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Don't call it a remake: Final Fantasy X is a 'remaster,' to be clear
While regaling Chinese Final Fantasy fans with tales of upcoming downloadable content headed to Final Fantasy XIII-2 during the Taipei Game Show, Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto also took time to answer fan questions about various FF projects. One such question directed at Hashimoto wondered if the upcoming PlayStation 3 and Vita re-rerelease of Final Fantasy X would be a "remake" (like the recent re-release of Halo: Combat Evolved) or a "remaster" (like last fall's Ico/Shadow of the Colossus collection).Hashimoto left little space for interpretation of his answer, directly stating it is a "remaster." He also pointed out that "the screen is much prettier than the original," though we're unable to corroborate that just yet as the game hasn't even been mentioned since its announcement last fall at Tokyo Game Show 2011, let alone shown.We've followed up with Square's US reps to see when we might hear more about the upcoming Vita and PS3 remaster, but aren't holding our breath for new info.[Image credit: GNN.Gamer.tw]
Square Enix and Hideo Kojima collaborating on ... something
Extremely Twitter-happy Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto tweeted a picture of himself with Konami superstar Hideo Kojima and Metal Gear Solid art director Yoji Shinkawa today, cryptically noting (according to Andriasang's translation) that "A new promotion with Hideo Kojima is set. Details will be shared at a later date." Kojima and Square Enix have collaborated on a set of Peace Walker figurines under the company's Play Arts Kai line; in addition, Front Mission content is one of the many tie-ins included in Peace Walker. It's likely the next collaboration will be something similar. The picture was taken somewhere that Front Mission Evolved was being shown -- a game that Andriasang notes is being produced by Hashimoto -- so that could be a hint that a Metal Gear series cameo might occur in the upcoming mech game. Or it could be more photographs of the developers, as a little gift for the fans.
PlayStation RPG Threads of Fate coming sewn to PSN
A few weeks ago, Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto tailored a poll for fans (and Twitter followers), canvassing to find out what role-playing classics from the PSOne era they'd like to see patched onto the PlayStation Store. We've been on pins and needles anticipating the results, and have been in stitches since Hashimoto announced the results earlier this morning: The next Squeenix RPG to hit the PSN (after Final Fantasy IX, mind you) will be Threads of Fate. If your mind isn't embroidered with memories of the original game, Threads is an action-RPG with platforming elements and Secret of Mana-esque radial menus. Though it was only released to a sew-sew commercial reception, it was unique in that it featured multiple characters, each with their own interwoven story arcs. We won't go into any more detail than that, as we'd hate to post any spoolers. (And now that we've used them all up, you can rest assured that all future posts about this game will be totally pun-free. You're welcome!)
Final Fantasy IX hitting Japanese PSN May 20
According to a recent Joystiq Superpoll™, 30.3 percent of our readers think Final Fantasy IX is the series' best installment on the PS1, meaning 69.7 percent of you are so totally wrong. Those belonging to the first group will be pleased to hear the game recently received an extremely imminent release date for Japan -- according to a Tweet from Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto (as translated by Andriasang), the game will arrive on the Japanese PSN May 20. We're really hoping the release date for other regions falls somewhere around that time -- especially after Hashimoto teased us with a video of the game's intro cinematic running on a PSP. Oh, Hashimoto! You heartbreaker! [Via Eurogamer]
Square Enix undecided about FF5 and FF6 DS remakes
Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto was in the question-answering mood yesterday, responding to a handful of queries thrown his way via the Square Enix Partners Twitter account. After explaining to his curious followers that the company is "undecided" about downloadable ports of Seiken Densetsu 3 and mobile RPG Ever Heart Odyssey, Hashimoto addressed the possibility of DS remakes for Final Fantasy V and VI, stating (according to Andriasang's translation), "for FF5 and 6, there are technical issues as well, so at present these are also undecided." We're not quite sure what that means. The only technical issue we can see in this situation is that Square Enix could put the original versions of both games on a single DS cart, and we would still pay $40 for it, making us technically insane.
Final Fantasy IX confirmed for release on Japanese PSN
If you're wondering who you need to talk to in order to get your beloved PS1 RPGs onto the PlayStation Store, we're thinking Shinji Hashimoto is the man who gets things done. Last week, he said he was planning on "proposing" bringing Final Fantasy IX to the PSN -- this week, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada confirmed that the game would soon join FFVII and FFVIII on the PS3's Japanese digital storefront. No release date or pricing details have been released so far. Impressive, Mr. Hashimoto. Most impressive. But we bet you can't do it again for Chrono Cross. Oh, and while you're at it, we bet you can't get Vagrant Story localized for U.S. release. C'mon. We dare you.
Final Fantasy IX could hit PlayStation Store soon
We have a bit of evidence now suggesting that Final Fantasy IX might be headed to the PSOne Classics selection of the PlayStation Store -- besides the fact that Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and Tactics are already available on the store. Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto Tweeted (translation by Andriasang) that "Regarding an FF9 download release, everyone is so passionate about it that I'll be proposing it at the next board meeting. Look forward to next week!" To those of you out there constantly discussing how awesome Quina is on Twitter, in Japanese, it looks like you might be victorious. Of course, this kind of statement is more likely to make fans feel engaged in a process that is going on independent of their participation -- by which we mean this was totally going to happen anyway.
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.
Final Fantasy XIII: 360 development starting after PS3 version
When is Final Fantasy XIII coming out? To deliver even a vague answer, you'll need to consider the long and winding path the immensely anticipated RPG still has to take -- and the Xbox 360 version isn't about to take a shortcut. Speaking at a special Square Enix Q&A event at E3, Square Enix exec Shinji Hashimoto detailed the developer's strategy, taking care to consider not only the game's multiplatform development, but its localization period as well.Final Fantasy XIII is currently being developed using Square Enix's "Crystal Tools" technology with the PC as base platform. "As we have already announced, we will complete the PS3 version in Japan," explained Hashimoto. "After that, we will start the localization for US and Europe." Once localization is underway, Square will begin development of the Xbox 360 version, with the aim of releasing it in America (with no meaningful content changes) alongside the localized PlayStation 3 version. "Because of languages and other conditions, it may not release in US and Europe simultaneously," noted Hashimoto.Convenient summary: Final Fantasy XIII isn't coming out soon.
Final Fantasy remakes outraeously priced and dated for US
What do you think a remake of a decades-old RPG should cost? $5? $10? How about $20? Well, Square Enix has a surprise for you. The Final Fantasy remakes are heading to the US for a whopping $30 each. Final Fantasy, rated E10+, will ship to retailers on June 26, 2007. Final Fantasy II, rated T, will ship to retailers on July 24, 2007.Executive Producer Shinji Hashimoto states in the latest press release: "It is amazing to see how far Final Fantasy has come in the past twenty years, and we cannot wait to continue bringing fans more Final Fantasy titles in the next 20 years." Of course, if Square Enix continues to price games this way, gamers may not be able to afford their games. Remember the original Final Fantasy I & II collection on Game Boy Advance? Each individual UMD costs the same as that cartridge from years ago. This really is a shame, Square.Gallery: Final Fantasy I (PSP)Gallery: Final Fantasy II (PSP)
