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Square reaffirms existence of Versus XIII, continues not to show it
Final Fantasy Versus XIII, it seems, may still be a project in the works at Square Enix. After rumors this week put the game out to pasture, CEO Yoichi Wada tweeted last night, "It seems someone is spreading a false rumor about Versus being canceled." He added that he had just exited "a regularly scheduled meeting for Versus," and that "if you were to see the city etc. presented today, you wouldn't be able to stand from surprise."Wada's talk, of course, doesn't change the fact that the game disappeared over a year ago. Having been announced back in 2007 2006, news about the game has been spotty at best. It wasn't at this year's E3 Expo or at last year's Tokyo Game Show. The last trailer we saw was back in January 2011.The last news we heard was that the game was getting help from Square's gorgeous Luminous Engine – could that mean it's making the jump to next-gen? We don't know, but you should probably watch this Luminous Engine demo and think about that possibility for a bit.
Final Fantasy 25th anniversary celebration includes FFXIII 'developments' talk
Square Enix's "Fabula Nova Crystallis" world – the occasionally bizarre and often beautiful universe of several Final Fantasy XIII titles – is scheduled for a big exposé as part of Square's 25th anniversary celebration for the Final Fantasy series. A stage presentation on September 1 in Tokyo's Shibuya district titled, "Final Fantasy XIII Lightnight Saga: New Developments Presentation" apparently features "details on the future of the FFXIII project" (via Andriasang's translation).Beyond Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2, the Fabula Nova Crystallis series extends to Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy Agito XIII (renamed Final Fantasy Type-0). Of the planned "trilogy" of games, the only one yet to see release is Final Fantasy Versus XIII. In fact, nothing has been heard of the title in quite some time – it was a no show both at last year's Tokyo Game Show and this year's E3 Expo. A demo of the next-gen technology supporting Versus, the Luminous Engine, was given at E3, but Versus wasn't part of the presentation.Kotaku's reporting that the game may be in flux or cancelled, though Square Enix reps refused to comment on the status of the title. With any luck, we'll find out more this September.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII getting help from Luminous Engine, Kingdom Hearts 3DS coming next spring
Despite Final Fantasy Versus XIII not appearing in any form at this year's Tokyo Game Show, project director Tetsuya Nomura shared some new details on it with Japanese magazine Famitsu. Apparently, the long-in-development Fabula Nova Crystallis game's lighting has been overhauled with some help from Square Enix' Luminous Engine, while Versus XIII's action is handled by another, unique engine. More excitingly, Nomura said that he recently ran through the game's entire world map, as well as its dungeons/side quests, and he's "impressed with how expansive everything is." He also spoke to his other project -- Kingdom Hearts 3DS, or "Dream Drop Distance" if you will -- pinning its release to next spring, at least in Japan. So, um, get your keyblades sharpened.
Final Fantasy Type-0's new trailer for a new name [update: trailer removed]
Early this morning, Square Enix announced that the game formerly known as Final Fantasy Agito XIII would now be called Final Fantasy Type-0 -- possibly as the result of the company-wide syllable shortage caused by the development of Dissidia 012 [Duodecim] Final Fantasy. Along with the new name, the company premiered a new trailer, featuring lots of depressing, epic CG war footage (warning: wounded Chocobo) along with actual gameplay. The rest looks pretty much like it did two years ago, at least in terms of the third-person action-style gameplay; the look seems to have gotten a bit darker. However, this version has something "Agito XIII" never did: a release window (specifically, summer). Update: Square Enix has blocked the trailer from YouTube.
Square Enix producers have more Final Fantasy 13 stories in mind
Despite the eventual existence of Final Fantasy Agito XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII, there's apparently still room for more "Fabula Nova Crystallis" games from Square Enix. Maybe. In an interview in the Final Fantasy XIII Ultimania Omega guide, producer Yoshinori Kitase expressed an interest in continuing the Final Fantasy XIII story. "I'd like to at some point make a story where Lightning ends up happy," director Motomu Toriyama said. Whether or not this becomes a game depends on demand from fans. The team also revealed content that was planned as DLC but cut from Final Fantasy XIII: an area called "Seventh Ark" that would have offered "free battles." This was axed for quality reasons, as well as for differences in PSN and Xbox Live.
