lemieux-rules66 said:
Wow this is the most shocking news i have heard all day. FFXIII is no longer a PS3 exclusive how did this happen? did the Video Game gods screw Sony over? |
It would seem (from what I've pieced together):
Square-Enix decided, very recently to put FFXIII on the X360. Not because of moneyhatting, but due to needing larger sales that the X360 can bring in territories that it does better than the PS3 in - Namely the US, and Europe/PAL (Especially UK/Aus).
It wasn't MS moneyhatting. It was a S-E business decision, no more or no less. It would seem that the game hasn't been built for the X360 as of yet, but will be getting treatment very soon, and translation will begin (supposedly) after FFXIII launches in Japan. So it would seem that Japan will get FFXIII first on PS3, then followed by a US/PAL release of FFXIII on the PS3/X360 day-and-date.
Now, here's (IMO) why S-E is doing it:
1. Marketshare. The X360 has a major lead in the US/NA, and is neck-and-neck in Europe. If FFXIII launches PS3-exclusive, sales could be mediocre, or poor in the US and PAL. FFXIII is so costly, Square isn't taking chances.
2. Potential. Square and Tri-Ace already have big-name games in Star Ocean 4, Infinite Undiscovery, and The Last Remnant on the X360. One could assume that since they are diversifying their portfolio, that they should go all the way and put XIII on the 360 too.
3. Sales numbers. Unfortunately, the PS3 really hasn't had stellar sales numbers for any given game that would really make Square feel at ease with the PS3. Rant all you want, but what PS3 games have done insane numbers? The X360 has outsold, or been at parity with the PS3 on every release.
The biggest thing about this is that the X360 is selling Japanese-centric games in the West, and doing a fine job of it. Devil May Cry 4 sold over 1m copies on the X360. Lost Odyssey is well over 700,000 now. Mega-series like GTAIV has been dominated by 360 sales. So it's only natural that a company that wants a large Western marketshare on a game needs the 360. Final Fantasy is far more West-friendly than other series, so if Square wants to sell well in the west...Again...You need the 360.
It's a solid, smart business move by Square. I am sure that Microsoft will make sure that they don't regret this decision.
I am going to go out on a limb and say that I wouldn't be surprised if MS brokered a deal with Square before TGS 2008 that would boost FFXIII staff for the porting of the game to the 360 for day-and-date status in Japan too. Microsoft needs XIII in Japan. They already have lots of cash spent on ToV, IU, SO4, and TLR there already, and XIII in Japan (I think) could be a big hit on the 360. Could even sell 500,000 units if MS played their cards right!
But at any rate, I think MS will do whatever, whenever, and howerver to get XIII secured with a more favorable status in Japan.
