PS3 Fanboy

Square Enix is fast to slam the book down on the recent reports about Final Fantasy Versus XIII being put on the back burner. The company has gone out with a statement on the hot topic: "Reports that development for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is on hold are false. The truth of the situation is that when free, some staff from the Versus team have been helping with the XIII team on development of Final Fantasy XIII. Development for both titles is continuing as originally scheduled."

As Eurogamer points out, that statement wholly contradicts what Mr. Nomura had said in the latest issue of Famitsu when he told the publication that Versus XIII was "on hold" and that the "entire Versus team is helping to finish Final Fantasy XIII." Either way, whether Tetsuya Nomura was misinterpreted or perhaps revealed too much and had his words retracted, we're even more intrigued with the behind-the-scenes goings-on over at Square Enix HQ.

It seems there is more here than meets the eye. We'll be keeping a close watch on both titles, especially come August and October when the Square Enix party and Tokyo Game Show pop up respectively.

In the latest issue of Famitsu, an interview with Tetsuya Nomura revealed that Final Fantasy Versus XIII is currently being put on hold. Nomura, the game's director, said that the majority of the team working on Versus XIII is now helping out on Final Fantasy XIII. The main title in the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation is top priority at the moment.

While both games will appear at the upcoming August Square Enix party (in non-playable form), Nomura hints at a bigger reveal and more info to come at Tokyo Game Show in October. Knowing Square Enix, this means a minute of ambiguous footage in a closed theater. Let's hope we're wrong about that last speculative statement and see if a playable demo comes in October.

It appears that the Japanese side of Square Enix is going to hold an event promoting some of the company's upcoming software. The event, dubbed DKΣ3713, will take place on August 2 and 3 in Harajuku in Tokyo. It's invite-only which means there's a huge chance you won't be able to go (read: absolutely no chance if you don't live in Japan); however, SE is giving people the chance to sign up and be selected to receive an invite.

Square Enix is giving away 2,400 invites to eager gamers waiting to see the latest on PS3 games: Final Fantasy XIII, Versus XIII, and PSP games: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep and Dissidia. The application period starts this June 23 and will end July 13. Invites will be selected after those dates. Check out the full list of games here.

We won't be in Japan for this, but we hope our (few) Japanese readers will be able to enjoy the festivities. As for the rest of you, we're sure you're too excited for Metal Gear Solid 4 today that you won't be too bummed out on missing something like this.

We're counting this as a rumor simply because new Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII footage is a pretty big leap of faith for us to take. Insert your "only the penitent man shall pass" Indy quotes here. Anyway, the new footage is going to be unveiled at the PS Premiere event ... that's all we know. That's not entirely true -- we have the rumored contents of the footage. Bulleted list, here we go:

• There will be a 3-4 minute video showing a three person party fighting on some plains.
• The battle camera will give you motion sickness, according to the original poster.
• The final design of Final Fantasy Versus XIII's antagonist will be revealed. Apparently he has long gold or white hair -- not stereotypical at all.

While it may not sound like much, enthusiasts will drool if the video is released to the public. It's unknown whether or not the video will be behind closed doors or not. If it is, then the video might as well not exist since nobody will see it.

[Via PS3Forums]