FFXIII Delayed to Mid-2008

[DaXIthR]

Courtesy of 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3159809)...

During a financial briefing in Japan, IGN reports that Square Enix President Yoichi Wada fielded questions about the company's coming financial year and, in the process, confirmed what we'd all previously suspected: there's no way Final Fanasy XIII is coming in 2007.

In fact, Wada says investors shouldn't expect the epic RPG until after their coming fiscal year, which means no Final Fanasy XIII in Japan until at least May 2008. North America will probably receive the game sometime in the fall of 2008.

Don't worry, the demo is still on track for a release later this year.

I think this project a just too ambitious. It's a trilogy with all three parts coming out together. We'll find out if that kind of approach is something other developers will try emulate.

As a piece of Sony news, this is tragic. Lair, anyone?

[menage]

Ha, and Europe 2009 if lucky. Well, I'll get a PS3 then then. 2 years. Like I'm going to keep my bretah until then. Hopefully for Sony owners White Knight will be here a lot sooner.

[Murtaug]

No PS3 here, and have not touched a Final Fantasy game since X. I was not aware that the game was a trilogy, or that it was coming out all at once. That is somewhat interesting.

I really stopped enjoying the games after VII though, so no broken heart about this being delayed here.

[Gorvi]

Did anyone actually expect this to come out in 2007 anymore? I've been expecting this to be a Fall '08 game for quite a while now.

At least we'll have Folklore this year, and with the new PS2 upscaling, those PS2 games coming this summer from Nippon Ichi will at least look like PS2.5 games. :p

[TrackZero]

Gee, them delay another PS3 title until next year? You don't say.

[Karmakin]

Anybody who expected this to be out 2007 has no idea how development of these things goes.

X was horribly delayed
XII was horribly delayed
XIII will be horribly delayed.

I'd say don't expect it in NA until 2009. I'll be shocked if it's out next year.

[Abednigo]

I think this project a just too ambitious. It's a trilogy with all three parts coming out together.

They have a hard enough time getting ONE Final Fantasy game out in a timely manner, let alone three. I think you're right.

[Heretic Machine]

Eh, it isn't a trilogy. It is one Final Fantasy game, plus god-knows how many spin-offs, which just happen to be coming to every platform you can imagine. Expect to be playing FFXIII: Chocobo Breeder on your Atari 5200.

[LiveRatavar]

Did anyone actually expect this to come out in 2007 anymore? I've been expecting this to be a Fall '08 game for quite a while now.

At least we'll have Folklore this year, and with the new PS2 upscaling, those PS2 games coming this summer from Nippon Ichi will at least look like PS2.5 games. :p


It might maybe hopefully be out in fall '08 for Japan, Out on the States and UK 6 to 8 months later.

[wezlypipz]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

[Abednigo]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

Please. Do you honestly think a game of this scope is ready? How many years have they averaged between FF games? Especially the PS1 and PS2 games. And FFXII came out what...a year ago? And if it was ready do you really think they would sit on it (especially in Japan) waiting for a larger install base? FFXIII would sell PS3s.

I'm predicting we won't see FFXIII in the US until 2009. It might come out in Japan next year, but the US won't see it until at least a year later.

[Gorvi]

Please. Do you honestly think a game of this scope is ready? How many years have they averaged between FF games? Especially the PS1 and PS2 games. And FFXII came out what...a year ago? And if it was ready do you really think they would sit on it (especially in Japan) waiting for a larger install base? FFXIII would sell PS3s.

I'm predicting we won't see FFXIII in the US until 2009. It might come out in Japan next year, but the US won't see it until at least a year later.
If Sony has any sense of what they need to do, and it's seeming more that they do recently, they'll get the localization on this rolling while it's still in development to get it out in the US before the end of 2008. A quick localization turnaround isn't out of the question, and this is one of those games that needs to come out as soon as they can possibly get it.

[thesilentdeath]

This actually makes me happy cause if it doesn't go multiplatform it gives me time to get the money to buy a PS3.

[LiveRatavar]

If Sony has any sense of what they need to do, and it's seeming more that they do recently, they'll get the localization on this rolling while it's still in development to get it out in the US before the end of 2008. A quick localization turnaround isn't out of the question, and this is one of those games that needs to come out as soon as they can possibly get it.

