[27/01] Final Fantasy XIII-2 getting 'episodic DLC' in western regions

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

We've heard bits and pieces of Square Enix's plans to release downloadable content for Final Fantasy XIII-2 in Japan, but it hasn't been made clear how much of that would make the journey westward. Now producer Yoshinori Kitase has mentioned "episodic DLC" in an English interview, confirming we'll get extra story bits in North America and Europe as well.


In a Square Enix Blog interview, Kitase references known DLC like the pre-order incentives and costumes, but says there's more to come. "We're not just planning boss battles or costumes but also planning episodic DLC items that will hopefully expand on the universe and the gameplay for Final Fantasy XIII-2," he said.

Game director Motomu Toriyama added that the North American and European reception of Final Fantasy XIII was good, and they're hoping to build on that player relationship. "Hopefully we can carry on that same feeling for Final Fantasy XIII-2, with these releases coming out we're looking forward to getting a positive worldwide reception. All the regions were mastered simultaneously and we are really happy we can now get it out to the fans from all parts of the world much faster."

This all points to Square planning its DLC releases for all regions. That means story updates, like the recently teased Lightning DLC, her associated story episodes, and possible story bits for characters like Sazh, should come to the west as well.

You can watch the full interview below. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 on January 31st.

Source: Shacknews | VG247

 

[Lirael]

Ah, this is certainly good news! The more I hear about DLC, the more excited I actually feel about getting it. I shall probably set a limit on how much I will actually spend on DLC, and, as per usual, I'll ensure I'm selective when choosing what to purchase and download... I can't see myself spending money on anything that doesn't add to the story.

I can also breathe a sigh of relief because I changed my order of XIII-2 from a 360 copy to a copy for the PS3. I won't have to buy an adapter to connect to the internet!

 

[Steve-O]

awesome, it good that we at least get the DLC like japan, rather Japan getting Japan only DLC like they did with duodecim, i'm still not to happy with having to buy DLC to see the story, but if it just for the characters like lightning and sazh then I don't mind

 

[Gabe]

Game director Motomu Toriyama added that the North American and European reception of Final Fantasy XIII was good, and they're hoping to build on that player relationship. "Hopefully we can carry on that same feeling for Final Fantasy XIII-2, with these releases coming out we're looking forward to getting a positive worldwide reception. All the regions were mastered simultaneously and we are really happy we can now get it out to the fans from all parts of the world much faster."

This is the funniest and most ironic thing I've ever seen from this director, among other things. I don't think anyone ENJOYS spending money on DLC when the stuff could just be in the game, like it should be, AS A TRUE SEQUEL. We shouldn't have to pay extra to see what characters like Sazh and Lightning are doing. When I review this game somewhere, I'm definitely knocking off a good .5 from this DLC nonsense. I'm not spending an extra $10 on this game.

 

[greenyxi]

I'm happy enough to buy DLC, considering it will add some story about who is 1 of 2 interesting characters in FF13 (Lightning). I mean, I won't be buying the little things like extra skins or anything, but adding more story to a game via dlc adds depth and extends the longevity of a game, which is exactly what we as gamers want

 

[Ohri-Jin]

Dont you think its funny that the added DLC has nothing to do with the sequal itself?
They are things that were in the first game. LMAO they could just as well do this DLC for FFXIII and the sequal would easily be avoided.

You praisers crack me up.

 

[Hatifnatten]

Oh Fuck you Square and your money grabbing ways. Now not only am I forced to buy DLC, you want me to fucking but piece of shit western localization version of the game to have the full story? FUCK YOU. Can you fucking do thing even more wrong?

 

[greenyxi]

Oh Fuck you Square and your money grabbing ways. Now not only am I forced to buy DLC, you want me to fucking but piece of shit western localization version of the game to have the full story? FUCK YOU. Can you fucking do thing even more wrong?

Calm down, calm down. It's only dlc...

Besides, you aren't forced to buy the dlc, and it's not necessary to buy them to have the intended story from the game. It's only if you want a tiny bit more information.

I don't mean any offence, I try to be a very nice person, but seriously...I wish people would stop being drama queens about DLC :wtf:

 

[Naoto Shirogane]

I don't mean any offence, I try to be a very nice person, but seriously...I wish people would stop being drama queens about DLC :wtf:

Great minds think alike?

Guys. It's just DLC. If you don't like it. Don't look at it.

Anyway. As I don't have a PS3 and don't have a 360 adapter DLC will be useless for me. But if I can enjoy the game I could really care less.

HATERS GONNA HATE

 

[Shaissa]

Wow.. umm Hatifnatten this is not the first company to do this... as i have said before... congrats for thinking its only sqare...

But as far as the DLC goes its interesting to say the least... im never a fan of dlc's but i have to say that this extra stuff is very interesting. I mean I wish it was already in the game.. but new generation new stuff. Hope the DLC is more than an hour... I am hoping for 2 or 4 hours.

 

[Soulcorruptor]

Great minds think alike?

Guys. It's just DLC. If you don't like it. Don't look at it.

Anyway. As I don't have a PS3 and don't have a 360 adapter DLC will be useless for me. But if I can enjoy the game I could really care less.

HATERS GONNA HATE

I think what most people are getting at with myself included that with this DLC it is side stories. Meaning that this full well could have been put into the game maybe as side quest or un lockable for doing certain missions or whatnot. Instead hey not just saying it's Square they are content to give us a half assed game then, that's not finished in it's entirely. Instead we have to buy these story segments to get the full game.

