FFXIII to use motion-sensing

By Ellie Gibson Published 8 June, 2006

Plus: battle system details.

Square-Enix's Tetsuya Nomura has revealed that Final Fantasy XIII will make use of the motion-sensing technology in the PlayStation 3 controller.

In an interview published over on 1up, when asked if such a thing was likely, Nomura replied: "Yeah, we already have some ideas about how to use it."

Fellow Squenix type Yoshinori Kitase chimed in to reveal that the game was originally in development for the PS2, and they only decided to go all next-gen later on.

He went on to discuss FFXIII's battle system, stating: "At first sight, it might seem like an action game, but FFXIII inherits the long tradition of the numbered FF games, which is the active-time battle command system.

"We are trying to use a similar system to what you've seen, but the major difference is that the battle will be speeded up considerably. In the past, you had to wait to input commands, but our goal here is to reduce that waiting time as much as possible, so that the battles are greatly speeded up."

Squenix's Motomu Toriyama declined to reveal all the details of the game's main character, who is known to be of the female variety. However, he did say: "This time, one of the characteristics of this heroine is that she's not that feminine. I tried to make her someone very strong, independent.

"When I asked Mr. Nomura to design this character, I requested someone like a female version of Cloud from FFVII." Let's just hope she has better hair.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (31) Latest comment 6 years ago

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

  • Steroyd #1 6 years ago

    I thought Cloud looked Feminine. o_O

  • Blerk #2 6 years ago

    Oi! Squenix! Put the motion-sensing pad down and step away from the dev-kit!

    /fires sixty rounds into pad

  • Hunam85 #3 6 years ago

    I too am in the crowd that cringes everytime a good dev talks abut using the pad. Why would they need to use it!?

  • Wrestlevania #4 6 years ago

    Nomura replied: "Yeah, we already have some ideas about how to use it."

    Fellow Squenix type Yoshinori Kitase chimed in to reveal that the game was originally in development for the PS2, and they only decided to go all next-gen later on.

    And so it was that the "it's not a last minute bolt-on!" pyre burned ever more brightly, fueled by each passing PS3 news item...

  • ralphwolfenstein #5 6 years ago

    "I too am in the crowd that cringes everytime a good dev talks abut using the pad. Why would they need to use it!?"

    You could fling the controller at the wall in exasperation in order to skip the cut-scenes...

  • ecureuil #6 6 years ago

    Why is it that people want to use the Wii remote for all and everything, even when suitable, yet when developers talk about having (possibly great) ideas for the PS3 pad, everyone says it's crap? It has a lot of potential, I'm definitely looking forward to trying it out.

  • drumbaby #7 6 years ago

    You could use it to shake your character's last dribble of piss after they'd had an in-game wii.

  • Blerk #8 6 years ago

    I don't like the sound of the Wii remote either, ecureuil! \o/

  • Mr_Brown #9 6 years ago

    Maybe because the Wii controller is interesting and will change the way you control games in the future. The PS3 controller is basically the PS2 controller minus Rumble features and plus a Motion sensor.

    PS3 motion sensor is a last minute gimmick to try and compete with the Wii hype. It didn't work. The fact that Devs are just putting in this feature for the hell of it is even more frustrating. I think its obvious the only game it will truely work in is Loco Roco PS3...

  • York #10 6 years ago

    "Female version of Cloud"?

    So, just Cloud, then.

  • #11 6 years ago

    Dev says they have ideas for the PS3 pad.

    /OLD!!!

    Just show me them then you f**ks! Less talky more showy.

  • Scientist #12 6 years ago

    "to reveal that the game was originally in development for the PS2, and they only decided to go all next-gen later on."

    Or because FFXII took so bloody long as Matsuno-san was having a nervous breakdown.

    I don't like Nomura's work; his character designs all look the same. Any FF-ites agree?

  • Steroyd #13 6 years ago

    Just show me them then you f**ks! Less talky more showy.

    you'll have to be a wii bit more patient cowboy, we'll be shown at TGS in September, if they were to incorporatethe feature now, and show this very minute, then there wouldn't be much brainstorming involved and you'd claim they'd bolt it on as a last minute'r

  • Zero Beat #14 6 years ago

    Shake the controller to power up your Guardian Force! I'd die if they did that again.

  • SeesThroughAll #15 6 years ago

    will change the way you control games in the future.

    Every Nintendo fanboy uses these exact words to describe the Wii. Sounds like they've all been brainwashed if you ask me.

    I'm as curious to see what clever uses the motion sensor will have as to see original Wii games, like Red Steel.

  • asphaltcowboy #16 6 years ago

    "you just alienated 4 billion female gamers from buying your game"

    they outnumber us 2:1?!! ARGH!

  • Walshicus #17 6 years ago

    That's a GOOD thing AsphaltCowboy... ;D

  • theiceman #18 6 years ago

    I totally agree with you ecureuil. why can't people here hold off cussing the ps3 pad until they've played it!!!! .personally it sounds well worth the wait.

