core mechanics considered, four of them (FF6-9) were roughly the same but then the series felt a peculiar need to start experimenting, evolving, or innovating - call it what you will.

Kinda hope Square-Enix would one fine day release an FF game that paid homage to those four games, even if it would mean returning to the "play one, you've played them all" era :)

@Black-Dog-Howls: That's what it looked like in the FF14 trailer, It appeared that maybe their would be airship PVP but that's just speculation on my part.

Tyr4nt

So, it's not "Spring 2010", but just "2010", and it's not a firm commitment, but a "target"? Well, I hope 360-only gamers are prepared to wait until Spring 2011, since Squeenix releases on the 360 have been region-locked so far...
Videogamesplus.ca and axelmusic.com are going to make a killing on the PS3 version.

@-MasterDex-: It's localiSed English. Z's are as American as you can get. Turns out you don't mind non-localised content as much as you thought you did.

ThursdayNext

@Koztah: This, I'll be forced to buy the ps3 version (sigh, poor controller ;_;) on US release. If only the 360 was region free.

@Mister Adequate: Really? I was pretty sure they localized the English into British English. Maybe I'm wrong.

Also, it's not linguistic nationalism, if it was I'd be bitching and moaning about how I can't choose Irish as a language in games. The problem I have with certain spelling differences in American English is that many words like colour have the u there for a reason, without the u, the pronounciation has to be different.

-MasterDex-

Haha, I didn't notice before because I was used to the original... nice photoshopping of his hand thar.

@Mister Adequate: A fair number is but it's always a matter of guessing. Lost Odyssey's Japanese version in English and a nice, roomy case for all four discs? A miracle that ended up being better than what eventually reached both US and Europe. Otomedius G? Fully Japanese but it's just a shooter so impor... Darn it, region locked. Tales of Vesperia? Text heavy but US version exists so impor... Darn it, region locked.

360 can be fairly region free but whenever something personally interesting comes up, the region lock is more often in the way than a blessing :(

@Pult|Ost - Dark Days Are Coming:

+ Watch video

Koztah

@Xucuroz:

Not always. They've only been standard since 7.

Koztah

Well, I plan to import the US PS3 version if a European release date isn't announced as early as I'd like it to be. Of course, being someone who likes to collect achievements I do plan to play the 360 version still when it finally gets here.

James Iwillnotgiveyoumyfullname

@lazy_002:

Well, if you're getting it for PS3, just mail order it. No region locking on PS3.

Koztah

@touchmypenguinagain: If only some publisher dared to release the US version of any noteworthy title throughout Europe and Australia and see exactly what happens.

I'm a Finn myself and the huge delay usually means that I can "enjoy" the game cover or the manual in Finnish (together with half a dozen other languages I can't understand at all) while the game itself is still in English (although I'm often given a chance to play it in German, Spanish, French, or Italian, too).

Once or twice a year, I'm given an option for Finnish subtitles or - heaven forbid - Finnish dub but that's so creepy that I choose English just to feel at home.

Localization takes an insane amount of time and resources but no one dares to question whether it's worth the effort when it comes to the PAL region with its dozens of languages and stuff.

Thankfully, region free consoles pretty much solve that problem. The whole PAL region can wait all eternity for a comfortable, more-or-less localized version to arrive but us Europeans perfectly OK with English are more than happy to import.

Whats gonna take em so long?
They had the voices in English for both trailers shown at E3. So obviously they've started localisation, why can't it be done on all major languages at the same time? It's not like they need to have the game completely finished then they HAVE to do Japanese voices then HAVE to do English, then French/German/Spanish/Polish/Australian...
I'm pretty sure it's not too hard to have several voice actors form around the world start doing voices at the same time. I like Square n Final Fantasy games but it's really annoying that they seem to think voices (In a Damn RPG) don't matter.

@MysteryPersonX: Indeed, I've already pre-order mine :D

@Mister Adequate: all SquareEnix 360 games are region locked :)

gembel

Me thinks PS3 owners are in a better situation, since the PS3 is region free and the 360 version will most likely not be. If there was an Asian 360 version, then it would must likely be region free.

