Looking at Final Fantasy XIII's importance on a regional basis.

[starcraft]

DMeisterJ said:

starcraft said:

Lets do it region by region:

-Japan:  Due to being the second console in a one-console country, there is a serious cap on the capability of any game to boost the PS3 in this region.  This was demonstrated most recently by MGS4.  In any case, multiplatform status in this region would have had no effect based on past game/console sales for the Xbox 360.  The region is already smaller than the West for FF sales and is shrinking rapidly.

-West:  Here the majority of FF sales are made, and Microsoft rules the roost with over 50% more consoles.  Most importantly, the SKU that can easily handle single-player RPG's is HALF the price of a PS3 in Europe, and MUCH cheaper in the USA.  Already on this forum alone over a dozen people have said they will no longer need a PS3, and others have said they will sell their current one.

When all is said and done, there has just been a substantial shift in momentum from Sony to Microsoft, the full extent of which will be prolonged and immeasurable, but nonetheless substantial.

You're almost as bad as Sony by grouping together "The West" rather than by region.  Japan will have the largest software sales, and will push consoles.  Others will have the smallest software sales, where the PS3 will win by a margin.  America is pretty sketchy, but depending on where the sytems are when the game launches in america (could be 2 years + from now), I'll reserve judgement until then, but with recently the PS3 besting the 360 in America, it could be 50/50.

You continually want to push this whole "pushing consoles" concept, instead of actual sales.  FFXIII isn't going to push consoles outside of Japan.  First of all, people who want JRPGs would have already went 360 for Star Ocean, IU, Last Remnant exclusivity, etc.  Final Fantasy XIII isn't going to be some major push in consoles. 

As I've stated.  This is a win for 360.  Not as big as you're making it out to be, but a win, nonetheless.

What are you comparing this too?  The comparison making is between what we could reasonably have expected if the game stayed exclusive and what we can reasonably expect now.  From a sales perspective, all that matters now is if/where/ and for who this game pushes consoles.

To suggest that it wont is ridiculous.  Take a glance around these forums.  People are ALREADY saying their PS3's are going up for sale.  Other's are saying their mind has been made up on their HD console of choice.  PSrock has gone into meltdown mode and lost all hope of emotional survival (never a good sign).

The very fact that every internet forum still working has dozens of posters each declaring the PS3 wont catch the Xbox 360 this generation signals a shift in momentum, whether it is true or not.  I don't care about sales of the game itself.  They will be 65/35 total to the PS3, but the game will have sold a LOT more for having been multiplatform in the West.  Whats important is that the West, parts of which love the Xbox 360 and the rest of which don't mind it, now have a far cheaper option (and one that is FAR more appealing for JRPG fans) for picking up FFXIII.  An option they will adopt in droves.