Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity in discussion, says Sony France

161 Comments by James Ransom-Wiley Mar 22nd 2007 11:28AM
Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

SCEE France president Georges Fornay didn't choose his words carefully. Just days after Devil May Cry and Ace Combat, two long-time Sony exclusives, were announced for Xbox 360, on the eve of PlayStation 3's "official" European launch, Fornay told French newspaper Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace, "Enfin, pour Final Fantasy XIII, je peux vous dire que l'exclusivité est en discussion." That's something like: As far as Final Fantasy XIII goes, I can tell you that the exclusivity is in discussion. Well Georges, it looks like you'll be sleeping on the couch tonight.

But the repercussions of Fornay's vague remark go beyond losing pillow-talk privileges with Mr. Kutaragi. His words have ignited a polarized frenzy of paranoia and glee -- despite the obvious ambiguity of "l'exclusivité est en discussion." What does Fornay mean?

That's open to interpretation, and interpret we have. But let's not confuse a poor choice of words as confirmation of a megaton revelation. While Square Enix is a multi-platform developer, history tells us that Final Fantasy XIII will be published on one system, in this case, PS3 (and then perhaps ported to a handheld a decade from now). Final Fantasy XI has been the exception -- but it's also the exception in the series. [Note: FFVII & VIII were released for Windows roughly 10 & 4 months after their PS1 debuts.]

But there are other murmurs that support the popular interpretation of Fornay's comment -- that Sony has lost control of FFXIII's exclusivity. (Did Sony ever have it?). Last week, in an interview with GameSpot, Final Fantasy creator and Mistwalker founder Hironobu Sakaguchi gossiped that FFXIII's proprietary White Engine has been made "open platform," suggesting that Square Enix might be planning a FFXIII port for Xbox 360; or even a simultaneous release. Or, Square Enix might simply want to use the White Engine to create an Xbox 360 exclusive. We just don't know -- and neither does Fornay. Difference is: when he said it, we all were listening.

Source: Les Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace [subscription required]

Tags: ffxiii, finalfantasy, france, french, ps3, rpg, rumor, rumors, sony, squareenix

Source

(Page 1) Reader Comments

Myke: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:33AM

God, that picture is priceless.

Andrew GO: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:33AM

Why do I even have a Playstation 3?

Derbeste: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:34AM

So is the news, Myke.

O
M
G

Are you pissing your pants yet, SDF?

SynikaL: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:34AM

Where the hell did you get that picture?

-Kimosabae

shase: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:34AM

I wouldnt take a president's word so seriously... especially SCEE of France? Give me a break... if its Kaz or some higher up from Japan then yeah its open to discussion but this is kinda stretching it. What's next- SCEE president from Brazil saying FF13 versus exclusivity in discussion?

Also, exclusives are probably "always in discusion" Like ass creed and gta4. Ubisoft said Ken was slow in response thats why it became multiport.

Jack of No Trades: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:34AM

FF is comming to 360. I would bet on it. See yea PS3! Why do we need you again?

Derbeste: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:35AM

At this rate, the Xbox is going to find a way to steal "Home" exclusivity from Sony too!! LOLOL

Jacob: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:35AM

I'd like to know which PR person who thought that photo was a good idea...

jason w: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:35AM

Dude you got a PS3 the same reason I did...... Umm Rocky Balboa came out on bluray this week and the movie was good.....

Since I have a HDDVD and Bluray drive now im future proof..... I guess.

Now on another point are those dudes about to kiss and get it on in that pic.

Baby21: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:36AM

No it is for next final fantasy online project for PC/Xbox360/PS3

bootsielon: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:36AM

1. Perhaps something was lost in translation.

2. I wouldn't consider someone SCEE France president's word that important... I don't think he has much relation at all with any developer or publisher, just a distributor of PlayStation products for france.

Moving on...

You should put the news about Microsoft Germany president's blog, dreizechzig.com. Now THAT should be important. Oh wait....

ViperVisor: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:36AM

If they are discussing if they want to profit on the game they most def are looking going 360.

Sony wants fast and furious sales with this PAL launch to have a chance of keeping it.

Jerk Face: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:38AM

Man... if FFXIII turns out to also release for the 360, even if a bit later, I would have absolutely no reason to hold out on giving Microsoft my money any longer. I'm already close, that would just seal the freakin' deal.

Ben Heckendorn: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:38AM

OK, THIS is the stray that could break Sony's back. Losing FF certainly hurt Nintendo back in the day.

bootsielon: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:39AM

Jack, you need a PS3 to play Final Fantasy XIII (and versus, and metal gear); that's not to mention all the non-hardcore exclusive games (for examples: Little Big Planet, Singstar, Afrika).