I would be happy if they just translate the commands and slap on english subtitles to the voice acting, since it takes them months to do the whole dubbing (even if its pretty good like XII).

[D.D.D.]

Courtesy of 1up (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3159809)...

I think this project a just too ambitious. It's a trilogy with all three parts coming out together. We'll find out if that kind of approach is something other developers will try emulate.

As a piece of Sony news, this is tragic. Lair, anyone?[/i]

Um, if it's a trillogy and all three parts are coming out together, isn't that just one game? :confused: 'Cause me thinks three separate spanned out releases would signify a trillogy... Not all at once.

[Zander]

This actually makes me happy cause if it doesn't go multiplatform it gives me time to get the money to buy a PS3.

Exactly. This is good news, I get to wait another whole year for the PS3. That's another whole year of price-droppage possibilities as well.

[wezlypipz]

Looks like I'll run through all my old Final Fantasy games in 1080p for a year or so. I understand that a great game takes a great amount of time, but I've been drooling over this game since the first screenshot like so many others. Gorvi is right, they need to jump on this because if they don't start selling PS3s soon, it is going to be another 3DO or a cheap solution for a blu-ray player, not cool.

[D.D.D.]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

Yeah. Let's say it is ready now. I thought that the intention of a corporation was to make money. I could be wrong though... :rolleyes:

But to add, I'm sure it will help jumpstart sales in Japan when FFXIII comes out~ :o

[antoniogaud]

The game isn't intentionally delayed. Its intentionally over-ambitious.

2009 US.

[Kamalot]

The delay is fine by me. Maybe by 2009 I'll have enough time to give a damn about the game. Until then, hearing about Final Fantasy is nothing more than vapor and hype machine.

I feel very bad for anyone who purchased a PS3 at full price with the expectation that Final Fantasy would launch in 2007.

[nemyhlovecraft]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

Oh yeah, that's being greedy. Businesses that want to make money instead of losing it in a most humiliating way are greedy.

Edit: Also, yeah, theres no way development is even close to done on FFXIII.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Oh yeah, that's being greedy. Businesses that want to make money instead of losing it in a most humiliating way are greedy.

Edit: Also, yeah, theres no way development is even close to done on FFXIII.

How DARE businesses not be charities!

[Reanimated]

Another one bites the dust.

[EvilBob46]

Another one bites the dust.

Yeah, we can just ignore FFXIII because it comes out a year later.

[Rune_74]

No we can just ignore ps3 because it comes out a year later;)

[Rafer]

Anybody who expected this to be out 2007 has no idea how development of these things goes.

X was horribly delayed
XII was horribly delayed
XIII will be horribly delayed.

I'd say don't expect it in NA until 2009. I'll be shocked if it's out next year.

FFX was delayed? It came out just a year after FFIX, and came out in the U.S. in December 2001, just in time for Christmas and just after the PS2 had been out a year. I thought it came out at the perfect time.

I bet if Hironobu Sakaguchi was still there XII and XIII wouldn't take so long, it looks like Mistwalker will have two current-gen RPGs out before XIII. The guy sure can crank them out,

[Siraris]

How can a game be delayed if it never had an official release date to start with?

[TheFlyingOrc]

How can a game be delayed if it never had an official release date to start with?
That's a good point. It's more of a "dashing of hopes" than a "delay".

[Gorvi]

If this follows the pattern of XII, we'll get the playable demo this year, and the game next year. We'll more than likely only see FFXIII proper come out, with Vs. XIII sometime later. The cell phone game doesn't count.

[RorschachCCCLX]

uh, didn't we know this already? I recall hearing a may-08 guessitmate a few months ago, but I don't we've been expecting final fantasy xiii this year in quite sometime.

[TheFlyingOrc]

The cell phone game doesn't count.
Real gamers play on ALL the systems.

[Gorvi]

Real gamers play on ALL the systems.
Can I be a synthetic gamer then? I'm not sure what that would involve, but hell, it sounds cool. :p

[TheFlyingOrc]

Can I be a synthetic gamer then? I'm not sure what that would involve, but hell, it sounds cool. :p
I'll give you a hint as to what a synthetic gamer is.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b350/theflyingorc/robocop.jpg

[Gorvi]

Hmmm, I think I'll pass on that one.

