Final Fantasy XIII Producer on Download Content [1/27]

[moogling]

Final Fantasy XIII's Ultima Guides hit retail later today. It appears that the guides have an interview section in which producer Yoshinori Kitase discusses download content.

I haven't seen the guides for myself, but Square Enix fan site FF-Reunion has a report on the interview based off message board posts from someone who picked up the guides in advance. Yes, you're reading a third hand report based off a book that's not even out.

Responding to a question about the possibility of download content, Kitase said that the staff considered downloads during the game's development, but held back after deciding to make it so that everything could be playable in a single package. Also, due to the long development time, they felt that it was their duty to get the game out as soon as possible. Making download content could have lead to a delay in the game's release.

There's a big "but" in Kitase's response, though. FFXIII's programming staff have told him that the game's framework would allow for download content.

Said Kitaise: "If asked if it's possible or impossible, it's possible. However, at present we're not considering it."

Just prior to FFXIII's release, director Motomu Toriyama sparked the speculation flames regarding download content when he posted a message to the FFXIII site suggesting that good things would happen to those who held on to the game for a long time.

More recently, an interview with the art director Isamu Kamikokuryou revealed the presence of a good amount of PS3-ready world data that was left out of the final product for balance purposes.

Source: Andriasang

 

[Ewan]

Most games these days have DLC, just another way to squeeze more money out of consumers. I wouldn't be surprised if they considering they have material that was cut out to be used if they consider DLC.

It would mean more money to be spent unfortunately but I can't be sure if I would be willing to buy it. I would do so for great games like AC2 and Fallout 3 so I'll have to see if FF13 is worth it.

If the story is captivated (which is completely subjective), then that will be a big factor in my decision.

 

[King Sean]

Downloadable content? Sounds good as long as it's pics of that girl that looks like a younger Lightning

And it's probably some extras like side quests and weapons not obtainable in the story line. Manu PS3 games are incorporating that lately

 

[Linnaete]

I'm sure SE has plenty of things to release as downloadable content. I can't remember where now- Isamu Kamikokuryou said somewhere that what was cut from FFXIII could have easily made up a whole game itself. That in itself sounds like plenty of things to consider as DLC.

I don't want this as an initiative for SE to start releasing incomplete games in the future just so they can splash (probably overpriced) DLC for their customers afterwards.

For some reason, after what Bethesda did with horse armour in Oblivion, why can I see SE doing the same controversial thing by releasing chocobo armour?

Sounds good as long as it's pics of that girl that looks like a younger Lightning

That's Serah..................and she's probably taken.

 

[Rey]

Pretty interesting stuff right here and I would love to see downloadable content of XIII. It would be great if its more acheivememts/trophies that we will have to do secret things like sidequests and side storys. I cant wait because this is the game I AM MOST INTERESTED IN!!!!

 

[DeadFantasy]

Downloadable content eh? Idunno I mean it'd be cool if they decided to however if they don't I wouldn't mind either. It depends on weather I think getting it would be worth it-- like what it is that you can download and what's it 'bout etc. If I like the game a lot I might consider downloading stuff for it but I can't confirm that quite yet...

 

[Fusionist]

Eh...I don't really like the idea of DLC for a FF game. In general, I don't like the idea of DLC 'cause I'm cheap, but it just seems...wrong for a numbered FF game to not be complete when released.

Yeah, I'm probably being close minded here, but I rather not have DLC for any FF games. If the so-called cut content from FFXIII is left up in the air, then I wouldn't oppose seeing some spin-off game or something made from it. Might as well pay for the box art then *shrugs*

And if there is DLC after-all, I just hope it has nothing to do with the story and characters 'cause I really don't want to buy DLC. If it's more dungeons with uber weapons and bosses, than knock yourselves out

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

It'll come, I almost feel as if it's inevitable. All gaming companies will be looking at DLC because it's another way to gain a large profit with minimal costs involved. My only problem would be where it intertwined in the game. DLC works fantastically well for the likes of Borderland, Assassin's Creed II etc but they're games you can continue playing when the storyline is finished.

The only way I see SE creating DLC is similar to Fallout 3 that they create a title at the menu under "Download Content" and that it allows you to continue the story after you complete the game as well D:

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Double post /my bad/ but I just read this which is apparently a translation of a Playstation Magazine in Holland:

Is the European version identical to the Japanese version or will the western version get extra content for the long wait?

Kitase: At first we had plans to release the game simultaneously worldwide, so we had the intention to deliver identical version between the regions. When we noticed that we wouldn't make it, we decided to release the game as fast as possible in the west after its release in Japan. We initially had doubts to add extra content to the western version but then it would have taken the international version more months of delay. We did prepare a DLC but it will arrive a little later in the west.