Which Western Games Have Inspired Final Fantasy XIII? [FFXIII]

There are plenty of Western games that have been inspired by Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series over the years. But are there any Western games that have inspired Final Fantasy? Specifically, Final Fantasy XIII? Why, yes, there are.

In an interview with 360 Magazine, Square Enix’s Yoshinori Kitase - producer of FInal Fantasy XIII - says that his team don’t really pay much attention to the kind of games you think they would. Mass Effect, Fallout 3, etc etc. Instead, their inspiration comes from a more surprising source:

We don’t look much at Western RPGs. But, for instance, we really look at Call Of Duty and other Western FPSs in terms of how to immerse the player in the moment of the action and how to portray the right movements for the supporting characters in battles – those sorts of games do this really well, and it’s something we considered with FFXIII.

Well there you go.

Square: FFXIII Influenced By COD [NowGamer]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Luke Plunkett on July 31, 2009

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Downloadable Games Or Retail Games - Which Have You Been Playing? [Tell Us Dammit]

Hello you. How ya doin? Good? That’s good. Let’s talk.

Here’s how it works: We ask a question, you answer it. Simple and no strings attached! This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person.

You probably know oodles about us - more than you even want to, we’re sure. But, hey, we’d like to know about you. That way you won’t be some faceless blob - and we might feel a tinge of guilt when we ban ya. Or not, because really we’re incapable of human emotion.

Question: Which have you been playing more recently: downloadable games or retail package games?





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Brian Ashcraft on July 31, 2009

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A Sure-Fire Way To Add A Little Cuteness To San Andreas [Clips]

San Andreas is a harsh place! Gangs, drugs, violence. Very adult, very serious. Maybe it’s time to lighten things up a little. This Doraemon mod should do it.

[via 小太郎ぶろぐ]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Luke Plunkett on July 31, 2009

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A Week In Comments [Hyper Multi-tap]

The Witcher Uncensored For North America
Comment by: Instant_Awesome
Nominated by: Curse_Lily

Remember when nudity was nonexistent in mainstream movies? Well, that changed, and so will games, eventually. One day, games will be able to have full artistic expression without being labeled as smut that’s harming our children. We’re not there yet, but it will come.

Now, I’m not saying artistic expression = boobies. However, being able to include adult situations (and even nudity) when appropriate is really telling of the level of freedom that’s accepted.

I look forward to the day that some shmuck on a “news” show tries to bash the next big game because it has adult situations, and everyone laughs it off just as quickly as we (as a gaming community) laugh off that kind of thing right now.

Happy Birthday ESRB!
Comment by: BigManMalone
Nominated by: Witzbold

As is the norm, most people here don’t really get it, though I’m pleased to see that many do.

First, no, the ESRB does not “censor” games; it simply passes judgment on the existing content within a given game. On top of this it is completely up to the game makers themselves whether or not they want to submit to the ESRB. Sure, most places will not sell games that are not rated or have been rated too maturely, but anyone is free to do so at his discretion. The fact that many stores do not is their choice, and it is not the ESRB’s responsibility to micromanage the video game market to correct for this perceived unfairness.

Second, maybe some of you should do a little research on what actual game developers think of the ESRB. I’ve heard some who are very pleased with the system and extol the ESRB as one of the least restrictive rating boards when compared to other countries. Ryan Payton, I believe, of Kojima Productions echoed this sentiment on one of the old KP Reports.

Lastly, even with my defense of the ESRB thus far, I have to point out that it should not exist. It was nudged into existence by the U.S. government, though as it stands it is self-regulating and free of bureaucratic tentacles. Had it lacked its governmental midwife, then it would have been a shining example of how free citizens can affect their society and the powerful, “greedy” corporations that inhabit it. To be honest, it still is; it just would have been a smoother and more accepted affair had the government allowed for people to wait for when they thought it was time for a free and voluntary video game ratings board.

Sega: Fixing Sonic Is Going To Take Time
Comment by: RufusEuryale
Nominated by: Lessthan_tom

It should say SEGA: Fixing Sonic is going to take AGES

Who Can Stop Dragon Quest IX In Japan?
Comment by: (Zombie) Goldwings
Nominated by: Curse_Lily

Tech Troop: Sir, the shield can’t hold the amount sales for Dragon Quest.

Commander: Shit son bring it up to 100% and hold it together.

Tech Troop: It’s not working! It’s going to surpass 3 million sales and maybe even more!

Commander: Dammit! Send in Monster Hunter for the Wii and may God help us all.
*Hits “Release Monster Hunter” button*

Ubisoft Plans to Have Piracy Solution in Place This Year
Comment by: Shawnrw222
Nominated by: palmtoptiger

To be completely fair, seeing some of the download numbers on those DS games is pretty eye opening to the situation. I mean, yeah, some are just trying before they buy, but when 10,000+ are downloading a game, thats a pretty large dent to the profits.

However, I don’t think anybody downloads the Imagine games, so bad excuse Ubi.

