Why FFXIII Won't Go Multiplat

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

Europe is the largest market for final fantasy games actually. 

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

If you ran a business, a world-wide business and only focussed on one country how long would your business last? 

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

Nothing is impossible when it comes to programming, the cell isn't as great as people think it is just look at the specs. 

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

They have no executive level decisions, that got wiped out when they merged with enix. Sony only hold shares in the company now. 

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 It isn't about japan, sales over NA and Europe seperately always beat japan sales. It isn't about paying anyone off its about the whole picture in the long run and who are they going to make more from in the long run.

CelineDion

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.AntiType

o_O DVDs are pennie for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

CelineDion

FF going multiplat will not change the sales of FF games in Japan, it will still be release on the PS3....

It can only make more profit.

You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

CelineDion

Touche.  However, Sony's recent "we don't need 3rd party exclusives" statement by old Harrison shows not only can't they pay too much because they're already in so much debt, but they also refuse to pay too much because they've become incredibly cocky.  Don't fool yourself into thinking FFXIII wouldn't sell well on 360 in the states (gamings largest market if I'm not mistaken).  Sony doesn't seem to want to cough up the dough, and if they're already in talks it seems that Square Enix is fully prepared to face the "porting difficulties" in order to reach a exponentially more decent amount of gamers.

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.AntiType

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

I wouldn't say this game has a definite yes or no for being or not being multiplat.

[QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

Link? 

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

CelineDion

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

afdevil24

DS has the best RPG this gen... and if you mean just consoles... PS3 and Wii dont even have RPGs this gen yet... 

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

CelineDion

Am I the only one who remembers threads just like this saying why DMC4 will never go to the 360???

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.Kook18

i think this man on another forum said it best.

So your telling me FF13 wont push PS3 sales up? Look at what gears did for the 360...

[QUOTE="Kook18"]

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.Kahuna_1

i think this man on another forum said it best.

So your telling me FF13 wont push PS3 sales up? Look at what gears did for the 360...

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.Kook18

i think this man on another forum said it best.

^^ lol ^^

Seriously thats the best most down right accurate statement I've heard all year.

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"][QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.AntiType

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

Link? 

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

afdevil24

[QUOTE="AntiType"][QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"][QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

Link?

Crystal ball ftw. 360 could become huge in Japan. They have the best rpg's this gen.Alleluia_Cone

Indeed.  The fact of the matter is that FFXIII isn't going to sell for X360 in Japan in any appreciable amount, even if it went multiplat.  The Japanese are not interested in X360's library as a whole, and one non-exclusive game isn't going to change that.

[QUOTE="Kahuna_1"]

[QUOTE="Kook18"]

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.Kook18

i think this man on another forum said it best.

So your telling me FF13 wont push PS3 sales up? Look at what gears did for the 360...

I still think it can sell 3 million easily

JAPAN only represents about 40%-50% of FF12 sales. Less if you look at older FF's.

And it only sold like 5 million with 100 million ps2's.. whats it going to sell with 3 millionish ps3's or even 5 million if it gets that high next year?

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US.  Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

justdog11

Touche.  However, Sony's recent "we don't need 3rd party exclusives" statement by old Harrison shows not only can't they pay too much because they're already in so much debt, but they also refuse to pay too much because they've become incredibly cocky.  Don't fool yourself into thinking FFXIII wouldn't sell well on 360 in the states (gamings largest market if I'm not mistaken).  Sony doesn't seem to want to cough up the dough, and if they're already in talks it seems that Square Enix is fully prepared to face the "porting difficulties" in order to reach a exponentially more decent amount of gamers.

[QUOTE="AntiType"][QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"][QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

Link?

No.. its a comon fact that a BLURAY is many times more expensive then DVDs. Actually there are games that were put on 2 DVD-5s rather then a DVD-9 to save money...  

[QUOTE="Kook18"][QUOTE="Kahuna_1"]

[QUOTE="Kook18"]

Square's in a tough bind. They can't put FFXIII on the Wii because it would require them to start from scratch. They are gonna take a hit if they support the PS3 because it doesn't have the userbase to give them numbers like X-XII. And if they support the 360, well, an American console will flourish in Japan and Satan will emerge and take over the world with Saddam...for realsies.Kahuna_1

i think this man on another forum said it best.

So your telling me FF13 wont push PS3 sales up? Look at what gears did for the 360...

I still think it can sell 3 million easily

JAPAN only represents about 40%-50% of FF12 sales. Less if you look at older FF's.

And it only sold like 5 million with 100 million ps2's.. whats it going to sell with 3 millionish ps3's or even 5 million if it gets that high next year?

deadlypencil

there are not 100 million 0s2s out there... I bet there are less then 50 million working out there... PS2s have had an awfully high defect rate. to get a resaonable idea on how many ps2s there are... ti would probably be best to look at sales for games and compare them to other consoles... ps2 games do NOT sell on average of 5 times more then the other consoles... hell its not even 2x more 

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

LegendofYaslint

Am I the only one who remembers threads just like this saying why DMC4 will never go to the 360???

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

CelineDion

The white engine has been designed to be cross platform.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167571.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newsmakerfeatured&tag=featurednewsmaker;title;1

It is very simple math, I am not sure why you are even mentioning total install base as a reason. 10 million > 2 million. If Sony wants to make a profit on their game they will need more then a million or so people to buy the game. Currently they would need every single person who owns a ps3 to buy the game to even be close to making a profit. It is in their best interest to go multi platform with their game so they can make money.

[QUOTE="Alleluia_Cone"] Crystal ball ftw. 360 could become huge in Japan. They have the best rpg's this gen.CelineDion

Indeed. The fact of the matter is that FFXIII isn't going to sell for X360 in Japan in any appreciable amount, even if it went multiplat. The Japanese are not interested in X360's library as a whole, and one non-exclusive game isn't going to change that.

