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Square Enix: Xbox 360 Final Fantasy XIII Is Not A Betrayal Or Disappointment

Jaws dropped at E3 2008 when Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XIII was going multi-platform. While the game still is a PS3 exclusive in Japan, it will be hitting the Xbox 360 abroad.

There's a word that sums this up for many PS3 owners who bought the console specifically to play FFXIII. That word is "betrayal." Square Enix Corporate Director Shinji Hashimoto doesn't see it that way at all, saying:

" I'd rather they not think of this as a "betrayal" or disappointment. It's not like we're canceling or delaying the PS3 version at all! It's more of an added bonus for 360 fans. We won't be putting them at a disadvantage in any way. "

Producer Yoshinori Kitase explains that the team is currently working on the PS3 version and is at a point where the developers can put the build on BRD. After the PS3 version is completed, they'll focus on the Xbox 360. And then it'll be on the Xbox 360. Kitase ensures that just because Square Enix is doing an Xbox 360 port, it doesn't mean there will be a drop in quality or a reduction in scope for the PS3 version.

          "The fact is, the PS3 version is what's in development right now, and the team is working to specialize that version to the very best of the PS3's abilities," says Kitase. "After that, we'll do the 360 port and optimize it to that particular hardware."

These guys are pros, they should be able to wring the best out of both hardware.

Still, people have been waiting for this game for years now. Expectations are high. No matter how good this title is, Square Enix does have a formidable challenge ahead of itself.

"We would have loved to have had it ready sooner for the console, but with the development of new hardware," adds Hashimoto, "it's become more and more complicated to develop software."

Bet Sony would've loved to had the game at launch, too.

Final Fantasy XIII: Square Enix Interview [Kikizo]

So what you gonna get it on dreamcast bro?

?? I'm not sure I undertsand what you asking? or telling me..??

"We won't be putting them at a disadvantage in any way."

Wow, this words would mean real fairness to gamers if they had SO4 for the PS3, or FFVII for the Saturn or 64 back then... This words really mean something different...

the only thing that would potentially make me squeal about this game is if it appears on the 360 in one disc (or even just two).

that would mean that the game was reduced to fit in a dvd (or two) and that would suck.

but until then, i have no problem about it appearing on the 360. in fact i'm happy about it.

SE is garbage to me now after the Last Remnant. That greedy fack you call SE president is at fault.

Japenese voice track included in the western release.

DO IT!

If Sega did it with VC, Square Enix can do it with FFXIII... I hope they do it, it's not like they're running out of space XD

So does this mean that they'll release the ps3 version in NA/EU whenever the localization is finished, regardless of whether they're done porting and optimizing the 360 version?

I highly doubt that, given what they said at E3. They'll probably just set a time frame for the port, and schedule to have the localization finished around when the port is finished.

Ultimately, the ps3 version will take longer to come out in North America and Europe than it would have if it weren't for SE working on a port. Or rather, if it weren't for SE's decision to start the port of the 360 version after the ps3 version is finished, while also deciding to release the game simultaneously on both platforms outside of Japan.

That is, of course, unless they somehow manage to port the game in record breaking time. A game that has had one of the longest development cycles in video game history (though obviously falling short of games like Too Human and Duke Nukem Forever).

This is my BIGGEST concern to date. The Japanese voice track would probably be the first thing to go in the Xbox360 version of the game simply to save space.

If Square decides that they MUST be fair to both the PS360 userbase (and judging from their statements they do), they will cut the voice from PS3 version as well. I will be really really pissed if this happens.