@Veltis: Pride doesn't pay the bills, man. And where was their pride when they went from Nintendo to Sony back in the 90s?

neojames82

@EnigmaNemesis: Thats the big problem i see with MS. if they would stop throwing money around for things like the $50 million gta dlc then they could hire some developers and actually start having decent first party software. IMO Sony has one the best group of first party developers available, something that i think MS needs to take into consideration

smuckers is good

@FP_slomo788: Yes Sony is doing the best job at first party. Better than Nintendo (because Nintendo stopped doing anything relevant). But where's the addition of third party exclusives? I mean, great first party stuff aside, MGS4 and FF13 were the heaviest hitters the PS3 so far had on the table, and they are third party.

Candlejack

@Foreign-Contaminant: You would prefer to play a port of a blu-ray title on your 360 (with multiple DVDs) when you own both systems?

I own both systems also, but I certainly won't gimp myself because of brand loyalty.

sascha23

I am only disappointed because now we'll have to wait EVEN LONGER for FFXIII -_- freaking production time just increased a bit...

Viciouschan

@smuckers is good: Award of 10 internetz of course.

Candlejack

@BPMΞ: while on the one hand lack of exclusivity is nice because it lets all (or most) gamers enjoy said non-exclusive games, i see exclusivity as a pretty positive thing. exclusive games are generally of higher quality, as the developer is able to play to the strengths of a particular system rather than try to fit said product into the lowest common denominators of both systems. and all things remaining equal, development would go somewhat faster, since you don't have to split development resources between two teams. the end of exclusivity is definitely good for the companies making games, but is of at best questionable value to the consumer.

adaorardor

@Candlejack: Sony are not moros for that CJ. They just have another plan than MS. MS Game Studios' games are not as good and original as Sony published games, that's a fact. So they buy out PS2 sequels as exclusives. Meanwhile Sony is doing their thing, which is producing games. MS'E3 was exciting and really great, but it was only third party games except for Gears and Fable 2. Sony's was almost only first-party. Honestly I don't care about FF going multiplat since I also have a 360 but even if I didn't it's not like the game is not available on PS3. Sony didn't do anything wrong, they are just not playing MS's monopoly game. Their studios are still pumping quality games and honestly that's all that matters. And I said it before, I'll say it again: Valkyria Chronicles, if marketed properly, could very well be a nice answer to Infinite Undiscovery this fall for the PS3.

FP_slomo788

I feel bad that I forgot all the RPGs (Again, fresh in my mind) Valkeria Chronicles, White Knight Story, and Disgaea 3.

kingofrain

@Arsenicberyllium: True, but I think its more than SE wanted to make more money and being on a console that doesn't have as big of a market share as the 360 would have not made them enough money. Believe me, if Sony wanted to keep them exclusive on the PS3, they would have put enough dough. The reaction of FFXIII going to the 360 as well shows how big Sony screwed themselves.

And yes, Final Fantasy sells in Japan for sure, but its a global economy now and Final Fantasy is big all over the world, so Japanese sales of FFXIII will pale in comparison to the US and European sales.

neojames82

Sony is doing such a strong job maintaining their in-house games that I can't complain one bit. As long as a couple of exclusives from third-parties show up, I'm fine.

I do have both the PS3 and 360 for this reason. :)

sascha23

@EnigmaNemesis:

Meant to say I disagree and agree. Since it is a two part equation.

I dont want money hat exclusives, it surely isnt healthy ... I want first party and second party helped exclusives ... usually there is more originality and better understanding of system tech that way.

EnigmaNemesis

@BluFire: Yea, thanks, you clearly have not played MGS4.

Regarding the other bit, I never mentioned MS paying Squeenix or something like that. I don't think they did. Fact of the matter is that MGS4 did well enough to warrant being a PS3 exclusive with that "small audience" as you put it. And in 2011 when FF13 would have come out, the PS3 certainly would not have an audience that small, now would it. That's hypocrisy if you ask me.

Candlejack

Who cares I'll still be getting it for my xbox 360 easily over my ps3

Foreign-Contaminant

I was shocked at first, but I can see SE's reasoning, as can anyone who has been paying attention Sony's other major former exclusive, GTA.

That game went multi-platform, and the game saw record sales right out of the gate. A great deal of Playstation loyalists snapped it up, but so did a ton of Xbox 360 owners. Whether Sony fans want to admit it or not, they have a larger fanbase.

In recent weeks and months, SE has been dropping hints on this, stating that it wanted to expand it's presence in the North America. The new JRPGS were doing well on the 360, but weren't seeing anywhere near the sales that the Final Fantasy series enjoys. It makes sense to think that once Final Fantasy does hit the 360, they can rehype some of these previously released titles and make some more sales on them.

I have no doubt that Final Fantasy will sell will on the PS3. I also concede that it will sell much better on the PS3 and the Xbox 360 together. A company that releases as many FF tie-ins and remakes as it does is going to worry about unit sales first, and console-loyalty second.

TitillatedOcelot

@Candlejack: I wasn't going to call you anything friend, but whats the award? If its stuff i'll say whatever you want...

smuckers is good

I'm not sure if this was true, but years ago I remember reading an EGM rumour that said Sony had exclusivity rights up to a certain Final Fantasy...I wonder if that was 13?

Xideo

@robinandtami: Dude, I can't truly believe that you actually play games if nothing in the following list excites you...GoW3, Resistance2, Killzone2, LBP, R&C:QfB, PixelJunk Eden, FlOwer, and who could forget FAT PRINCESS?!! Those are just the games that are fresh in my mind, but it's still a great list.

kingofrain

@Ashurahori:

I disagree, all this does is force MSFT and Sony to get more involved and basically be publishers for certain developers.

Like MSFT is with Epic for the Gears series, and so forth.

Not to mention will also have them focus a lot on their first party, which I think Sony has a significant advantage for amount of quality.

And lets hope MSFT doesnt keep up with the trend of tossing money hats, since that is surely not healthy for the industry.

EnigmaNemesis

@Candlejack: Konami kept MGS4 on the PS3, but who's to say that was a smart decision? They probably could have made loads of money if they had brought it to the 360. And who's to say MGS4 won't be for the 360?
Some of you think that MS paid Square Enix off to bring FFXIII to their system, but anyone paying attention to the Square Enix press conference noticed that they were bringing FFXIII to the 360 because it increases the size of their audience. Like Tretton said, Square Enix kind of had to, because they're spending so much money on a game that will only be availabe to a small audience of PS3 owners. If you add the 360's install base, though, you can sell a lot more games. Yes, it's about money, but not from MS, the money's coming from those of us getting it on 360.

