Two examples would be ff13 and versus 13. Both took about 5 years and versus 13 is not even out yet. Its not like ff13 had something special in it that took that long to make. Take fallout 3 for example (i know not a good comparison) however it was such a huge game(bigger than final fantasy) and it took about 3 years to make. Other japanese devs dont take that much longer either. Sega is pumping out valkyria chronicles and yakuza every year. So what exactly is that special thing that takes S.E. 5 years to put into a game?

Because they try to copy Blizzard and fail unlike Blizzard.

They're spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to lessen their dev times instead of actually making games.  In Final Fantasy's case it took about 3.5 years of them trying to make the game, and 1.5 years actually making the game.

alot of issues revolving around 13 was that it was supposed to be on the PS2. It was actually, according to industry sources, waiting announcement at the next E3 but then Sony told devs about the PS3 and Square basically said f**k and made a CG trailer.

Yes and that's why I said 5 years instead of 6.

Actually, I think they spread their resources too thin.

I think they already have at least 2 facebook games going.

well i reading about how SE had no clue what FF13 was going to be until they released an demo! 

Well in Japan they have still got the hierarchy in there development which western developers got rid off long ago because everyone has talent not just the designers. 

To be honest I think they're just bad developers nowadays.

it's a bit like with Blizzard and some of Nintendo EAD divisions.  They (at least once were) known for their quality

I dont disagree with that though, it wouldve come out after FF12, which was at the edge of the PS2 lifecycle, and it wouldve have less sales.

the problem was that they decided to develop a brand new game engine for the PS3; Crystal Tools. which took up a lot of time, it also took a lot of time to do the motion capture for the cutscenes in FF13, which were a huge 6 hours. and Crystal Tools was the biggest problem, and thats why FF13, and Versus take so long.

FF12, was messed up because Sakaguchi left Sqaure, and there was no one with his level of skill to co-ordinate the development, and the director had to leave the projects for health issues, although rumours suggest there is more to this than the offical word.

other than FF, i think SE are steady with releases, like Star Ocean, Kingdom Hearts, etc.