@Laoldar, XII also came out at the end of the PS2's lifecycle. The game came out just a couple weeks before the PS3 in the US...so it was somewhat of a lame duck title like FFIX (which I believe also sold dramatically fewer copies than FFVII).
I'm not sure what you folks mean by taking chances w/ the game though. FFXII was just a functional improvement upon FFX based on what they learned from FFXI. FFXXII picked up the active combat system that is popular in MMORPGs today (like FFXI). The license table in FFXII was just a different setup than the one in FFX. The allowed you to change the camera angle which should've happened a long time ago. I would say they actually took fewer chances with FFXII than FFX in the Western Market by eliminating all those minigames that plagued FFX and FFX-2.
Given that the first in a series tends to sell the best, I think it's far less likely that they'll take any big chances on it. I think it's far more likely that side games in the XIII series (such as Versus) will be more experimental while XIII will be fairly standard for FF (unsure whether or not it'll retain XII's new combat system).
I see your point regarding the release dates (absolutely no excuse there for SquareEnix...localization doesn't take that long). However, VGC still shows a 20% drop in Japanese sales from X to XII (though XII sold about the same as X-2). The FF series generally has always taken chances when you consider their titles since they moved to the Playstation. However, they have ranged from loved (VII) to hated (VIII) and everything in between. Looking at the PS3's sales however, I would think they would aim towards Japanese gamers as opposed to a more "Western-style" of RPG.
Also, do you think the 360 would be able to add much in terms of sales (if it was ported later)? I don't recall any PS2->XB ports doing that well and I don't think the 360 has the audience for a FF games.
@Laoldar, It's also worth noting that many, if not most, game series sell the most with their first game released on each console.
It's also worth noting that FF XI was a MMORPG which has monthly fees and FF XII released JP March 16, 2006 NA October 31, 2006 AU February 22, 2007 EU February 23, 2007 INT August 9, 2007
So when you talk about a series having declining sales you need to put those things into perspective...
Furthermore, for them to take any experimental chances on FF games, as they have recently, is risky. Ixaarii only talked about branching choices, that would be much less experimental than what they've done previously. The game is not releasing until 2009 most likely, 2008 holiday at the earliest. And if worst came to worst they could decide to port it to 360 for extra sales.
While you say they've been experimental since X, it's worth noting that XI and XII have seen decreased sales. VGC shows XII selling about 3 million less than X (unless anyone can find updated numbers from 7.95 and 4.95 million).
Looking at the limited install base the PS3 has and the obvious production values of the XIII videos we've seen, I doubt they're going to take many chances.
@ixaarii, I think that is possible. SEnix have been more experimental with FF games since post FF X. And they're trying to appeal to a more Worldwide audience to improve sales.
@ixaarii, pity the story doesn't provide a whole lot of details.
I don't see FFXIII picking up the feel of western RPGs like Elder Scrolls. Japanese RPGs are generally very linear and focus on combat, minigames, and an over-arching story that you will unravel. Western RPGs are more open-ended and focus on making decisions and having your character find their own destiny. It's just a totally different outlook on how an RPG should be.
Dialogue in JRPGs are usually superficial...in Final Fantasy games, NPCs rarely say anything relevant and there's no dialogue--the NPC speaks to you and you never say anything back. It's more about an interesting combat system.
@Joe80, my secret hope is that it will shock everybody in doing what up to now I've seen more in western rpgs: offer more branching choices. I think this would be a valid thing as it would add something very special to the series and appeal to western audiences even more as the japanese studios have been trying.
"Nomura states that FF XIII will probably be the 1st game to use the full specifications of the PS3, & with the help of the standard hard drive of the console, and Blu-ray disc capacity, the evolution of Final Fantasy XII to XIII will be as big of a leap as Final Fantasy VI to VII.
When Dengeki questioned him whether or not the Final Fantasy XIII games will be PlayStation 3 exclusive, Nomura said, “Of course.”"
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I'm not sure what you folks mean by taking chances w/ the game though. FFXII was just a functional improvement upon FFX based on what they learned from FFXI. FFXXII picked up the active combat system that is popular in MMORPGs today (like FFXI). The license table in FFXII was just a different setup than the one in FFX. The allowed you to change the camera angle which should've happened a long time ago. I would say they actually took fewer chances with FFXII than FFX in the Western Market by eliminating all those minigames that plagued FFX and FFX-2.