BluFire

@FP_slomo788: I'm not a dude, dude. And this is a comment board on a blog. Have you ever seen "shut up" work in a setting such as this? Honestly that was a complete waste of bandwidth, as is this response that I unfortunately feel compelled to submit.

robinandtami

@DigitalHero: Pretty much hit the nail on the head there my friend.

neojames82

Meh. The game wont be out this decade anyway. By the time it comes out M$ will have moved on the their next system and the game will have no pub. E3 2008 will be long forgotten.

immikeulate

@Arsenicberyllium: Oh please. Sony is getting third party exclusives peeled away this year just as last year. It's only happening more slowly. If you can't see that you must be blind.

@Noks415: Irrelevant. If they cannot keep FF13, I wonder why they can keep MGS4. Besides, not being able to keep the marquee third party games of a console is pathetic. I can excuse RE5 and all of that stuff easily. But letting FF go should have been prevented with every means possible. Whoever was in charge there is a moron. Period.

@BPMΞ: I never said I cared. I call it as I see it. Sony are morons for letting this exclusive go whether it's their fault or not. The sole fact that the game is going multi proves that Sony have been doing things wrong for a quite long period of time and that has nothing to do with Sony being good right now. The underwhelming stuff they delivered in the past has led to this.

BTW; first one to call me a Sony hater or MS fanboy wins an award.

Candlejack

Aside from going into a costly bidding war with Microsoft for the exclusivity of Final Fantasy XIII and the rest of its series, I like to think Sony did as much as they could to keep the title exclusive to PS3. I for one, would rather have them spend the money that would have gone into FF into funding new IPs and focusing on their 1st party studios, where titles are guaranteed to be exclusive without paying through the roof for rights. 3rd party studios want to maximize profits and multiplatforms are the way to go, unless a company really wants to throw a lot of money their way.

flashtut

@Ashurahori: Exactly, thats the only way to continue quality.

Continue fanboyism, MAKE people decide which console to spend their christmas money on, MAKE people think about what they want so they can long for other games or features or feel the regret.

because as soon as you take that away... well you're game has now become Madden

Zaos

@Veltis: As they say bullshit walks and money talks. You try feeding your family on pride alone, i hear its tough.

smuckers is good

Squeenix is so weird about their exclusives. It's ridiculous to keep track what game they're making goes where.
It's like there's one exclusive for each system out there...then a crazy mismatch of multiplatform releases.
Everything just seems so random...

dalvatron

@robinandtami: "I wish. I'd really LIKE for Sony to come up with something that would tempt me to use my PS3 as something other than a blu-ray player."

Dude, shut up.

FP_slomo788

@themissing: Exactly, The joys of capitalism in motion! WHOO HOO!

smuckers is good

This story just show me that everyone is a prostitute on this planet, give them money and they will do whatever you want. Its just sad because I thought japanese had more pride than us.

Veltis

@fresky,Candlejack, & Ashurahori:
Why should we, the gamers, care whether or not a game's exclusive? It isn't like PS3 isn't getting the game at all. And if you have both 360 and PS3, then great, you can pick which version you'd prefer. Lack of exclusivity is a good thing, so you don't miss as much when you buy one console instead of the other.
The only thing exclusives are good for are giving company execs something to boast about and giving fanboys something to stroke their e-penis over.

@DigitalHero:
"Thats what happens when you release consoles at $499 and $599."
Corrected. :P
Even if PS3 had an amazing launch library, it wouldn't have helped move massive amounts of systems until the price dropped.

BPMΞ

@kingofrain: "That was the only thing Microsoft had going for it this E3. To tell you the truth, E3 has been kind of dull all around, though I truely feel Sony had the most to show off."

I wish. I'd really LIKE for Sony to come up with something that would tempt me to use my PS3 as something other than a blu-ray player.

MS, on the other hand got me excited about all of the things that are coming up for my 360's. Eight party voice chat. Netflix streaming, and in a party with up to eight friends to top that off. A new faster UI. The ability to install entire games to the hhd to save wear and tear on the optical drive. And yet another showing that they are willing to do whatever it takes to secure good games.

All Sony had was a movie DL service like MS has had for years now, and a request that we please be more patient with Home.

robinandtami

Meh. I think overall it was bound to happen given the PS3's install base at this time. Maybe M$'s year head start payed off more than we think. First party titles will more than likely be the only exclusives this generation, give or take some third party games.

R3load

@Candlejack: CJ we talked about that. It had nothing to do with market share or "the state of the PS3." The PS3 is catching up with the 360 despite a year lead. And 360 is almost inexistant in Japan. If it were only a matter of market share Infinite Undiscovery would not be a 360 exclusive and Last Remnant and SO4 would not be timed exclusives. And SE would not keep the PS3 version on hold while it's ready just to port it on 360. It's about money, plain and simple. MS bought SE out, and that's all there is to it. MGS4 is PS3 exclusive and is doing quite well imo.

On the other hand, I'm glad 360 users will be able to get what is supposed to be a great game on their system.

FP_slomo788

@Ashurahori: It's good news. The less artificial paid for exclusives, the better it is for consumer choice. You get to choose which console/version you want, rather have that choice left for whichever platform holder has the most money.

hahnchen

who gives a fuck. if the game's rad enough i'm happy that everyone will get to play it. money makes the world go round kids.

themissing

@neojames82: The full article (not linked here) has the rest of that quote where he more or less says "...which isnt a big deal anyways"

Deus_EpS

That's what happens when you build a blu-ray player that plays games, and not a game system that plays blu-ray movies. :P

Kayeliminal Antithesis

@Candlejack: If they could have done better they would have. I doubt Sony had the ability to keep FFXIII exclusive and decided not to. moron.

Noks415

@Candlejack: @neojames82: Wow. What the hell is up with the harsh words?

Without knowing more about the logistics behind it, how do you know that it was a poor decision to lose exclusivity in Europe and America? For all you know, Squeenix wanted a billion dollars to remain exclusive, and it wasn't worth it to them.

And as for FFXIII being a Ps3 Japan Exclusive? Well, that is a big deal, considering that's where they're going to be trying to convince people to get the 360, and where Final Fantasy games actually sell.

Arsenicberyllium

It's nature. You release in the way that will make the most money.