Until it's announced for 360, get bent already.

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:39AM

My co-worker almost killed me... I get giddy for news like this... Now we just need the word on MGS and I'll need a new chair to work in.....

Myke: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:40AM

Derbeste - I'm not sure I get what your comment towards me meant...haha, am I missing something?

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:45AM

He is saying the news is as priceless as the pic and he is taunting the SDF...

Derbeste: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:46AM

no, Myke.

You just said the picture was priceless and I think the news story is too.

This is a HUGE FUCKING blow (hehe...blow) to Sony if true.

An FF on Xbox 360 would CERTAINLY mean MUCH bigger sales in Japan.

I mean..FF is one of the few reasons even I would consider buying a PS3 (after a price drop) and I DESPISE Sony!

Sony has got to be pissing their pants right now. First DQ on DS, then the downward spiral leading to losing FF exclusively.

It may not pan out, but MAN the SDF must be shitting bricks right now.

Myke: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:48AM

Holy sh*t, wow, I'm sorry guys, haha, not enough coffee for me yet this morning! I thought he was ASKING me, "is this news, myke?". And I was wondering why I was the one that gets to decide, hahahaha. I must be tired from staying up all night NOT playing a Playstation 3....

sheppy: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:49AM

Dudes, RUMOR. Seriously. The directors of both FFXIII and FFXIII versus have confirmed, time and time again, of exclusive status.

However, there is supposed to be an unannounced FF game debuting at the SquareEnix part May 12-13...

Jack of No Trades: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:50AM

@bootsielon

Check yourself bud.

hmmm should I spend 600 to play

Little Big Planet, Singstar, Afrika

or

pay 400 to play

Mass Effect, Lost World, Eternal Sonata, Halo 3, Ace Combat, Banjo Kazooie.

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:51AM

They have not always said it was exclusive they have mentioned that there is the posibility just as the MGS crew have stated before sony shut them up that they are looking at their options due to the small amount of PS3s versus the larger base in the 360 range where even if it isn't drasticly different it wouldn't hurt their profit margin to go multiplatform....

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:52AM

When it comes down to it. The numbers don't lie lot more profit in spending the little extra to port it over.

Vidikron: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:52AM

@19

I think it's a huge blow, but I'm not how much impact it would have in Japan. We already know FFXIII is going to the PS3, it's only a question of exclusivity. Given the Japanese seem to hate the 360, I think they would still opt to buy it on the PS3 over the 360 anyway. Even an exclusive title like Blue Dragon only caused a brief surge in sales. I think the 360 would need to have FFXIII as an exclusive title to make a big impact in Japanese sales numbers.

Matt B: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:52AM

Why do 360 boys always see words like Rumor and Discussion and to them it means TRUTH?

Myke: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:52AM

Sheppy - right, but you gotta remember they're looking at thier pocket books right now, (AND the pocket books of Sony...) and seeing that the 360 MIGHT not be that bad of an idea after all. And while this IS a translated peice of text/conversation from a foreign news source, it does (in my mind) go beyond the traditional "we heard from and UN-NAMED INSIDE SOURCE that blah blah blah..." kind of rumor that we're used to around here.

Derbeste: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:57AM

Vidikron...

Good point.

Stick_Man: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:57AM

Who friggin cares? Final Fantasy has been a joke for at least a decade now. They have basicly all sucked except for 2(US) 3(US) 11, and 12. IT'S THE SAME (A) BUTTON MASHER IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN JUST WITH BETTER GRAPHICS. Final Fantasy 13 will suck balls just like X-2 sucked balls... and you know why? Cause square hasn't made a decent game besides 12 since they merged with enix. There development is in the crapper and I pray that hopefully one day this crap franchise will finaly die off. Right now Final Fantasy reminds me of Metalica... 2 good albums and then a whole pile of crap dolloped on top.

Who cares if it's exclusive or not. Yay I get to mash the (A) button for 60+ hours? Hell no Final Fantasy should just go the way of the Dodo bird... Whacked in the head with a big stick till it's dead.

Dolla Dolla: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:58AM

@Matt B

I was thinking the same thing, until that Devil May Cry thing happened. How long has that been a rumor? And now this ........

hvnlysoldr: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:58AM

I don't know whose picture is funnier. These guys or Nintendo WiiFanboy's picture of Clinton and Gore's excellent adventures where they look like they're about to kiss.

Myke: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:58AM

This is what I got off an online translation site:

"At last, for Final Fantasy XIII, I can say you that the exclusivity rights is in discussion."

