Holy Crap!

[Wolf Kanno]

I originally got into this whole argument cause I felt your "Square owes Sony fans" comment was just ridiculous myself and now I find myself arguing over something completely different.

You got that right, because I have no idea what you're talking about with simultaneous release dates, the standard localization process, etc! Again, my claim is that its arbitrary to delay the release of the localization process for the sake of the porting phase. Maybe if we talk about the specifics of porting here, we can have a more constructive conversation:

1. 1UP's RPG Blog : XIII Things About Final Fantasy XIII, Part V

It seems that you, like many others, are under the impression that "multiplatform engine" means that they can just flick a switch and all the code will instantly compile into a workable alternate version. This is obviously not the case! Even if the Crystal tools can make a painless transition from running on the PS3 architecture to 360 (which would be an enormous achievement considering how different the PS3 is from everything else), there's still other factors.

Hard Drive installs are a good example. This is one of the main complaints many big developers have about the 360 - they will not allow a game to have a hard drive requirement (FFXI being the only exception I'm aware of, because it simply needs it to play). To make a game based on hard drive installs do the same things off a disc, even if its easy for a specific title, takes time - id Software had to redesign their entire concept for Rage because Microsoft simply would not budge on the issue! Outside of the game itself, load times will also have to be addressed. Whether difficult or not, its extra issues that need to be resolved before you can start printing discs. Which is things that need to be resolved before you can even start the main localization process? (wtf)

Not to mention there are plethora of minor things like getting the package together, that will also hold up the process.

I never said that translating the game from one hardware to another was as easy as flipping a switch. Rather from what I've read concerning the 360 version its more than on its way, seeing as they were able to show off footage of the 360 version at the recent E3.

Maybe Crystal Tools is as amazing as SE says it is or maybe (and most likely) SE started the 360 version before they originally said it would cause the PS3 owners bitched and screamed about having to wait. What I was trying to point out was that the English version of the PS3 version is also waiting on the Japanese version of the game which is how its always been. I don't see why SE feels they can't do the localization simultaneously. At the recent E3, the localization of the Japanese version was confirmed to be at 60% completion by Kitase and the XIII director, the english localization had only begun but apparently enough was done to make a trailer. The director mentioned their will be no separate languages so chances are the Japanese script will be removed and replaced.

I am certain the 360 version still has alot of work to do but SE gives the impression the 360 version is farther along than fans think they are. Besides, if the 360 version does fall into a snag, chances are that SE will release the PS3 version instead of waiting for the 360 version. They would be stupid if they didn't. SE says the Japanese version will hit either November or December and we can expect the English versions starting in March or April. Its not like we're waiting a year...

I also am rather doubtful that both versions will be the exact same. I do feel the PS3 version will be better cause the title was worked on PS3 technoclogy longer than the 360. Though the differences in quality will be small at best, I guarantee fanboys on both sides of the console wars will use it for cannon fodder.

2. With the PS3 being region-free, the localization process is less painful than ever. Other than a manual and boxart, Sony could ship Demon's Souls right now if they wanted to in the US, b/c the Asian version has a full English text & voice translation (which I'm enjoying right now, thank you very much(not trying to be a snob)). Again, I'm not now, nor have I ever said anything about a simultaneous release, but this process has less issues than ever now.

Its not just box art (besides the Japanese generally do better) we're talking about mountains of dialogue that needs to translated and restructured so the native speaker can understand it. That takes time and its worth mentioning that SE always makes sure to refer to the localization as the Japanese version and the English version when it comes to the localization.

That tells me that despite being region free, there probably is no english text translator or at best its not that good. I felt SE did a bang up job with the localization for XII, and it was something that couldn't be done with a simple translator. Demon's Soul probably has the feature in the Japanese version cause the development team had the foresight to start production on the English version in case it got picked up for release outside of Japan; which it has, I am happy to see. Especially since its one of the few PS3 exclusives I'm interested in.

As I said earlier, I don't know why SE insists on starting with the English localization until the Japanese version is almost done unless its just them being careful in case the Japanese version runs into a snag and they try to avoid having the English version fall into the same problem. But that's just my guess. For all I know, they just hate us cause one of the execs didn't get the little umbrella in his Pina Collada last time he came here. So he's a bit bitter and says the translation can wait.

I know some of you say "this is a business" and Square wants to maximize sales at launch in NA - but we could go down the long list of games that sacrificed some of the business aspect for the sake of creating something amazing. And we're all immensely better off for it. I think anyone who disagrees with that needs to put the controller down and take business classes because their hearts are in the wrong place.

I agree we are better off if take each title as something special and treat it so but I'm just saying this is how I feel SE thinks in terms of their products. I don't necessarily agree with business before art but I felt SE has been thinking like this for awhile so I can't say I feel my trust is as violated as your is. Face it, though we may think of FF as a fun experiences close to art; SE see's it as a business first and our wants are second to numbers on the sheets. This is just what happens when you begin franchising a product.