Final Fantasy XIII Destined To Hit North America In Q1 2010?

Right now, GameStop lists Final Fantasy XIII with a tentative June 21 launch date for North America. And after Square-Enix confirmed the December 17 Japanese release date, the US date seemed perfectly realistic.

But all signs are pointing to an earlier release right now. First of all, when asked about a Western release minutes after the Japanese announcement, Square-Enix replied that if things go very well, FFXIII might just launch in the Western territories earlier than expected. Then, we heard about a big press event in Japan to celebrate the impending release of the game (this event is set for the middle of this month), and the rumor is that we'll get a US launch date at that time. The other part of that rumor says we just might get the most anticipated RPG of the generation as early as February or March, which is definitely exciting. Finally, the third piece of this puzzle slides into place as Square-Enix CEO Yoichi Wada has said "everything is going smoothly" in regards to the localization process. He concluded by saying the title may hit US shelves before the company's fiscal year is over, and for all the uninitiated out there, the end of the fiscal year is March 31, 2010. If you add all this up, it almost seems as if GameStop's date is actually a few months late.

Of course, if it does release early, it would do battle with God of War III and Gran Turismo 5, which might be too much for us to handle.

Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XIII

11/5/2009 9:39:15 PM Ben Dutka

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Snaaaake
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 9:56:31 PM
Reply

I just want this as soon as possible, I don't really mind if great games all released at the same time, it's not like I have to buy all of them at once.

6 up, 0 down

Douchebaguette
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:01:25 PM
Reply

Aww, see if the game stayed exclusive, then it could of been an epic friendly PS3 exclusive battle between three giants. Too bad Square-Enix are masters at buzzkilling.

[But then again if the game stayed exclusive, we would of already played this game a year beforehand].

Ah well. The sooner, the merrier.

3 up, 1 down

Kevadu
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:06:18 PM
Reply

I'm betting March. There aren't any big games coming out in March, right?

Kidding, kidding ;)

4 up, 1 down

godsman
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:12:53 PM
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I would like an earlier release, but I've been waiting too long, a month or two earlier release won't make any difference. Better to not have hope than be disappointed with the game postponed later.

2 up, 0 down

DIsmael85
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:22:47 PM
Reply

Hey Ben, you do know that Gamestop's release dates are not absolute. They give an open window date like that, so we can get in pre-orders. If they date changes, the system updates. It'll be good if we can get that date to change soon, I'm only getting more excited.

0 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:26:31 PM
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I havent played any demos for it or anything I just wonder are all rpg's destined to become third person adventures? I miss the good old days the random battles, and the turn based attacks, and the other elements that made classic rpg's so much fun. Is the genre destined to evolve into this or will FFXlll return to the roots of what made me fall in love with the series in the 1st place?

2 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:58:24 PM

Here, here. I don't think we are alone in missing the old fashioned games. Someone is bound to step up soon and create something new for us old school fans and I am sure they will be handsomely rewarded in the U.S. and Japan. I was hoping 3D Dot Game Heroes would be, but it looks to be more Zelda than anything.

2 up, 0 down

eLLeJuss
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:32:50 PM
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yes please :)

0 up, 0 down

King James
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:38:01 PM
Reply

I vote April. March is THE PS3 exclusive month.

1 up, 0 down

TGG
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:40:20 PM
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"Of course, if it does release early, it would do battle with God of War III and Gran Turismo 5, which might be too much for us to handle."

The universe would explode from too much concentrated awesome. Lets hope not.

2 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 10:53:05 PM
Reply

Q1 2010!

noooooooooooooooo!
(jk jk)

Still, White Knight Chronicles all the way for me

1 up, 2 down

SaintX
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:05:28 PM
Reply

I really hope they don't release it around March. This is because I don't want FF13 to take all the hype surrounding God of War 3 away. Both of this franchise are definitely one of the biggest in the gaming industry. However, if these two were to really go head to head, I feel that GOW will lose out simply because FF's fanbase are much bigger. No doubt, GOW will sell millions in the long run, but GOW 3's initial sales will suffer quite significantly at the start and as a result, it wont achieve the desired launch sales prediction by Sony.

Not to mention, this will destroy WKC.

