Game Over Man!

GAME OVER!

Hellion86

No. no. no, Toriyama. You should say: "currently there are no plans..." like every other developer before you.

rich8606

@Walker: I said this in another similar news topic last week...

As far as Japan goes, this game will SELL regardless of which console it is on. Meaning that anyone who wants this game will buy a console for it. Whats more, its an RPG, for which Japanese gamers have a fetish (of sorts) and will buy it even if it isnt on their Sony brand console (SEE: Tales of Vesperia).

So going by that logic, i can see exactly why SE said "fuck it" to the 360 version in Japan cuz it will absolutely matter very little and will give no increase in sales to recoup the loss of localizing and publishing the 360 port that will probably not even sell anywhere near as well as the PS3 version. Hell, i can see even MS not giving a fuck in this matter because if its a multi-plat game in Japan, and the question comes down to buying a Western system versus a home-grown, all-Japanese one...

Besides folks, the 360 version is still on the drawing board. You want SE to hold back the PS3 version so the 360 one can be completed, thus holding off on sales even more?

Deus_EpS

I don't get some of the decisions SE makes. Like not releasing a Japanese 360 version of ff13, and the bevy of exclusive and timed exclusive 360 rpgs. I guess I can sort of understand ffvs since Nomura probably has a big say in that.

treereet

@Roc-Thul: How is that guy?

AngelMayLaugh

WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?! Just a few weeks ago, wasn't there news that FFXXX was coming out for the 360?

drunkentyger

@Alex_Mexico:

By no means, Square is not Capcom, but remember:

"If Resident Evil 4 comes to the PS2, I'll cut off my own head" comment?

Roc-Thul

Given the amount of drama that announcing it on the 360 caused for the rest of the world, I'd imagine Squeenix wants to avoid that when such drama promises to be far worse in Japan where there is far fiercer PS3 brand loyalty.

Turambar

Sony kept the game exclusive where they saw it mattered. More then likely it will still be close in NA and EU. GTA kinda proved that. With the demo coming out for PS3 only though it may lean people toward PS3 though.

TheNexusRebound

"It would be nice if the game came out" translates to "yes, it's definitely coming out"? Wha? Really?

Bizarro Logic go away!

Mr.Bates

Proud to be an american! but then again I have a ps3 instead...

NESTeen

Maybe releasing the game for the 360 is a "swallow your pride" business decision, and they do not want to humiliate themselves in doing it too in Japan... or some other japanese moral thing. Maybe it is not about the money, but about principles? Maybe SE do not really want to support the 360 out of pure hate or disregard towards the american machine, but has agreed so far only because MS has droped their pants very low and the extra money MS might be giving them for support does not hurt?

I do not live in Japan, so it is of no consecuense to me if there is a japanese version of FF XIII, as I suspect is the case with most posters here; even so, I would like to see the 360 do good in Japan. If posible, I would like to buy games only for the one platform I own. Having a PS3 would be nice, but I do not want to burn my money.

Ryuji

I honestly don't understand why there won't be a version for Japan...

For starters Square is going to the trouble to put FFXIII on Xbox 360, then they are already localising the PS3 version for Japan anyway and it wouldn't be hard for them to share this for the 360 version.

I doubt the 360 version would outsell the PS3 version in Japan (if thats their reason) but it seems like a complete waste not to release it imo.

Walker

I think it could be apart of the deal that permitted the software to be released on the 360 platform.

Also, I think it would be potentially insulting to the fiercely loyal PlayStation brand fans in Japan.

That's sensible, isn't it?

Gatekeeper Zero

@goldwings: how more clear does a developer needs to spell it out for you?

What you care anyways, you speak english dont you? You wont be missing the game on your 360.

Alex_Mexico

@TheCleaningGuy: Borderline?

ArgentAngel

Well guys remember the rumor saying MS paid Square's fine with Sony for breaching contract for them to release FFXIII on 360. Probably the fine was so big for the Japanese territory that MS thought it wasnt worth the money and investment of paying for Japan when the 360 version wouldnt recoup such high costs.

If this rumor was true it sounds very very logical.

Alex_Mexico

@SpishackCola: It's a shame really, right now every exclusive RPG on the PS3 seems to be borderline hentai. [kotaku.com]
Kind of disappoining.

TheCleaningGuy

I wonder if this is going to be a LittleBigRegion all over again? "Oh! By never we totally meant simultaneous world release! Silly us!"

