Obviously SE is a company out to make money, but other than the choice to make it non-exclusive, I don't see how you can direct that criticism at FFXIII; if anything. its lengthy, difficult battles would seem to make it LESS likely to appeal to the broadest possible audience.

Also, I think FFXII and XIII are both better than FFVIII and X, though for their gameplay more than their story (and I'm someone who usually chooses characters and story over gameplay -- see: Lunar SSSC, one of my favorite RPGs).