Square Making FFXIII 360, PS3 Simultaneously

[Keane Ng]

Square Making FFXIII 360, PS3 Simultaneously

Contrary to previous statements, Square-Enix appears to be doing work on the PS3 and 360 engines for Final Fantasy XIII at the same time, which could be good news for 360 owners in the West wanting to play the game.

Xbox 360 fans scored a major victory last year when Microsoft and Square-Enix announced that the previously PS3-exclusive Final Fantasy XIII would be making its way to the 360 in Western territories. There was only one drawback: the PS3 version would have the priority in development, and work on the 360 version would only begin after the PS3 version was absolutely complete, and that means that the game won't be hit Western shores (at the earliest) until April 2010 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/88716].

According to FFXIII lead man Yoshinori Kitase, however, this isn't exactly the case. Asked whether or not 360 development had begun yet, he remarked that "when it comes to the basic engine it's likely we are going to keep them on the go simultaneously." Something may have been lost in translation here, but it sounds like the multiplatform Crystal Tools engine FFXIII is running on is actually doing its job and being used on multiple platforms.

Kitase stressed, however, that when it comes to "the finishing touches, the details" the "PS3 version will be completed first, then we will move on to 360." That's better than waiting to finish the PS3 version and then starting the entire 360 port from scratch, undoubtedly.

So there you have it. Encouraging words that might give hope to those who were starting to think that we'd be playing Duke Nukem Forever before Final Fantasy XIII here in the West.

(VideoGamer [http://www.videogamer.com/news/360_and_ps3_ffxiii_engine_work_done_simultaneously.html])


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[Hulyen]

Huh...I thought that Squeenix had always said that they were going to shoot for a simultaneous ps3/360 release in the west. Is that still the case, or has it been downgraded to simultaneous development?

 

[Keane Ng]

Huh...I thought that Squeenix had always said that they were going to shoot for a simultaneous ps3/360 release in the west. Is that still the case, or has it been downgraded to simultaneous development?

It should still be the case. The reason why the simultaneous development is good news is because the way it was before, the game would take forever to come out in the west because Square wanted to do one version and then another and then release them at the same time. This just means it'll be faster, hopefully.

 

[Angelic-Dragon]

Suppose that's good news, however it is a shame that it might not be released for both consoles on the day.

 

[Hulyen]

It should still be the case. The reason why the simultaneous development is good news is because the way it was before, the game would take forever to come out in the west because Square wanted to do one version and then another and then release them at the same time. This just means it'll be faster, hopefully.

Aha! That's right! Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I'm fine with the PS3 having priority, as long as the 360 version doesn't follow more than 2 months later. That'll give people time to make walkthroughs and achievement guides, that don't reference just the Japanese versions.

Besides, I'll have a lot of games to hold me over.

 

[GodsOneMistake]

I wasn't aware that there was supposed to be a difference in release dates.

 

[Dectilon]

As a person who owns a PS3 and not a 360 I am outraged that Squenix do not put full priority on the PS3 version and just drop the 360 one. What about MY feelings, huh? Why should I suffer just so millions of others can be happy?

 

[tenlong]

Suppose that's good news, however it is a shame that it might not be released for both consoles on the day.

its sucks that might happen. but its sucks for ps3 owners that they have to wait because the 360 version is not done. if the game is done they should ship it out unless they are under contract from ms to release both versions at the same time. they could do some patches on the ps3 version until the 360 version is done if that is the case. i have both a ps3 and a 360. if the ps3 version is done it would be nice to play it and not have to wait for the 360 port to be done.

 

[MasterStratus]

As a person who owns a PS3 and not a 360 I am outraged that Squenix do not put full priority on the PS3 version and just drop the 360 one. What about MY feelings, huh? Why should I suffer just so millions of others can be happy?

Because the world doesn't revolve around you. Deal with it.
They don't want to drop the 360 version because that means a lot less money for them, even if it makes you, Mr. Center of the Universe, wait a month or two longer.

 

[Erana]

As a person who owns a PS3 and not a 360 I am outraged that Squenix do not put full priority on the PS3 version and just drop the 360 one. What about MY feelings, huh? Why should I suffer just so millions of others can be happy?