DimensionWarped

I kinda feel bad. Now that the PS3 is slowly getting its legs and coming out with better games. It needs more exclusives because just about any multi platform game I get goes to the 360.

rabidkeebler

@DigitalHero: Yea true.
However, I believe, there are some franchises they everything in your power to make sure the competition don't get thier hands on them. That my friend is the "Final Fantasy" series.

Jun581 won't give you tree fiddy!!

And thus did Tretton see
his gathering dispersing like bees
dissapointed, not surprised
that he has lost a great prize.

MOP88

Thats what happens when you release consoles at $499 and $599 without decent titles. It's sad to them lose the exclusive, but you mess up and Microsoft will get you.

DigitalHero

@kingofrain: 100% agree, amigo, a pretty weak E3 this year over all.

neojames82

This is bad news.

Lack exclusives means it's gonna be tougher for Sony to compete. We need all 3 consoles in tip-top shape battling each other with RAGE if we're gonna get them to produce quality games.

Ashurahori

"It's going to be harder and harder to hold on to franchises," he said, adding that Final Fantasy XIII will remain a Playstation exclusive in Japan."

Yeah, way to grasp for straws there, Tretton. Sadly, Japan is not the center of the gaming world, its really well, the world now.

neojames82

That was the only thing Microsoft had going for it this E3. To tell you the truth, E3 has been kind of dull all around, though I truely feel Sony had the most to show off.

kingofrain

You could have done better and you know it quite well. Konami obviously was quite happy keeping MGS4 on PS3 only. Why let Squeenix go like that? Morons.

Candlejack

I was surprised and disappointed :(

fresky

@Does Not Equal:

It'll get released in Japan, like in 2011 or so. I mean after they release the Japanese version 2009-2010 they have to localize it for the US and EU. They then have to port it to the 360 which won't be done till like 2010-2011. Then they'll have to take that 360 port and re-localize it for Japan.

By the time FFXIII is released no one will care whether it was exclusive or not. There will be more exclusives that will matter for Sony, including God of War III.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@LaneWinree: From what I read on Kotaku. Don't remember them exactly though. But if you can check yourself you'll see that the ratio is not a showcase of the userbase disparity and does not suggest that the 360 has the exclusive DLC. Maybe that will change when said DLC is shown (I know I will sell my PS3 version for the 360 one if the DLC is worth it).

FP_slomo788

I'm going to buy the JP version anyway since web translations start pouring out on launch day.

Unless SE Region Locks it...

Just hope it's better than XI... haha

gpturismo

@kadaj24:

Exactly. It's all about opportunity cost. How much more would Microsoft had to have paid to secure a 360 release in Japan? How many units would that release secure? I can almost guarantee that the number of units moved wouldn't come close to covering the cost of securing the release to begin with.

LaneWinree

@FP_slomo788: Actually, I bought it primarily as a blu-ray player. If you read gadget forums as well as gaming forums, you know that A LOT of people buy the PS3 primarily as a blu-ray player. I was also thinking the ability to play games on it would be a great added bonus. It just hasn't worked out that way. It's not *just* the controller. The differences between PSN and XBL are also huge. XBL is immensely more user friendly for multiplayer games. Then there's the complete lack of any set unified standards for PS3 games. Will it support voice chat? Will it allow me to play custom sound tracks? Will it show me the ID of the person speaking and allow me to mute JUST that person? Is there an option to avoid that person and never be matched in a game with them again? The PS3 is a great piece of hardware, no doubt about it. The software however, just isn't there.

robinandtami

@beem:

A few months after the US release? What?

Last I checked, the game wasn't finished. Furthermore, Square-Enix hasn't even begun localization yet.

LaneWinree

@hahnchen: Yes I live in the real world, and there sellouts are generally considered bitches. I would have nothing against SE for going if it was REALLY about a market share thing. But as a fan who has been lied to since the PS3's launch, yeah I think I have the right to say fuck them.
Regarding Valve, it's not about ressources and all that. It's their overall attitude towards the PS3, like their owners didn't deserve their work. It's elitist and I tend to take offense. Just because they don't have the ressources does not mean they need to shit on them everytime. There's a big difference between "the Wii has not the audience we target" and "PS3 is a waste of everybody's time." The message might be the same in the end, but I'm sure you see the nuance.

FP_slomo788

@LaneWinree:
I completely agree. MS probably paid to secure FFXIII in US/Europe but figured it isn't worth getting in Japan. If it came out in Japan, no one would buy that version, and it wouldn't deter PS3 sales of hardware or software for that matter. I think it's in the best interest of MS and SE to not make FFXIII for 360 in Japan. The cost of localizing it (SE's cost) and securing it (MS cost) would not be worth it saleswise.

kadaj24

I think you guys are all wrong because yall are speaking about securing third party exclusives to win the "console war" You guys have wittled the game industry down to your console making more money than the other console that you hate for no apparent reason. This isnt a business blog this is a games blog. If anything sony should be getting credit for focusing on making games through their first party studios instead of focusing on making business deals. Isnt that why nintendo is succeeding? I think we as a community need to reprioritize before we lose focus on whats important to us as gamers and not what is important to faceless corporations. Sony fans will still get ffxiii and now xbox fans will too, i dont see what the fighting is over.

snakepliskin

@FP_slomo788:

Where are you getting your numbers?

LaneWinree

I still don't get why they're not releasing it there. When it's done, there's no reason not to.

Does Not Equal

The game will be released in Japan, but a few months after it's US release. Remember back when Sega announced that VF5 was getting a 360 port but wouldn't be released in Japan? Yeah.

beem

@neojames82: Yep, and it's Sony's fault that they didn't come with magical software to make her overcome the disgust the controller inspires to her.

@Jeff: Well, I can't look into the future, so I won't really argue. But all I'm saying is, PS3 sold "better" than 360 since their respective launch. 360 was the only next gen console, had a year lead and their blockbusters came out first (Halo 3, GeoW, etc). Meanwhile PS3 was being thrashed everywhere, devs said it was too hard... you know the story. Now PS3 has sold 3/4 of the 360's userbase, despite a higher price point. And the big games are just starting to show up. GTA4 sold extremely well on PS3 compared to 360 considering the userbase discrepancy and the exclusive DLC. All these factors tell me that SE got bought, pure and simple. Take-Two didn't. They went multiplatform. Same for Capcom. But SE is shifting more and more towards 360. Unless Kaz was disrespectful to someone there, I say it's a money thing.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788:Do you live in the real world? "Fuck SE for going exclusive with MS for money"? You know what a business is right? Everything they do is for money, it's how exclusives happen. It's not the developer to blame for climate of paid for exclusivity, it's the platform holders. And what exclusives have Microsoft got anyway, Star Ocean?

