Final Fantasy XIII already bridged the gap
The big cross platform divide has already been bridged by Final Fantasy 13, making the fate of Versus 13 much less of a deal by comparison. As the first numbered game in the series to appear on a non-Sony console since 1997, FF XIII’s jump to cross platform status was a genuine surprise (or shock based on your inclination.) Versus XIII by comparison will now just adhere to the new precedent established by Square Enix if it launches on 360.
Sony can’t sustain the series’ exclusivity
I don’t claim to have any knowledge about the intricate bartering that goes on behind closed doors to secure platform exclusivity, but I can imagine platform holders have to be willing to let go of a lot of green to keep a franchise exclusive to their system. Considering the recent issues the Sony and Playstation brand have had after the Playstation Network hack attacks, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to assume they may not want to splash their cash on returning the Final Fantasy series to PS3 exclusively.
It allows Square Enix to not use the full power of the PS3
Though few games have used the full power of the PS3, those that do are markedly better looking than their Xbox 360 equivalents. That said, it must be a fairly time consuming and costly venture to wrench that extra juice out of a console. PS3 exclusives need to play to the system’s strengths, if only so fans don’t see it as a cop out. By turning Versus XIII cross platform, Square Enix effectively give themselves an excuse not to push the PS3’s graphics to the limits. It may seem like a bit of a cheap way to develop a game but, if the numbers make more sense, then who are we to argue?
Square Enix job ads have hinted at cross platform development
Job ads on the Square Enix website in Japan have placed PS3 package title experience as necessary, but have also said that “an Xbox 360 package title” will suffice instead. It’s certainly not concrete and, unless translating from Japanese to English has suddenly become a hell of a lot easier in the past day or two, it could be a glorious red herring due to an ambiguous translation job. That said, it’s certainly the closest thing to fact we have so far.