Kotaku Originals: I Said Turn Off That Machine Now!
Comment by: mintycrys is HOT for Bayonetta
Nominated by: Owen Good

When I was little, a friend and I played “Bad Dudes” outside. A really fat man who lived two doors down on the other side of the street was Karnov (unbeknownst to him), and when some grizzled old korean war veteran who lived on our street asked us what we doing, we told him we were going to save President Ronnie, he gave us two toy assault rifles to play with. My mother blew a gasket when she saw hiding in the holly bush (bad idea, I know) in front of the house with a fake assault rifle.

The veteran died several days later. I still have the toy gun, with the phrase “Ba” carved into the stock from when I tried to etch “Bad Dudes” into the toy gun with a pocketknife, but cut myself as I finished the ‘a’.

Want to nominate comments? Send to tips any insightful or funny comments you read from other commenters. (Read: NOT YOURSELF). Be sure to include the post’s URL, the commenter’s page, the actual comment and your commenter page.

Here’s a handy guide to commenting. Read it, learn it, live it, love it.





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Brian Ashcraft on July 31, 2009

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German Amazon Lists PS3 Slim [Rumor]

Earlier this May, supposed “leaked” photos from a Chinese plant showed what’s reported to be the PS3 Slim. The German Amazon site now has a listing for “PlayStation 3 Konsole slim”.

Googling the product code number does not show anything else but this listing on Amazon.de.

Retailer listings of unannounced products are always fishy. Ditto for this.

PlayStation 3 Konsole slim [Amazon.de Thanks, Daniel!]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Brian Ashcraft on July 31, 2009

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Halo? More Like Claylo, Amiright? [Art]

Guy called Antithesis has blended a childhood pastime with an adult interest and come up with this impressive - no, adorable - range of Halo figures, each sculpted from stringy bits of clay.

You can check out these, as well as keep up to date on promised future models, by visiting his website below.

[Primordial Industries]











Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Luke Plunkett on July 31, 2009

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PC Erotic Game Getting Movie Version [Fate/stay Night]

A movie version of an adult visual novel Fate/stay night has been announced via teaser site.

There’s no info about the movie just yet — such as who’s starring in the flick, who’s directing, etc.

Fate/stay night was originally released on the PC back in early 2004. It has spun off PlayStation platform titles, anime and manga. The plot involves sorcerers, swords and a Holy Grail War.

Fate/stay night [Official Site via GIGAZINE]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Brian Ashcraft on July 31, 2009

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Mickey Rourke Doesn’t Talk Games With Other Actors [Hollywood]

These days loads of big Hollywood actors are appearing in video games. It’s become normal. Heck, even Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke is doing game voice work.

For actors, Rourke sees film and gaming as still totally separate.

“I don’t really think people yet are comparing the two, insofar as somebody’s performance in a video game as opposed to a feature film,” explained the actor, who is appearing in upcoming first-person-shooter Rogue Warrior.

“The fact is,” he added, “when I go out and see another actor we’re not going to talk about video games.” That’s okay you don’t talk about gaming, Mickey. But, maybe you should talk about fashion?

Movie stars bring sparkle to gaming [BBC] [Pic]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Brian Ashcraft on July 31, 2009

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Capcom Giving Away Autographed Snack Foods [Yum]

If you know what “Pringles” means among Marvel vs. Capcom 2 players - and it’s no compliment - you can win a can of the real thing autographed by the guy who coined the term.

It comes from Michael “IFC Yipes” Mendoza and was dropped in the stream-of-conscious lingo play-by-play of this MvC2 fight years back. Capcom’s Seth Killian saw Yipes at Evo 2009 last week and got him to sign some cans of chips crisps for the big giveaway that Capcom-Unity is running.

Of course, the actual answer is easy to peg and quite prosaic; someone who is pringles is likely an easy opponent. Has a fever for the flavor of getting his ass beaten, if you will. But Seth’s opening this up to more creative takes on the definition of the term.

Just remember, if you win, you’ll end up getting a can of Pringles that’s probably three weeks old. Then again these things are jampacked with enough preservatives I’m sure they’ll still be good in August. 2012.

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: “It’s So Pringles” Contest! [Capcom-Unity]





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Owen Good on July 31, 2009

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Lifetime Sales Figures For The PlayStation 3 [Sony]

Every time Sony releases their quarterly earnings, they update their records to show exactly how many consoles and games have been sold to the public over the past few months. Let’s take a look at the PS3 figures then, eh?

In 2006, Sony decided to start tracking how many consoles and games they sold all the way through to customers, not just to retailers (which is how most other companies record “sales”). It’s an admirable practice, and one which gives us a very accurate picture of how the PS3 (and its games) are faring, since these figures have been available for the entirety of the machine’s lifespan.

Anyway, here are the numbers, which cover the period from launch until June 30, 2009:

PS3 consoles: 23.8 million
PS3 software: 189.7 million (all publishers, includes both retail and PSN titles)





Posted under Computer games, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Games, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Games, Playstation 2 Games, Playstation 3 Games, Playstation Games, Playstiotion, Playstiotion 2, Playstiotion 3, Uncategorized, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 360 Games, Xbox Games

This post was written by Luke Plunkett on July 31, 2009

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