  • Steroyd #19 6 years ago

    will change the way you control games in the future.

    you know through all of the wii's hype i've often wondered...

    ...is a Gamecube with a new motion sensing controller REALLY worth it?

    Mario 64 DS was a terrible inception to show people what the touch screen is about, as does Zelda TP looks like for the Wii.

    Not to mention that all the titles i've got and i'm excited about the revolutionary DS for doesn't even use the Touch Screen innovatively...

  • Aysir #20 6 years ago

    "so heroines who are strong and independant (oops independent) are not feminine enough to be a woman
    you just alienated 4 billion female gamers from buying your game"

    You may be surprised but the word feminine does not mean woman. It's a set of characteristics that were assossiated with being a woman. Proactive characteristics are masculine while passive characteristics are feminine, yet neither of these terms makes a guess at the subjects gender.

    "And so it was that the "it's not a last minute bolt-on!" pyre burned ever more brightly, fueled by each passing PS3 news item..."
    Showing it to the devs was certainly last minute, Sony just argue that it had been in development before that in secret.

  • ecureuil #21 6 years ago

    It certainly was a last minute add-on, but haven't we all seen the patents proving Sony have had this idea for years? It seems they were just too scared to use it.

  • cooper #22 6 years ago

    What's difference if the ps3 motion sensor was added last minute or last year? The only thing that matters is how it works on games that *choose* to use it.
    As much as I'm looking forward to a new Metroid Prime, the wiimote doesn't sound like such a good idea to me. (Note to Retro: Please include a choice to use a normal pad instead of that "pointing-to-turn" crap).

    @Steroyd - Agreed. I loved Dawn of Sorrow, but hated all the pointless tacked on stylus bits.

    EDIT - I don't think *forcing* developers to use the wiimote is a good idea, not the wiimote itself (which may work for games built around it).
    Edited by 1 at 08/06/06 @ 13:36

  • Mr_Brown #23 6 years ago

    Cause the Wii will change the way you play games. You will be using a motion sensor!An analogue in one hand and the D pad and buttons in the other. This is different no?

    Though doesn't necessarily mean it will be for the better though. Its just a simple fact. Using a Wii controller will be different to playing a PS2, Xbox or Gamecube controllers. I expect alot of tripe games at first just like the DS. But hopefully things will improve, its the western developers I'm worried about. They don't seem to like innovative control methods. They certainly haven't done much for the DS.
    Edited by 1 at 08/06/06 @ 13:41

  • a8a #24 6 years ago

    Ashe in FFXII is hardly the most feminine of heroines either o_O

  • Hunam85 #25 6 years ago

    "I don't like the sound of the Wii remote either, ecureuil! \o/"

    +1 :)

    I love ninty for not imposing the remote on SSBB, because i love thes series, and i love the cube pad

  • Captain-nippon #26 6 years ago

    @ Blerk

    """"""" Oi! Squenix! Put the motion-sensing pad down and step away from the dev-kit!
    /fires sixty rounds into pad"""""""""&qu ot;""

    Don't you know how stupid your comment is. IF SqEx didn't listen to you the first 100th millions time you think they're start listening to you NOW FOOL?

    It would be stupid and foolish for SqEx and not make games for a 100th millions console...unless they're you of course...

  • NegativeZero #27 6 years ago

    So I guess we can all look forward to more buggy, frustrating Chocobo Racing minigames in order to get that superweapon for the main character.



    I still have nightmares about the FFX Chocobo Racing minigame. :(

  • Drakron #28 6 years ago

    I think the question you sould ask is were does a sensor control have a use on a RPG.

    RPGs tend to use a menu system for commands, its a simple and pratical system.

    One of the things we sould fear about the Wii games is developers using the sensor were the controler buttons would do the job as well if not better, just because it have something does not mean you sould use it.

    As for FF XIII ... well let me say this, I hated Tidus but Auron was enough to keep me playing as I just quit in FF X-2 when I got into that concert thing ...teenage J-Pop MTV girls with "girl power" was something that was far worst that Tidus.

    If FF XIII have a female "non feminine" lead ... I am sorry but I am not overall interrested in the adventures of a butch girl, I seem enough tomboys in FF games so I have to assume its less femimine that a tomboy and so a butch girl.


  • Rambaldi #29 6 years ago

    "Yeah, we already have some ideas about how to use it."

    ...because Sony says we have to so as not to make them look (even more) like a buch of hapless twats.

  • Aegus #30 6 years ago

    I read somewhere that the "White" engine that FF13 uses was originally in development for the PS2. They then shunted it to be the basis for their next-gen games since it was looking pretty good.

    hmm Nomura designs are getting on my nerves lately. I really wish they'd take a risk with the art design and hire Okama or even better Range Murata for designs. I'd love a retro future style for an FF game.

  • Bates #31 6 years ago

    "It would be stupid and foolish for SqEx and not make games for a 100th millions console...unless they're you of course..."

    What the fuck does this sentence even mean you gimp? I'd say you're the most tiresome troller around here, but I see Rambaldi has posted in this thread as well, so you're in second place this time I'm afraid matey.