You're being funny, right?

 

[Shy_Guy]

It doesn't help the 360 fans jack shit, it just means the other fans get screwed. They should finish a fucking job before they start another

That makes no sense. It's one full job. It's not like they're halting progress on the PS3 version to work on some entirely different game for the the Xbox 360. They are being developed simultaneously. I don't see how that's a bad thing for anyone.

 

[kuroinasora]

I don't give jack about the 360 fanbase. I was rather irritated when, at way back when, I discovered that FF13 was going to be ported to the 360. The way Microsoft has made their system so annoyingly bad (Live fails to stay connected at friends houses for some reason, ring of death, the list goes on) and makes so much money bugs the hell out of me. It's like giving someone dial-up instead of fiber optic connection. Sony wins the console wars in quality and everyone should know it. Companies really should start throwing titles at the PS3 because you can just make better games with it. I want Sony to finally get some credit for all their damn hard work and keep it!

 

[Zeraki]

I could have sworn I was in a nursery with all this crying going on, sheesh.

 

[oliveira8]

It doesn't help the 360 fans jack shit, it just means the other fans get screwed. They should finish a fucking job before they start another

That makes no sense. It's one full job. It's not like they're halting progress on the PS3 version to work on some entirely different game for the the Xbox 360. They are being developed simultaneously. I don't see how that's a bad thing for anyone.

Because work is still work no matter when its done. The 360 version will take the same amount of time, and its date of completion is going to remain pretty much the same. The difference is if the Ps3 version gets finished sooner or later.

But it'll still be completed in the same amount of time. And even if not, this game has been in development long enough that a week or so back on the release date won't be that bad.

Yes, the 360 version will be completed in the same ampount of time, but this stops the Ps3 version from being finished first. It is only hurting Ps3 owners, and helping absolutely no-one.

Oh my! By Cthulhu tentacles! I'm waiting for SC2 for over 10 years!!

Blizzard is hurting PC owners and helping helping absolutely no-one.

I can see all those PS3 owners that are suffering cause FF13 is not released a couple of month earlier.

 

[Shy_Guy]

I don't give jack about the 360 fanbase. I was rather irritated when, at way back when, I discovered that FF13 was going to be ported to the 360. The way Microsoft has made their system so annoyingly bad (Live fails to stay connected at friends houses for some reason, ring of death, the list goes on) and makes so much money bugs the hell out of me. It's like giving someone dial-up instead of fiber optic connection. Sony wins the console wars in quality and everyone should know it. Companies really should start throwing titles at the PS3 because you can just make better games with it. I want Sony to finally get some credit for all their damn hard work and keep it!

Faulty hardware doesn't matter, if we look at the past for reference. The PS2 had so many issues as a console and it still sold like crazy and had great support from developers. The only difference now is that every 13-year-old knows how to get on the internet and make a big deal out of something that, while definitely not cool on Microsoft's part, is being handled very well. It's an issue, we get it, but they really are trying their best to resolve things. Free repairs are not something companies wanna give out.

Stop trying to turn this into another console war thread. Get over your petty little Microsoft Hate and just enjoy your PS3. No one is stopping you from doing this. If anything, you should appreciate the competition and recognize it as good. PS3 wouldn't have half of the features it has now if it hadn't been for the Xbox.

 

[Eldritch Warlord]

(Live fails to stay connected at friends houses for some reason)

I'd bet that this friend of yours uses a cheap(ish) router.

 

[oliveira8]

It doesn't help the 360 fans jack shit, it just means the other fans get screwed. They should finish a fucking job before they start another

That makes no sense. It's one full job. It's not like they're halting progress on the PS3 version to work on some entirely different game for the the Xbox 360. They are being developed simultaneously. I don't see how that's a bad thing for anyone.

Because work is still work no matter when its done. The 360 version will take the same amount of time, and its date of completion is going to remain pretty much the same. The difference is if the Ps3 version gets finished sooner or later.

But it'll still be completed in the same amount of time. And even if not, this game has been in development long enough that a week or so back on the release date won't be that bad.

