Xbox 360 gets FFXIII, signals multi-platform gaming environment

Friday, Jul. 18 2008 | Author: Mel

If there is a category for biggest shocker during E3, it would probably be the surprise announcement of Final Fantasy XIII for the Xbox 360. Yes, you read it right–and I’ll type it again, Final Fantasy XIII is going to be released for the Xbox 360.

This is a major coup for Microsoft and a big blow for Sony, which has been boasting this franchise as an exclusive and one of the biggest reasons for people to buy the PS3. Shattering the exclusivity hold of Sony over the most beloved game franchise in the world will have a tremendous impact on its sales and will surely boost Xbox 360’s viability. I have been pretty transparent about my disdain for Microsoft’s console because of its high failure rate (I don’t shit money so getting an expensive equipment that has a 60 percent chance of conking out on me makes me see red) but I have to applaud the company for pulling this off.

Square Enix’s decision to make FFXIII a multi-platform game is also a big sign that for companies to survive in the highly competitive gaming industry, a multi-platform strategy is really the way to go. It ensures a bigger customer base at the least cost possible. This also means that price and first party titles will become bigger factors in determining who comes out on top. At this point, the Nintendo Wii wins in both categories and its apparent in its leading position in the market.

Let’s see where this trend goes.

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4 Responses for "Xbox 360 gets FFXIII, signals multi-platform gaming environment"

mb

July 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
1

Getting the rights to FF13 isn’t going to save MS from being outsold by 185,700 units compared to the PS3 in June and with that trend only going to continue. While I think like many others that the 360 won E3, the PS3 still looks like a better option in the end. A PS3 owner is looking at MGS4, FF13, Little Big Planet, Mass Effect, Bioshock, and DCUO. That’s a nice variety with a ton of awesome game play for a Blue-ray player. :P

The Wii is lacking hardware specs to really handle some of the PS3’s games. Even the 360 is going to need to use multiple disks to handle FF13. Since the Wii is the standard for this generation of consoles, companies will have to cater more to it than the other two systems. I don’t exactly see the Wii 2 breaking out into a high end game console either.

Side note, the 360 is suffering from bad publicity in terms of hardware. Yes, the initial run of 360s sucked hard, but the later ones are better. As long as you get the current model version you should be good to go. The added coverage MS started to toss in makes it a virtual non issue.

If/when I get a console, it’s going to be a PS3. I’m just very patient in terms of wanting the price to go down since I prefer PC games and would be looking at it as a Blue-ray player more than anything. Really, a PS3 with Little Big Planet and DCUO is about all I need.
Mr Butterscotch

July 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
2

I’ve had an Xbox 360 for a while now (maybe a few years) and unfortunately it has recently broken. I’m now wondering whether to get it repaired or just to get a PS3.

I’m still of the firm belief that the two systems are really very similar, with the blu-ray player being the big separator between them.
Philip

July 21st, 2008 at 9:39 am
3

I was a PC gamer for a long time, and for me the Xbox 360 is as close as I can get to PC gaming without actually being a PC gamer. I never really liked the games library of the PlayStation. I just never really cared for tons of sports games and Japanimation RPGs. Which is why I couldn’t care less about the FF franchise coming to Xbox.

I will say I never understand people’s argument that the Xbox’s failure rate is too high. I got the beloved Red Ring of Death and I sent my Xbox back to MS and got a replacement. It took about 2 weeks. That part sucked, but it’s just not a deal breaker for me. I mean, they took care of the issue. I’ve never had an issue since. And I get the benefit of a console that has a cutting edge offering to its users.

I mean, did you see the “new features” Sony was offering to their console users at E3? Xbox Live was doing all that stuff a year ago. Whoopee. I already have a BluRay player, so I have no need for PlayStation.
Guy

July 24th, 2008 at 2:57 am
4

The 360 never had anything like a failure rate of 60%, at it’s worst point it was something like 30%. I just got a brand new unit and it runs very quietly.

PS3 is looking better especially with Killzone 2 and Resistance 2 out later but they are probably the only exclusives that I want. MS still has a broader offering of great games and like the other guy said Live is streets ahead of the Playstation network.