what sort of evidence do you have to back such an assertion.

The fact that what i say is true is my evidence

I think if Square enix got no money out of this deal at all, it only proves the incompetence of the SE executives. Lesser known companies have been actually paid by MS for lesser known titles in the past, so it wouldn't have been that difficult for SE to get at least some amount of money when the FF deal was done.
I don't know whether money is the primal reason for the decision or not (I would guess it isn't), but it would be very unwise to give their biggest title FOR FREE, when the money-making possibility is actually before them.
Any sensible business leader would try to maximize their profit, don't they? Yoichi Wada is a former banker and a famous money-maker after all

I fail to see how that's the "sad" part. If it's all about money (which I also think is true) then "kissing sony ass" is part of their plan aswell. If there's no reason to believe that SquareEnix did get paid off by MS to get FF13 on the 360 outside of Japan, then why would there be any reason to believe that SquareEnix would feel like they'd have to make up for Sony? In the end it's all about business, advertsing their product (or "kissing sony ass" as you say) on Sony hardware (in TGS) is no different. What would be the other route? showing off games on the 360? in Japan? No, because that wouldn't be a good business decision..... unless..... Microsoft pays them (Infinite Undiscovery/Star Ocean).

Well, this is in the microsoft discussion section so im gonna add my views............... Lets go back to 1994 shall we when the Famicom-playstation launched......... SONY HAD NO DEVELOPERS...... and the only knowledge that they did have in gaming was stolen from nintendo by sonys precious ex president ken "thief" kutugari..... Sega and Nintendo were already gaming Hardware and Software PIONEERS.... who can argue with nintendos best games like mario, zelda and donkey kong ect.... and who could argue with Segas rich history in gaming? Sonic, Virtua fighter, shinobi ect.... the point im getting at here is i love how sony fanboys try to make out as though Microsoft are a company that pay for everything???? HOW DO YOU THINK TEKKEN AND WIPEOUT GOT ON TO PLAYSTATION CONSOLES IN THE FIRST PLACE???? yeah, thats right, the almighty dollar, sony PAID FOR THEM.... money talks.... Sega and Nintendo have more gaming talent in thier little finger than sony will EVER HAVE.... sony bought thier success.... Nintendo and Sega EARNED IT.... so next time you talk about microsoft "buying" a game...... consider this......... SONY HAD NOTHING IN THE GAMING BUSINESS UNTIL THEY WAVED THIER CHEQUE BOOK AROUND..... bottom line_________

Still not over the fall of Sega eh? I know (as a dreamcast owner), it was tough, but we have to move on... (sheds single tear)

I'm pretty damn drunk and I only had to read the quote once to know that nowhere does anyone deny that MS paid for FF13 to be on the 360. Not even once.

Let's not mince words here:  If you're looking at install bases (which is what is suggested) of course it makes sense to put the game on all systems.  But what else is there to consider?  Perhaps the reduced profits due to MS charging per-disc fees that wouldn't even come up on a Blu-Ray realease?  Perhaps the fact that breaking a contract with Sony may potentially cost them millions of dollars?  Perhaps the fact that the cost of porting such a large game may not be easily off-set by the added sales, since many people who woul have bought it on 360 would have simply bought it on PS3 instead?

The thing that's really obvious here is that the person quoted isn't giving you straight talk and is telling you to look at the obvious factors as opposed to considering all of the ones that aren't so obvious.  And still, he never denies that MS paid for the game.

why are you even discussing wether microsoft PAID for it or not? its irrelivent..... sony have been paying for games since they 1st BRIBED thier way in to the gaming business..... my conclusion.... they are both as bad.......

If you ask me, he was more on the confirming it side than denying side. He just wanted to say that bribing wasn't the main reason. Square Enix wanted the game on Xbox 360 but wanted Microsoft to pay for the development of the port or something like that.

You've got some issues dude.