FF Versus XIII, XIV PS3 absent from Square Enix release list through March 2012

by Alex Donaldson on 13 May, 2011

Square Enix posted its 2010/2011 fiscal results today, and we've been digging through the results files that were provided to investors in search of any interesting information on the games Square Enix are producing.

One slide of the presentation is dedicated to outlining release dates for Key Titles that have already been announced that will release between now and March 2012. That includes release dates we already knew including Deus Ex: Human Revolution in August, Dungeon Siege III in June and Final Fantasy XIII-2 "this Winter" - but the absenses from the list are what is truly interesting.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII doesn't make an appearance on the list at all, despite being a big-budget, huge title for Square Enix. It recently had its first proper gameplay footage shown off in Japan back in January, but its absense from this list suggests a release won't happen now until Summer 2012 at the earliest - and that would be for Japan.

Also absent from the list is Final Fantasy XIV's Playstation 3 release. Once seen as a major title for Square Enix, the PS3 version of the MMO was indefinitely delayed after the PC version suffered from a disasterous launch. The game has been shifted to be free to play until quality has been improved, and much of the original FF14 development team has been 'moved on' quietly by Square Enix and replaced by fresh blood.

The lack of any listing on this release list means grim things for Square Enix's flagship MMO. Newly appointed FF14 Producer Naoki Yoshida has said that the game wouldn't launch on PS3 until the PC version has been fixed, and has been reaching out to fans for advice - but the question now is if this indefinite delay stretches past March 2012 or if Square Enix has decided to can the PS3 version entirely.

While the list only deals in "Previously Announced" titles, both Final Fantasy XIV PS3 and Final Fantasy Versus XIII have been formally announced by Square Enix in Japan - twice in the case of Versus - once at E3 2006 and again this January at the 1st Production Department Premiere Conference in Japan. Final Fantasy XIV on PS3 was formally announced in the West as well as Japan.

A final interesting note from the slide comes for Final Fantasy Type-0, previously known as Final Fantasy Agito XIII. Type-0 is listed for a release "This Summer" in Japan but any details on a Western release is notably absent. Type-0 has been formally announced in Japan but not in the West, which might explain the absense of a Western date there.

We're still digging through the financial reports for anything interesting, and we'll be out at E3 2011 seeing Square Enix's upcoming line-up in a few weeks time - so stick with us for the latest. Check out the slide from the presentation below.