“Leaked” Final Fantasy XIII Japanese box art has been making its way around the web today with a few people debating its authenticity. The main argument against its validity is based on the fact it was submitted to VGboxart.com, a website dedicated to hosting video game box art, on 9.30.09 by a user named “Stunt” who openly admitted:

“This is actually the Japanese box art. It’s never been released digitally, so I decided to create it in Photoshop.”

As you can see in the image above, the replica on the left does closely (if not identically) resemble the box art shown at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show reveal of the PS3 FFXIII Lightning Edition. The logo is a tad off in size and placement but that’s just nit-picking.

It remains to be seen whether or not the box art shown at TGS 09 will actually become the “final” FFXIII Japanese box art when the game is ultimately released. That said, the fan art is close enough to anything Square-Enix might have made available, had they wanted a digital version of the cover shown at TGS 09 to circulate, that it almost entirely makes the debate as to whether or not it’s “real” a non issue.

Hit the jump for a high-res look at the replica cover shown at TGS 09.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s so close I can taste it, but with a Spring 2010 release date announced, I can certainly start day dreaming about playing it soon. The new FFXIII screens available after the jump showcase English text and reintroduce Oerba Yun Fang, first seen at Tokyo Game Show.

Some PS3 Final Fantasy players (like myself) were shocked the day that the latest title was announced for the 360, in fact I almost ran up to the stage and started screaming at the conference, but once the shock faded, concerns started to come into play.

The biggest concern most PS3 owners had surrounded the potential “middle ground” that may have to be reached in order to have the game port successfully onto the 360 console. Namingly, the lack of disc space when comparing a Blu-ray discs to the traditional format.

Well, in one statement, FFXIII Producer, Yoshinori Kitase, put that fear to bed. 

“The team is targeting to create an equal experience on both the 360 and the PS3 … right now we’re working on the PS3 version first, and once we’ve completed that we’ll really know how much game there will be to fit onto the Xbox 360 discs.

So we don’t know how many discs it’ll be housed on for 360, but there won’t be a chance that we’ll compromise anything because, oh it didn’t fit in the 360 discs so we’ll have to take it out of the PS3 version, or vice versa.”

Seems pretty clear and straight forward to me. While the end result may mean a multiple of discs for 360 owners, which has already been the case with other 360 MMOs, it appears that the integrity and creative vision of the game will not be tweaked in any way to accommodate lesser disc space. Hooray!

Source: VideoGamer

GameZine reports that the early demo, released with Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children on Blu-Ray, has a special message at the end: “Coming Winter 2009″. The game will release at some point in 2010 for Western fans, but in the meantime it might comfort some to know that the Japanese version will be ready for release this year, at least on the PS3. Final Fantasy fans who can read Japanese will be interested in this as well, no doubt.

Japanese blog Marshallalloc reports that Square-Enix has let loose a new Final Fantasy XIII trailer during the company’s Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children premier. Not much else has been confirmed as of yet, though finalfantasy-xiii.net believes it to be along the lines of the Jump Festa trailer shown in December of last year.

Source: marshallalloc via: finalfantasy-xiii.net

I am a little late getting to this since I have turned off the Internet at my house, but looks like Square Enix has released some new (a month ago, but if you haven’t seen them yet…) shots to get you all excited or upset at the latest Final Fantasy installment.

No real information comes with the screenshots, just names of characters and that is about it.  Hope you like looking at pictures, cause that is about all the info there is.  That gun the girl is carrying is pretty cool looking though.

Check them out over at Famitsu.

Reports are in that US production of the Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Blu-ray are complete and that Sony Pictures Home Entertainment plans to release it stateside sometime in June. Blu-ray.com also reports a slew of features, the most interesting being an “Exclusive Sneak Peek at FINAL FANTASY XIII”.

Nothing is confirmed at this point, and the “sneak peek” could end up being nothing more than another blue ball educing trailer, but if you like to hope (and who doesn’t) here’s a little more fuel for your hope powered jet pack. A Square Enix spokesperson told MCV the following back in January as a part of the Japanese announcement of Advent Children:

“At present the Final Fantasy XIII demo will only be available in Japan with the Blu-ray release of Advent Children Complete, but we hope to have further news in the coming months,”

Could this be that “further news” the representative was speaking of? Only time and profit margins will tell, but considering the rate at which units moved off the store shelves in Japan, my money says you will be seeing a demo in the US release as well.

A recent Gamespot interview discussed the February’s NPD sales figures with representatives of both Microsoft and Sony. The writer, Brendan Sinclair, closed the piece by making the following statement:

“The [Microsoft] representative added that Microsoft expects entries in other formerly Sony-exclusive series such as Resident Evil 5 and Final Fantasy XIII to also sell better on the Xbox 360 than the PS3.”

Wha? The Gamespot interview lounge must serve more than milk and cookies to their guests. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Xbox 360 (I loved it more before it broke), but I’d like to have some of whatever that representative was smoking. Now, it’s worth noting that in the Gamespot interview touting this alleged comment, that the wording is that of the writer and not an exact quote by the MS rep.

While I am in not directly doubting the legitimacy of the statement, I always find it hard to take anything outside of a direct quote at complete face value. It’s my belief that if the individual said it verbatim it would and should be quoted as such.

That aside, if he/she did make that comment I see it as more of a thumb to the eye of Sony more than anything else. The PlayStation 3 still has quite the stranglehold on the Japanese market, not to mention exclusive rights to the next gen Final Fantasy release in that region.

Source: Gamespot

Want a glimpse at two of the sickest Final Fantasy trailers you’ve ever seen? Well, if you love Final Fantasy as much as I do, the answer is most definitively yes. Hit the jump for a look at two FF trailers from the recent Square Enix DKΣ3713 event.