Did you say "Fuck SE for going exclusive with Sony for money" too?

Then laying into Valve? Because you know how better to spend Valve's time and resources than Valve themselves. Because you know where Valve's expertise lies. They're a PC developer first and foremost, Steam has wedded them so closely to that platform, it's going to stay that way. The margin they make on their products on Steam, no publishing fees, minimal distribution costs, no platform holder royalties.

Are you going to slag off Epic for not making Wii games? [kotaku.com]

hahnchen

Actually for SE it was a very wise decision and here is why.

Ever since the release of FF7 sales of the series has been on a rapid downward spiral sales wise. The proof is in the pudding so here are the sales starting with FF7 all the way up to FF12:

FF7
Total worldwide Sales: 9.72 Million
Japan: 3.93 M
US: 3.09 M
Other: 2.7 M

It is pretty even across the board on this game even though Japan has sold close to an extra million games in comparison to the US but as you will see next with FF8 there is a massive shift in the difference between the regions.

FF8
Total Worldwide Sales: 7.86 Million
Japan: 3.64 M
US: 2.34 M
Other: 1.88 M

Sales of the series went down almost by 2 million units worldwide! That is a HUGE loss considering that when the title was released there are considerably more consoles in the market at this time and you see more of a dramatic decrease in the US and Other markets than the decrease in the Japanese.

FF9
Total Worldwide Sales: 5.3 Million
Japan: 2.8 M
US: 1.66 M
Other: .84 M

How could this possibly happen when even more consoles on the market than when FF7 and 8 were released but we see a drop of another 2 million in sales? But now things get pretty interesting because now there is a transition to the PS2 with FF10.

FF10
Total Worldwide Sales: 7.95 Million
Japan: 3.02 M
US: 2.74 M
Other: 2.19

Yes there is a considerable increase in comparison to FF9 but still 2 million short of the mark that FF7 has set with less PS1 units on the market than the PS2 at the same time. For the sake of this discussion I will omit FF11 since it is strictly an online RPG.

FFX-2
Total Worldwide Sales: 5.21 Million
Japan: 2.41 M
US: 1.82 M
Other: .98 M

This time the there was a huge loss of OVER 2 million units with this release in comparison to FF10 and while the loss in Japan was considerably less than in the US and other territories the loss is still there which brings me to FF12.

FF12
Total Worldwide Sales: 5.09 Million
Japan: 2.42 M
US: 1.83 M
Other: .84 M

Anyone see anything interesting in these numbers? Considering that the sales of the PS2 at the time of the release were over 100 million consoles how can the sales of FF12 be so... weak? Especially in comparison to the sales of the 3 Final Fantasies on the Playstation 1.

So let's do a quick recap.
FF7: 9.72 Million
FF8: 7.86 Million
FF9: 5.3 Million
FF10: 7.95 Million
FFX-2: 5.21 Million
FF12: 5.09 Million

Now granted we will probably see an increase in sales in comparison to FF12 with FF13 but by how much? Considering that the sales of previous games in the series in Japan have stayed almost in a straight line the sales in the US and other regions has fluctuated greatly. But it is easy too look at the recap and notice that the popularity of the series has been in decline ever since the release of FF8 on the PS1 and if we can see it so can Square Enix. It is also more noticeable when comparing FF12 with FF10 which in my opinion is a considerably better game.

So what do we take out of this? Not a darn thing because we honestly shouldn't care since it is clearly becoming less of a system seller than it was when FF7 was released. But FF13 is STILL coming to the PS3 as well as being exclusive to the PS3 in Japan where they get the most sales for the game anyway.

So to me it looks like from this E3 Sony learned from what happened to Nintendo with the PS1 days that there is no such thing as loyalty with 3rd parties as seen with FF7 and Metal Gear moving to the PS1.

Doesn't really matter anyway, I would rather have Sony invest with its 1st party studios and make killer games like God of War, Shadow of the Colossus, Motorstorm, Uncharted, and Gran Turismo than to pay huge sums of money for series(Final Fantasy) that have been on a downward spiral sales wise ever since the PS1.

Janos2615

@sascha23: good man.

mugenektr

@LaneWinree: Whether it will or won't is not clear and cannot be assumed, as Versus XIII is developed using a totally different set of tools than XIII. It's not Crystal Tools, from what I've heard. The point is that your analysis makes the assumption when that assumption cannot be made.

jsf49

@smuckers is good: Heh, thanks.

@homernoy: To me as well, friend. MGS4 held true to the promise of being the "killerapp" but with FF13 it's been all talk. Didn't they say they were using 4 SPE's for graphics only to achieve near-CGI quality realtime? It should have been a unique experience on PS3 (and I'm saying this not in the fanboy way but in the "OMG THIS GAME IS INCREDIBLE"-way). Sure, it will still shine. But it won't be unique anymore. That takes the wind out of Sony's sails, or sales, big time.

@FP_slomo788: But I think we can agree that multi platform titles never max out a console in the way we want to see it. I mean, take MGS4. If it had been multi platform from the beginning, I am pretty sure it would have looked differently in almost every aspect. And the 360 has those games that max it out as well. Those games that are "killerapps" and truly show what the hardware can do. Well, Sony lost the most meaningful of those, I believe. That's as hard a blow as if Halo 3 went multi. No different.

Candlejack

@Candlejack:
Ah, sorry for my misunderstanding.

You Sony hater.
(Where's my award?)

BPMΞ

@BluFire: Konami kept MGS4 on the PS3, but who's to say that was a smart decision? They probably could have made loads of money if they had brought it to the 360.

Exactly. Took the words out of my mouth. I bet Konami is thinking about how much they actually could make with a 360 release also. 1.3 Million first day you say? Could have been over two million probably and that's nothing to sneeze at, and you have effectively broadened your audience.

R3load

@Jeff: You're assuming they both go out of production at the same time, which won't be the case. The PS3 started later and will end later. The PS3 will surpass the 360 within 6 months from the date the 360 stops production.

jsf49

I don't see how he could be surprised. This is the only logical step. I'm more surprised MGS4 hasn't been announced yet, and I've been expecting all along that KH would move away from PS3. I never did give FF13 much thought, because Square is already going out of their way 2x with IU and LR timed exclusive, but Sony doesn't have the huge audience to justify third party exclusives, and games are getting more expensive to make. It's about potential sales numbers, not brand loyalty, as we've seen with games like Tales of Vesperia, SO4, DMC4, GTA4, etc etc etc. I'm not shocked, I was just pleased. It makes sense.

