News Roundup: New FF For Keitai Phones & FFXIV Release Details
Sat, Jul 24th, 2010, 10:00 pm (EST) by Colin
I think we've had a fair bit of news this week. Although most of them concern FFXIV, but that's no real surprise since it is Square Enix's next major release. Don't forget that it's out September 30, at least on PC.
First bit of news this week, Square Enix revealed Final Fantasy Legends: Warrior of Light and Darkness. Now that's an IP that was trademarked a while ago, but we had no idea what it was until this week. Apparently it's a title that looks to bring the classic Final Fantasy experience to cell phones, at least in Japan. No word on any North American release.
Rumours about FFXIII being released on the Xbox 360 in Japan hit the webs too. Although to be honest it doesn't really make all that much sense from a business perspective. The 360 isn't exactly doing very well in Japan and most people looking to get it would've gotten the long since released PlayStation 3 version.
Hit the jump for more of this week's coverage.
Rumour: Final Fantasy XIII Hitting Xbox 360s In Japan
Wed, Jul 21st, 2010, 4:06 am (EST) by Colin
Final Fantasy XIII hit stores exclusively for the PlayStation 3 in Japan back in December 2009. That may now change though as an Xbox Achievements list for the game has surfaced on Japan's Xbox.com.
The news comes from XNEWS, probably Japan's largest Xbox information site. Interestingly enough, the majority of games that had their achievements lists leaked on XNEWS prior to an official statement were eventually released in Japan.
Final Fantasy XIII released in North America and Europe in March 2010 this year for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, however, the PS3 version managed to sell almost twice as many units than the 360. Considering the smaller 360 market in Japan, will releasing FFXIII on said platform be even worth the effort?
Final Fantasy Union: Episode 39
Tue, Jul 20th, 2010, 11:52 pm (EST) by Colin
The goods on Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Final Fantasy XIV are the stars of this episode, but this episode of Final Fantasy Union also marks host Kyle Wynen's last show. Alongside reminiscing like old times, the crew of Kyle, David and Darryl tackle word that Versus XIII's story is complete, news on Final Fantasy XIV's fees, release date, and a bit of controversy involving the game and Microsoft!
Also to mark the occasion, the crew brings an extended show, clocking in at nearly an hour, as they also tackle listener questions on Versus XIII's potential to fail, Tifa getting her own game, and more. Don't miss this episode as Kyle says his final good byes. To keep tabs on Kyle into the future, follow him on twitter at twitter.com/kylewynen.
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Podcast music "Ephitaph" is by Eiko Ishiwata of www.eikoishiwata.com and www.aycomusic.com.
News Roundup: FFXIV Beta And The Cause For The PS3 Delay
Sat, Jul 17th, 2010, 4:17 am (EST) by Colin
Another news week has past with a couple of updates on the Final Fantasy XIV front again. The first bit of news that came around on Monday was Square Enix turning on what they had initially said about FFXIV being PC and PS3 only. At first, director Hiromichi Tanaka said that it was their decision due to the nature of Xbox Live; however, he then said on Monday that it was Microsoft who turned down Final Fantasy XIV.
Anyway, moving on, Square Enix's Yoichi Wada acknowledged on Wednesday that not all was dandy with the launch of Final Fantasy XIII. While the game did move an exceptional number of units sales-wise, it wasn't exactly well received by all fans of the franchise. Some loved it, others not so much. Personally I think it's a pretty fun experience, what do you guys think?
Read on for more of this week's coverage.
Square Enix & Microsoft: The Honeymoon Period Is Over
Thu, Jul 15th, 2010, 8:27 pm (EST) by Colin
Square Enix and Microsoft have a rather strange relationship quite akin to that of a roller coaster. Early on in the current generation's life, Square Enix was happy to offer their games on Microsoft's system, distributing exclusive titles like The Last Remnant, Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean: The Last Hope - now also on the PlayStation 3 - and just recently Final Fantasy XIII was released on both major consoles. Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada explained it as a way of expanding their audience. So then why isn't Final Fantasy XIV heading down the same route as well?
Originally codenamed Rapture, it was a brand new MMO being developed by Hiromichi Tanaka and the team behind FFXI. It was announced way back in August 2005. Since then, statements about what platform it would be on went back and forth with Tanaka first stating it was being made for the PlayStation 3 and PC in 2006. However, it was later said that Rapture was being made for the Xbox 360 and PC, with the possibility of a PS3 version being brought out at a later stage. Square Enix then reaffirmed that the game would be for all consoles at GDC 2008.
Fast forward to June of last year, E3 2009, Sony's Press Conference where Square Enix unveiled the debut trailer of Final Fantasy XIV - only for the PlayStation 3 and PC.
Just what the hell is going on here?
Square Enix: Microsoft Turned Final Fantasy XIV Down
Mon, Jul 12th, 2010, 1:38 pm (EST) by Darryl
There has been much speculation about Final Fantasy XIV since its announcement at E3 2009. And more recently, Square Enix revealed that the game would not be appearing on the Xbox 360.
However, Hiromichi Tanaka, the game's director, has now announced that it was actually Microsoft who turned the game down - Square Enix wanted it to be on the Xbox 360. Slightly different to what he said just a few weeks ago.
According to the site, Microsoft only allowed Final Fantasy XI on Xbox Live because it was in its infancy. However, now it's more established, they don't need it and were categorically unwilling to deal with Square Enix over the use of Xbox Live. Because of this, the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XIV was cancelled, definitively.
Final Fantasy Union: Episode 38
Tue, Jun 29th, 2010, 11:13 am (EST) by Kyle
Despite no E3 showing, Final Fantasy Versus XIII has finally broken cover with an assortment of gameplay details. All that, and discussion of pirated versions of Dissidia, Final Fantasy Agito XIII hitting the development back burner, and Final Fantasy XIV not hitting the Xbox 360 at all, on this episode of Final Fantasy Union.
It's just Kyle and David this episode, also tackling questions about Final Fantasy XV (yes, XV), and the seemingly dropped sequel to Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Will we ever see Genesis Rhapsodos again?
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