FFXIII Going Multiplatform, How does it Really Affect Sony?
	by Shak

I'm sure many readers may think this is a damage control article, but rest assured, it's not. When Microsoft secured a multiplatform release for Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox 360, it definitely damaged Sony (and Square Enix to a certain extent). However, in hindsight, it may not be a bad thing for Sony that Final Fantasy XIII went multiplatform. Let me explain why.

1. At the moment Final Fantasy XIII is secured as exclusive to the PlayStation 3 in Japan, although it has been rumored that Microsoft may announce a Japanese release of FFXIII on Xbox 360 at E3. If this happens though, it will not be day and date; there will be a severe delay. Previous Final Fantasy games have consistently shifted approximately 2 million units in the first 5 days, each time with an install base of about 4 million. Unusually, Japan is the region where Final Fantasy performs the best, so having exclusive rights to a Final Fantasy game there means that it will definitely push console sales up. Also, bear in mind that by the time FFXIII is released, there will almost definitely have been a PS3 price cut, so expect good sales.

2. When the game releases in Europe and North America, it is said to be releasing day and date on both the PS3 and 360 (according to Microsoft, not Square Enix). This means that most likely the Xbox 360 version of the game will outsell the PS3 version in North America, but probably not by much. Multi-console owners will choose the PS3 version of the game, as it will be on a single Blu-Ray disc rather than (most likely) 4 DVD discs.

3. If people buy and like the 360 version of the game, they will realise that the whole FFXIII universe (Fabula Nova Crystallis) can only be played on Sony formats; Final Fantasy Versus XIII exclusively on the PS3, and Final Fantasy Agito XIII exclusively on PSP. This should lead to an increase in sales for Sony formats, as well as increasing the number of Final Fantasy fans.

4. Sony owns an 8.26% (approximately) stake in Square Enix. This means that 8.26% of all profit, from each copy sold, whether on PS3 or 360, goes into Sony's pocket. So people purchasing the Xbox 360 version of the game, however hardened fanboys they are, will be supporting their greatest enemy in the console war. (Source)

5. PlayStation 3 owners will be getting the better version of the game. Square Enix have said many times, that once the PS3 version of FFXIII is complete, it will then be ported to the 360 whilst the PS3 version of the game is localized. Take into account that FFXIII is being optimized for PS3 first, and you realise that the Xbox 360 version will look (at least) slightly worse (PS3 to 360 ports tend to look only slightly worse compared to 360 to PS3 ports). (Discussed here)

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Right

Point 1 is good......and SEE the bit where it says FF sells HUGE 1st week on a LOW Userbase

Point 3 is GOOD again........if people 360 owners LOVE FF13 & VErsus stays ONLY on PS3.....they may buy a PS3 for it

Point 4 is CHEEKY.....funny as well......its claiming that in fact FF13 being multiplat means more profit for SONY....I'm not an economics guru....so I'll leave this to NJ5 & such Vg Chartz members to see whether what they claim can be true.

Points 2 & 5 are silly.....especially point 5

http://www.ps3center.net//news/2768/ffxiii-going-multiplatform-how-does-it-really-affect-sony/

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What do you think?

Do YOU agree with these points

I always wonder how do you find these lame articles.

For the record: Final Fantasy X sold more in North America than in Japan.

Agree!!!! The 360 version will be on like 5 cd's.

I love the part about Sony owning 8.26% of the company. Just because they own shares does not mean money goes right into their pockets. Anyone who knows anything about Stocks would laugh at that comment. Sony actually gets hurt in the pockets for it going multi-platform no matter how many copies sell on the 360. If it was exclusive they would make money from every copy sold. Now they aren't. As for 1 BR or 5 DVD's. Who gives a crap, it can be installed

   No!!! On seven cartridges!!

Is point 4 real????

so what for PS3 center this is the acceptance stage right. Or did they go back to the denial stage.

Nnnngh.

Sony will not profit more from FFXIII going multiplat. They're losing out on licensing fees for every potential sale lost on the PS3. More sales on the PS3 just means more money for Sony, period.

Point #1. Why on would they announce a Japanese FFXIII release at E3, and America game show. Wouldn't TGS be a much better venue?

I think it was a shocking blow to fanboys, but ultimately it is best for business (square-enix). The only thing that makes square save face is the exclusive Japan debut, this is pretty much a guarantee that the ps3 version will see easily 1.5 to 2 million sold before it hits world wide on both consoles. Japan is where the game sells the most, the west and others the game should sell roughly the same. So it is more like 55 percent of the sales come from Japan and like 25% from the U.S. and 20% from Europe. So Sony and square could not be happier with this situation, the real test is when Versus comes out, and if world wide release occurs then this could be huge (versus in all regions).