Yes, the 360 version will be completed in the same ampount of time, but this stops the Ps3 version from being finished first. It is only hurting Ps3 owners, and helping absolutely no-one.

But what is helping people if the PS3 is being developed first? If they take priority on the PS3, they have to finish the 360 later, and either way they'll take a long time. So it's best just to get it out of the way to make sure both consoles work properly.

My way means the Ps3 version could actually be released in a reasonable time-period. This means I have no potential easy ending to my needless suffering.

Whereas now, they are purposefully managing their resources improperly, and everybody suffers.

Dude. Final Fantasy 13 wont reveal the great questions of life or bring worldpeace and end starvation in Africa.

ITS JUST A VIDEO GAME! NO ONE SUFFERS!

Also...Europeans are only getting the game 1 year after...the rest of the world. We will be suffering for all those 365 days while we dont have FF13 and the rest of the world has it!! THE PAIN!!

-.-'

 

[oliveira8]

It doesn't help the 360 fans jack shit, it just means the other fans get screwed. They should finish a fucking job before they start another

That makes no sense. It's one full job. It's not like they're halting progress on the PS3 version to work on some entirely different game for the the Xbox 360. They are being developed simultaneously. I don't see how that's a bad thing for anyone.

Because work is still work no matter when its done. The 360 version will take the same amount of time, and its date of completion is going to remain pretty much the same. The difference is if the Ps3 version gets finished sooner or later.

But it'll still be completed in the same amount of time. And even if not, this game has been in development long enough that a week or so back on the release date won't be that bad.

Yes, the 360 version will be completed in the same ampount of time, but this stops the Ps3 version from being finished first. It is only hurting Ps3 owners, and helping absolutely no-one.

But what is helping people if the PS3 is being developed first? If they take priority on the PS3, they have to finish the 360 later, and either way they'll take a long time. So it's best just to get it out of the way to make sure both consoles work properly.

My way means the Ps3 version could actually be released in a reasonable time-period. This means I have no potential easy ending to my needless suffering.

Whereas now, they are purposefully managing their resources improperly, and everybody suffers.

Dude. Final Fantasy 13 wont reveal the great questions of life or bring worldpeace and end starvation in Africa.

ITS JUST A VIDEO GAME! NO ONE SUFFERS!

Also...Europeans are only getting the game 1 year after...the rest of the world. We will be suffering for all those 365 days while we dont have FF13 and the rest of the world has it!! THE PAIN!!

-.-'

I know, without FF13, anarchy will ensue and death and pillaging will spread throughout the land! Thanks oliveira, for showing me how important FF13 is to the survival of our nation!

<color=white>Sarcastic if you're not catching on

Not the Nation! THE BLOODY WORLD!

Cthulhu himself will awake from his sleeping grave deep down in Ry'leh and consume us all, just cause Squareenix is trying to make more money!

(Yes I been reading alot of Lovecraft...I be doing a work about it!)

 

[CustomMagnum]

Suppose that's good news, however it is a shame that it might not be released for both consoles on the day.

its sucks that might happen. but its sucks for ps3 owners that they have to wait because the 360 version is not done. if the game is done they should ship it out unless they are under contract from ms to release both versions at the same time. they could do some patches on the ps3 version until the 360 version is done if that is the case. i have both a ps3 and a 360. if the ps3 version is done it would be nice to play it and not have to wait for the 360 port to be done.

Wait, was that implied in the article? I thought it just meant that instead of waiting to do the 360 version, they're setting up the engine and basic mechanics at the same time. Does that mean that they plan on finishing the PS3 and then releasing it and then releasing the 360 version soon after once they've finished the things specific to that system? I didn't get the sense that they were considering different release dates from the article. Maybe I'm wrong?

No, Final Fantasy XIII was always going to have the same release date on the PS3 and 360 here in the west, it's just the original plan was for Square-Enix to finish the Japanese PS3 version first before even starting to port the game.

So yes, the fact that this article means, no, they're working on both builds NOW, even if they're still going to finish the PS3 version first for the Japanese release.