ArgentAngel

Doin' it for the monies.

I do believe what others are saying, it will most likely be a timed exclusive.

Keanu

@GwennBlackfeather: 100,003 now. Thanks to Tales.

AngelMayLaugh

i swear everyday, MS japan sounds more like a franchise of MS rather than just being MS in japan. its like they have no real connection. But i can say the same with sony right now and video downloading and what not. japan is the only place that is not getting any of the really good stuff out there. japan is getting the shitty end of the stick with no tissue in sight

INDIGOVENOM

@NeVeRMoRe666:
Nomura seems to think so.

Archaotic

@Gray_F0x:
Well, given the history of the Xbox in Japan (especially recent history [Vesperia] and upcoming releases [Undiscovery]) it is really the exclusive JRPGs that net MS any sort of revenue. At least until MS feels that it is widespread enough that the console could pull money in with a simultaneous release of a JRPG in Japan on the 360 and PS3, but they are nowhere near that point yet. Will they reach that point? Maybe, depends on how well they play this gamut of exclusive JRPG titles they have through the end of the year.

SpishackCola

It's probably just because they know releasing it in Japan on 360 would just delay the game even further, so by the time it's finally ready, people will be sick of hearing about it and have moved on to other things.

Archaotic

Oh big deal. We weren't even expecting FFXIII on the 360 so take it for what it is, atleast we still get something. If anything, I would like to hear news of a FFXIII versus release on the 360. Is that asking too much?

NeVeRMoRe666

Wow, that's bad for Japanese 360 owners. All three of them.

Least they have Tales of Vesperia for their RPG fix. But still, that really blows...

GwennBlackfeather

It'll come, even if it is a Timed Exclusive.

goldwings

Worse yet, I'm beginning to think that asking Square Enix if the game is coming out on the Xbox 360 in Japan will be the Is-MGS4-Coming-Out-On-Xbox-360 of this and next year. Ungh

heh, id echo your sentiment, but you gotta admit, gawker cant mind the fact that each of those dozens of threads on said topic go 300+ comments easily.

still, given the success Tales brought, it is a weird decision. i cant say im privy to square's decisions - or how sony mightve worked this out with them - but presumably, there was a fine reason to miss out on those sales...somewhere.

TheIrishNinja

I don't live in Japan. :(

You Are My Friend!

Im lost whats MS marketing technique in japan release a JRPG game only in US and Asia but not in japan where it was made....umm...what, will i know for sure this will raise PS3 sales in japan when its release :-D.

Gray_F0x

@Ryuji: That's not so easy. Stuff on the 360 has to be signed to run. Every byte of it. And it just so happens Microsoft's the only one with the encryption keys.

MadMinstrel

If Microsoft were to be smart (urr?), they'd pay Squeenix some cash to have japanese speech and text on the rest-of-the-world-edition of the game and print it without region restriction.
And then make a advertising campaign in Japan, so that 360 adopters and those who can't afford the PS3 a chance to play the game.

I mean, that wouldn't be breaking the exclusive-deal, right?

thanius

@Ryuji: But, whats the point of releasing the game after everyone who wanted the game already played it on the PS3? I can see this happen for a possible port of MGS4 where people with 360s only will buy the game because they didnt have PS3s and couldnt justify a huge purchase because of it, but IMO FFXIII will sell like hotcakes and anyone who wanted the game will buy a PS3 for it. So, why even bother making a Japanese version? So people can play the same thing over with a different control? Unless MS signs deals for some exclusive DLC, i doubt it.

Deus_EpS

also

@Alex_Mexico: your explanation does make the most sense.

tsukasa1288

SE probably wouldn't make a profit off a JP 360 FF:XIII version. Which is why you'll see MS pay SE to publish it there.

Tyrannical

@I h8 ph15h with a passion: Holy shit! I just won a billion dollar lottery!

The Magnificen7

@I h8 ph15h with a passion: *a billion dollars.

Any way. >_> For a second there I dismissed all the Toriyama's as Akira, then I re-read it. =/ This is a very plausible source for it not coming. People lie and people like money so I guess I'll just wait and see. I'm not affected since it's coming to both in the States >_>. Then again, I don't see why people get so angry or offended when an exclusive hits other consoles. Just think of it as a way to spread a good game to people that would have hated it just for not being on their system. >_> beside MGS4 that is... Stay on the PS3.