Slight difference, the word "rights" is added in there, but thats it. Not sure if that really makes a difference either way, I don't know the ins and outs of the "rights" game.

Ken: Mar 22nd 2007; 11:59AM

@ Matt B

Because almost 80% of the time, it turns out to be true. (See: Black Xbox, Assassin's Creed, Armored Core 4, etc).

Jack, nice to be on your side of the argument for once. PS3 FTL. 360 FTW.

Wii pwns both, but we won't get into that now.

But it's nice to know that my 360 might have a chance at getting FFXIII.

Plus it's the PRESIDENT of SCEE, albeit from France, but I'm sure he hears news from the pipeline. Jeeze. Just because he's from France doesn't mean he doesn't know shit.

SDF is attacking him, saying he's not a reliable source... LOL funny stuff.

lessbiasedthanmost: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:00PM

I'll be a little peeved if Squeenix gives up on the PS3, but since I don't have one (yet) it really doesn't matter to me. But I doubt that this Frenchman knows what he's talking about (no offense to the rest of France intended).

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:01PM

Actually most of the time you hit X then on occasion you press the Triangle... And yes the interface tends to be repetative but its an RPG not an action game. Its about the story and personally I loved them all except 10 and obviously 10 2 and 11 doesn't even exist as far as I'm concerned....

lessbiasedthanmost: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:04PM

29,
Hey now man, the FF series wasn't that terrible on PS2, FFX was good, and X-2 we just don't talk about. IMO FFXII was a piece o crap, since it's a weak ass single player game pretending it's an MMO, not to mention the complete detachment from the story your characters had.

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:04PM

Basicly the rights in discussion =
Sony: Here is a lump of cash to keep it with us...
Squeenix: We'll think about it....

Vidikron: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:05PM

@29

Haha... your rant is amusing. Especially when you basically said they haven't made a decent games since FF 12. You do realize that 12 is the most recent new FF game, right? So given that even you admit 12 is decent, why would you assume 13 is going to 'suck balls'?

Also, yes, you hit one button for much of the game, but you also realize that the combat is menu driven, right? So it's not the fact that you are hitting one button all the time that is important, the important part is what menu selection you are selecting when you hit that button. That's critical.

GJM: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:05PM

I would be shocked if this came to be true. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but with Dragon Quest moving to the DS you never know.

bootsielon, no one cares what you have to say. You are not even a videogame fan. You are a fan of a machine. There is no logic in that whatsoever. Grow up and come back later.

Phranctoast: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:06PM

I find it comical that xbox fans have so little faith in MS establishing their own francises that they need to steal Sonys. Keep praying..maybe one day you'll get ratchet and clank as well.

LX: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:08PM

I really hope this turns out to be true, it could end up saving me 600 dollars.

joe smith: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:08PM

He means that they are talking with Square about what it would take to guarantee exclusivity. At the same time, I am sure, MS is talking to Square about getting the game on their system. Everyone is talking to everyone and Square is rubbing its hands in glee at the thought of the huge bale of money they can squeeze out either way.

Fatass of Kickassness: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:08PM

@40

I find it comical that Sony fans still have faith in Sony.

LX: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:09PM

@stick man

Yes, because 12, with it's gambit system was just FILLED with button mashing.

Stick_Man: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:10PM

since when was 12 crap? it's the only game besides 11 that isn't final fantasy 1. every single other final fantasy is final fantasy 1 but with better graphics. 12 was more than a breath of fresh air than final fantasy 1.2 - 1.10.

Todd: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:10PM

Square Enix would make tons more money if they let the new Final Fantasy be for Xbox 360 too. While the Final Fantasy games are good, maybe even great, I think people are becoming tired of them and broadening the audience can only result in good things.

Intentless: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:10PM

In regards to Final Fantasy, is it theft to steal something that had already been stolen in the first place?
Even the Metal Gear series originated on another platform before it went to Sony...

Jack of No Trades: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:10PM

"xbox fans have so little faith in MS establishing their own francises that they need to steal Sonys."

Oh you mean like Mass Effect, Gears, Halo, Eternal Sonata, Crackdown, Lost Planet, Lost World, PGR, Forza2?

"MAYBE" If Sony was sucking ass so bad maybe they could keep thier franchises.

Yoshi Likes Boys: Mar 22nd 2007; 12:11PM

Holy reading into stuff, Batman. How does this imply that there's a real chance of FF13 going to El 360? Here's my interpretation:

Squeenix is getting ready to take Sony to the cleaners on an exclusivity deal for the FF13/FF13vs. combo. After losing some high profile titles, SCE is probably looking to secure into writing any situations where there is "implied exclusivity" so there are no more surprises.