EDIT :
I'd take this instead :
http://www.ownt.com/xbox/previews/2003/metal_arms/glitch.jpg

[TheFlyingOrc]

Y'know, I still need to play that game.

[Gorvi]

Y'know, I still need to play that game.
It's completely worth tracking down, one of the truly overlooked gems of last gen. It's also a lot longer and more difficult than you'd expect.

[DeadlyDonkey]

Ha, and Europe 2009 if lucky. Well, I'll get a PS3 then then. 2 years. Like I'm going to keep my bretah until then. Hopefully for Sony owners White Knight will be here a lot sooner.

Who gives a fuck when it comes out in Europe? PS3 games are region free, just get the US version.

Thank fuck there's no shitty waiting around for the European release this generation (FFXII - 4-5 months waiting after US release, I mean seriously, what the hell =/)

[MaiXu]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

Today's lesson is: don't buy a console to play promises.

[Asmodan]

This is fucking bullshit. I am so pissed off right now. This is the one major reason I bought a PS3 in the first place. They're being greedy and waiting for a larger install base obviously.

Not trying to be a dick but that's sort of what you get for buying a system based on things that aren't even out yet.

I mean, I'm pretty sure there will eventually be some decent stuff for the PS3 and if so I'll almost assuredly buy one. But if I went out and bought it now I don't think I'd really have a leg to stand on when complaining about standard early adopter problems like this.

[Kamalot]

Today's lesson is: don't buy a console to play promises.
I know people who purchased a PSP JUST to play Gran Turismo Mobile, which was allegedly DONE. They now hold a personal grudge against Sony for peddling vapor.

[DaXIthR]

Eh, it isn't a trilogy. It is one Final Fantasy game, plus god-knows how many spin-offs...

Um, if it's a trillogy and all three parts are coming out together, isn't that just one game? :confused: 'Cause me thinks three separate spanned out releases would signify a trillogy... Not all at once.

Are you guys serious?

You don't see the logic in my calling three games put out by the same developer set in the same universe designed in same mold in the same genre as a trilogy?

But FFVII is a direct sequel to FFVI in every sense of the word because 7 comes after 6, right?

[Gorvi]

Are you guys serious?

You don't see the logic in my calling three games put out by the same developer set in the same universe designed in same mold in the same genre as a trilogy?

But FFVII is a direct sequel to FFVI in every sense of the word because 7 comes after 6, right?
Well, it's not really a trilogy though. They've said before when they announced the Fabula Nova Crystallis FFXIII project that they're looking to create a world, a mythology, and build multiple games around that base. So far we only know about three, but there should be more coming.

[Kamalot]

From the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XIII):
According to Square Enix, Final Fantasy XIII is neither a prequel nor a sequel to Final Fantasy Agito XIII or Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Square Enix has explained that although all three games take place in the same universe, they are not directly related.[11]

From the sensibilities of consumers:
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/goodavatar/FinalFantasyCow.jpg

[Heretic Machine]

Are you guys serious?

You don't see the logic in my calling three games put out by the same developer set in the same universe designed in same mold in the same genre as a trilogy?

Their stories are not direct continuations of each other. Their gameplay likely won't be related. They're different games, set in the same universe. They are all going to share the FFXIII title, yes, but there will only be one regular FFXIII which continues the Final Fantasy seres. The rest are going to be like FFXIII: Crystal Warriors of ZOMG PURPLE MONSTER; FFXIII: Reckoning of WHATEV; FFXIII: Chocobo Random Japanaese Word. They are not a trilogy, and the Wii/DS/PSP/360 won't be getting the real FFXIII.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Are you guys serious?

You don't see the logic in my calling three games put out by the same developer set in the same universe designed in same mold in the same genre as a trilogy?

But FFVII is a direct sequel to FFVI in every sense of the word because 7 comes after 6, right?

So, by your logic, Star Wars is an Octology, as the 2 Ewok movies have equal weight?

[Kamalot]

So, by your logic, Star Wars is an Octology, as the 2 Ewok movies have equal weight?
Wasn't there an Ewoks TV show, or Droids, or that Star Wars Christmas Special...

