Several new FFXIII screens surfaced on Famitsu’s website today and I’ve got them, along with a Google translation of the copy from the page, included for you after the jump. Read more…

Just last week, we reported that the Japanese magazine, Shonen Jump, had uncovered the identity of that blonde haired boy from the Square Enix FFXIII trailer we’ve all seen about a million times now. His name — “Snow”.

Some of the older gamers out there may be thinking of this guy, and as shown in the image above, they aren’t the same — but they might as well be. Anyway, the latest Famitsu scans of the game, available after the jump, reveal Snow’s last name to be “Villiers”. Not sure how I feel about that just yet, but I guess it’s better than “Cone” or “Ball”. Hit the jump. Read more…

The latest issue of Shonen Jump in Japan finally revealed the mysterious blonde character who has appeared in trailers and screenshots for Final Fantasy XIII. His name is Snow, and the new render shown in this issue does make him look a bit psycho, but that’s always welcome in video games.

Anybody notice the pattern of weather named characters in Final Fantasy XIII? Okay, sure there is only two named so far, but they are Lightning (the girl) and Snow (just revealed). What an odd mix.

We have gotten a hold of several images depicting Crystal Tools in-game renders from Final Fantasy XIII, and may have visual proof that the Xbox 360 version of the game is already being developed.

Several Final Fantasy XIII in game renders utilizing the Crystal Tools engine surfaced online after apparently first appearing on the Japanese television channel TV Tokyo.

While this great news for Final Fantasy junkies like myself looking to drool over anything remotely associated to the game, the even bigger news is that a 360 controller was spotted on the desk of what appears to be one of the games developers.

Could the 360 version of Final Fantasy XIII already be underway despite Square Enix stating otherwise? Have a look at the images after the jump. Read more…

Microsoft marketeer Albert Pennello claims that they didn’t have to line Square Enix’s pockets to break FFXIII’s exclusivity – the publisher was attracted by the success of 360.

The global marketing director claimed that “a publisher like Square can’t ignore” the size of its install base.

“I think the most obvious reason that [Square Enix] made the announcement is just looking at the success of our console. I mean, we’re the leading console on a worldwide basis, we’re more than double the install base on the US.”

“I think it’s easy to assume that something is going on behind the scenes, I think the more obvious answer is we’re doing really well and the game creators want their games to be where the most people and the most consoles [are], and right now that’s the Xbox 360.”

Notice how he craftily avoids mentioning Japan though.

Source: Mundorare (via Videogaming24/7)

Is Microsoft holding back, or will the FF demo remain a PS3/Blu-ray exclusive?

DKΣ3713 announcements have begun to make their way around the interwebs, and according to a translation of FF7AC Reunion provided by FinalFantasy-XIII.net, the Advent Children: Complete Blu-ray, currently scheduled for release in March of 2009, will contain a playable FFXIII demo and the Final Fantasy Agito XIII trailer.

While I personally own both next gen consoles, it appears that the demo will only work on the Blu-ray capable Sony PS3. This news may sting the Xbox 360 owners who only recently found out that they too would be able to play Final Fantasy XIII on their console.

Of course there’s still a chance that Microsoft will throw a few bucks in the direction of Square Enix and get themselves a demo as well, but as of right now, Sony PS3 owners once again have the upper hand in the battle of FF supremacy.

Source: FF7AC Reunion (via: FinalFantasy-XIII.net)

Square Enix President and all around peaceful guy Yoichi Wada recently stated that his company remains neutral in the ever flame-inducing console war. Read more…

Well, by now you must know that Final Fantasy XIII is coming to the Xbox 360. Yes, Microsoft have sealed the deal, most likely with an attractive Western install base and some cake. The key word in that sentence is not “cake”, but “Western.” Read more…

The latest issue of Jump featured screens from the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII and its seemingly obligatory spin-offs. They look good. Read more…