In a short little bit of rumor on Page 32 of Game Informer's latest issue, they suggest that Final Fantasy XIII is having some serious problems:

Unlucky FF Number XIII?

We're all wondering what Final Fantasy XIII is going to be like when we finally get it in our hands - wich may be later rather than sooner. Word is that the game's a mess right now, and the localization process alone is expected to take a full year. This is about three months longer than usual. Seeing as how the game likely won't come out in Japan until the end of next year at the earliest, it looks like we're in for a long wait.

Keep in mind Game Informer's rumor record is hardly perfect, but it does seem plausible, considering the recent statements about the game from the developers' mouths. To remind you all: There will be no playable demo of FFXIII at TGS (something that was expected), just another trailer. Recently Square Enix also stated that the game was 13% complete, which doesn't sound good at all considering it's been in development for well over a year.

So, what do you guys think? Is the rumor true? Are we going to be waiting another full 3 years for this game? Will it be too late to help Sony's PS3 sales? Will FF fans simply give up on the series this generation (honestly after XII I have)? Unless you believe their 10 year lifecycle story, holiday 2009 to summer 2010 is well past the halfway point of a console's life.

Edit: thought I should point out them saying it was 13% complete was a play on XIII, but it also suggests that they are earlier in the development cycle than they should be at this point.

I'm guessing FF XIII is going to come out at the same point in the PS3's lifecycle as FF XII did on PS2. And between now and then, a lot could happen including a platform switch or multiplatform release.

First, this was posted a while back.
Second, Holiday next year would make it 08, not 09.
Third, Highly possible.

Every time SE shows FF13 they will say it 13% this or 1.3 that, its a joke from Se people.

F13 started life on PS2, it been in development on the PS3 for over 2 years now.

I'm actually not surprised. I'm wondering what SE is going to do, seeing that FFXIII and Versus are burning holes into their pockets and will be for a looooong time.

It's their fault for using an expensive engine and not having a solid plan for designing the game.

Its a Joke people.

They will never say how far along they really are, say were almost done and every one will expect release in a few months. Rumors will start flying when its coming people will whine for a demo and all of it is a pain in the ass for them to deal with.

When its done they will say so, untill then they will just give you (13) type numbers since the whole FF13 universe is to span most of their games for some time.

Sorry, didn't notice it was posted before.  Holiday 08 in Japan, we wouldn't see it until Holiday 09 if it has a 1 year localization as they suggest.

 actaully they are trying for a simultaneous world wide release, same goes for The last Remnant.

They should've just went to XIV, don't they know about the number 13.....

Hell, I did an interview on Friday the 13th w/o thinking about it, and I'm just waiting for that too.

@Nonquihote, I never noticed that before... let's hope you're right