[TheFlyingOrc]

Wasn't there an Ewoks TV show, or Droids, or that Star Wars Christmas Special...
I only counted movies. :)

[Zanzibar]

It's completely worth tracking down, one of the truly overlooked gems of last gen. It's also a lot longer and more difficult than you'd expect.
Hell yeah, it is. 'Bout threw my controller several times during that fucker, but had a blast doing it.

On-topic: So...not meaning to be a troll or anything, but I really thought FFXIII was going to be the system-seller item for Christmas 2007 for the PS3. With GTA4 multiplatform, what else is there that's going to make the gamers drool over getting a PS3 for Christmas?

[Kamalot]

Gotcha.
When I count Star Wars movies, I only end up with three:

New Hope
Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi

Did someone make extra Star Wars movies?

[Zanzibar]

Gotcha.
When I count Star Wars movies, I only end up with three:

New Hope
Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi

Did someone make extra Star Wars movies?
No.

Those 'movies' do not deserve the 'Star Wars' name. They will hereafter never be referred as such ever again.

[Gorvi]

Hell yeah, it is. 'Bout threw my controller several times during that fucker, but had a blast doing it.

On-topic: So...not meaning to be a troll or anything, but I really thought FFXIII was going to be the system-seller item for Christmas 2007 for the PS3. With GTA4 multiplatform, what else is there that's going to make the gamers drool over getting a PS3 for Christmas?
Exclusives that we know of so far coming later this year :
Lair
Heavenly Sword
Warhawk
Ratchet & Clank Future
Uncharted : Drake's Fortune
Metal Gear Solid 4
Folklore
Hot Shots Golf 5
SOCOM : Confrontation
Eye of Judgement
Killzone 2(possibly)

There's probably not any one game in there (with the exception of MGS4, and that's up in the air if it's this year or not) that would be a huge name title, but together, it's a pretty damn solid lineup. Uncharted has the potential to be something pretty big if it's handled right. Same with Heavenly Sword, though we really need to see a lot more.

[Zanzibar]

Exclusives that we know of so far coming later this year :
Lair
Heavenly Sword
Warhawk
Ratchet & Clank Future
Uncharted : Drake's Fortune
Metal Gear Solid 4
Folklore
Hot Shots Golf 5
SOCOM : Confrontation
Eye of Judgement
Killzone 2(possibly)

There's probably not any one game in there (with the exception of MGS4, and that's up in the air if it's this year or not) that would be a huge name title, but together, it's a pretty damn solid lineup. Uncharted has the potential to be something pretty big if it's handled right. Same with Heavenly Sword, though we really need to see a lot more.

I didn't know about Ratchet & Clank, that's a good title. I have my doubts about MGS4 making Christmas. Is Heavenly Sword Christmas, or sooner? 'Cuz Lair is July, I'm just curious about what Sony was going to try and offset Mass Effect and Halo 3 with.

[Gorvi]

I didn't know about Ratchet & Clank, that's a good title. I have my doubts about MGS4 making Christmas. Is Heavenly Sword Christmas, or sooner? 'Cuz Lair is July, I'm just curious about what Sony was going to try and offset Mass Effect and Halo 3 with.
Heavenly Sword is supposed to be September I believe. I don't think they have anything this year to try to counter Halo 3, and it seems almost like MS is countering Mass Effect with Halo 3. I have doubts about MGS4 as well, but just as someone who's a big fan of the series, I'd really like to see it hit this fall. With all that's coming out this fall though, I doubt I'll be looking for something to play even if it doesn't come out, I'd just be a dissappointed.

[Rune_74]

It would be a solid list if there were no competitors out there.

[Krispy]

I would bet money that Killzone and MGS4 are not coming out this year, but I do want to play Ratchet with ernest :(. I'll have to hook one of our stockpiled PS3's up at our store and play it when it comes out.

I have my reservations about Lair. While I LOVED Rogue Squadron, the gameplay I have seen so far is no where near as intense as my old Rogue Squadron skirmishes, maybe it is the lack of trademark Star Wars sounds or the boring looking ground play? I don't know, but it just isn't getting me excited like it should.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Exclusives that we know of so far coming later this year :
Lair
Heavenly Sword
Warhawk
Ratchet & Clank Future
Uncharted : Drake's Fortune
Metal Gear Solid 4
Folklore
Hot Shots Golf 5
SOCOM : Confrontation
Eye of Judgement
Killzone 2(possibly)

There's probably not any one game in there (with the exception of MGS4, and that's up in the air if it's this year or not) that would be a huge name title, but together, it's a pretty damn solid lineup. Uncharted has the potential to be something pretty big if it's handled right. Same with Heavenly Sword, though we really need to see a lot more.
So...about as many as Nintendo has stated, but with 1 killer app, instead of 3. (also, the 1 killer app might not come out this year)

[oldjadedgamer]

Did anyone actually expect this to come out in 2007 anymore?

