Full FeedSquare-Enix swears Final Fantasy XIII multi-platform release not a betrayal
When Square-Enix announced at E3 that it would be releasing Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox 360, Playstation fans around the world were enraged. To them, it was the equivalent of being stabbed in the back by a loyal friend whom you thought would remain with you regardless of the circumstances.
However, according to Square-Enix Corporate Communications Director Shinji Hashimoto, betraying stalwart Playstation fans was not what the company had in mind.
Hashimoto attempted to assuage Playstation fans by reminding them that no version of Final Fantasy XIII would be considered more important than the other. Essentially, the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 games would ship with the same amount of content.
He also added that neither version would be limited in anyway, which should succeed in allaying concerns that the 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII would be ‘gimped’ in comparison to its Playstation 3 counterpart, or vice versa.
These announcements are helpful, however, it is regretful that these statements will do little to calm the anger that Final Fantasy feel towards Square-Enix. I guess they were getting comfortable with that rapidly-departing aspect of the gaming industry called “single-system loyalty,” which essentially translates to “no matter what, I will only make games for your system, and no one else.”
Now Playstation fans will have the opportunity to experience the ire felt by Nintendo loyalists when Square deserted them for Sony shortly after finishing Super Mario RPG. Here, Square left Nintendo because they felt limited with Nintendo’s 64-bit system. Nintendo chose to have it remain a cartridge-based system, a sharp contrast from Sony’s new-at-the-time Playstation, which supported CDs.
Nintendo fans, while they have forgiven, have never forgotten Square’s decision.
While it would be easy for those same fans to point their fingers and laugh at the Sony crowd, the rising trend of system exclusives becoming a rarity has made it very hard to do so. After all, Final Fantasy XIII is just one of many games that have split loyalties, with Devil May Cry 4 being another.
Read [Destructoid] Via [Videogaming247] Also Read [Gamertell]
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Those gamers are behaving like a bunch of children. Square-Enix takes nothing away from PS3 owners by releasing the game on the 360. PS3 owners get the same game. Console “loyalty”? Square-Enix is running a business, last time I checked. Their loyalty is to business and financial goals. Releasing on the 360 will sell more copies of FFXIII. Sure, not having exclusive rights to FFXIII hurts Sony, but those fans should be blaming Sony for losing FFXIII, rather than Square-Enix chasing the bottom line. If there’s anyone to be upset with here, it’s Sony. But their blind fanboyism (“loyalty”) to the Sony brand seems to make it so hard for them to recognise this.
on November 30, 2008 at 03:04 AM - LINKjust ridiculouss.. Square Enix has ruined FF series ever since they took over square soft.. now they bring shame to what defines FF.. a playstation exclusive.. i’m sure bungie wouldnt shame themselves and release halo on ps3.. although none of us want that lame game anyways.
on January 11, 2009 at 03:05 PM - LINK@kashima: Ah ha ha. Thank you so much for proving my point and giving me a laugh first thing in the morning.
on January 12, 2009 at 12:42 PM - LINKI really like the Final Fantasy Series. Thank you for all the info. I am so anxious for this game.
on May 29, 2009 at 06:40 AM - LINK