Still, i have to agree with fellow Brits here. It really sucks UK gets lumped with the rest of Europe for release dates. We speak the same damn language, just release the US version here!

Then again, most publishers (Microsoft for example) manage to release their big games such as Halo in both USA and Europe the same day or at least within a month of the US version. Its funny how SquareEnix can't do that, especially since you could argue that FFXIII is going to be big sales wise and very important for SE.

@Superspecs: There are some similar aspects that are in every Final Fantasy but they are different. Different storyline, different world and different art styles. Though someone could argue that characters with girly faces and spikey hair are always present.

@Trumpet: planning on getting a ps3 by the end of the year, this will definetly be imported screw waiting around for a european release, they always take their time when it comes to us

death_to_midgets

@Fadecy: Rival Schools for PSN/XBLA PLZ: Least they didn't call him sunshine. :)

@-MasterDex-: This would be a more meaningful complaint* if they actually bothered changing to British English for releases over here, but I can't remember the last game which did so.

* No it wouldn't. I hate linguistic nationalism, it's two different kinds of spectacular ignorance combined, but it would at least hold water.

@MysteryPersonX: another +1 for importing it

Trumpet

@Superspecs: There really isn't. FF is known for changing the battle system drastically in each game. What he said is like saying 'once you've seen one horror movie you've seen them all'

@2SBs: If thats true, i dont really know what i would do with myself :) Sometimes i hate living in europ :(

lazy_002

@coolguyface: Dont knock the guy, there is truth to that statement. Admit it

Superspecs

@MysteryPersonX: A fair number of 360 games are also region free, though that's not universal. But yeah if I have a PS3 by this point I am going to be importing.

@Fadecy: Rival Schools for PSN/XBLA PLZ: *Que FF style fanfare*

Superspecs

@-MasterDex-: I can understand that because it's something to which you are accustomed.

One thing I find interesting is when an entertainer from one of the British colonies or the UK starts singing, 90% of the time their accent disappears and they sound American. Huh?

@-MasterDex-: What's wrong with color?

Black-Dog-Howls

@kumis: You'll still get the trophies. My PS3 is Japanese and all my games are European, and I've never experienced any problems.

MysteryPersonX

@Archaotic: 12 went through three complete changes because of Square management and Wada. Most of the major features that was supposed to be in XII like tactical airship battles might make it into FFXIV or vXIII from what's been talked about and shown.

Black-Dog-Howls

@coolguyface: Then you've obviously only played one Final Fantasy. Failtroll has failed.

-MasterDex-

@MysteryPersonX: I have never imported a game, so are there any differences? Like if the game has trophies, will I get them? Anything else I should know about?

kumis

@BubbleF**kingBuddy: Who's he then?

MadMinstrel

@masonica: Well, personally, I can't stand some of the American English spellings like color instead of colour and so on so I'm happy waiting impaitently for the European release with localized english. Also, I'm hoping that having to wait that bit longer means we get some sort of consolation prize along with it.

-MasterDex-

@noesmano:
On PS3? Sure.

@Djungelurban: True.

Since you should be buying the PS3 version anyway..... Yes, this shouldn't be a problem at all, assuming that you can import.

-Xehanort

Don't worry, guys. You can still play Final Fantasy XIV. :/

-Xehanort

@masonica:

Last time I checked UK and Ireland are members of the EU and are a part of Europe.
Games have to be released at the same time in Europe because otherwise people would easily import their games from UK and therefore screw the retailer in their own land. Get it?

@Cactuar: Only if the Game is Region Free, speaking for the X360 Version.

KotakuFreund

@coolguyface: 4chan troll methinks.

@Superspecs: You did not dream that, it is true.

I'll be importing anyways so this shouldn't really effect me.

@Pult|Ost - Dark Days Are Coming: Stupider than cloud? lol

@Superspecs: They're region free, yes.