I h8 ph15h with a passion

i'm still pissed that i have to wait for the 360 version to be competed before i can enjoy my ps3 version. i don't care if its coming out for the 360, i even own one myself, but why should i have to wait for the damn game to be ported?

tsukasa1288

@Deus_EpS:
There would be no loss in localizing and publishing a 360 port. All they would have to do to make the japanese 360 version is:

1. Take the US 360 version and delete the script + font + videos/voices.
2. Take the script + font + videos/voices from the japanese PS3 version and insert them into the 360 version.
3. Build the DVD images.
4. Burn (AKA "the end").

I do not see how that would take more than two hours work of any person. No programing skills needed or anything =P

As for publishing, the material is there too. All you have to do is add the 360 brand in any piece of advertising and edit the manual to reflect the 360 controller and you are go. You could do that in one day.

Japanese are courious people indeed.

Ryuji

It would be nice if my lottery ticket was worth billion dollars. -_- *waits for the confirmation*

this logic isn't working for me.

I h8 ph15h with a passion

@beem: dude, Dengeki PLaystation arent the ones saying it.

The game's director is.

And Dengeki are quite reputable, FYI.

Deus_EpS

It may happen after the other egions have their versions, but it wont happen before the NA version of the game for the 360 is out.

Deus_EpS

@Alex_Mexico:

Much like how devs of titles such as Enchanted Arms and Eternal Sonata "Clearly" stated that the ports would never see the light of day stateside for the PS3? Or Sega stating that VF5 360 wouldn't be released in Japan? Saw how far those went?

You should know more than anyone else that people in the gaming industry are some of biggest liars on the planet. Take it as a grain of salt. Especially from a magazine entitled Dengeki "PlayStation."

beem

Could be just that the 360 installed base and projected purchases are not enough to make it worth making a Japanese port.

djlowballer

@Roc-Thul: I do remember that but people keep on talking about exclusives like if they were shaken by hand by two friends. Sony HAS an exclusive contract with Square and FFXIII in Japan... end of story.

MS realized due to their system's poor sales it wasnt worth the money they have to fork up to circumvent a contract.
If there was no feews or fines to deal with you could bet that Square would be releasing FFXIII on Xbox in Japan after all they are already doing the port.

Alex_Mexico

@kingmanic:
Summer 2009 Japan
Fall/Winter 2009 Americas at best.

Alex_Mexico

@kingmanic: LOL at FF13 being released this fall in Japan.
Try Fall 2009 in Japan and summer 2010 in the americas. That sounds much more plausible.

Alex_Mexico

@Alex_Mexico: There was a roughly 6 mo localization for XII. So if the jp version is fall 2008 we'd possibly see it summer 2009 or so. 6 mo for a port might be possible. Not 100%. They may have already started to convert the crystal engine a while back to hedge their bets.

kingmanic

@Alex_Mexico: So expect this no sooner than fall 2010

Deus_EpS

@kingmanic:
Unfortunately that's not the case. They are finishing the japanese PS3 version and releasing it. Then and ONLY THEN will they begin lozalizing the PS3 version to english AND starting to work on the 360 port. After they finish both we will get our FF13 fix on both PS3 and 360.

Square has a history of long lozalization process between japan and the americas... now we have to wait for them to finish a port too.

Alex_Mexico

@AngelMayLaugh: Wikipedia source a rumor on gameplayers/IGN about a simultaneous release. SQ / EN hasn't said anything.

kingmanic

@kingmanic: Upon further inspection it's still a giant ? with only a rumor of a US delay to port. Ahh wikipedia. As authoritative as my ass.

kingmanic

@kingmanic: Everywhere except Japan is simultaneous release, I think.

AngelMayLaugh

@kingmanic: Nevermind. I looked it up. God damn it.

kingmanic

Though he never did said it was exclusively exclusive to Japan, so...

+ Watch video

Trowble (XBL/PSN)

@Ryuji:
we all know a simlutaneous release won't happen at this point, especially since they havnt started porting it, and since its not even done for the PS3, and for the reasons i state here:
Deus_EpS

Deus_EpS

@Alex_Mexico: When did they announce a simultaneous release? As far as I knew, they were releasing the PS3 version then porting it over.

kingmanic

@thanius:
They didnt even included the japanese voices in Vesperia 'cause, rumor has it, it wouldn''t fit on the DVD. You want to "needlesly" fill those DVDs with more voice tracks making the game not fit in only, say, 3 DVDs just so 10 hardcore japanese 360 owners could backward import?

