FFXIII out simultaneously on PS3/360

By Robert Purchese Published 20 August, 2009

Square Enix finally confirms.

Square Enix has finally clarified that Final Fantasy XIII will launch simultaneously on PS3 and 360 in the West.

"We don't have the actual month down yet, but in Japan it's scheduled for a winter release, and in Europe and North American territories it's spring 2010," producer Yoshinori Kitase told VG247 at gamescom.

"For Europe and North American, the PS3 and 360 versions are going to be released simultaneously."

Kitase added that European localisation used to take a year, but should now be "considerably shorter". The European launch of FFXIII, therefore, will be "as close to the North American release as possible".

Square Enix began development on the Western, Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII in April. However, the PS3 code is complete, and - as Kitase mentioned - goes on sale in Japan this winter.

This aroused suspicion that Western PS3 fans are being made to wait for FFXIII simply because of a simultaneous multi-platform-release deal.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (58) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • rodpad #1 3 years ago

    Any word on if the US versions are going to be region locked? You know, since living in an English speaking country I couldn't give a monkeys about a multi-language release?
    Edited by 1 at 20/08/09 @ 13:23

  • rodpad #2 3 years ago

    Oh really? I never knew the PS3 was totally region free.

    /thick

  • the_dudefather #3 3 years ago

    Only exception is stranglehold I think (due to movie being included)

  • stevetuck #4 3 years ago

    You and me... and her, simultaneous
    You and me... and you and you, simultaneous
    Simultaneous lovin' baby, two or three...
    Simultaneous ooh, come on

  • KayJay #5 3 years ago

    "(due to movie being included) "
    Really?!? Thats cool. Hows the game? Rubbish right?

  • Darren #6 3 years ago

    I think that's great news.

    I'm leaning on the PS3 version at the moment because of its BD format, which means fewer discs, but ultimately it depends on how big the graphical differences are between the two games. The 360's DVD format could mean overcompressed inferior-quality FMV unless all the cutscenes are real-time (which they should be really). Anyway, it's all speculation at the moment, they may end up being identical bar the number of discs the game comes on.

  • M_of_the_sys #7 3 years ago

    "This aroused suspicion that Western PS3 fans are being made to wait for FFXIII simply because of a simultaneous multi-platform-release deal."

    So the rumours were true?

  • cooper #8 3 years ago

    @the_dudefather:
    Not really, I got the US version of Stranglehold and it plays fine on my EU PS3. Game and movie are both on the same disc, so you have to actually launch the game, then select movie from the main menu.

  • muscleblade #9 3 years ago

    @Darren
    "I'm leaning on the PS3 version at the moment because of its BD format, which means fewer discs"

    Why do you care? You probably wont finish the first disk anyway.

    PS: Im joking - (there is some truth in it though).

  • patch #10 3 years ago

    How many disks is the 360 version coming on? I know it's multi-disk, but don't know how many. Have I missed an article somewhere?

  • Darrengamer #11 3 years ago

    "This aroused suspicion that Western PS3 fans are being made to wait for FFXIII simply because of a simultaneous multi-platform-release deal."

    Considering most multi-platform games are developed on 360 and then ported over to PS3, surely this means that with all other games 360 owners are forced to wait for the PS3 version to be ready?

    Anyway I'm definitely getting this on 360, more discs means less screen tearing with high quality VGA output of 9 by 756 to the power of 82, divided by warp factor 9

  • BritishBlue1 #12 3 years ago

    I think it's incredibly unfair to PS3 gamers that our release is being delayed because of the 360 version. Doesn't make any sense.

  • Darrengamer #13 3 years ago

    @BritishBlue1

    GLOL

  • Physically_Insane #14 3 years ago

    @BritishBlue1

    As if it hasn't happened the other way around.

  • metallicorphan #15 3 years ago

    i know a lot of people don't like multidiscs,but i am fine with it...for me it gives you a sense of accomplishment when you 'make it off disc 1'..just like the Glory PS1 days of FFs,or it can be easier to tell,a friend where the hell you are in the game if its that big of a game...'i am on disc 2,about an hour in'

    i know it means having to peel myself of the couch to get up,but i will just have to put up with that

    there is also the added plus when installing the game,if you don't have the room,you can just install one disc at a time..instead of the whole thing

    but don't get me wrong..a game this size fitting on one disc is still impressive

  • DaveCook #16 3 years ago

    Brilliant news and a nice bit of fan service there. Nice to see they're striving to keep us all happy.

  • VicViper #17 3 years ago

    I'm torn I've both 360 and puss3 which would be the one to get?
    the 360 will have achievements which is usually what make me choose when dealing with multiplat releases and I have no problem with multiple discs
    And the Puss3 version has um everything on one disc and might look better maybe.
    well I guess I see which has the better extra bits or is cheaper.

  • Toothball #18 3 years ago

    I reckon they should start getting all the languages in there first so they can release it world wide at the same time. Regional issues should really be a thing of the past in this day and age.

  • muscleblade #19 3 years ago

    "And the Puss3 version might look better maybe. "

    Why do you think that. Its always the other way around.

