Square Struggles, Sony Cries (Update)
November 20th, 2007It seems like I’m reporting a new one of these every week now.
Destructoid is reporting that at Square’s recent yearly fiscal meeting they announced that Final Fantasy XIII may not make it out until 2009. Apparently, they are having trouble developing the “White Engine”, which is supposed to power all of their PS3 development.
I can’t say I’m extremely surprised with the news, as we’ve heard next to nothing about the game since the first “footage” of the game was released. But once again, another huge title for the PS3 looks like it’s being pushed back to the point of what could be near irrelevance. By the time it comes out, Microsoft will probably already be talking about its next console and we’ll probably start hearing rumors about the next Playstation and Wii. Obviously, it’ll still be a big release, but with rumors swirling about the NEXT system, it doesn’t seem like it will have nearly the impact that it could have had if released on time.
As a side note, it’s still unbelievable to me how many companies have had trouble creating game engines for the PS3. Valve, Epic Games, Bethesda, Ubisoft. Midway, and EA have all experienced issues either releasing games on time or getting their engines up to par with the 360 version. How could Sony made such an impossible to develop for console? The only company that seems to be able to do amazing things with the hardware is Insomniac. If only Sony had several companies like them, then they wouldn’t have to worry as much about their big exclusive 3rd party games not releasing on time.
*Update* - In yet another exclusive (and unsurprising) delay, Joystiq is reporting that Haze has been delayed until next year. Although Haze doesn’t have nearly the following (or hype) that a game like Final Fantasy has, Sony still seems to have an epidemic of delays on its hands. Will Little Big Planet make it in Q1 next year?
Posted in Jeff, PS3, Sony |
November 20th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Don’t kid yourself. Much of the delays we are seeing are not simply engine related. Games like final fantasy want install base. If you had a huge game, wouldn’t you take your time, simply to make the game better and let the install base grown? I’m not saying there are no development difficulties, clearly there are. But in many cases, I’m sure developers would spend more and work harder to overcome them if they thought it was in their best interest to do so. As it is now, I think its in their best interest to give the PS3 and the games more time. Sure, you have a bit of the chicken and egg effect but in the end, it still makes sense. Its just bad for Sony more than anyone.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:45 pm
It’s interesting that Square’s essentially making money off of exclusivity agreements rather than game releases - in essence, they’re being paid not to do something (namely, defect to the 360/Wii with their main franchise).
That said, I’d be surprised if Square stays exclusive in the next generation. The recent overtures they’ve made to Nintendo - the Dragon Warrior DS game, etc. - suggests that they’ve realized keeping all their eggs in one nest is a bad idea.