This brings me to a question: Is the 360 region locked?

Alex_Mexico

@Muisee: Nah, it's cool, they have PS3s too.

The Magnificen7

@MadMinstrel:
Signing something is not a lengthy process but even if they had to encrypt every byte (something else entirely), the process could not possible take too long. Oh, and I was not talking about a hack, but the work that the developer would have to actually do to make the japanese 360 version possible.

Ryuji

@tsukasa1288:
Im also pissed at MS paying Square for a simultaneous release when the PS3 version would've been ready for months before they finished porting the game to the 360. I really really dont care FFXIII is going to the Xbox, I am buying it anyways for my PS3 but I am indeed displeased about the fact that I have to wait for a port to be done when the game is completed on my platform of choice for this particular game!

Alex_Mexico

I live in Canada, FF13 will be coming out on the 360 in Canada, why do I care? I am sure all three 360 owners in Japan will be frustrated but they will get over it.

Muisee

The only way this makes sense is if either:
- Sony is offering them some sort of kickback in return for the game being a domestic exclusive, or
- they are trying to placate Sony over the game going multi-platform.

Marlor

@Deus_EpS:
I was speaking of simultaneous relese =P

Ryuji

I don't think Japan is a territory Microsoft is every going to crack...

Had they simple bought out the Nintendo name brand after the N64 was crushed by the PS1, they'd be in a much better position right now.

Do the Japanese want an american console?

Do the Japanese like all the shooter exclusives the console is known for?

Do the Japanese care about online play?

I think they should stop trying at this point...

sixonedoesitall

I think what's going on here is the recognition that the 360 in the US is not getting the same audience as the 360 in Japan. 360 and Wii in the US have eaten substantially into PS3's audience, and if Squenix doesn't do this, then sales of FFXIII will drop. I don't think they have to do this in Japan yet; 360 doesn't have that kind of market penetration yet. I would also guess that this is a sort of thing where paying any potential contractual penalty in the US is seen as a cost of doing business, but in Japan it would be taken as a personal affront.

If Squenix didn't release FFXIII on 360 in the US, and assuming the PS3 doesn't suddenly have a firesale, then FFXIII would be in danger of not doing near as well as prior Final Fantasy console games.

auronrenouille

@TheIrishNinja: Tales and success in Japan on the 360? Maybe you didn't see what happened on the next sales for Japan, it disappeared right off the top 10 chart and the Xbox 360 resumed it's shitty sales in Japan. Talk about successful huh?

Samicham85

@sixonedoesitall: well, i thought they're doing spectacular seeing as they've secured about half a dozen JRPGs while the PS3 has...well, what does it have by way of RPGs?

Deus_EpS

@thanius: That would only work if Microsoft was the publisher.

y2julio

@Alex_Mexico: and you know this because you work for Sony or Square Enix, right? You're not just pulling this whole contract thing out of your ass?

y2julio

@auronrenouille: FFXIII would have done well as an exclusive for the PS3 but, it'll sell better now as a multiplatform release because theirs more potential consumers. Whether they will make more money depends on the budget for the game and the coast of making the game multiplatform.

I bet microsoft wishes they had FF on the 360 in japan. The new FF game alone should outsell every rpg that microsoft has or will release on the 360 in japan combined if the games sells how every other FF game has sold which mean at least nearly half of the games sales may come from japan. Thats how well FF games sell in japan they are second only to Drangon quest games and pokemon games when it comes to rpg's in japan.

brandonheat

@auronrenouille:

Admittedly staying in the top 20 in week #2 is a big deal for a 360 title, but Tales only moved 20K extra 360s all said and done. Namco are still kicking themselves for Eternal Sonata, since the PS3 user base will likely just pass it over now given it's a year old title released in the midst of a huge year for the console. This is what the Internet calls fail. I hope they make their money back on ES at least, but Tales for the 360 might be the last straw. That said the Wii and PS3 are getting their own Tales games anyway, so when those numbers are out it's time to axe 360 Japan.

Mongoosekun

Listen to me. I'm just going to repeat what SE said a dozen times.

1. Make FF13 for PS3 in Japan... in Japanese. <-- Important part.

2. Release game in... Japan.

3. Start porting game to 360 and... wait for it... English localization.

Don't ask again or SE will make Lightning's English voice actress make her sound like Tidus. You have been warned.