Square Enix 'looking into' Xbox 360 release of Final Fantasy Versus XIII
During an investor meeting in Tokyo, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada indicated that the company is considering a multiplatform release for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. An attendee asked Wada about the possibility of putting the currently PS3-exclusive Fabula Nova Crystallis game on Xbox 360 like Final Fantasy XIII, in order to boost sales outside of Japan, to which Wada responded (according to Andriasang's translation) "We'll be looking into it internally until right before the formal announcement." Wada did not mention when that "formal announcement" would take place. E3 is coming up, so it's entirely possible Wada is building up to that, having expressed his hope for an E3 unveil previously. But we've given up on expecting this game to become real any time soon. When it stops existing only in secret trailer form and becomes an actual, playable game, we'll be shocked, regardless of the platform (or platforms). Update: Wada responded on Twitter (via Andriasang) to speculation about his comments: "It looks like the 'net is heating up. Versus on Xbox? What I said at the earnings press conference was just that until a formal announcement is made at the announcement time, all points about all titles are not finalized." In other words, he is stressing that Square hasn't made any decisions.
GDC: Toriyama explains the themes of the Fabula Nova Crystallis trilogy
The creators of Final Fantasy XIII have been notoriously tight-lipped about the Fabula Nova Crystallis trilogy, a series comprised of FFXIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII and the PSP-exclusive Final Fantasy Agito XIII. During a GDC panel titled "The Crystal Mythos," director Motomu Toriyama gave a few scant details about the other two branches of the trilogy, and the few similarities connecting the entries in the franchise's 13th series. Toriyama's main point during his presentation is that Agito and Versus won't be sequels to the recently released Final Fantasy XIII -- they'll both have their own unique set of characters, gameplay systems and overarching stories. The only thing connecting them is the "Crystal Mythos" motif -- a theme where the fates of ordinary humans are controlled by omnipotent gods. Players of Final Fantasy XIII should already be acquainted with this storytelling device. The other detail about the series Toriyama mentioned was that, like XIII, the rest of the series will continue to focus on story-driven gameplay rather than allowing the player to explore an open world. For better or worse, it sounds like Versus and Agito will possess the same linearity for which XIII was frequently criticized.
Nomura 'not sure' about Final Fantasy Versus XIII at E3
As Square Enix developers are prone to do, acclaimed Final Fantasy lead Tetsuya Nomura recently dropped some vague information about one of the handful of Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII games that was announced like, a million years ago (okay, okay -- in 2006). Apparently, due to the display of the world map not being up to snuff, Final Fantasy Versus XIII may not make an appearance at this year's E3. "We were hoping to debut it at E3, but we're not sure now," Nomura told Famitsu (as relayed by FF-Reunion.net). "For displaying characters on the world map, we were originally planning on using the method used by 'FF#,' with a small Noctus running about on the screen, but that didn't look too great, so we ended up switching to the method used by 'FF#.'" Allegedly, the "#" designations used by Famitsu in the preceding quotation were an effort to mask the particular Final Fantasy installments Nomura was referring to. "Famitsu had to block them out," explained Andriasang. Nomura also suggested that Versus might be benched for E3 2010 in order to give other Square Enix titles at the show more time in the spotlight. Nomura did not mention Agito XIII in the Famitsu article, but did note that, in terms of other projects, "There are a number of them, along with some for which we need to begin preparations for a reveal." That's right -- forget about finally showing us more of the game that was announced four years ago, bring on Final Fantasy XV! [Via Andriasang]
Final Fantasy XIII launches March 9, 2010 on PS3, 360
Download in HD from BigDownloadFinal Fantasy XIII will launch in North America and Europe on March 9, 2010, just a few months after it debuts in Japan and nearly four years after it was originally announced. Since that time, Square Enix's flagship role-playing game has become a multiplatform project -- the English version will debut on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 simultaneously -- as well as the first part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis series. It's also no longer the highest-numbered Final Fantasy game."We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise -- FINAL FANTASY XIII will exceed all expectations," said John Yamamoto, president, chief executive officer and official title shouter of Square Enix, Inc. "Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010." And you'll have to look -- we hear Q1 2010 is already swamped with immersive gaming experiences. That's not a complaint!%Gallery-41346%
FFXIII still on track for '09 Japanese release
Final Fantasy XIII director and writer Motomu Toriyama wants to dispel recent delay concerns that have befallen the flagship title. There was worry that Dragon Quest IX's push back would affect FFXIII's schedule; however, that does not appear to be the case. Toriyama tells Famitsu that "development is going favorably for a 2009 launch." While Japanese gamers can be comforted by this reprieve, worldwide audiences will still have to sit it out a bit longer. Didn't you know? A 2009 launch for FFXIII is only for Japan.