@FP_slomo788: This is the kind of quality comments Kotaku looks for. "My opinion is the only right one, shut your mouth." Nice.

karasu is my homeboy

@jsf49:

Does anyone really believe FFXIII Versus is going to remain a PS3 exclusive? If this is a successful multi-platform campaign by Square-Enix, there is no doubt in my mind that Versus will become a multi-platform game as well.

LaneWinree

Where is your god now, Jack?

KaneRobot

@MugiMugi:Well, for one it hurts PC games almost every time. Also, if the devs have to stretch resources or farm out projects, something is going to be sub-par (ala Orange Box PS3). I think with the huge differences in each consoles architecture, there is bound to be a superior version most of the time (CoD4 is an exception).

homernoy

that said, I hate FF :P

Jeff

@EnigmaNemesis: "And lets hope MSFT doesnt keep up with the trend of tossing money hats, since that is surely not healthy for the industry. "

It's not healthy only if they do it on a loss. If they can make profits from using such strategies then that's good! Good for the consumers (of Xbox), good for the devs and good for MS. Last I heard MS was in the black.

TheHun

@FP_slomo788:
actually, at the current rate the PS3 it will never catch up to the 360. go to vgchartz - Charts - Hardware by date you will see they have leveled off. unless there is some super massive spike they will remain last place. and now that the 360 is getting the PS3s biggest exclusive FF I don't see that happening.

pretty impressive when you consider most of Japan refuses to buy an "American" console. Just think if they would be more open to buying something not originating from Japan how much more of a lead the 360 would have.

Jeff

@LaneWinree: What you are forgetting in your analysis is that Final Fantasy XIII isn't meant to be played by itself. It's meant to be played with its sister game Final Fantasy Vs XIII, and that's remains PS3 exclusive everywhere right now.

jsf49

@FP_slomo788: So, she doesn't like the controller? o.O

neojames82

Lol at the picture...
Can Trenton look like anymore of a douche than he already is?

udiie

@robinandtami: <3 gow 2

mugenektr

@BPMΞ: Exclusives are more than a flag for a console to wave. Exclusives are designed with one console in mind. Developers work to the strength of that system to squeeze out graphics and content that the respective console can achieve.

With that said.. loosing exclusives is not a big deal for Nintendo and Sony. These companys have solid first party support. I have played more classics built by Sony and Nintendo's in house teams in the last 5 years than Microsoft will hope to build in the next 15. There are some incredible games on the way.

risingphoenix

@EFZero: Yeah, maybe it will be comparable, but even Square Enix knows that the gaming world does not equal Japan anymore. It will sell like hot cakes in Japan, no doubt in that. But they have been losing money in the state as well as Europe so they can't be worried just about Japanese sales anymore, they have to worry about their global sales.

neojames82

Final what? sorry I can't hear anything beyond the awesomeness that was Megaman 9 at E3

Acunia

@LaneWinree:

a big hit*

LaneWinree

As long as they don't jump ship to Microsoft I'm still happy.

breakblossom

@neojames82: I didn't hear *her* complain (rightfully) about a lack of RPGs as much as a lack of games. Like when she goes into a store, all she finds worth buying for PS3 is BDs. Why? Because of the controller. Oh yes.

FP_slomo788

@kingofrain: gow2?

mugenektr

@Flowen:

Even if Final Fantasy was getting a 360 release in Japan simultaneously as the PS3, it wouldn't do a lick of good. The marketbase already is skewed towards the PS3, meaning that a good majority of the people who are going to purchase Final Fantasy XIII would be purchasing the PS3 version instead of the PS3. The only thing a 360 release would do is serve as an insignificant blip in the numbers. There might be a slight increase in 360 sales overall, but nothing significant.

Now, what a PS3/360 simultaneous release does in Europe and North America is much more profound. In these regions (especially North America), the marketbase is skewed towards the 360. Take the hypothetical Japan PS3/360 simultaneous release scenario and reverse it. A majority of the market is going to purchase the game for the 360 because that's what they already have installed at home. There will likely be a slight increase in PS3 sales for a period of a time, but like the hypothetical Japan scenario, it will be insignificant.

This is a big deal to Sony. If the game had remained a PS3 exclusive in the NA/Europe regions, they could expect a serious hardware bump upon the game's release, but now that it's a simultaneous 360/PS3 release, those hardware numbers just took a big

LaneWinree

I wonder what everyone got the part that multiplatform == Shitty games? I see it completly oposit, mutliplatform titles can easier be a biger budget game and be better in terms of better development.

I personaly see no dissadventages except the extra flame and annoyence by fanboys.

MugiMugi

@robinandtami: So wait. You bought the PS3 to not play it because of the controller? Despite the good games? O...kay.

FP_slomo788

@neojames82:
I don't think it'll "pale" in comparison. Japanese sales of FFXII accounted for nearly half of global sales. This franchise is big all over the world, but it's biggest in Japan. If you look at current JPRGs on the 360, the Japanese market accounted for roughly 1/3rd of global sales. Mind you, NA/EU 360 install base is like 30 times their JPN install base.

EFZero

Did you hear that? That was the one Japanese Xbox owner planning to buy FFXIII for his 360.

RealityCheckKH

@Noks415: I think they had.
A few months ago I saw an interview to a sony executive, he said the exclusivity was being negotiated.
Then a week before the jrpg lineup for 360 was announced a Microsoft executive talked about how it was posible to buy FF13 as a 360 exclusive, but that would've been a big risk for Microsoft.
(cant find source, sorry xD)

Anyhow, i think people are overreacting about the hole thing.
It already happened with:
DMC4, GTA4, Guitarhero, RE5 and AssasinsCreed to name a few.
It might even happen with MGS4
Even Bioshock, considered by many to be the best 360 exclusive is going multiplatform.

How is this any different?

papero3

@FP_slomo788: Well no, the PS3 isn't just a glorified BR player and there are some good stuff coming out of it and already out. Guess maybe he's just a hardcore RPG player, in which then I guess he does only use it for a BR player.

neojames82

@fresky: With how the 360 hasbeen doing Japan, does it really surprise you?

KM91

still ps3 exclusive in Japan? Sheeeeesh I thought one of the major purposes of it was to boost 360 sales in Japan.