Pretty much every fanboy on every message board around the internet.

[Gorvi]

So...about as many as Nintendo has stated, but with 1 killer app, instead of 3. (also, the 1 killer app might not come out this year)
I'll have both a Wii and PS3 by this fall, but really, I'm still more interested in the PS3 games. Metroid and Mario Galaxy are the two killer apps that I see from Nintendo, while, for me I could see a few of those I listed being just as good.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Hell yeah, it is. 'Bout threw my controller several times during that fucker, but had a blast doing it.

On-topic: So...not meaning to be a troll or anything, but I really thought FFXIII was going to be the system-seller item for Christmas 2007 for the PS3. With GTA4 multiplatform, what else is there that's going to make the gamers drool over getting a PS3 for Christmas?
Well, if you hurry up, it will be Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam 2.

[Gorvi]

Pretty much every fanboy on every message board around the internet.
Since by definition a fanboy lacks any kind of ability for logical thinking, that's probably true.

[TheFlyingOrc]

I'll have both a Wii and PS3 by this fall, but really, I'm still more interested in the PS3 games. Metroid and Mario Galaxy are the two killer apps that I see from Nintendo, while, for me I could see a few of those I listed being just as good.
Yeah, but we're talking general public here. Not a name on that list can move consoles like a mario or Smash Bros. title.

[Gorvi]

Yeah, but we're talking general public here. Not a name on that list can move consoles like a mario or Smash Bros. title.
Does Smash Bros. really sell that well? I never could get into the GC SB, though I know it has a pretty large internet following.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Does Smash Bros. really sell that well? I never could get into the GC SB, though I know it has a pretty large internet following.
Best selling game on the Gamecube. It sold better than Halo 1 over its lifetime.

[BlackPete]

Does Smash Bros. really sell that well? I never could get into the GC SB, though I know it has a pretty large internet following.

It's apparently quite popular, and it does look fun when experienced players play it. However, I could never really get into it nor even successfully buttonmash my way through a fight.

It aims at a niche market, but it's a pretty big niche.

[Gorvi]

Best selling game on the Gamecube. It sold better than Halo 1 over its lifetime.
Wow, really? Damn. Chalk that up as another extremely popular game that I just don't "get".

[Kamalot]

That's cool. I don't 'get' Metal Gear Solid games either. I think they are slow, clunky and purposefully convoluted. Lots of people seem to enjoy them though.

To each their own.

[TheFlyingOrc]

Wow, really? Damn. Chalk that up as another extremely popular game that I just don't "get".
It starts with combining all of Nintendo's mascot draw into one game. Then, under that, it has one of the deepest fighting games ever made that is immediately accessible, plus great production values and amazing music. I thought the first one was fun. The second one was a masterpiece.

I'd tell you to try harder to appreciate it - but that takes a LOT of hours, and you might still not be that big a fan.

edit: Also, it didn't have a HUGE hype train behind it before it came out, so a lot of people don't realize how popular it is. Had it been as hyped as Halo, it would have sold even more.

[BlackPete]

On the topic of FFXIII being delayed... that's about as no-brainer as you can get like the PS3's Spring '06 "launch".

Really, after the experiences of the PS1, the PS2, the N64, the PSP, well... everything really... every knowledgable gamer should know that you never ever ever ever buy something based on "potential" anymore. Wait until you see the real goods and then (and only then) drop down the cash.

I don't mean to sound harsh but I have no sympathy for anyone who bought a PS3 expecting to play FFXIII this year.

[Gorvi]

It starts with combining all of Nintendo's mascot draw into one game. Then, under that, it has one of the deepest fighting games ever made that is immediately accessible, plus great production values and amazing music. I thought the first one was fun. The second one was a masterpiece.

