Square-Enix confirms FFXIII demo not westbound By Frank Caron | Published: January 12, 2009 - 11:20AM CT As far as RPGs go, there is no more highly-anticipated title for this entire console generation than Final Fantasy XIII. Square-Enix's first numerical entry into the franchise since since 2006 is on the horizon, and the company has been working diligently to have the title out this year in Japan. But while the land of the rising sun will enjoy the typical pre-release demo pack-in before June, Square-Enix has confirmed that Western players will not have access to the same demo. Speaking to Videogaming247, a Square-Enix rep confirmed the news. "At present the FINAL FANTASY XIII demo will only be available in Japan with the Blu Ray release of Advent Children Complete,” said the rep. "We hope to have further news in the coming months." Historically, Square-Enix has bundled demos for its big numerical iterations with other titles in America. A Final Fantasy XII demo was bundled with Dragon Quest VIII, a Final Fantasy VIII demo was bundled with Brave Fencer Musashi, and so on. Of course, the dedicated will be able to import the special Advent Children Complete Blu-ray coming to Japan early this year to get a taste of the new Final Fantasy game—though it's strange that with the company's recent focus on expanding to the Western world it would forgo giving Western players the chance to drink the Final Fantasy XIII kool-aid before release. Regardless, we're currently planning to import the demo, so look out for impressions of the game when the Complete collection launches. Buzz up!

This sucks I was looking forward to it, but whatever I'll just import it.

{takes knife and cuts himself}

wow, that sucks! though i guess i really wouldn't want the demo on my ps3 cause i'll be getting the 360 version. Still it would have been nice to give it a go

heres the link if anyone needs it

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2009/01/12/square-enix-confirms-ffxiii-demo-not-westbound

@benVTrigger

why would anyone get the 360 version when they have both the consoles?

well i like my 360 a hell of alot more than my ps3, yes i know i'm crazy but i really do. i prefer the controller greatly and even though trophies and achievements are virtually the same i already have a really high gamer score so FFXIII will be at least another thousand points to add to it.

Also in the off case there is any kind of online component i like Live much more than PSN especially since my friends list on live is much bigger

and lastly like i said i like playing games on my 360 more so buying games like FFXIII on it will encourage people like squareenix to continue multiplat development so i can play it on my prefered console.

and finally i hope its on a couple discs cause it'll give the nostalga factor like the old FF7 - FF9 days

look at the bright side. All reviews and game impressions will be based off a ps3 version of the game.

If it came to the states, 360 would be touting that shit. Now they can't even put the game in anyones hands until it has already been soaked with sony brandname.

@benVTrigger

oh if you prefer the controller thats fine :)

@theprof00

lol in a twisted way thats true

Import is still possible. Plus, people everywhere have been saying that given s-e's recent expansion and embrace of the western world, this is truely an anomaly.

Proper question: why the Hell would someone make a definitive decision on which version to get before they can make any type of informed idea which one is better?