Crawl to China

@kingofrain: I'll be interested to give LBP a try, as that one does seem to be something unique, and something that you wouldn't find a near clone of on the 360. To be blunt though, a game would have to be STELLAR to get me to play it with that PS controller that hasn't significantly changed in a decade. I've tried playing Resistance, but haven't been able to play it for more than an hour at a sitting. I have small lady hands (size 7 ring finger) but I still find that my hands begin to cramp after a short time. It's just not ergonomic, and it feels like I have to bend my fingers unnaturally to reach the thumbsticks, the buttons, and triggers. Resistance is a pretty good game. It feels like a cross between Halo and Gears of War to me. But there again, the button choices just aren't right. It's feels completely counter intuitive to be using the bumper pad, instead of the trigger for firing. It took me a few levels just to get used to that.

robinandtami

@smuckers is good:

/agree

EnigmaNemesis

@neojames82: He was not talking about sales, but was replying to someone who could only use their PS3 as a BD player (this is hilarious).

FP_slomo788

I don't even think it matters that much, its still exclusive in Japan, you know? Where people buy more FF then they do food?

Flowen

@Candlejack: They are here, just available on the 360 also. PS3 has many other features to make one an owner anyways so frankly, loss of exclusives is not a big deal. It's just a shift of the market. And that's why I say "fuck SE" for going exclusive with MS for money. It's even worse than Valve not touching PS3 for being too complex.

FP_slomo788

@kingofrain: All great games I have to say (I'm a huge Disgaea fan, btw) but that won't help drive PS3 sales up that much. Even though I REALLY want Disgaea 3, I can wait until the PS3 goes down further in price and be fine.

neojames82

I think the FFXIII thing was a wash. Hear me now and believe me later.

Microsoft secured Final Fantasy XIII, but not for Japan. Kind of defeats the purpose, but at least they get a little something to brag about. Plus, they've taken a little wind out of Sony's sails by half-eliminating one of Sony's exclusive titles. On the surface, all the buzz and publicity are enjoyed by Microsoft.

In the meantime, Sony manages to keep exclusivity in Japan where a 360 FFXIII coupled with the other timed-exclusive RPG's could have had some impact. While Sony half-loses an exclusive title, Microsoft had to pay for this one - which is money that Microsoft could have spent securing its own exclusive title instead. In other words, Microsoft can be considered to have lost an exclusive title as well, as they blew the money on this instead. That money, any profits and the stock bump go to Square Enix, a portion of which then ends up in Sony's lap as Sony has an ownership stake in Square Enix.

jsf49

@Candlejack: I agree with you 100% that Sony should have done anything possible to keep FFXIII exclusive. FF and MGS4 were the two games that defined the PS3 before the console was even released (to me anyway) and there is really no excuse for letting one of them go multiplatform.

homernoy

@Arsenicberyllium: "And as for FFXIII being a Ps3 Japan Exclusive? Well, that is a big deal, considering that's where they're going to be trying to convince people to get the 360, and where Final Fantasy games actually sell."

No, it's not a big deal. Securing a simultaneous PS3/360 release in North America and Europe is far more important than getting a 360 release in Japan. This kind of a move deters PS3 sales in those countries.

LaneWinree

@BluFire: want to wager about M$ not paying to get FF XIII on the 360?

And why wasn't MGS4 exclusively on the PS3 a smart decision? Wait till till the NPD data comes out on thursday before even saying that. And that's not counting how much they sold World wide.

Jun581 won't give you tree fiddy!!

@Candlejack: Ill pass then, anyways, you're a good commenter.

smuckers is good

@robinandtami: I didn't want to believe that anything else but a "dude" would stay something as stupid as your first post. You basically wrote a paragraph about one feature that MS improved upon (XBL) and dismissed a bunch of games that Sony announced. We are all sorry that your PS3 finds no use but trust me, it's not Sony's fault. Maybe if you opened your eyes and your mind (and stopped being a fangirl) you'd find something to feed it. I won't write any list of PS3 must-haves for you (there are too many) right now so thank the gentleman that did it (probably wasting their time anyways).

FP_slomo788

@hahnchen: Well then you must see why SE's strategy should be criticized. I'm not just talking FF13 here (not at all in fact). I'm talking SO4, IU and the Last Remnant.

FP_slomo788

@robinandtami:
I agree, MS had a lot going on this E3 and I'm excited for them.
But on subject, PS3 shouldn't be worried, it'll sell in Japan only on the PS3.

We the consumers are the real winners here!

HOORAH!

maniacmayhem

@giovonti: Sony did announce some games. MS showed games already announced. I just apologized to her by the way (didn't know it was the girl then, although it shouldnt make a difference I guess. But her comment... anyways).

@LaneWinree: My reasoning is based on the fact that MS didn't use any more numbers after the first week when *all* they had was 60% of sales. My attitude towards Square is not irrational, it's that of a gamer. And I don't even have any incentive in this "war" anymore. But tell me how you'd feel if you only had a 360 and Gears3 was multiplatform and half of Epic games were at least timed PS3 exclusives. And everything pointed to a buyout. The situation is different since I have both consoles but I think it helps to show my point.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788: Thats true. The Sony bashing does need to cease people.

R3load

@FP_slomo788:I know you're not bashing MS, I'm not even defending them. You're bashing SE now, for selling out to Microsoft, when they've been sell outs all their lives. That's the inconsistency.

I've criticised artificial restrictive paid-for exclusives in every situation possible. It restricts customer choice and leaves it in the hands of platform holders.

hahnchen

@robinandtami: Then what is preventing you from enjoying your PS3 are not games, which is what I got from the comment where I told you to shut up (I apologize for that). But Sony did a lot since launch to make the PS3 a good videogame system, lack of features or no. I highly recommend Uncharted, MGS4 and Warhawk instead of BD next time ;)

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788:

If your reasoning is based on some loose numbers from some gaming journalism web-site, I highly doubt you can claim to have decent reasoning behind it.

You are also being completely and utterly irrational towards Square Enix. They don't have any loyalties to Sony. Their responsibilities lie with the shareholders first and the consumers second. More money provided by a multi-platform release makes the shareholders happy. More choices provided by a multi-platform release makes the consumer happy.

Look at that, Square-Enix has done its job.

