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Report: FF Versus XIII development confusion

[UPDATE] Tetsuya Nomura reportedly tells Famitsu that action RPG companion to Final Fantasy XIII has been placed on hold; Square Enix states otherwise.

The Final Fantasy crowd is known as much for its rabid devotion to the franchise as its penchant for dressing up as the more popular characters in the games. With such a devout following, many would consider it unwise to continuously deprive this crowd from the object of its obsession with no sign of relief. However, that's just what Square Enix has been doing since it announced Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Most recently, a misinterpreted quote from FFXIII director Motomu Toriyama led many to believe that Final Fantasy XIII would most definitely make it out in 2008. Although Square Enix was quick to quash the rumor, saying that no release date has been announced, work has nonetheless progressed on the much-anticipated PS3 game. And it now appears that progress has interfered with its partner in crime, Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

In a recent interview with Famitsu (translated by numerous sources, including Forever-Fantasy), FF Versus XIII director Tetsuya Nomura said that those working on the game have been appropriated by the FFXIII team because the latter game is the studio's number-one priority. As such, work on FF Versus XIII will not resume until development on FFXIII has wrapped, according to Nomura. On a positive note, Nomura did say that the FF Versus XIII storyline is essentially complete.

[UPDATE] In a lost-in-translation moment, Square Enix has denied that development on Final Fantasy FF Versus XIII has been bumped to the back burner. "Reports that development for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is on hold are false," a Square Enix representative told European gaming site Eurogamer. "The truth of the situation is that when free, some staff from the Versus team have been helping with the XIII team on development of Final Fantasy XIII. Development for both titles is continuing as originally scheduled."

Though Square Enix has kept both FFXIII and FF Versus XIII on a tight chain, GameSpot's gleaned info can be found in prior coverage.

182 Comments

  • vss3rd

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 6:32 am PT

    it does NOT bother me that ffxiii is going to be multiplatform

    i am a true gamer and as such i --want-- to see games that are --worth-- playing --be available-- to a wider/larger/more fervorant audience

    the switch is good for gamers as well,square makes more money and continues to make games - its win/win

    naturally when a game is multiplat i get it for PS3,i prefer the controller and the greater versatility of the ps3--my 360 is for exclusive titles*like infinite undiscovery today*

    as i said,i am a tru gamer-i pursue the games i want,i work for it,and i want great games to be SHARED across the gamer spectrum

    because not everyone has every system

    respect the games,love the games,honor the games

  • tu2pac

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 8:22 am PT

    For those who still think Square-Enix "betrayed' Sony ...
    read my blog :-)

  • lannyboy334

    Posted Aug 8, 2008 9:19 pm PT

    I own an Xbox 360, but to say that the PS3 is not the supreme powerhouse in this generation is a foolish mistake. The system can perform two teraflops of processing while streaming graphics in the same time that the 360 can only perform one. The big thing is that the Xbox holds such a large share of the market that there is no way you can ignore it if you are a smart game developer! If you make a good game, and you put it on the Xbox 360, it is going to make more money because *gasp* more people own 360's, not because it is the better system, idiots.

  • avenger2089

    Posted Aug 8, 2008 6:04 pm PT

    why do the 360 fanboys always have to jump into an otherwise good vibe about the game and start pointless arguements over the capabilities of the ps3 vs. 360 and say not to get the ps3 version of possibly a multi-platform game because it sucks. word of advice, stay on your gamespot 360 homepage or just **** also some ofr most of the editors for gamespot are biased 360 jocks.

  • imrlybord7

    Posted Aug 6, 2008 8:44 am PT

    Ultima, why would the 360 have a watered-down port? The only game that would support that claim is Unreal Tournament III, which was only because the 360 can't use PC mods like the PS3 can. Sure the Cell processor is better than the 360's IBM processor, but the 360 does have a better graphics card. The game would be almost identical on both platforms, like all games have.