  • hiddenranbir #20 3 years ago

    Put it on the PC, SE!

  • Darren #21 3 years ago

    @muscleblade - What is it with you and your apparent obsession with whether I've completed games or not? According to you I've finished 1 of 145 games but you overlook the fact that I only play single player games and that a good number of those are either completed or almost completed as far as I'm concerned. If they're not then I didn't like them, doesn't take a genius to work that out. Does it really bother you so much that I might not finish them 100% with every Achievement point?

    Personally, I'm getting tired of the snidey remarks, this is the second in as many days. One more and you'll be on my Ignore list. ;)

  • chessboxer #22 3 years ago

    I think Darren's gamerhood is being questioned...

  • Darren #23 3 years ago

    What's a 'gamerhood'... is that what chavs wear? ;)

  • miiiguel #24 3 years ago

    What's a chav?

  • GundamJehutyKai #25 3 years ago

    @physically_insane: I don't believe that it has happened the other way before, except for ghostbusters in europe (which sony published so it's not really comparable to this situation). Generally, if the PS3 version isn't ready, the 360 version gets released regardless and the PS3 version simply gets delayed (or cancelled)

    I wouldn't be surprised if the rumors of the PS3 version being delayed to satisfy a simultaneous release were true. But it won't affect their bottom line sales either way so one has to wonder just why they bothered to stoke the flames.

  • Drakron #26 3 years ago

    "So the rumours were true? "

    No because the whole thing is still IN JAPANESE and needs to be translated, they can port the engine to the Xbox 360 at the same time the scripts are being translated and new VA being recorded.

  • Beek4257 #27 3 years ago

    I think 'chav' is Britspeak for 'dude' and 'gamerhood' would probably be da gangsta way of saying 'gamingprowess' or some such.
    I'm from the early 70-ties so I'm pretty much guessing here.'
    Only FF I ever finished was VII. Don't know what that says about my gamingpenis though.

  • sneetch #28 3 years ago

    @miiiguel

    http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/Chav

  • Wildsleven #29 3 years ago

    spring couldn't be sooner could it?

  • ZeroAX #30 3 years ago

    I really couldn't be more happy that the 360 is getting this game. That means more people get to play it, and I get more people to talk about it.
    I think they should also port it to the PC.


    Now what I DON'T like, is fucking microsoft, who probably payed once more, so it's fanboys (not the fans, there are many reasonable xbox fans out there, fanboy doesn't equal fan, in my dictionery) can go on internet forums, and brag about how their console broke another PS3 exclusive. I don't freaking care. as long as it's also coming on my ps3, it can be ported to the ngage for all I care.

    But don't delay a game, many of us have been waiting for 3 years, so that the fanboys of another console can be happy.

  • samaran #31 3 years ago

    i am going to play this in japanese just to give microsoft the finger

    ...not that i'd get the 360 version anyway, seeing as i live in japan, BUT STILL

    your delay tactics won't work with me, i'll just read a few textbooks first

  • GamesConnoisseur #32 3 years ago

    Accusing MS of delays is perhaps bit rich when we know that in previous FF iterations Square always release FF in Europe much much later after Japan and US release dates?

    At least this time around the gap is not so severe and also including fast localisation compared to what Square-Enix does previously!

    If X360 owners get to play as well, then the forums would be all the more richer with double the loves and discussions!

    Regretting that you dont have the exclusivity anymore is perhaps just as much a fanboyism?!

  • Les #33 3 years ago

    "This aroused suspicion that Western PS3 fans are being made to wait for FFXIII simply because of a simultaneous multi-platform-release deal."

    This isn't news. This was known ever since E3 last year 8/

  • groovychainsaw #34 3 years ago

    I'll be most interested to see if the code on the 360 is compromised. We've seen many examples of xbox first platform and a hasty ps3 port looking poorer for it, but have very few (that i can think of) games aimed at the ps3 with a hasty port over to the 360. Multiple discs I don't mind, but I'll definitely want to get the version with the best fidelity of this. The xbox is usually the safe bet, but with the short development time, I'll be hanging on for a comparison article before picking the format here...

  • Mercatoria #35 3 years ago

    I used to like the FF games. They all look and play the same these days

  • Les #36 3 years ago

    "No because the whole thing is still IN JAPANESE and needs to be translated, they can port the engine to the Xbox 360 at the same time the scripts are being translated and new VA being recorded."

    True they can happen simultaneously, but it would be rather a coincidence if engine porting and translation take exactly the same amount of time...

  • Drakron #37 3 years ago

    Well there will be timing since Square-Enix is not going to do a advertisement campaign for FFXIII PS3 version for 8 weeks later having to do it for the Xbox 360 version.

    Unless there is a significant gap its better to just release at the same time.

  • DanC89 #38 3 years ago

    I'm just finishing Final Fantasy XII now so this will come out just in time, although I doubt that time will be Spring. :p

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #39 3 years ago

    it would be rather a coincidence if engine porting and translation take exactly the same amount of time

    Or supremely effective project planning.

    To be honest, given the lead times of internationalised versions of Final Fantasy in the past, I'd expect the Xbox port to take rather less time than the localisation.