Mongoosekun

That's nice. Here's the problem: corporations have a horrible track record for lying. Time was when they were saying the same about having an xbox 360 version AT ALL.

Akin

Gtt lv ths jps. :)

xCruciaLx

Why does anyone care?

If you're in Japan and own a 360, you knew what you were getting yourself into. You weren't going to get FFXIII in 2005, and you won't be getting it now.

If you're wanting to import a possible version, you should know it'd only come much later or that it might be region locked for your non-JP 360.

If you just want to see Sony lose an exclusive in this region, that's just fanboyism. No one gains from Microsoft gaining marketshare in Japan except Microsoft. They've wooed Japanese developers successfully enough, they don't need Japan (for games).

losplagos

@Samicham85: Thats because there were no more 360´s in stock. Not because people don´t want it.

JonnyDee

The regional exclusivity keeps MS out of Sony's back yard, and the reason why MS would rather have this in some territories than not at all is the stop former PS2 owning 360 owners from switching back to Sony en-masse when the game hits.

JudgeNutmeg

I hope they make Xbox 360 FFXIII US/Europe region-free. If not, the rest of Asian Xbox 360 owners that are interested in FF and no PS3 have to suffer due to Japan. And btw, who decides on the region lockout? MS or SE?

Weils

Region 2 is Europe and Japan, so won't they just, y'know, import it from Europe?

I'm pretty sure the Japanese language option will still ship on the European discs...

convercide

Most likely to protect the FF XIII as PS3 exclusive clause.

nekoRamen

hooray for the ff in asia!
:)

trebors

People always speculate that Microsoft passed a few bucks to Squenix for FF on the 360 in other markets, but has anyone considered that maybe Sony has stuffed a few pockets of their own (or at least offered a conditional draft pick) to keep it Nippon pure?

People are being extremely adamant about it not being available on the 360 in Japan. There's got to be some reasoning behind it, right? As I see it, there are only two possible explanations: Sony slipped them some cash, or there was some backroom politicking. Either way, the only conclusion that I can draw is that someone's afraid of the impact a 360 version would have.

justhesh

And the same people said it'll definitely be PS3 only a year ago. I'm sure Dengeki is hoping this doesn't get reversed: last year they enjoyed the privelege of running interviews with the Monster Hunter 3 staff a few weeks AFTER the announcement that it was coming to the Wii (i.e. it was too late to be corrected before being shipped).

It's really something though if the dev feels this strongly about not releasing on a platform they're already developing for elsewhere. Unfortunate as it may be, they're businessmen at the same time that they are developers.

muu

they release every other final fantasy on every other platform they can get their hands on, so i doubt pride in the reason. if wonderswan and cell phones can get ff games, don't understand why xbox 360 japan is left out in the cold.

moominsean

It's because work on the 360 version will only start in earnest after the PS3 version launches in JPN. Releasing the 360 version in JPN so much later than the PS3 probably makes no sense commercially.

Badlander

God forbid they release a high-profile RPG on a system that's rapidly becoming the RPG home system of this console generation, and in a country known for high appreciation of RPGs.

Does Not Equal (ダズノット)

@MelvilleAbensen: I dunno. If anything, I'd think the competition would be the cure. If you want to revitalize the market, then trying in vain to push a single company above all others is only going to make it worse. They become complacent, they have no reason to truly innovate, or lower prices (we already know Sony is against lowering prices), and they can push whatever they want on the consumer and the consumer is either forced to take it or ignore it. That's good business for no one involved. The key should be to broaden horizons, not subdue them further. We already know what arbitrary horse backing does; just look at the HD format dud war. It's not good for anyone.

justhesh

"As I see it, there are only two possible explanations: Sony slipped them some cash, or there was some backroom politicking. Either way, the only conclusion that I can draw is that someone's afraid of the impact a 360 version would have."

I don't think so. I believe nobody spend cash for this.
Square needs the international market and the 360 is currently the marketleader in that sector. So they just can't ignore them, if they want to make money. Ne need to bribe anybody.

But a port in japan is financially not relevant if you compare the potential of the sales to the overall picture of producing costs an international sales on both platforms. But why ignore Japan ? Well the homeconsole market is in decline. Even wii software isn't selling great.

So Square needs a more healthy japanese homeconsole market and they hope that FF can revitalize it. Bringing a 360 version would jeopardize this goal, as this console will never have a chance of doing so.