  • Ultima-Chocochu

    Posted Aug 2, 2008 9:37 pm PT

    I think the 360 version is just going to be a watered down port to be honest, but I don't think many will care
    A good majority of people who own both consoles will buy for the PS3 anyways
    I don't mainly because I have a PS3, so I'll be getting it for that.
    Regardless, I am looking forward to both games, and can wait for both, even though I want them both now. XD

  • batkinson001

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 11:34 pm PT

    hey FF-kupo, the game won't be unpolished or rushed because of 2 platforms... from what I have been reading of the E3 coverage, the ps3 version is being done first then the team is going to work on the 360 version, with both versions being released at the same time globally (or as close to eachother as they can) that is why there is as far as i know, no release date set for FF13. The only thing that worries me as a Xbox 360 Gamer is how the game is going to be affected with compression and multiple discs (square should really learn to carefully compress their gorgeous FMV sequences (amongst other things) before putting them on a disc insetad they are being kinda lazy due to the Blu-Ray's Huge disc capacity and not bothering to do so.

  • Agent2800

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 12:06 pm PT

    stop your hating FF-Kupo!!! 2 many haters just get the game no need 2 hate like i always say why do people always get mad when PS3 loses a game but when they get a game from xbox360 its ohh happy day!!! this game is gonna be good no matter what system its on as 4 verses its a PS3 exclusive thats good!

  • FF-Kupo

    Posted Jul 20, 2008 9:01 am PT

    armax999.... shhh you xbox fan boys are getting the "multi" disc port in version... the ps3 still gets essentialy "first dibs" on the game... so after the ps3 console owners get done with it (including myself).. we'll let you know how it is, and then give you the port in.. chew on that lol. With that said, back to the reason why I'm posting this... I really hope that because they are making two ffxiii's that it doesn't shorten the length of them or make it fell.. unpolished.

  • armax999

    Posted Jul 19, 2008 7:40 am PT

    that AWESOME ffxiii on xbox 360 i cant believe it finaly square enix know what the system games i hate ps3 becuse have it bad feature and xbox360
    oh my god i cant talk is great very great guys dont buy ps3 the ps3 is crushed bad system xbx360 is best gen

  • shuyin240

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 3:33 pm PT

    me thinks this game will be out in late '09 or '10.
    considerin FF12 took a while to make i think 13 will take a lot longer as they have to make it super amazing as it is the first FF game on the ps3.
    but hey i dont mind waitin as long as its awesome!

  • lionheart234

    Posted Jul 15, 2008 7:42 am PT

    Its annoying that this game has been on hold for ff13 to be made, as in my opinion out of the 3 final fantasy 13 games, Versus looked to be the most promising to me....

    The mobile version will most likely not be released in the U.K, and now with final fantasy 13 jumping to the x-box 360 aswell, Versus still has my eye on it...!

    Still i agree with Scott1589, when square release a game they never let you down, so heres hoping they finish it soon..... xD

  • thesand212

    Posted Jul 14, 2008 10:35 pm PT

    i also agree with scott1589.

  • DarkBuhamut

    Posted Jul 13, 2008 3:15 pm PT

    yeh scott1589 is right. I just cant wait for both of these games to be released

  • olisaoli

    Posted Jul 4, 2008 7:09 am PT

    I completely agree with scott1589.

  • scott1589

    Posted Jul 1, 2008 10:26 pm PT

    He All know this game is going to be ground breaking! All the First Final Fantasies that come out on a particular console is considered groundbreaking. The original Final Fantasy was amazing on NES. Final Fantasy IV on SNES was Amazing. Final Fantasy VII especially; was amazing when it came on out on PSone. And Final Fantasy 10 was praized as a masterpiece aswell. Final Fantasy 13 is next in line for square (or squareenix) to show us what they are made of.

  • LoweSox

    Posted Jun 30, 2008 9:23 am PT

    Final Fantasy XII was the most satisfying game in the whole series. Going back to turn-based battles (even ATB) becomes irritating in a hurry. Whatever XII lacked in 'fantasy,' it made up for in gameplay, some of the best (if not the best) voice-acting in video games, and enough depth to make it re-playable.

    VII, for all its legacy and reputation, and though it overcomes it through sheer entertainment, is highly dated as video game. If that's what XII is supposed to be compared to, there's not even a contest.

  • Krazyjp7

    Posted Jun 25, 2008 4:57 pm PT

    i just want the game to be finished and as perfect as they can...i dont mind waiting as long as it is not rushed...

  • XaineBD

    Posted Jun 24, 2008 4:55 pm PT

    @ Rugby_Gentleman

    Yes, Square-Enix has hinted at going into the hardware market by joining forces with Taito. Here's a link to some of it.

    http://tinyurl.com/3lnboa

    Doesn't mean anything will happen really, just they have the desire of going in that direction.