@wheelis: Its not just diehard its usually cheaper as well ...

drizzt_rocks

@Fede17: Yeah, interestingly enough, Final Fantasy XIII is the LAST of the three PS3 FF games to begin production. Versus and 14 both started development last generation as prototype HD titles, while FF13 itself was supposed to be the next PS2 FF game after 12.

12 just took way too damn long to finish.

Who cares? The PS3 is region free...

Djungelurban

*yawns* This image, AGAIN? Sounds like someone needs to head back to Photoshop and come up with something new.

As for a European release, I'd just say import for those who speak the language >.>

@Kman1086:

Well considering in August you can Download FULL 360 games to your harddrive it's only a matter of time until a flood of huge older games is released to DL through the dashboard. I'm gonna have to buy an extra HD eventually it looks like heh.

Ghostwise

@Fede17: It looks like FFXIV is getting a world wide simultaneous release - so it could happen!

@MysteryPersonX: Agreed. The completely region free triplet of PS3/PSP/DS is a real godsend. It's really refreshing not having to worry when (or even if) a game gets released here in Europe.

I HATE THAT GUY ALREADY!

Snow is a stupid name.

@Southrncomfortjm: lets see how big of a hardrive you need for that one :|

Kman1086

I still love that picture. Oddly enough I have nothing but hatred for Square Enix.

Leftnt_Sharpe

Only thing I'm waiting for is another delay, @$%# the game.

ThisCallingMist

@noesmano: yes, you could.

@noesmano: You can.

Morpork

@Mervin Sayseng:
me too. I'm Italian but English is more than fine for me so I won't wait for it :P

@MysteryPersonX:
ditto

@2SBs: lol It wouldn't surprise me :P After all, looks like XIV has been in production for quite a while.. like.. a little after FFXI got started.

Im guessing we PS3 owners could always import a US version? I am right in thinking PS3 games are region free right? I didnt dream that?

Superspecs

Thats slightly retarded. I still dont understand why they cant release the US version in the UK and Australia considering we all speak english and then work on FIGS for the rest of Europe. But i guess it just makes my mind up which console ill be buying it for, region free ps3 ftw.

touchmypenguinagain

@masonica: yeah whats up with that? they all have the same languages.. shoudlnt france, germany, italy etc get their own individual releases?

Prathik

im so happy to be european..... psp go cost loads everything is always out late... :-(

Once you've played one final fantasy, you've played them all.

coolguyface

Europe? 2012.

@BubbleF**kingBuddy: *you as in "you looking at him".

BubbleF**kingBuddy

Snow represents the videogame industry, while you represent Europe.

Deep metaphor, Kotaku. And they say games can't be art.

BubbleF**kingBuddy

Kotaku is surely trying to make me and other european FF fans cry with this post, ignorance is bliss damnit :(

How about a downloadable version of FFXII for Xbox 360?

To be honest...what kotaku style ps3 gamer in europe actually cares about the EU release date? Since I moved here, all of my purchases have been either games from back home, or US games sold at a Mom and Pop for 2/3 the domestic price.

trunkenmath

Hah. That's rich, coming from Square Bigots...I mean "Enix". Yeah, that's right, Enix.

Thomas Henry Ward

This always annoys me as I'm of the opinion that the UK and Ireland should be given the same release date as North America as "localisation" doesn't apply. That said there's nothing stopping people importing the NA version for their PS3 or Xbox360 (if region free, freakin hate region locks too)

masonica

Answer me this unwashed masses of the internet; Could I not, as a member of the UK, simply import it from the US when it arrives there?

@wheelis: i sure will be

mervinsayseng

i guess the diehards will be importing from the US

Thankfully the PS3 is region free. If they don't get this out quickly in Europe, they can expect a LOT of people to import.

MysteryPersonX

If FFXIV is released everywhere else before we get FFXIII, I'm gonna get sooooooooooo mad.

2SBs

@KotakuFreund: ah, yes, I still haven't quite gotten it into my head its on both plattforms. Sorry 'bout that.

If FFXIV comes out in Japan before FFXIII does in Europe...

What would even be the difference between an american and european version? Curvier letters in the menu? Seriously!

As long as there is french in there, I accept the delay