360's North American success helped Square go 'platform neutral' with FFXIII
by Dustin Burg 
{ Jul 29th 2008 at 2:00PM }
When pondering the idea of bringing Final Fantasy XIII to the Xbox 360, Square Enix based their decision to go "platform neutral" on the success each console had in reaching different demographics in different territories. Square president Yoichi Wada told GamesIndustry.biz that "we always consider the territory and hardware for titles, and I just want to make sure that we're neutral about dealing with companies," admitting that "in Japan we know that the Xbox 360 isn't really that strong yet." But Wada continues saying that "in North America Microsoft is doing very well with its hardware, and for that reason it's a very important partner for us," mentioning "we're now in the age of the multi-platform, but depending on age and territory, users have different tastes."Different tastes, different consoles and different opinions. Square Enix is just sharing the love and stuffing their pockets full of cash and coin.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kabapu @ Jul 29th 2008 2:26PM
I've said this before ... if this were true, they'd be releasing Infinite Undiscovery on the PS3. It could still happen I suppose, but until then, I continue to claim BS on SE's "neutrality" stance.
ryan @ Jul 29th 2008 3:06PM
also Timed exclusive for Last Remenant (for some reason not sure why) and exclusive Star Ocean.
all will most likely be ported to the PS3 eventually, but this just enforces how the 360 looks more and more like this gen's PS2.
ryan @ Jul 29th 2008 2:22PM
well, yeah. it's easy to see that 360 in N.America is as popular as the PS2 was. most, including myself, have migrated from a PS2 to the 360. still waiting on that killer reason to own a PS3 what with most of it's exclusives going to 360.
sirpilf @ Jul 29th 2008 4:01PM
as a previous 360 owner, and a current ps3 owner... i think you are full of sh*t, a) cause neither is on track to pass ps2 yet and b) everytime a good game comes out for ps3 all the xbox fanboys say "oh well thats just one game, not good enough reason to own a ps3" then another good game comes out and they say the same thing acting like all those past games never existed.
if you really think there arent any killer games other then MGS4 then you need to actually look into it, otherwise you are just a fanboy trying to make excuses for why you dont own both systems when in reality you are a fanboy.
my excuse... was poor, and had to sell something for money, chose 360 because I am a die hard mgs fan... one day i will have a 360 again... maybe this winter.
ryan @ Jul 29th 2008 5:35PM
psssha! hahaha, what?
i chose the 360 because it was:
a) affordable
b) had an impressive library of some of my favorite franchises
so yeah, PS2 incarnate buddy!
Magic Whiskey @ Jul 29th 2008 2:23PM
Hey, I don't blame any company for looking into new markets or a wider fan base. I mean..well, it worked for Nintendo.
Regardless what others may say, I've never thought of Final Fantasy as one of the 'icons' of Playstation, considering they've had successful, well selling games on Game Boys. I understand fanboys of any console wanting to protect their icons (I really wouldn't like to hear of a Halo game on the Playstation or a Super Mario game come to the 360), but I don't think FF fans should be too hurt on this. It's not like we got Metal Gear 4 yet...
SPK @ Jul 29th 2008 6:00PM
what??? did you miss that whole final fantasy VII thing?? you know, the game that made the original playstation?? 10,000,000+ sold? final fantasy started on nintendo, but without it, there might not even be a ps3.
Magic Whiskey @ Jul 29th 2008 3:20PM
I played Final Fantasy 7 back in 1997 when it hit..but I saved too late, stats too low..couldn't beat the final Sepiroth. It would have taken too long to go back and finish with better stats. Can't beat the death scene in the game though..really tugged at the heartstrings!
e.Missark @ Jul 29th 2008 2:42PM
If they trully believed in reaching a larger number of people by making the game multiplatform then they should release all those JRPGs 360 exclusives on the PS3. Oh wait? They can't because all they care about is money.
Hypocrites.
blank964 @ Jul 29th 2008 6:32PM
I'm another 360 owner who also owned a PS2. I really wanted to buy a PS3 but it was more expensive for thee same games I could get on 360.
RagingStormX @ Jul 29th 2008 7:57PM
@ Kabapu, ryan, and e.Missark
Well SquareEnix is being true to their words so far. They are both the developers and publishers of FF13 and Last Remnant (both of which are confirmed to be multiplat). Infinite Undiscovery and Start Ocean 4 are only published by SE, its Tri-Ace (the developlers) who are responsible for releasing the game on multiple platforms. All in all I just want to know whats my next move....cause if SO4 going to be an xbox exclusive like IU, then I can put aside my money for a 360 right now.
007craft @ Jul 29th 2008 11:26PM
So baiscly square enix is saying "our game is not that great, in order to make money, we will only release on the top systems in the market. We dont think our game could sell systems at all."
FFX13 is a big middle finger right from SE. During the xbox days, we all wanted FF series, and since ps2 was much more popular, they didnt bring it over, not even ports. Now that the xbox brand is number one (in N.A), they scramble to get their products out onto the system (not just FF, but other rpgs too). And then they STILL dont release FFx in Japan, because in japan the 360 is doing as poor as the xbox1.
Well fuck you SE. You can keep your garbage. When you decide to support the console, maybe ill look into your games. But your just a coward hiding behind the biggest bush. Release FFx in japan, where the 360 aint doing so well, for the 360 fans, and I will have another look at you.
Hak @ Jul 30th 2008 3:45AM
the moment the xbox 360 became CHEAPER THAN A WII after last christmas, I knew that it was fated.... :p
olly @ Jul 30th 2008 5:09AM
what killer ps3 titles is there cause MGS is for people that love mgs games just like halo they were both dissapointing to me. my ps3 is a great blue ray player cheapest at the time but my 360 is used all the time, and the controller for the 360 is the best in the world. with its games especially gears and now FF coming as well when the blue ray players are about the £100 mark i will be ebaying my PS3 for sure.
Boff @ Jul 30th 2008 9:00AM
I can't help feeling that Squenix are the sluts of the gaming world, show them the money and they'll drop their knickers!
Snowman @ Jul 30th 2008 12:30PM
I own both the 360 and PS3, so I really don't care about exclusives, but I can't help but feel the PS3 will be better since it started out being designed for the PS3. But I wont be pre-ordering either version, I'll take a wait and see attitude and wait for a couple of reviews or comparisons.