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PSXE Poll Update: Final Fantasy Versus XIII Interest Waning

Ben-Dutka 37 Comments

This is what happens when a game essentially drops off the map for over six years.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII was once a hot item. A few high-quality trailers and videos released more toward the start of this generation were immensely promising. Then, as time went on, it started to adopt the unfortunate traits of "vaporware." Is it this era's Duke Nukem Forever ?

So we wanted to know, how badly has this affected the interest level of gamers? Our latest poll indicates that in fact, the continued, elongated silence has taken its toll. Although it was close, the majority of participants said they absolutely don't care at all about Versus XIII . Almost the same number said they're still stoked for the project. This isn't a good sign because three or four years ago, most everyone (especially at this site) would've been amped up. Big time. Of course, it doesn't help that Square Enix's continued missteps with the franchise in question have soured fans on anything with "Final Fantasy" in the title.

This week, we want to know if you plan to pick up the PlayStation Vita in 2013. The release schedule for the portable is still lacking in the opinion of most, but maybe there will be enough accumulated titles to pique your interest this year. Planning on getting one? Waiting until later? Already got one? Let us know, if you will.

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FF Versus XIII “Information Ban” Will Be Lifted Soon, Supposedly

Ben-Dutka 26 Comments

You know, I kinda miss those 12 years of comical Duke Nukem Forever news. But thankfully, we have another piece of vaporware to take its place.

We've actually had it for a while; we're already a good 6 years into the hilarious tenure of Final Fantasy Versus XIII . Maybe it has a chance of beating DNF! Well, anyway, Square Enix has apologized for the lack of information concerning the oft-delayed title.

Director Tetsuya Nomura said they'll be able to talk about it soon, and that we should "just wait a little more." …hasn't that exact same statement been repeated by Square Enix executives about six hundred times already? Maybe it's more like seven hundred.

Nomura was speaking on Square Enix Radio and the boss admitted that "even within the company it's a very delicate problem." He was referring to the question of when to release new details:

"The date when we can concretely lift the ban has been decided and we are preparing for that moment. Maybe the details as to why information couldn't be released might be touched upon at the next information announcement."

I'm sorry it's already overdue, but please wait just a little more."

Wait, there was a ban on giving gamers details on the game? Seriously? Why? And at this point, isn't it safe to assume it's a next-gen title? Maybe that's why they were waiting over the past few years.

Then again, maybe we just don't care anymore.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Would Final Fantasy Versus XIII Actually Help To Sell PS4s?

Ben-Dutka 25 Comments

So with the recent rumor that Final Fantasy Versus XIII will be exclusive to the PlayStation 4, this question is worth asking.

Chances are, nothing Square Enix does in the future will be totally exclusive so I wouldn't put much stock in that rumor. But whether it's exclusive or not doesn't matter; we want to know how big of an impact the game would have on the PS4 launch. Imagine if Versus XIII was available this year, right around the time Sony's new console hit store shelves…

Of course, that's not likely to happen but I'm wondering what kind of effect such a launch would have. I'm thinking Final Fantasy has lost much of its punching power this past generation, and I really don't think it holds the same "system-selling" potential it once had. Furthermore, as we still know virtually nothing about this particular piece of vaporware, we don't know what the gameplay will be like. If it was anything even remotely like the traditional FF mechanics, perhaps it would actually hit the gaming world like a ton of bricks and be a true-blue PS4-seller. If, on the other hand, it was just another example of how far the iconic franchise has fallen, I don't see how Versus XIII for the PS4 would help much.

If it was exclusive, I'm sure it would help a little. I still don't think that's going to happen but I imagine it has given loyal PlayStation fans something to smile about. Well, at least until the rumor gets shot down.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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I Guess Final Fantasy Versus XIII Is A Next-Gen Title Now

Ben-Dutka 43 Comments

I mean, it's a logical assumption, isn't it?

We've waited almost this entire generation for Final Fantasy Versus XIII to arrive and it has never happened. In terms of progress reports, we've seen next to nothing from Square Enix. Very, very little.

They said they'd get back to it after Final Fantasy XIII-2 was out but lo and behold, here comes Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns , with absolutely no news about Versus XIII . To top it all off, the next-generation consoles are very likely to launch later this year (it seems Sony will announce the PS4 this month) and still, not a peep from Square Enix concerning the long-anticipated piece of vaporware. Oh yes, vaporware it is until the publisher can prove the project still exists.

And if it really does still exist, wouldn't it almost have to be a next-gen title by now? Maybe that's precisely what we should've anticipated for the past year or so; maybe Square Enix has been biding their time, putting Versus XIII on the back burner so their ambitious vision can be realized by the more powerful hardware of a new generation. I suppose that's a pretty good possibility at this point and hey, it just might give the bitter FF fans some hope. I have little faith in the game in question but I've resolved never to give up on this franchise.

Perhaps if it hits the PS4 like a ton of bricks, many fans will be able to forgive and forget…

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Final Fantasy Versus XIII May Receive A Brand New Title

Ben-Dutka 37 Comments

It's probably a good idea, just because so many gamers are already associating the title Final Fantasy Versus XIII with vaporware. I do, for one.

As spotted by GameChup , Amazon Japan has recently altered the listing for Versus XIII to say "tentative" next to the original title.

That apparently wasn't there before, so this implies that Square Enix is considering a name change, right? You may recall that Final Fantasy Agito XIII for the PSP was eventually changed to Final Fantasy Type-0 , so it's not like the publisher has never changed names for announced titles. Some time ago, it was rumored that Versus XIII had actually become Final Fantasy XV , although that speculation was shot down a little later. Then there's always the possibility that the project has hit the skids and Square Enix has no idea what to do with it.

Considering what has happened to Final Fantasy this generation, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the latter explanation was the correct one.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy Versus XIII

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Lightning Returns Reaches A Big Development Milestone

Ben-Dutka 20 Comments

We know you want to keep tabs on the progress of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII . …come on, admit it.

Well, as cited by Nova Crystallis , Square Enix producer Yoshinori Kitase has offered a development update, and it seems the team has hit a pretty "big milestone."

Evidently, the first part of the game has been implemented "to some extent" and the team is currently collecting playtest feedback. Obviously, the idea of gathering such data is to make the game better and Kitase said they'll repeat this process several times so as to insure the "quality of the final product." As of September, the game was 30% complete so maybe we can say they've breached the 50% barrier now…? For more information on the upcoming title, feel free to check out our in-depth preview . Just resist the urge to throw rotten fruit in our direction after reading it…

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is due out some time next year.

Related Game(s): Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

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