I'd tell you to try harder to appreciate it - but that takes a LOT of hours, and you might still not be that big a fan.
Oh, I wanted to like it. I'm a huge Nintendo fan since the orignal Gameboy (never had an NES, I say that's child abuse), so all of those characters in one game was great. It just didn't click with me for some reason. The fighting just seemed awkward. Oh well, I can't like everything.

[BlackPete]

That's cool. I don't 'get' Metal Gear Solid games either. I think they are slow, clunky and purposefully convoluted. Lots of people seem to enjoy them though.

To each their own.

That's probably because the MGS games basically builds up for the first 25-40% part and the real fun doesn't start start until you're pretty far in.

Come to think of it, I think I just described the FF games as well...

[pinkmonkey]

i love the final fantasy games but i'm not a fanboy, i'm only enjoy them so long as they're good (but so far so good, i'm not a purist like some other meatnecks with the 'OMGZ ANYTHING AFTER FFVII WAS t3H d0Gz Shitz!!101', number 9 wa a little lackluster btu only because i can't remember any of it o0) as long as i can enjoy a game then that's good enough for me.

A Square-FF spinoff title that surprised me recently was Kingdom Hearts 2, its like legend of Zelda with random FF & disney cartoon characters thrown into a david lynch film. On precedent alone it sounds absolutely ridiculous, but i took a chance & it was quite fun!

fan-boys need to lighten the fuck up.
So FFXIII was delayed? So what. Go play something else & open up your minds a little.
(but maybe you're just not spoilt for choice yet on the ps3 :P or spoilt for quality, at any rate.)
Maybe at least by then there'll actually be a bit more of a reason to buy a PS3 other than just being a FF fanboy (maybe another Resident Evil title in the vein of no.4 perhaps? I don't like the resident evil series specifically, but No.4 was what 'made' owning the gamecube worth it, in the end. Moreso than Twightlight Princess, which was going to be a straight Wii game for a little while there).

Christ, what the hell am i blabbering on about?
post cut short here : ------------------------

[TheFlyingOrc]

Oh, I wanted to like it. I'm a huge Nintendo fan since the orignal Gameboy (never had an NES, I say that's child abuse), so all of those characters in one game was great. It just didn't click with me for some reason. The fighting just seemed awkward. Oh well, I can't like everything.
Just talking about it makes me want to play it again. But that makes me sad, as I'm really, really good (Seriously, I will be in the top handful of EA players when the next game comes out if they don't nerf Sheik, if not THE top), and nobody I can play with is good enough to challenge me. :( When you play someone on your skill level, it really becomes an art form - 2 people who keep JUST missing each other until they finally get the timing just right.

[oldjadedgamer]

Best selling game on the Gamecube. It sold better than Halo 1 over its lifetime.

Well, to be fair... you are comparing worldwide sales of SSB to North American sales of Halo and everyone knows just how insanely popular SSB is in Japan and how insanely unpopular Halo 1 is in that region.

Did SSB really sell more then Halo 1 in the NA market only?

[Johan]

It's completely worth tracking down, one of the truly overlooked gems of last gen. It's also a lot longer and more difficult than you'd expect.

Metal Arms is an amazing game. It is a true gem. Awesome fun.

[BlackPete]

Well, to be fair... you are comparing worldwide sales of SSB to North American sales of Halo and everyone knows just how insanely popular SSB is in Japan and how insanely unpopular Halo 1 is in that region.

Did SSB really sell more then Halo 1 in the NA market only?

Not to be a nitpicker... but why should we care about vs. sales in a single market? If you make a game that targets a specific culture, then of course it's going to sell better for that culture than some "wonky" game (which appeals to a different culture).

[TheFlyingOrc]

Well, to be fair... you are comparing worldwide sales of SSB to North American sales of Halo and everyone knows just how insanely popular SSB is in Japan and how insanely unpopular Halo 1 is in that region.

Did SSB really sell more then Halo 1 in the NA market only?

No, it did not. Were Halo as popular in Japan as in NA, it wouldn't have been close. Also, my numbers for Halo 1 might be inaccurate (I did wiki it, after all). It was definately outsold by Halo 2.

[DaXIthR]

That's probably because the MGS games basically builds up for the first 25-40% part and the real fun doesn't start start until you're pretty far in.