Last edited by SaintX on 11/5/2009 11:06:19 PM

3 up, 1 down

Naztycuts
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:33:38 PM

Those are two completely different demographics I think Saint, I know people that hate rpg's (I love them) but God of War is action/platform you have to take genre into account when speculating these things as they have two entirely different fanbases. Not all gamers are hardcore like the psxextreme faithful. ; )

2 up, 0 down

SaintX
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 2:14:33 AM

Yes I understand that they are two different genres. But you can't discount the fact that there are a huge number of people out there who are both interested in GOW and FF. Besides sales, theres also bout Hype and Media coverage. If these two games come out around the same time, then both games will overshadow each other. Hence, both games will have less hype and less media coverage than if both games are released seperately.

0 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 2:33:37 AM

I agree but Sony will push GoW 3 probably harder than they did Uncharted 2, and FFXlll is multiplat so xbox will no doubt be marketing that because the 360 is out of gas they really dont have anything else to market to my knowledge, so Sony wins either way. You have a point though I will be one of the guys that get both though most definitely.

0 up, 0 down

SaintX
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 4:05:05 AM

Yea I am pretty sure Sony will go all out with marketing GOW III. However, they will be up against a game that doesnt even need advertising and can guarantee millions of sales. FF franchise has been around for a long long time already, definitely they have a very strong loyal fan base. Lets not talk about those people who can afford both games at once, instead lets talk about those who can't afford to buy both at the same time. If they were to choose between both of the games, they might choose FF13 first because maybe FF13 may have already been long in development and if those who have been following FF since like FF7 or around that time will almost definitely choose FF13 first, just because that they were a longer fan of FF than they were for GOW.
Besides that, one other reason that people might choose FF is because the number of hours that one has to put into the game. For GOW III, maybe a gamer on average can finish it in like 10-12 hours maybe? As for FF13, gamers will be spending god knows 40-60 hours on it? Obviously FF will have more depth and defnitely is more value for money.
Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of GOW and also FF. All I want is to see GOW III be successful, like having the biggest opening day/week for a PS3 etc. Then it will be clearer to us whether GOW III is actually a system seller. If FF13 is lauched around the same time as GOW III, then we wouldnt know which game actually contributed to the increase in PS3 sales. The Fact that GOW III is a Playstation Exclusive, I really want it to be hugely successful. Besides, the developers are saying that this GOW is the last of the franchise, of course we all want to see it go out with a BANG.

Last edited by SaintX on 11/6/2009 4:08:04 AM

1 up, 0 down

godsman
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:16:23 PM
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One thing I hate about all the games delaying till the beginning of next year is that we'll miss all the holiday deals. There's just too many games to be purchased, during the holiday season, it's a matter of getting an extra game or two.

0 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:29:18 PM
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I'm am a big FFF (Final Fantasy Fan) but the funny thing is, I haven't beaten any! I swear upon Zeus who has thrown this mighty Lightning my way, WE WILL FINISH 13!

(Tears flow down determined eyes)

1 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:41:54 PM
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wow what a surprise, its coming out on my Bday, if thats not a tease nothing is.
but i guess theres 2 sides to the puzzle.
1 would be having GT5, GOW3 and FFXIII coming out in the same month, piling up on the sales.

other being you have 3 potential system sellers so your effectively cutting your hardware sales in third.
i know heaps of people waiting out on getting a ps3 for GOW3, most of my classmates are waiting for GT5.
releasing all 3 in the same month would be a massive mistake.
if the titles are spread out, your maximizing the chance for each title to be a system seller, putting them into one month spoils all that hard work.
well i guess it depends on what sonys looking for, if its sales for software its not such a bad idea.
but people will always buy the games they want, be it on release or later on.
but there not going to buy a system they already bought so it seems counterproductive to me.
kinda like stabbing yourself in the foot.

1 up, 2 down

NightHawk17
Thursday, November 05, 2009 @ 11:59:15 PM
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with all the rpgs coming out in feb-apr i hope FF13 wont come till june so that it'll be a summer game, since summer is so dry(no pun intended)

0 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 12:37:30 AM
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well, it is quite simple, if it is released in march, and collides with GOW3, then just get both, regardless you are broke or not, it is imperative to get them, period.

Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 11/6/2009 12:45:54 AM

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 1:07:22 AM
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I dont really care anymore, it comes when it comes but i'll still buy it. I dont know, for me, Its kindda hard to get worked up for a multiplatform game anymore. Usually when i look forward to exclusives i have high expectations on how they optimize a game for a system. I felt the same with killzone 2 and infamous. I was thinking how are they going to show me what they can do or blow my mind. Killzone 2 did it with graphics and online play for me, and infamous...well, it was infamous. But since it went multiplatform, i dont see myself as excited as before. All i can think about is that they just didnt break through any barriers here, they're just settleing. The same with Modern warfare 2, im excited about the game but not that much. i just want to play online. Dont get me wrong, i dont mind that FFXIII went multiplat, more people can play it. I just dont like the fact that it wont be the game that it should have been.