Yes, I’m a sucker for kick ass cinematics — sue me. What did you think of the two vids?

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.

[ Begin Google Translation ]

Two of the government sacred world of swirling speculation inclusion

Crystal will be guided by a society based on the colony, “Cocoon” and the spread of primitive nature “pulse”. Two of the world’s stage and RPG’s FFXIII. Lightning (no translate) RASHIKI blond heroine of the men, but this time the name “Snow” turned out to be. In the FF series, VII, after the hero of many of the weather has been named. Therefore, his position is in this film is important to be inferred.

The album will be an important keyword, “Farsi” and “RUSHI”. Farsi is a special existence beyond knowledge, and Cocoon is built. RUSHI chosen by the Farsi and was given the mission of the neck. The mission, from Farsi to the video, such as RUSHI “vision” will be conveyed, because it’s not clear what, (no translate) by means of a controversial interpretation.

Snow was chosen as the RUSHI one of Farsi. (no translate) bulk of rugged, and things always think positive. Without dashing back in, take care of one side of good. However, without considering the consequences that a lot of action, the Lightning is probably a little clause (no translate) SHIKU. In addition, the mission RUSHI and elsewhere in the body engraved badge. Snow in the pattern of the left arm, but the signs? He stamped on the scene got some strength.

RUSHI = given to their mission, to protect the world Snow said. Cocoon governed by the Holy Office, to protect from whom? In addition to the proposal, the Lightning does not seem to be enthusiastic.

In serious situations, where the girl’s twin tail (no translate). Feel less anxious, a laid-back personality? The vision for the mission, (no translate) sometimes anxious to see the expression ….

Lightning look sad. I have failed or are guilt-cranking. “Trust” was submitted to me and everyone who was supposed to be, she is heavy, heavy eyes.

This is a movie scene. Was accused bound twin tail clothes, a girl with a kind of coffin will be escorted scene. Holy Office has directed the military to the blond woman in front of the screen. In the footage, her bespectacled face, and fell back to the sword and a low-cut dress has been confirmed.

[ End Google Translation ]

Source: Famitsu

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.

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.

The image shown above clearly has Final Fantasy XIII content displayed on-screen while a 360 controller lays visible on the desk. It’s possible that this guy is draws inspiration from the 360 controller’s mere presence, however it is also possible that the 360 version is already being tinkered with. What do you think?

Source: ffworld.com

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)

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.

Fans (or fanboys) of the 360 and PS3 were at each other’s throats yet again recently when supposed long-time PlayStation backer Square Enix announced that their flagship title Final Fantasy XIII would be released for the 360 — in North America, at least.

“We’re now in the age of the multi-platform, but depending on age and territory, users have different tastes. Therefore it’s very difficult to just deal with one company or one hardware platform – in order to offer our product to the vast majority of gamers we need to deal with multiple companies and platforms.n North America Microsoft is doing very well with its hardware, and for that reason it’s a very important partner for us.”

He also states, “We always consider the territory and hardware for titles, and I just want to make sure that we’re neutral about dealing with companies.” This should come as no surprise to anyone, as Square Enix titles have popped up on nearly every system at some point since the glory days of the NES.  So this isn’t a knife in the back to Sony at all — perhaps a bullet in the brain to Kaz Hirai considering the game is still a PS3 exclusive in Japan.

Speaking of Nintendo, when asked about the Wii, Wada said in typical lawyer-over-the-shoulder speak that they didn’t have any plans, but the system was kick-ass and that they’re “ready to offer various types of content to various types of users.”  Basically, if it can make money, they’d be willing to make a game for it.

You can read the full interview over at gameindustry.biz

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.”

As some of you may have noticed, FFXIII has only been announced for the Xbox 360 in the US and Europe. Surely that’s all that matters to Microsoft? That as it may be, Sony’s home country is extremely important to them, and so retaining exclusivity in that territory may allow them to swallow their pride.

Where’s the evidence? A large chunk can be found via a new Japanese trailer for FFXIII, which ends with the words “for PLAYSTATION 3 Only, in Japan.” Note that without my added comma the sentence might read dangerously as ‘only coming out on the PS3 in Japan’… Moving on…

In a Q&A with FFXIII producer Yoshinori Kitase and Square Enix executive Shinji Hashimoto, when asked of a Xbox 360 release in Japan Hashimoto responded “I think you are right [in assuming that it's not coming out in Japan].”

It was further divulged that development on the Japan version will be finished first, followed by English localization and the Xbox 360 development. Naturally this means the US and European iterations won’t be released for quite some time after Japan, though Kitase adds they’ll try to make it as “close as possible.”

So why forgo PlayStation exclusivity? Hashimoto informs us that the decision had much to do with the “spread of the hardware” and the “install base”, meaning a Western release for the Xbox 360 made sense, but not so much in Japan.

When was the decision made? Hashimto coyly replies that “it wasn’t a long time ago that we made the decision. We had to adjust things, like our relationship with Microsoft. It was recent.” So recent in fact that Xbox 360 development hasn’t yet begun.

Will there be any differences in the two console versions? Apart from presumed a difference in the number of discs the game will use, both versions are planned to be content identical.

Source: Kotaku

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

I won’t talk much about them because you and I both know that all you care about are the scans. The following scans are predominately of Final Fantasy XIII proper. FFXIII Versus and Agito get a measly one scan each.

Note: We did take the time to include English translations, however you are still free to stare at the amazing images.

Source: V-Jump Magazine via NeoGAF
[ Translation via finalfantasy-xiii.net ]