 

[Linnaete]

you want me to fucking but piece of shit western localization version of the game to have the full story?

Either this sentence has totally flown past me without fully comprehending, or what on earth are you talking about? Everyone will probably get these DLC episodes. The game will have practically the same content in both the Japanese AND English versions. If you wish to, go ahead and buy the Japanese version of the game. It will hardly be different to the English one, so I don't know what the heck you're on about that you have to buy a localised copy of the game to have the full story.

By the way Kitase and Toriyama, Edge gave this game a 6/10 and PS Lifestyle a 5/10. Seems not everyone is a fan of your work...yet again.

 

[Lirael]

Based on the reviews I've just read, which all say XIII-2 lacks a good story, it is a little unfinished. I guess they decided to focus on the gameplay itself and are using the DLC to add to the story... I'm not TOO fussed, since it looks like the interactions between Serah and Noel are still interesting, but I can understand why others would irritated. :/ It would be so bad if they'd provided a voucher with each copy of the game for X amount of DLC OR reduced the price to compensate.

Silly Square. I must admit they've made somewhat of a mistake. :/ I'm sure I'll still enjoy the game a lot, but it's a little sad that it won't live up to the standard of VI, VII, VIII, IX or X.

 

[Rydrum2112]

Based on the reviews I've just read, which all say XIII-2 lacks a good story, it is a little unfinished. I guess they decided to focus on the gameplay itself and are using the DLC to add to the story... I'm not TOO fussed, since it looks like the interactions between Serah and Noel are still interesting, but I can understand why others would irritated. :/ It would be so bad if they'd provided a voucher with each copy of the game for X amount of DLC OR reduced the price to compensate.

Silly Square. I must admit they've made somewhat of a mistake. :/ I'm sure I'll still enjoy the game a lot, but it's a little sad that it won't live up to the standard of VI, VII, VIII, IX or X.

Now if the DLC is a response the reviews/criticisms saying the story was weaker, then I am not upset about it being an "incomplete game". That is them trying to respond to criticisms.

 

[Linnaete]

Now if the DLC is a response the reviews/criticisms saying the story was weaker, then I am not upset about it being an "incomplete game". That is them trying to respond to criticisms.

...but this was something so unbelievably avoidable - they've practically created new issues to address, and so needlessly. If Toriyama and his protégé writer had written something with an actual closure (and an actual coherent storyline), there would be no problem in the first place!

Are they just unable to have a story and a good focus on gameplay in the same game anymore? Does one have to be compromised for the other when it comes to Kitase and Toriyama projects from now on?

 

[Nocturne]

what do you mean anymore? People complained about FF8's story or gameplay. People complained about the look of FF9 and some really disliked alot of the characters.

FFX was fairly well received, FFXII people bitched about the story and battle system. The fact that people are complaining about FFXIII and it's related projects are getting the same criticism, it's just that now people are blowing it out of proportion.

 

[Martel]

People have been complaining about Final Fantasy since FFVII made it more about style than substance...probably before, although my memory doesn't go that far back. The only difference is that people have been getting louder and more frequent in their criticism as the years have gone by, so it seems like a bigger deal in the minds of people who can't handle people trashing their favourite games.

"Episodic DLC" just means that they're going to split the content up so they can charge more money for it. It's a standard business strategy for this sort of thing I suppose, but I think it would probably be much more positively received - not that it deserves it, but that is beside the point for the moment - if they actually, dare I say it, took a page out of a couple of Western developer's books and released it all at once in a value-for-money package, like the Awakening expansion for Dragon Age: Origins. Add up everything they release as episodic DLC and it'll probably amount to the same amount of content, but at double the price.

 

[Ohri-Jin]

Tue, Jan 31, 2012 | 08:51 GMT

Add to My News
FFXIII-2 Lightning Coliseum DLC launching in Japan next week


Square Enix has announced it’ll release the second DLC for Final Fantasy XIII-2s Coliseum mode on February 7 in Japan. The new content, which will cost ¥300 on PSN and 240 MS points on Xbox Live Marketplace, will see you fight against Lightning in her FFXIII Guardian Corps uniform, as well as her Corps partner Lt Amoda.
The RPG sequel launches in the US today, with a UK and EU release on Friday. Thanks, Andriasang.

0 Posted in: PS3, PSN, RPG, Square Enix, Xbox 360, Xbox Live
Tags: FFXIII-2, Final Fantasy XIII-2

Source - http://www.vg247.com/2012/01/31/ffxiii-2-lightning-coliseum-dlc-launching-in-japan-next-week/

 

[Ohri-Jin]

Thu, Feb 02, 2012 | 07:43 GMT

Square hints at downloadable story “volumes” for FFXIII-2

Square Enix has teased downloadable story “volumes” for Final Fantasy XIII-2.

This comes by way of the Ultimania Guides that launched for the RPG in Japan that launched on Tuesday.
According to director Motomu Toriyama and producer Yoshinori Kitase, the main game is the telling of Serah and Noel’s story, but potential future episodes would feature on Lightning, Snow, Sazh and more.
However, Toriyama and Kitase teased they may also be told through means of media, such as novels.
Andriasang has the full lowdown.
XIII-2 launches in Europe for PS3 and 360 tomorrow.

Source - http://www.vg247.com/2012/02/02/square-hints-at-downloadable-story-volumes-for-ffxiii-2/#more-230755