MelvilleAbensen

I don't think that MS or Sony spend cash for this.
Square needs the international sales of the game, so they make a port.

The japanese market is in decline, even wii software doesn't sell so well - it's just handheld games that do sell these days.
So Square wants the PS3 to be a success in japan which it isn't. A 360 port would jeopardize the hopes they have in this title to revitalize the console gaming market.

Potentially 50k sales in Japan for an xbox 360 port is irrelevant compared to sales in NA and OTHER and compared to the producing costs. So this decision makes sense to me.

MelvilleAbensen

Till don't believe em. :P

Frologic

its simple, Squenix had an exclusivity agreement with Sony, when they broke that agreement they had to pay back Sony a lump sum. Enter Micro$oft and their money bucket, however Microsoft will have worked out the return on their investment, and only stumped up the readies where they can guarantee a return on investment, hence Europe and US only. Japan is still too high risk to foot the bill. They need to raise awareness and introduce the idea that FF isn't a sony exclusive anymore. Come FF 14 it will be multi-plat for all regions.

Monkey Majiks

I don't really understand what he's trying to say. Is there, or is there not an XBox 360 version of FFXIII coming out in Japan?
Quit mincing words and spill it!

Chinpokomon

Glad that Square cleared this up. It was kinda ambiguous the first dozen times they said no to a Japanese release.

getbonus

Suck it, Japanese Xbox 360 owners! Yeah, you had high hopes buying Tales of Vesperia, and that other game, Infinite something or nother.. Now the joke's on you! No FFXIII!

Scuba Steve

Um, who cares? If you want the game in Japan, buy a PS3.

JouninGarrett

in japan only ? should in every part of the world :P

SuPerNaKe

I don't care too much so long as I get it and can play it. Sony getting sales is good for Sony and MS getting sales (when RPG fans realise almost all the best RPG are on the 360) will mean they'll go to MS.

Llost

@badasscat: playstation fanboys want MS to die so want sales of there console to increase. MS fanboys want PS3 to die so want sales in Japan so they can have success in more territories. In the end it's just about the games though and since I'll be able to get this game on my 360 I don't mind as much. Sad for the japanese 360 owners who can't have it though.

Llost

Why are we all so obsessed about this question?

badasscat

@Scuba Steve: Yeah but they'll get star ocean 4, Lost oddysey, Tales of vesperia and others. Not saying it's better than PS3 since in Japan they'll get both FF's as exclusive but I'd probably get the 360.

Llost

If it's exclusive to PS3 in Japan, then in my eye's its exclusive here too. And this time there is no $50 million DLC to sway my choice. At least I hope not.

Toker-Tom

:(...

Bitten_Dead

Man Playstation fanbois are really stuck up huh? Why not just shaaare the games? :)?

:)?

Bitten_Dead

@Scuba Steve: That's quite unnecessary.

edhe (xbl)

I do admit, if you are going to release the game on another platform why not release it in all regions.

Quicksilver4648

@Alex_Mexico: is it wrong to see a gamer being compassionate? do we as gamers and internet commenters spend so much time flaming out other gamers and internet commenters on such stupid, petty and fanboy-ish garbage that when something like this happens, we cant say as a unit: "man that's f*cked up?"

hate on the small xbox market in japan all you want. the more people around the world that log on to xbl, the better the competition (i dont know what kind of comp u would get out of ff13 from online people but u know what im talking about).

TheFight

WTF is up with this decision? its coming to US,EU but no JP? JP has a harcore fanbase for all things FF. i have yet to see the logic behind this. i guess this tips the scales in sony's favor in terms of copies sold. think about it. PS3 install base is larger than 360 in Japan, so that is one little caveat to take into consideration.

zanzibarlegend

Sales of the game in both America and Europe on both platforms are likely to exceed the Japanese sales markets.
Compared to that, the PS3 userbase in Japan is small. The 360 userbase in Japan is nothing.
It perfectly makes sense from a business standpoint, I think.

tarukin

@justhesh: That is true in general. But look at last generation, ps2 was dominating and the market was more healthier then now for Squeenix.

I don't believe that a FF can change the current situation, but the ps3 is selling disastrous. Software sales are comparable to 360 software! If you want to sell games for homeconsoles in japan, ps3 must become a success. Of course it would be better if there were 2 or 3 companys with equal marketshare, but that is not the case(leaving out the wii).