LaneWinree

@FP_slomo788: We all already knew those games were coming though. I wish there was more excitement from the sony presentation too. Go easy, you're to one that told the girl to "shut up"

giovonti

@hahnchen: Read me carefully. I'm not bashing MS here. It's a very weird way to do business, but it's their own. And if I only owned a 360 I would be perfectly happy with it. I'm bashing Square for being hypocrites. "Market share made us move from Sony, but we're in bed with MS now." This is bs. If they had said Nintendo, then maybe I would believe them. But you have to see how this is somewhat NOT cool. Sorry if I came off harshly earlier, I'm not even that pissed off. Just E3 fever I guess...

@Jeff: Well that was my personal experience. Maybe it's because I play late at night or something, but people barely ever talk, which can in fact be a real problem in games that require teamwork.

@LaneWinree: Take everything that you read on the internet with a grain of salt. All I'm doing is speculating of course, I just have decent reasoning behind it.

FP_slomo788

@vig0r: See, now that's just silly. Guess what recently happened to Bioshock and Eternal Sonata?

jsf49

@robinandtami: I think you're confusing software with features. It has the software, but the features you're referring to aren't there, or aren't implemented consistently. I feel the same way in which I'm not sure if this game supports this or that, it's frustrating. The online feature support is lackluster, but the online performance is solid.

kadaj24

@FP_slomo788:
Actually SE knows that there is a bigger 360 install base here in North America more so than the PS3. It would be foolish of SE to only release a multi million dollar AAA title on one system here in the US.
The fact that people light up the message boards with just saying MS is throwing money at developers is foolish and shows the ignorance of fanboyism!

maniacmayhem

@FP_slomo788: I agree that people don't really look beyond the surface of these announcements. There's a lot more going behind the scenes. A lot of people don't even know Sony owns about 10% of Square Enix. This was a very deliberately planned move.

jsf49

@FP_slomo788: What it all comes down to is that we both own both consoles and I enjoy my 360 more, and you enjoy your PS3 more and THAT IS OK.

I never ever said that the PS3 didn't have any games coming out for it. I don't know where you picked that up from, but please feel free to go to my personal page to make it easier to find all of my posts.

I merely responded to a fellow who stated that MS didn't have anything to offer this year at E3, because I absolutely disagree with that. When I sent out a message to all of my XBL friends detailing MS's E3 announcements, I got back at least 15 responses that were all on the order of "holy shit, that's AWESOME!"

IMO, BOTH companies had a lot of good games to talk about, so to me that was a wash. But if you want to talk about actual changes that will make overall console use a better experience for the customer, MS definitely had a lot more to talk about. If you disagree, that's perfectly fine and dandy; but don't tell me to "shut up."

robinandtami

@Jeff:

No, that's just speculation at this point. Although I am inclined to believe Microsoft did pay some money to secure a simultaneous release date in NA and Europe. Not that doing that is a bad thing, mind you. It's actually rather smart.

LaneWinree

@snakepliskin:

Well said. All the fighting between the consoles and which one is better is just stupid and childish. It doesn't stop people from being able to play the game. More and more game developers are doing this, making games non exclusive because it's too damn expensive to keep it on one system so they're making a smart business move so they can keep their product going. So people need to get over themselves.

MGSchick

Just buy all 3 consoles.
Stop worrying about these corporations and play the games for any console you like.

MegaWatts

MWAHAHHA

ALL YOUR EXLCUSIVES ARE BELONG TO US

vig0r

@FP_slomo788:

If that's all you have, I'm taking every number you've cited up to this point with a mountain of salt.

LaneWinree

@FP_slomo788:
I have come across many annoying people on both PSN/LIVE, they both have the same amount of idiots.

just because you like the PS3 does not make the user base more "mature"

PSN/350 id Jeffreybt69

Jeff

@R3load: LOL in fact I'm not at all. I don't care about FF13 that much. What bothered me were people coming here and using the article as an excuse to bash Sony (again). "Oh yes they deserve it because they didn't put out games!" Na mean? Especially when some of these people are like "I won't touch a PS3 or a Wii, I chose my side..." and all that.

FP_slomo788

@R3load: Not to mention, should Versus XIII not go to 360, those 360 owners who fall in love with XIII and want to play Versus have to do something unspeakable: they have to buy or convert to PS3.

jsf49

@Jeff: I have proof, it's in the pudding. Now ask me how I have proof... go on... ask me :)

R3load

@FP_slomo788:What difference has any kind of Microsoft deal made to the status of Square Enix being sellouts? If anything, they're being consistent.

And I actually do think it's a market share thing, Square had a pretty poor 2007 and recognised the need for change - [gamespot.com]

hahnchen

@LaneWinree: [www.gamespot.com]

That's all I have. And considering that's all MS has ever pimped, I'm assuming the ratio has not changed much since April (just speculating here though).

FP_slomo788

@Candlejack:

Actually Konami wanted to make it non exclusive. It was Kojima who said that he wanted it to stay on PS3 because he didn't think he'd be able to make the game he wanted unless it was only on the PS3 so Konami still kept it exclusive.

MGSchick

@FP_slomo788: Woah Slomo, your really shaken up about this bro. Im sure incentives have been thrown around to gain FF13 on the 360, in buisiness, however, this is common practice no matter how it is perceived. I also think that Square sees huge sales in the future for a multi-platform Final Fantasy 13. This is what its all about.

R3load

@neojames82: i thought it was a EU world now? seeing as that is growing faster then US and Japan

FP Bleentastic

@Arsenicberyllium: "Without knowing more about the logistics behind it, how do you know that it was a poor decision to lose exclusivity in Europe and America? For all you know, Squeenix wanted a billion dollars to remain exclusive, and it wasn't worth it to them."

It's the Internet, people love to talk out of their ass at an alarming rate. Kind of making it more like verbal diarrhea actually.

@Ashurahori: "Lack exclusives means it's gonna be tougher for Sony to compete."

They have the same or more than there competition, Microsoft, so I fail to see what the big deal is. It's not like they lost the game altogether. Sony has the IP's but the quality of many titles is either questionable or disappointing, so they (have said) plan to spend the millions it would take to get exclusivity on a 3rd party game on strengthening their own brands. You know, ones they have complete control over. And I'll be sure to think of you when I'm playing LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2 on my 360 this fall...

@Candlejack: "Konami obviously was quite happy keeping MGS4 on PS3 only. Why let Squeenix go like that? Morons."

MGS4 staying PS3 exclusive probably had more to do with Hideo Kojima than anything else. Besides, how many DVD's do you think the 360 version would need to handle a 50GB dual layer BD filled to the max? MGS4 is a very rare game because it actually fits all the BD promo crap Sony reps spew.