  • micky_disco

    Posted Jun 24, 2008 10:38 am PT

    spockrodgers: What was disappointing about 12? Or is it just that your English teacher was right all along?

  • Nawras

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 10:56 pm PT

    too much final fantasy to handle! easy on our wallets!

  • spockrodgers

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 10:27 pm PT

    i cant wait for either of those games hopefully its better than the big dissapointment of a game ff12 oh well i live in hope

  • Rugby_Gentleman

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 9:23 pm PT

    wait DiscGuru101... square is looking into possibly developing their own system?

  • mjames4040

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 8:12 pm PT

    I remember when ff13 was supposed to be released in nov2006/march 2007. Either Square Enix are **** liars or they dont know what a calendar looks like. and by the way, I would rather believe nomura since he is head of the damn opperations for vs13 after all.

  • jeremiah06

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 3:51 pm PT

    YunalescaFFX said:
    BALONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S-E is probably hold while they work on the titles for the 360. Let's face it, FFXII took 4 years to complete and it was on hold make no mistake on that. Not sure why their big projects experience such delay. One can't blame the hardware as S-E has not come out and complained about the White Engine (actually they praised it) and FFXII was on the PS2 and we all the about how many delays it experienced. They just don't want to 'cause an uproar by claiming this rumor to be false... keep in mind no FF for E3 and for the S-E Party they will be only showing a TRAILER (meaning MAYBE 10-30 seconds worth of new screenies LOL). S-E is going down lately... sad I used to be a giant fan back then.

    LOL - both titles were announced in 2006... now 2 years later not even 2 FULL trailers are out for either games... When it comes to S-E it's better to not hope... man I can't believe all the excitement and energy I wasted scavenging for any new sniplet of info for 4 years for FFXII... what a dissapointment

    @YunalescaFFX Quality takes time i would much rather wait for a good game then have them rush out crap

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 10:25 am PT

    Final Fantasy 13 and FF13 Versus won't be released until either late 2009 or 2010. Those software titles are a very long ways away. The only thing that might speed up development is if the information is correct about the games being released for Xbox 360 and PC, too.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 5:13 am PT

    If these games don't get reviews 9.0+ I will never own a PS3. Simple as that. Also, Square was looking into making their own game system. If a Final Fantasy system comes out Next Gen, I will flip out.

  • twistedhades

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 2:29 am PT

    I WANNA HAVE IT NOW FF 13 WILL ROCK AS LONG AS THEY USE AEONS LIKE IN 10 WHICH WAS AWESOME WITH THAT BATTLE SYSTEM PLUS A LITLE BIT OF CRISIS CORE IN THE MIX WOULDNT BE THAT BAD IM JUTS SAYING ON THE BATTLE SYSTEM CAUSE I HATED THE ONE IN 12 A BIT BUT OK...

  • rpgshow

    Posted Jun 23, 2008 1:33 am PT

    i sure hope it comes out this year

  • groomc

    Posted Jun 22, 2008 12:50 pm PT

    Agreed Swamplord666, last time I bought XII, I stood in line with another closet FF fan. We were both just getting off work--shirt, tie, and game in hand. I think we were pretty normal dudes who love this series. They need to get someone to cover this story who understands the game and the game's fans...then maybe we could get some substantial details on the release...(on a side note, I did consider dressing up like Seifer???).

  • YunalescaFFX

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 9:39 pm PT

    BALONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! S-E is probably hold while they work on the titles for the 360. Let's face it, FFXII took 4 years to complete and it was on hold make no mistake on that. Not sure why their big projects experience such delay. One can't blame the hardware as S-E has not come out and complained about the White Engine (actually they praised it) and FFXII was on the PS2 and we all the about how many delays it experienced. They just don't want to 'cause an uproar by claiming this rumor to be false... keep in mind no FF for E3 and for the S-E Party they will be only showing a TRAILER (meaning MAYBE 10-30 seconds worth of new screenies LOL). S-E is going down lately... sad I used to be a giant fan back then.

