FFXIII Interview: Development Progress Update

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Thanks to our forum member Shuyu, we have some scans from the latest issue of Official Playstation Magazine Australia which contains an interview with compilation developers Yoshinori Kitase and Shinji Hashimoto.

In the interview they reassure Playstation 3 owners that their version of Final Fantasy XIII hasn't been delayed at all and that the Xbox 360 version won't even be started until the PS3 release is burned to Blu-ray. As well as that, Kitase has given an update on the progress of development stating that the Scenario for Final Fantasy XIII is complete and the Artistic Side is 80% complete. To read the full interview, view the scans below.

Source: http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/2008/09/22/ff...ess-update.html

OPS: Does the introduction of the 360 version mean a delay for PS3 owners?

Kitase: We will be completing the PS3 version first before moving onto the next, we'll burn them onto the Blu Ray disc before moving on and that's where we are right now.

Seeing as this is an English interview it's quite surprising to see the PS3 made first before 360 comments - I thought it was only going to be the Japanese version coming out before the 360 version?

We'll see, hopefully clarification at TGS!

[Massiveterra]

So Lightning is the main character? Didn't they announce that there is no main character?

[Massiveterra]

Seeing as this is an English interview it's quite surprising to see the PS3 made first before 360 comments - I thought it was only going to be the Japanese version coming out before the 360 version?

We'll see, hopefully clarification at TGS!

I would think that localization would take a lot more time than porting it to the 360

[George P Global Moderator]

It does, all that text needs translation. Porting it to the 360 just depends on how much PS3 specific code they have going I think.

It shouldn't take long anyways. They'll probably release the Japanese ps3 version first anyways.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

It does, all that text needs translation. Porting it to the 360 just depends on how much PS3 specific code they have going I think.

It shouldn't take long anyways. They'll probably release the Japanese ps3 version first anyways.

That's confirmed, Japanese PS3 version is even coming before english PS3 version.

What I meant was OPM is an English Magazine and they're talking about the PS3 version coming first - Probably just remarks at the fact it's hitting the PS3 in Japan first though.

Any money it's 2009 Japan, 2010/2011 Europe/USA.

[Massiveterra]

if it get's released by 2010/2011 maybe I can buy a ps3 for $200 or less, and/or people (myself included) will be SO OVER Final Fantasy (and maybe even buy a hoverboard or flying car)

[perochan]

i dunno about you guys but games ALWAYS come out in Japan first.

[Massiveterra]

i dunno about you guys but games ALWAYS come out in Japan first.

Infinite Undiscovery wasr eleased in US Europe and Japan at the same time.

[soniqstylz]

Seeing as this is an English interview it's quite surprising to see the PS3 made first before 360 comments - I thought it was only going to be the Japanese version coming out before the 360 version?

The Japanese version is PS3 only anyway. Then they need to localize it for PAL/NA regions. So it still doesn't mean a PAL/NA release on PS3 before 360. But I do keep reading conflicting reports, so I dunno.

[madd-hatter]

I don't understand why you guys are questioning this.

"We will be completing the PS3 version first before we move on"

Direct quote. **** XBox.

[George P Global Moderator]

Completing the game development wise and releasing it world wide are two different things.

[PL_ Veteran]

Completing the game development wise and releasing it world wide are two different things.

This. From a technical point of view it makes no sense to carry on developing the original game whilst porting it. Wouldn't they have to keep going back and changing both versions?

[Kronir]

The graphics look amazing. As a longtime FF fan, I'll get a PS3 just for this. I refuse to get the XBox version, even if I owned a 360 (which'll never happen. ;) ); it just doesn't seem right. ^_^

[George P Global Moderator]

This. From a technical point of view it makes no sense to carry on developing the original game whilst porting it. Wouldn't they have to keep going back and changing both versions?

No, that's not what I'm saying. Square codes the game on PCs etc, then moves that over to the PS3 and gets that working, they finish that first as they've said they will. As you're localizing the game, you can also be "porting" the 360 version. Since they've got the game done on the PC it's only a matter of making some small changes for it to run on the 360.

It takes longer to go from what you have on your PC workstations to the PS3 than from the PC to the 360 at this point. The development can be done, they have the game finished and running on the PS3 THEN they start moving it over to the 360, but what I was trying to say is that you can have the game finished development wise for the PS3, and still be working on the 360 version and not "release" the game out yet.

Finishing development for the PS3 version first before you start on the 360 version doesn't mean you'll also release it first.

[eilegz]

the release of multiplatform of this game will only affect ps3 american gamerswith more delays, people that have to wait longer since after the japanese release they will start porting to the 360 and making localization to BOTH platform, its not that they will release american ps3 version before xbox360.

It does make sense financial way to have this multiplatform but its a bad news for fans.

[Massiveterra]

the release of multiplatform of this game will only affect ps3 american gamerswith more delays, people that have to wait longer since after the japanese release they will start porting to the 360 and making localization to BOTH platform, its not that they will release american ps3 version before xbox360.

It does make sense financial way to have this multiplatform but its a bad news for fans.

how will this game affect american gamers with more delays if localization takes theoretically longer to do than a 360 port?

[eilegz]

well now they have to do BOTH, more work means more time, first localize, then port and later release to BOTH platform

[Viriix]

ahhh it stated that versus character looks will change!! nOOoo!!! the prince looked wayy cool!!!!

[Massiveterra]

well now they have to do BOTH, more work means more time, first localize, then port and later release to BOTH platform

Do you understand how easy it is for developers to port a game to the 360? This is the same reason DICE programmed Mirror's Edge on the PS3 first.

This doesn't work the other way around, thus lots of games initially made for the 360 turn out crappy on the PS3

[The Teej]

The thing is guys, FFXIII is being developed on the White Engine, SE's in-house multiplatform development tool. Porting will be a lot easier due to this.

[eilegz]

easy or not they still have to do it, so the usa ps3 version will take a delay.

lets see how much time it takes them to release the US version after japan

[Massiveterra]

I honestly don't think it'll come it until 2010 when noone cares anymore