I think any japanese gaming company wants to go back to ps1 or ps2 times. Xbox 360 succes won't help to sell games in japan. Squeenix knows this, this is why they concentrate more on international sales, like capcom. But Squeenix RPGs do sell in Japan the most, unlike capcom's games. So Squeenix needs a strong homeconsole base for japan more than any other company. And this is the reason why I think they want to push the ps3, because there j-rpg business model depends on it.

Of course it's just a theory ;)

MelvilleAbensen

I still prefer my JRPGs to have Japanese voiceovers with English subtitles. English voiceovers are TRASH!

dagamer34

@Niallo: To site the newspost.
"Microsoft's comment ("It would be nice if the game came out") was taken to mean that it was actually confirmed for Asia."

Kyolux

@Niallo: I'm not 100% sure, but from what I read in the Famitsu article, there will probably be no release of the Asian version of FFXIII.

tarukin

I'm a 360 owner in Japan. I and my friends often buy Asian versions (the ones for Singapore etc) of 360 games. These are in English, and are 'NTSC-J', the same region as the Japanese console.

So I assume I can just buy an Asian version of FF13 when it comes out.

Or am I missing something?

Niallo

I don't care if they release FFXIII on the 360 worldwide or not. But come on Squenix, follow suit in your ideas and release the Tri-ace titles (mainly Star Ocean 4) on the PS3 for those that don't want to buy a 360. Heck I don't mind waiting for a port a year later, but I want my Star Ocean fix.

Kyolux

The reason the Xbox 360 thing matters so much is simple - for people like me, who play RPGs obsessively, I knew that I could hold off on buying a PS3 until FFXIII came out. I bought the PS1 when FF7 came out. Now, I don't have to buy a PS3. I can assure you that I'm not the only person in America who Sony lost.

auronrenouille

I will re-learn Japanese and play the JPN version of FFXIII just for the fact that it's exclusive there. Not that I'm a Sony fanboy (I play both systems equally) but it's the idea that the game is "limited" in Japan that makes it more special (ie. listening to limited edition CD/Vinyl or drink limited wine, etc).

eternalsunshineofcoralfang

@MelvilleAbensen: I want to agree with you. I REALLY want. But there's this cognitive dissonance that comes up in my head when I think of the fact that Square are releasing two of their JRPGs on the 360, even in Japan exclusively (SO4 and IU).

Kyolux

Crystal tools is PC based. The game, most likely, will start on a PC and be optimized for the PS3. Then the PC base will be optimized for the 360. It's not like they are sacrificing chickens to the game gods for a good bit harvest. This DOES NOT mean that the game will be out for the PC; just that the dev base is a PC instead of a PS3.

This would make much more sense then taking a cross-platform tool and optimizing it for one system. Also, the PC-to-360 process should be faster than PC-to-PS3 thanks to Microsoft's tool-sets.

See Sony... This is what you get for making a system that confuses even Stephen Hawkings.

TheRealLameDuck

Sometimes I think MS pays magazines to make these little mistakes just to confuse the average gamer into buying a 360. Another thing I've noticed is when a multiple platform game is listed on a website it is almost always labeled as a 360 title with little or no mention that there is a PS3 or Wii version.

And why are stories like this even news? I love how we live in a time where rampant, unfounded speculation = truth. Journalists are going to obsess about this, just like MGS4, for the next year.

Leftoverz

I don´t care in which one it is released, i own both consoles.

If you don´t own both, STFU and buy it for the one you have, since it´s being released in America and Europe. Case closed.

Daisuash

They hate answering the question, because the answer they have to give does not make any sense. I am sure Sony is putting a lot of money and pressure on these companies to keep part of FF and all of MGS4 as exclusive to the PlayStation as possible (or at least to keep any ports secret as long as possible). And that information coming out would not be good press for anyone.

They have already seen that with the right games the 360 can sell in Japan (even if it did not the American market is huge). And I am sure that under normal circumstances these games would have already been announced on the 360 worldwide.

Ultraseamus

PS3, Xbox 360 I don't care!!! I just want the game to come out already.

Alucrid

I don't buy it; in the end they'll release Final Fantasy XIII for xbox360 in Japan. They always claim each release of Final Fantasy is the definitive release, yet they always release another International Edition with a couple extras. I'm surprised that no one has pointed out this obvious fact sooner. Well, maybe they are telling the truth… It could be that if it's released in Japan on it'll be called Final Fantasy XIII International for xbox360. Very sly SquareEnix, it's not a lie if it's not the same title. ;)

shades_of_blue

They've seen how Tales of Vesperia pushed 360 units in Japan, it should be obvious to them that if they put it on 360 it would sell really well...but hey, if they want to limit their profits, fine by me.