  • VicViper #40 3 years ago

    @muscleblade

    I figured since square enix developed the tools (silver something?) that they made FFXIII with for the PS3 first then created the tools for the 360 version that there was the possiblity that in this case it would look better on the I guess lead platform of PS3 although I don't think that made much difference in burnout paradises case either.

    Given the track record for games which come out on both platforms I can understand where your coming from it hasn't extactly been even or in the playstations favour most of the time.
    Edited by 1 at 20/08/09 @ 17:38

  • Chufty #41 3 years ago

    I really hope the PS3 release hasn't been delayed for the sake of Microsoft. It's quite a shitty precedent to set.

    I don't care about European localisation, because I'll be importing the first English version to come out anyway.

  • Les #42 3 years ago

    "Well there will be timing since Square-Enix is not going to do a advertisement campaign for FFXIII PS3 version for 8 weeks later having to do it for the Xbox 360 version. "

    There are plenty of instances in which a 360 game was released less than 8 weeks before the PS3 version shipped so I don't think a publisher would be particularly averse to such a scenario, unless a nice amount of money was involved.

  • Les #43 3 years ago

    "Or supremely effective project planning."

    There's no such thing...

    /edit: phrasing ;)
    Edited by 1 at 20/08/09 @ 20:26

  • Scimarad #44 3 years ago

    Excellent news! PS3 for me.

  • Scimarad #45 3 years ago

    @ Eddy-the-Ed

    You absolutely do NOT rush the localisation of a JRPG! As far as I'm concerned they can take as long as they want.

  • Dizzy #46 3 years ago

    "but have very few (that i can think of) games aimed at the ps3 with a hasty port over to the 360."

    It is not made on PS3... it is made on a PC with a PC engine that they wrote to run on both consoles. Just like most of the Capcom games.
    Edited by 1 at 20/08/09 @ 19:10

  • ZeroAX #47 3 years ago

    @donnie080208

    no not really. My comparison 40% of sales are usually just from Japan. While that other 60% is a larger sum, you have to translate it to 6 different languages, and market it to another 30 countries, just to get a bit more sales, than you get from 1 language and country (Japan that is)

  • Drakron #48 3 years ago

    No idea were you getting that idea but the majority of sales come from outside of Japan.

    Lets take FF X ... 6.23 million in US and PAL region, 2.24 million in Japan.

    The only reason they are not going to bother with the Xbox 360 in Japan is the small install base that makes it hard to justify the cost.

  • ZeroAX #49 3 years ago

    and according to wikipedia

    [link url=http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VIII
    ]http://en .wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fanta...[/link]
    [link url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_fantasy_12#Reception
    ]    http://en .wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_fanta...[/link]

    final fantasy 8 sold almost 3,7 in Japan alone, and 4.45 in the west.

    also FF12 sold 5.2 mil copies worldwide, with 2.38 of them in Japan alone.


    I think I proved my point

  • Sunyavadin #50 3 years ago

    Any word on if the US versions are going to be region locked? You know, since living in an English speaking country I couldn't give a monkeys about a multi-language release?

    Precisely why my XBox copy of Legacy of Kain:Defiance is American. I got it half a year earlier, AND it didn't have all the cool bonus material removed to make room for voices in half a dozen languages WHICH I DON'T SPEAK.

  • rotmm #51 3 years ago

    I find it amusing that some commenters here are trying to attack Microsoft for causing a "delay" in the release of the title on PS3.

    However, this will be the first FF title in history that will see a concurrent US and EU release. The US version of the FF titles has generally always seen a 6-9 month release after Japan, with European localised versions usually turning up 12-18 months after Japan.

    Is it coincidence that the first "new" FF title to be released on a Microsoft platform is also the first to see a US and EU together? Possibly. But I rather suspect that EU FF fans should be looking at Microsoft's involvement here with some level of gratitude.

  • CitizenGeek #52 3 years ago

    Ah, thanks a million Microsoft cunts! Now we're going to be waiting EVEN LONGER for FFXIII in the West :'(

  • davisorle #53 3 years ago

    "This aroused suspicion that Western PS3 fans are being made to wait for FFXIII simply because of a simultaneous multi-platform-release deal."

    How is that ever possible when for the first time the US version will be released sooner than any other FF did before...? You evi lfirestarter you :p

  • muscleblade #54 3 years ago

    @VicViper

    You have a point. I still dont think the PS3 version will be the best looking version but the chances are there. My guess is that both versions will look equally good.

    @Darren

    Sorry mate. Didnt mean to hurt your feelings. I will try to behave better from now on.

  • hello_fi #55 3 years ago

    CitizenGeek? CitizenCunt more like, you massive cunt

  • waggy79 #56 3 years ago

    "CitizenGeek? CitizenCunt more like, you massive cunt "

    Made me laugh, dont know why :-D

  • seanthejackal #57 3 years ago

    @Dizzy so we ps3 guys are fuked then lol xbox 2 and their big pockets

  • man.the.king #58 3 years ago

    Wasn't this announced at last year's E3 MS conference?