Ok, I haven't read this whole thread (its currently 411 posts long!!!!!), but here are my thoughts and observations about this (as stated in the news story comments):
1) Excellent sales for FFXIII and the PS3 coming out of Japan. Good job to all involved.
2) How much more would the game have sold had they released a 360 version? Easily 500k+. I still would like to know why it was not released on the 360 in Japan, but we'll probably never know. Regardless, it would've possibly made this the best selling FF release on launch since FFVII and that would've been HUGE. Their loss.
3) If all of us were completely honest, then we would admit that this being the PS3's single best launch ever is not remotely close to being a surprise. There will never be another game on the system more highly anticipated or hyped in Japan. This was the one and it looks like it delivered.
4) And I hate for this to sound negative, but it's just an observation. This is yet another example of a hugely popular PS1-PS2 franchise that failed to sell near as much as previous iterations have. This is more evidence that the PS fanbase is now split between the PS3 and 360, so it wouldn't be any surprise if most classic PS series do not sell near as much on the PS3. For examples, see MGS, R&C and GTA sales; expect similar patterns with GT and GoW.
Essay Pro