1 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 2:35:20 AM

they designed it on ps3 first john so if anything 360 gets the "crappy port" this time.

1 up, 0 down

Andysw
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 5:39:14 AM

But naztycuts, both versions look and play exactly the same. If theres anything that diffentiates them it would be bluray and dvd 9.

I don't care if the game is being made on the playstation 3 first. They did not utilize the hardware because they're also developing it for the xbox 360. The game would probably look better if it stayed exclusive. But nope, its a multipaltform, so they can't do that.

Last edited by Andysw on 11/6/2009 5:45:52 AM

1 up, 0 down

johnld
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 1:56:17 PM

exactly, i dont care if we got lead platform or port. The fact is, by going multiplatform, they're not pushing any system and the product will remain inferior because the fact that it wont be the best game that it could be.

0 up, 0 down

Andysw
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 12:38:04 PM

Its funny how they said that the game will use almost 100% of the playstation 3's capabilities and yet they say that they have deducted the amount of polygons because of a console's limitation.

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 3:00:37 AM
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Well March is full with three PS3 exclusives, so.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 3:31:11 AM
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Bummer. All of them may be out the same month. Cant get them all right away. Which do I choose first?

Hmmmmm...

0 up, 0 down

Ricochet
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 6:37:43 AM
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AH please let it remain in June, there are TOO MANY PS3 EXCLUSIVES I HAVE YET TO BUY AND PLAY!

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 9:13:28 AM
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The bad thing bout AAA games come out just about at the same time is that you won't have enough time to play them all.

And the good?
For example, FFXIII, GOWIII and GT5 released on 1st of April, you just make one trip instead of more than one if the date of release is far from each other.

I prefer they all come out quickly rather than waiting.

Last edited by Snaaaake on 11/6/2009 9:14:04 AM

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 1:55:19 PM
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Thumb me down but if it comes between this and GOWIII I have to get this first.

1 up, 0 down

Banky A
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 3:15:58 PM

FFXIII?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 5:33:43 PM

yup

0 up, 0 down

frylock25
Friday, November 06, 2009 @ 6:26:26 PM
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i cant wait to find out how may discs this will be on the 360

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:05:04 AM

I thought we were told it's gonna be 3 disc on the 360.

0 up, 0 down

johnld
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 9:58:48 PM

dude, quit beating a dead horse already. when the multiplat was announced, we knew multiple discs and lower quality was a given. lower quality in regards to how it would have been if it stayed a ps3 exclusive.

0 up, 0 down

fullmetal25
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 1:24:32 PM
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Naughty Dog and Guerrilla said their games show the tru power for the ps3... can Square-Enix? nope this is also coming out for x360 so now i dont know which well look better on whatever system i get it for ps3 or x360. they both are going to have the same story and same rating for both systems.. so that should end that dumb ps3 vs x360 sh**, cause square-enix can make good games but i wish they can show what they got and see they can master the ps3 power. the way i look at it this game is getting the same hype like GTA4 and then micro soft will offer Square-Enix sh** load of money just to make downloads only for x360. damn i use to like Square-Enix and now u mean to tell me the worlds best RPG game makers might know something we dont.

0 up, 0 down

clowangel
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 5:20:05 PM
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I don't care when FFXIII is released so long as it's coming. But this is good news. =)

0 up, 0 down

Creeping2Death
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 2:45:46 PM
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With due respect, it should've remained a Ps3 exclusive. The excessive delay is primarily due to the fact that they're finishing the 360's version first before the Ps3's. Coincidence? Unliekly, Square is more than capable of doing something clever, like making a "better" version of the game only available for the Ps3. Microsoft's been really rubbing me the wrong way lately, and in truth, I think they should've remaiend outside the gaiming industry. They failed with their first attempt, and they've failed to present a worthy countermeasure towards the Ps3's awesomeness by presenting us with the 360; which still uses double A batteries, STILL has a disc-tray, and does not have a better display in terms of graphics.

Oh, and did I mention Blu-Ray? Yeah, they don't have that either.

Bill Gates is a nusiance these days.

0 up, 0 down

Creeping2Death
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 2:46:47 PM
Reply

Why else would Square delaye the release simply because they wanted to finish the 360's version first? They;'ve remained devoted to Sony, I doubt they'd turn-tail now.

0 up, 0 down

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