    LOL - both titles were announced in 2006... now 2 years later not even 2 FULL trailers are out for either games... When it comes to S-E it's better to not hope... man I can't believe all the excitement and energy I wasted scavenging for any new sniplet of info for 4 years for FFXII... what a dissapointment

  • NovaSky

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 7:28 pm PT

    Lets face it, neither of these games are coming until 2010. It took them half a decade to create FFXII which we all know story fails in comparison with the previous installments. Even though it was a good game I felt I was fighting snakes the whole time. XIII will be good but we all know it's not coming in 2008.

  • aznballer91

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 7:05 pm PT

    square postponed ff12 for 4 years. and it turned out pretty good. just make sure both ff are awesome. time shouldnt be a major factor, but just a timeline when the game should be given to us gamers.

  • felshs

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 7:34 am PT

    i like that, i want them to be release at least a month apart, so i can beat one before i move to the other one, so i dont have to choose between the 2

  • swamplord666

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 6:57 am PT

    even though i'm not a big fan of Final fantasy (still need to properly get into one) i found the first paragraph rather offensive. basically putting the whole fanbase into one basket of weirdos... i can tell you my flatmate is a big fan of final fantasy and he is no way in hell the way gamespot described the fanbase...

  • coppersbuddy

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 11:00 pm PT

    It'll be interesting to see how the game mechanics work, especially if the battles are fully real-time, if it is semi real-time, or if they finally revert back to turn-based. The story looks amazing too, especially the whole working to destroy the world thing. (:

  • cyw1988

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 10:41 pm PT

    The game just looks exceptional but I find that completing one FF will take long enough... but two? Gosh, I'm gonna be going to be losing more sleep... Anyway, I kinda see this delay in a good light, gives fans time to finish the first one. Don't make versus XIII a substitute for XII itself. Good strategy.

  • ExireHG

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 8:58 pm PT

    SE has made an issue of announcing things long before they are even close to coming out, even in Japan. But people also need to understand that this isn't the FFVII-IX age. It takes much more than a year or so to finish a game. Especially with how detailed graphics have been recently. Either way I'm looking forward to both of them, frankly I think Versus has a more interesting story, but I definitely look forward to both of them. I'm not that impatient though, so I can wait, hopefully they can resolve this and keep Nomura quiet or find someone else, heh. But Versus is an action RPG, probably like Tales of Symphonia and similar to some MMO's. So I don't think FFXIII and Versus is going to be all that different besides the story.

  • CVM_123

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 7:42 pm PT

    i hope that they change its gameplay

  • ocdog45

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 7:17 pm PT

    still not intrested enough. i worried this game will be like the vincent game.

  • lew_0911

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 5:55 pm PT

    That's a relief. Man, they are into a lot of IP's. That makes finding time to make each game harder. Hey at least, they recently proved they can tread outside FF territory (TWEWY2 anyone? )

  • PringerXbillion

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 5:14 pm PT

    omg man good games take time to make, i don't mind to tell you the truth square enix take your time i already no that both of these games are going to be very good and i cant wait.

  • wii--x360

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    I want both games to come out soon because those 2 games are the only reason I'm buying a PS3.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 1:42 pm PT

    Come on already. I want this game out for heavens sake. It feels like its taking forever. I cant wait to buy this title

  • PulsingDeath

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 1:36 pm PT

    for taking this long they better give a very good game

  • Shishio817

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 1:14 pm PT

    hatieshorrer, Final Fantasy Versus XIII isn't supposed to be a multiplayer game...it's an action RPG.

  • lightwarrior179

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 10:16 am PT

    I think simultaneous development will only lead to a decline in the quality of either of the games. It's better that they first complete FFXIII,which no matter what Square might say,IS their as well as fans main priority.

  • micky_disco

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 8:38 am PT

    It seems to me that the priority shold be getting the first game out before pricking about with the second one. Typically FF games have well over a hundred hours of gameplay so I'm sure that would bridge the gap to some extent. But then I'm still a bit confused as to the idea of it being intended as a multiplayer game. If we're talking about two separate games, how is that going to work? Does it involve PS Network in some way? Anyone feel like shedding some light on the situation for me? It's your chance to demonstrate the extent of your gaming knowledge. Self-esteem, free of charge...

  • Airacomet

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 6:34 am PT

    This probably means Kingdom Hearts 3 and Crystal Bearers are on hold as well....?

  • F-unit2008

    Posted Jun 20, 2008 5:46 am PT

    late 2008 or 2009 early