Come to think of it, I think I just described the FF games as well...

To turn this into a personal attack, but that infuriates me.

Games are different from one another. RPGs, of course, always start 'slow' because you have acquire power and skills through tons of menial battles.

We should appreciate the variety, and not let our ADD prevent us from enjoying a deep and involving experience. MGS has always been about ebb and flow. You spent two hours quietly tip-toeing around a level solving puzzles, avoiding cameras, etc. and then you get this fact-paced action throwdown against a badass boss. Rinse. Repeat.

If you nonstop action, right off the bat, there's Megaman.

I just find 'it's slow' excuse too critical. The slowness is not always bad design. It can serve a purpose. It can be part of the design. I feel people too quickly and unfairly criticize games like this without extending them the same patience they do towards movies and books.

And yes, I know not every game is for everybody. I just hope gamers allow designers more leeway to experiment instead of justing dismissing a game a few minutes into it, after concluding "I'm not being entertained".

/rant.

[Kamalot]

That's probably because the MGS games basically builds up for the first 25-40% part and the real fun doesn't start start until you're pretty far in.

Come to think of it, I think I just described the FF games as well...
That's funny, cause it sounded like Gran Turismo to me. I know a number of people who tell me I need to play with the crappy cars for a few weeks until I can get some real cars that are then 'fun'.

I don't sit down to play video games that 'may eventually' become fun. I want entertainment. But hey, that's just me. I'd rather play a few rounds in Burnout or Excite Truck rather than spending hours driving before unlocking the fun cars.

To each their own.

[TheFlyingOrc]

To turn this into a personal attack, but that infuriates me.

Games are different from one another. RPGs, of course, always start 'slow' because you have acquire power and skills through tons of menial battles.

We should appreciate the variety, and not let our ADD prevent us from enjoying a deep and involving experience. MGS has always been about ebb and flow. You spent two hours quietly tip-toeing around a level solving puzzles, avoiding cameras, etc. and then you get this fact-paced action throwdown against a badass boss. Rinse. Repeat.

If you nonstop action, right off the bat, there's Megaman.

I just find 'it's slow' excuse too critical. The slowness is not always bad design. It can serve a purpose. It can be part of the design. I feel people too quickly and unfairly criticize games like this without extending them the same patience they do towards movies and books.

And yes, I know not every game is for everybody. I just hope gamers allow designers more leeway to experiment instead of justing dismissing a game a few minutes into it, after concluding "I'm not being entertained".

/rant.

The plot is JUST AT my tolerance level. I enjoy MGS because I'm laughing at the scenario, not thinking it's deep.

[BlackPete]

To turn this into a personal attack, but that infuriates me.

Games are different from one another. RPGs, of course, always start 'slow' because you have acquire power and skills through tons of menial battles.

...

And yes, I know not every game is for everybody. I just hope gamers allow designers more leeway to experiment instead of justing dismissing a game a few minutes into it, after concluding "I'm not being entertained".

You know what the funny thing is -- you basically made a "personal attack" against someone who actually enjoys the slow buildups in games to the real "meat".

I mean, I dig that stuff -- I enjoy the MGS and FF games, and I don't mind grinding through the tutorial stuff to learn how to "abuse" the controls to the maximum potential.

However, I'm also realistic. I fully realize and acknowledge that some games simply start way too slow for some people when there's simply so many games on the market all begging for attention.

It may not necessarily be a design flaw to have a slow start, but it CAN lead to a negative first impression causing people to junk a game before it's been given its fair chance -- bad news for everyone all around.

The perfect example is Zelda Twilight Princess. I had to force myself through the dreadfully dull entry level stuff to get to the game itself. Not necessarily a bad decision, but not a great one either.

[Shadowstorm]

This actually makes me happy cause if it doesn't go multiplatform it gives me time to get the money to buy a PS3.

I hope it goes multiplatform.

1. More revenue for Square Enix (which they want)
2. We, the gamers, will be able to purchase the game on the system we choose.

It's a win-win situation.

[Kamalot]

^----for almost everyone.

[Tohoya]

Were Halo as popular in Japan as in NA, it wouldn't have been close.

Uh, duh? Seriously, that's about as meaningful (and tautological) as saying, "if SSB was more popular than Halo, it would be more popular than Halo."