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…

August kicked off with news straight out of Square-Enix’s DKΣ3713 event that a 90 minute FFXIII demo would be included in the Japanese Blu-ray release of “Advent Children: Complete” sometime during March of next year.

However, recent news being reported by finalfantasy-xiii.net points to a possible stand alone demo release. Read more…

IGN randomly decided to release the very first (as far as I know) real-time, in-game screenshots of the FF XIII series. I must say, they look stunning. Not Heavy Rain stunning, but not especially far off.

Things to pay attention to, in addition to the immaculately detailed player models, are the architecture and set pieces. Screenshots for Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, and Final Fantasy Agito XIII can all be found after the jump. Read more…

The latest issue of Famitsu is all about the recent Square Enix DKS3713 event, and according to reports, the Playstation 3 exclusive Final Fantasy XIII demo that comes bundled with the upcoming Blu-ray edition of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete will actually run longer than the CGI film.

The FFXIII demo will come on a separate Blu-ray disc to the film, is reported to be from the begining of the game, and will run at least 90 minutes long, if not longer. That’s tight shit!

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete is scheduled for a March 2009 release.

Source: Famitsu, via PSU.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)

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 has pulled out all the stops for Microsoft at this years E3.  After showing a CG trailer, it was displayed that Final Fantasy XIII will be released on the Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe. Read more…

Official Playstation Magazine UK features Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII in their Big 10 Stories in their latest issue. It doesn’t offer much in terms of new info, but it provides a good summary of everything that’s been released so far, as well as some nice screenshots. Hit the jump to see the scans. Read more…

Some artwork depicting Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII Versus characters has made its way on to the web. Whether or not the art is the work of an individual within Square-Enix, or that of a talented illustrator/fan of the series is unclear.

Regardless, enjoy the art after the jump, and if you have any information that can help clarify the origin of the art, feel free to drop me a line. Read more…

I love me some Final Fantasy. The visuals created in this long standing franchise have been hands down some of the greatest works of art in the industry, and the new extended trailers give us all a glimpse at some never-before-seen footage.

Alright, enough talk — have a look at the new extended trailers and download high-res versions as well after the jump. Read more…

It’s time for this year’s Jump Festa, an annual exposition put on by Weekly Shonen Jump publisher Shueisha. Though anime and manga are the general focus of the event, video games are welcome too, and Square-Enix is back for their traditional showing. The problem? The public’s getting jacked again as their most impressive wares are still only being displayed in a “closed theatre.” What gives S-E? Read more…

I am not a big fan of video game conference “shrinkage”.

During a “1Up Yours” podcast on 1Up.com between site editor Garnett Lee and Electronic Gaming Monthly Previews Editor Bryan Intihar the two discussed what may be seen as a possible “disappointment” at this years E3. Read more…