Kitase: FF13 maximized for PS3, some parts are 80% done
Official PlayStation Magazine Australia sat down with two Square Enix heavy-hitters, Yoshinori Kitase and Shinji Hashimoto, to discuss what's up with the 13th Final Fantasy. Kitase gave an update on the development progress stating that several aspects of Final Fantasy XIII are now nearly done. "The scenario is pretty much complete and the artistic side is about 80% complete," said Kitase. While that's a lot of work already through the fire, there's still a few things left to do and don't forget the good old spit-shine polish. Being a PlayStation mag, the publication also naturally asked the duo how the shift to a multiplatform release would affect FFXIII's quality. Kitase was quick to reiterate what Yoichi Wada had been saying since E3: "...the team is looking to specialize it for the PS3 so that the game will be maximized [for that console], and then they will port it over to the 360 and utilize the capabilities of that console." That means no loss of quality.
Versus XIII suspended, Final Fantasy XIII is priority
In the latest issue of Famitsu, an interview with Tetsuya Nomura revealed that Final Fantasy Versus XIII is currently being put on hold. Nomura, the game's director, said that the majority of the team working on Versus XIII is now helping out on Final Fantasy XIII. The main title in the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation is top priority at the moment.While both games will appear at the upcoming August Square Enix party (in non-playable form), Nomura hints at a bigger reveal and more info to come at Tokyo Game Show in October. Knowing Square Enix, this means a minute of ambiguous footage in a closed theater. Let's hope we're wrong about that last speculative statement and see if a playable demo comes in October.
Final Fantasy XIII interview makes us want it ASAP - as if we didn't before
Fed up of interviews? Then I have some bad news for you because a user over on the NeoGAF forums has put together a collection of quotes from interviews with Square Enix developers from the latest issue of LEVEL magazine. The excerpts include discussion by the interviewees, Motomu Toriyama, Tetsuya Nomura and Hajime Tabata, of Crisis Core, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Whilst generally an exciting collection of quotes from some of the top names at Square Enix it is hard not to be disappointed by Toriyama's statement that the games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series will be kept largely separate. We had harboured hopes of cross-game cameos. Imagine two Final Fantasies where the main characters from each game meet up and help each other get through a problem before going on their separate ways again. Sadly this doesn't look likely, though the games will link with each other through a "vague crystal theme," as Nomura puts it. Same as all the previous FF games then?Nomura's thoughts on the tone and style of Final Fantasy Versus is a particularly interesting read. For those of you who suffer from fears that the series will be moving over to other consoles, then let me put them to rest. Both Nomura and Toriyama make it clear that they couldn't do the things they're doing without the power of the PlayStation 3. Make sure you check out all of the quotes over at the NeoGAF forums for more info.
Final Fantasy XIII series 'not exclusive to PS3 and mobile,' 360 ports still nonexistent
Square Enix director Motomu Toriyama hasn't told PSM Australia anything other than what we've already known: Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII is a collective of projects that has never been declared exclusive to one platform. Yet, when Toriyama suggests that Fabula Nova Crystallis "isn't just limited to three titles" and that "it's not simply exclusive to the PS3 and mobile phones," so many of us are willing to take a leap of faith, heralding these words as a death knell for Sony, and as a confirmation of FFXIII on Xbox 360. Before you join the feverish mob, remember to draw a distinction between the primary game, currently exclusive to PlayStation 3, and the general series, already totaling three titles (Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and Final Fantasy Agito XIII) and at least one loose logo, Haeresis ("Dissidia" is also possibly linked to FFXIII).Toriyama has merely reaffirmed that, like Final Fantasy VII, the FFXIII brand will be spun into an array of disparate shards, conveniently linked by a popular title. We may yet see a spin-off on 360 -- or even a port of the PS3 games -- but don't jump to that conclusion based on the PSM interview. Yes, we've still got Haeresis (and possibly Dissidia) without a home, but either DS or PSP, or dare we say Blu-ray, DVD, and UMD, are just as valid destinations as Xbox 360 -- don't count out PlayStation 2 or Wii either. Given all the fuss that Final Fantasy rouses, Square Enix would do best to deliver on all of 'em.The moral is: Final Fantasy XIII -- the game -- is still exclusive to PlayStation 3.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