Replica23

Serious question. does anyone have proof Microsoft paid SE to come to the 360? or is this fanboyism talk

Jeff

@robinandtami: No to all that. But it has its own perks. It's free. That's a major thing that people that went from PS3 to 360 will hang to, like myself. I'm not paying for Live. Period. Guess what, I still play games online almost every day and I enjoy every single one of them. PSN has some unique games online and most of them use headsets. If a guy is being a douche you just tell them to STFU. In fact PSN is more civilized so you might not even have to. Don't believe me? Go play Warhawk or MGO. You bought your PS3 as a BD player. It's not hard to imagine that many people also did. But I don't see them coming here and lamentating about Sony not putting games out. If you bought it as a BD player don't complain about lack of games. Because there are plenty. And get over yourself and look for the bright sides of the *free* PSN instead of expecting another XBL on a PS3. Custom soundtrack is up to the devs now, and I'm sure if you block someone on your list (there is a "players met" option) you won't see them again. But again, I have never had a problem on PSN that was so annoying that I would block the person. PSN is only as bad as you want it to be in your head, especially if you're still playing launch games on your PS3 (even Live was not as amazing at launch).

FP_slomo788

@sereal:

People have written books about a film, what's the difference? Both are fictional mediums with the same elements.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@sereal:

It's amazing that you would write such a lowly and insignificant sentence in hopes of trolling a gaming blog.

LaneWinree

It's amazing people care this much and write huge comments, about a interactive story.

sereal

@Janos2615: Yeah, FF has been losing sales. FFx2 was a disaster to many (I loved it for the record) and 12 was too much of a change from gameplay (I hated it). FF13 has a lot of people excited and I think it would have been a spike up in sales regardless, but this will definitely help.

@hahnchen: Don't waste your time. He's a fanboy if there ever was one. Nothing logical or true you can say will change his opinions, which are facts in his book.

karasu is my homeboy

@FP_slomo788:

I'm going to need you to cite those links, then. From what I remember, that was just speculation and PR spin on Sony's part.

LaneWinree

@LaneWinree: I second your analysis

Aex

Guy sounds like SE broke up with him, and he's trying to deny that it hurts, lol. All joking aside, this is good for anyone who plays games... as long as they keep FFXIII from those dirty Wii owners (kidding of course, though I'm sure it would look ugly on the wii)

hitokirimaru

@hahnchen: I wouldn't go as far as calling any PS3 exclusive from SE a PS3 exclusive from now on. Still a few months ago FF13 was PS3 exclusive.

FP_slomo788

@ LaneWinree

That is what I said. Multi-platform = Broader audience = more money = more games development = everyones happy

otakuman5000

@FP_slomo788: What you said to Jeff is the one great truth of the industry that for w/e reason that i can't even speculate about,apparently though Sony is losing so bad that it needs to mentioned how they need to do more by the media at least once a day.
Despite the fact that at they're current pace when they get to 2 years and bit or however long it is the 360's been on the market they're have a few more systems sold(actually quite a few)

xIvSlowDeath420

@LaneWinree: Lol no hatred, just disappointment, like Tretton said. But for fairly different reasons. FF13 will still be bought and enjoyed as it should by me.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788:I didn't even mention FF13, given that the subject was exclusives. It's just that it seems you've only just started to criticise them for selling out to Microsoft, when they've been whoring themselves out to Sony for the last god knows how many years.

Why is FFVsXIII staying a PS3 exclusive? Why do you think?

hahnchen

@vig0r: LOL <3 this comment

@FP_slomo788: Dood relax you're taking offense to purchasing a console you wanted. No one is calling you an idiot for buying a PS3 - so there is no reason to come running 'your own' defense. Let alone Sony's.

If you step out of your shoes for a second and take a look at the bigger picture it's not about what did happen - it's about what is happening. As a consumer of products I don't care that Sony had a better launch, or that XBL had a rocky start.

It doesn't frickken matter, all that matters is that the consumer receives what they want to purchase ultimately - XBL is a superior service in the eyes of those willing to pay so why bother to bring it down because of how it started (and then going forward to compare how PSN started)? And for those are not willing to pay PSN is the greater of the two.

Did you make the PS3? or PSN? Or the games? No

You are simply a consumer of the product. Don't get all defensive, if you don't get what you want just go buy another console, it's cheap.

i.roboto

@FP_slomo788:

"I was arguing about SE becoming MS's bitch."

I don't know if you can make your irrational hatred towards SE any more obvious than that.

LaneWinree

@jsf49: It has no date for PS3. Haze was supposed to be multiplatform and slowly became PS3-exclusive remember. Well then again, UT3 had no date for 360 until recently, but you get what I mean.

FP_slomo788

@LaneWinree: No no. You didn't read my post carefully. Multiplatform is good. Switching from being exclusive to party A to party B is bad and deceiving. IU is 360-exclusive, SO4 and Last Remnant are at least timed exclusives. Since my first post I was not arguing about FF13, I was arguing about SE becoming MS's bitch. Totally different from say, Take-Two or Capcom.

FP_slomo788

@FP_slomo788: FYI, Star Ocean 4 is not considered a 360 exclusive. Lots of articles floating around about that.

jsf49

@otakuman5000:

You're just as wrong as the fanboys.

Square Enix went multi-platform because it allows them to present their software to a larger audience. This isn't about helping some arbitrary company win the console war, it's about increasing your market size.

LaneWinree

Ok, do you guys even read kotaku or do you just look at the pictures? Square Enix,like other Japanese game companies have seen a decline in sales over the last couple of years. Japan is not the hub of great gaming like it once was.

Capcom, Konami , Square Enix and other companies are looking to the west for ideas and ways to make their companies more profitable. Because, lets face it, these guys need to pay their bills too.

Let's get one thing straight. Square Enix WENT TO MICROSOFT. Just in case none of you read me correctly, SQUARE ENIX WENT TO MICROSOFT. You know why? Because the saw the sales figures for GTAIV and HALO 3 and said "we need to get those kind of numbers. I bet the Stock Holders had a hand in that decision too.

PS3 fanboys: Stop crying foul. Stop with the pissing and moaning. It is a business. What would you say if Square Enix made FFXIII exclusively for PS3 and spent $100+ million and it only sold 2 million copies? Square Enix would lose a LOT OF MONEY. You guys have to understand that multi platform means EVERYONES HAPPY.

otakuman5000