VengefulRonin

Either way, I envy Japan right now since they will have the game at least 6 months to one year ahead of the Western portion of the globe.

Must practice my Nihongo extra hard til then. ;)

sascha23

Here is a question how many 360 owners in Japan also own a PS3. I would think because of brand loyalty most console owners in Japan would get a PS3 first over a 360 and thusly get a PS3 version of the game over a 360 version. If that is the case whats the point in porting it in Japan?

Granted I realize console sales are down in Japan so there might be a reason a Japanese consumer might have picked up a 360 before a PS3 and would then get a 360 version of the game, but I would really be interested in seeing some numbers. How have games that have had muli-platform releases sold in Japan? Which version sold better? While it is no FF I would really be interested in seeing the numbers for something like Battle Fantasia. If the PS3 version has indeed sold much better, it might explain why Square wouldn't want to bother porting it to the 360 in japan

roguemarvel

Nice going S-E, just turn gamers away (guess they haven't kept with the shortage) =P

kadosho

Perhaps the US division will be doing most of the porting for the 360 and the Japan branch doesn't want to do all that work? Although I'm sure it's because they don't want to push back the Japan release date. You never know after the US version is released... but that's waiting an extra year or two to get the Japanese 360 version.

Puchi

You've got to be joking if you think SE didn't get a great payout for putting it on X360. MS probably didn't have enough to shell out for Japan.
SE are businessmen, true. They know that they could charge a hefty fee by initially refusing MS's demands for a port, instead of going over there and showing interest in the platform.

Jeez, some people.

losplagos

@Trowble (XBL/PSN): Oh my God! WE LANDED ON THE MOON!

(Isn't the Rocky Mountains supposed to be, you know, a little rockier?)

twinturbo2

FFXIII will come out on the PS3 first in Japan. By the time they finish the Xbox 360 version, everyone would have already bought it for PS3, making the Xbox 360 version utterly pointless in Japan. If they do release it in Japan, they would lose money. Having a simultaneous release in the US and EU, for PS3 and Xbox 360 would give them a much bigger chance to make money.

Another thing, Microsoft probably just paid Squeenix for the US and EU version to be made, and didn't want to pay more for the Japanese version to be made because they knew it wouldn't make much money if it was released after the PS3 version.

Akuma147

man, this game is really generating a LOT more hype than it should be. I should re-phrase that: the multi-plat nature of this game is getting a lot more attention than it should be. there are a TON of mediocre japanese-developed games that Microsoft has bought exclusivity for the 360, in spite of the fact that the PS3 is doing far better (sales-wise) in Japan. that means that there is a huge demographic that is being denied the opportunity to buy (and inevitably resell) these games. after seeing this pattern emerge over the past year or so, does it really surprise anyone that Sony may have pre-emptively bought a regional exclusivity for this title? there is no reason to be that upset about this, it's par for the course. and it's really funny because this isn't even going to affect any of you complaining here: it's coming to both platforms simultaneously in North America and Europe.
besides, after the past 5 years of sub-par final fantasy games- i don't see how ANYONE could blindly expect this to be the best game ever. it seems to me the only people who are getting the JRPG genre right these days are the developers over at ATLUS.

sorry for the long post.

laser beams

@justhesh: Wait... are you seriously suggesting that Sony paid SquareEnix bribe money to prevent them from putting a video game on the market in a country that has only a mere 500,000 consoles?

At least the claim about Microsoft paying out the ass to grab North America is actually believable. 10 Million XBox360s is a lot compared to a shameful 500k.

Patient

@edhe (xbl): Was it? I didn't think so. But then again I have all 3 systems and don't live in Japan.

//The post, it was made in Jest.

//Seems someone got a rise out of it. Good for them.

Scuba Steve

Sony Money Hat. That's why.

DARTH_TIGRIS

I love how we get answer's with no explanations. Can't they just fess up to why Japan can't have a 360 version? Maybe that is the compromise in the contract: Xbox 360 gets FF13 in US (maybe Asia), and Sony gets to keep exclusivity in Japan. Regardless, I don't get it.

Ryodestined