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

JimJackJose

The white engine has been designed to be cross platform.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167571.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newsmakerfeatured&tag=featurednewsmaker;title;1

It is very simple math, I am not sure why you are even mentioning total install base as a reason. 10 million > 2 million. If Sony wants to make a profit on their game they will need more then a million or so people to buy the game. Currently they would need every single person who owns a ps3 to buy the game to even be close to making a profit. It is in their best interest to go multi platform with their game so they can make money.

How does he know? He only heard that. He doesnt work for Sqaure anymore. 

[QUOTE="CelineDion"]

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, which wouldn't be that much, at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base.

 

JimJackJose

The white engine has been designed to be cross platform.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167571.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=newsmakerfeatured&tag=featurednewsmaker;title;1

It is very simple math, I am not sure why you are even mentioning total install base as a reason. 10 million > 2 million. If Sony wants to make a profit on their game they will need more then a million or so people to buy the game. Currently they would need every single person who owns a ps3 to buy the game to even be close to making a profit. It is in their best interest to go multi platform with their game so they can make money.

Just a couple of points.

Final Fantasy is not just a big seller in japan but also in america and europe.  FFVII showed this and helped to make the original PS the brand it is today, which is why they ported every consecutive installment over here as well.   With the japanese market shrinking as well, they will consider the western markets more and more, in which case it will be whichever platform sells the most that they will produce their games for primarily.  Also, the multiplatform games, many of which were originally designed for the PS3 such as Devil May Cry 4, show that porting games from the PS3 is not impossible (I know many of them haven't been released yet, but many were originally started for the PS3 and then changed in development, which is the stage FFXIII is in at the moment).  Third, while the PS3 is supposed to be easier to program for than the PS2 (which was supposed to be one of the hardest consoles to program for) it is still supposed to be harder than the 360 and wii to write games for, and since many of the 360 games are being ported over to the PS3 it is not inconceivable to believe that porting a game from the PS3 to another platform would actually be easier.  Finally, it is not going to be as profitable for third parties to develop for just one console as it used to be due to increasing costs, and most of them are going to be trying to reach as many customers as possible in order to make a profit, which will mean producing more multiplat games.

And one final point that isn't anything to do with what you were talking about, final fantasy games now suck as they have lost the magic the earlier ones had and have become rehashed bull rather like some of the newer anime that is released, which is why the japanese market is moving away from both of them.  Some gems still appear in anime though...

Just a couple of points.

Final Fantasy is not just a big seller in japan but also in america and europe. FFVII showed this and helped to make the original PS the brand it is today, which is why they ported every consecutive installment over here as well. With the japanese market shrinking as well, they will consider the western markets more and more, in which case it will be whichever platform sells the most that they will produce their games for primarily. Also, the multiplatform games, many of which were originally designed for the PS3 such as Devil May Cry 4, show that porting games from the PS3 is not impossible (I know many of them haven't been released yet, but many were originally started for the PS3 and then changed in development, which is the stage FFXIII is in at the moment). Third, while the PS3 is supposed to be easier to program for than the PS2 (which was supposed to be one of the hardest consoles to program for) it is still supposed to be harder than the 360 and wii to write games for, and since many of the 360 games are being ported over to the PS3 it is not inconceivable to believe that porting a game from the PS3 to another platform would actually be easier. Finally, it is not going to be as profitable for third parties to develop for just one console as it used to be due to increasing costs, and most of them are going to be trying to reach as many customers as possible in order to make a profit, which will mean producing more multiplat games.

And one final point that isn't anything to do with what you were talking about, final fantasy games now suck as they have lost the magic the earlier ones had and have become rehashed bull rather like some of the newer anime that is released, which is why the japanese market is moving away from both of them. Some gems still appear in anime though...

1SleepyGit

You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

The money from an easy 2 million sales between Europe and North America says "yes it will".

Oh and if FFXIII was announced for 360, it would sell a nice chunk of around 200k in Japan. It would also boost 360 sales significantly for a while like BD did.

1) Japan is the largest market for Final Fantasy games.
Wrong. Try Dragon Quest.

2) The X360 install base in Japan is not appreciably larger than the PS3 install base in Japan.
Actually, the 360 base is smaller, but it won't matter since FF is bigger in America.

3) FFXIII is being built on the White Engine, designed for the ground up for the Cell, making it difficult to port.
Yeah.

4) Sony owns a small part of Square-Enix, and has at least some sway on executive-level decisions.
Yeah, but they can easily be overruled by the Square Enix head honchos.

5) Putting FFXIII on X360 arguably wouldn't help FFXIII sales in Japan, (every sale counts) but would help FFXIII sales in the US. Therefore, Sony would only really need to pay Square-Enix enough money to balance out the lost US sales, (they don't even have enough money to help out the PS3 cause) which wouldn't be that much, (yeah right) at least compared to what Square would lose if X360 had a large Japanese install base. (not necessary for lots of sales)

 

CelineDion

[QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.ArisShadows

o_O DVDs are pennie for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

[QUOTE="AntiType"]

[QUOTE="FFVII_Madness55"]You forgot about multiple discs. SE cannot make a profit off of that.FFVII_Madness55

o_O DVDs are pennies for a devs... actually one BLURAY is much more expensive then dozens of DVDs

    Actually, it does work that way. Developers that are in tight with Sony will of course say that Blu-Ray is better and DVDs don't have enough space, just like any MS developer will say Blu-Ray is a waste.

    Making a game multi disc is relatively inexpensive when compared to the massive profits that SE could garner from an extra 10 million units to target.