Game Ports: Will they or won't they? (page 3 of 3)

Final Fantasy XIII

Confirmed Platform: PlayStation 3

Rumored Platform: Xbox 360

While attention has been lavished upon Metal Gear Solid 4, the real heavy-hitting exclusive for PlayStation 3 is Final Fantasy XIII. Hideo Kojima's stealth-action series is quite popular in North America, but maintains a niche following in Japan and Europe. Final Fantasy, on the other hand, possesses a rabid fan base that stretches across the globe. It's one of the most successful, prolific gaming series in history and has been known to make or break consoles. Square's decision to support the original PlayStation with Final Fantasy VII was a huge coup for Sony and a heartbreaking loss for the Nintendo 64.

Final Fantasy XIII could very well do the same for PlayStation 3. Role-playing fans not courted by Microsoft's valiant attempts in the genre (Blue Dragon, Mass Effect, the FF-like Lost Odyssey) could find themselves compelled by the newest installment of Square Enix's master series. A multi-platform release for the game seems highly unlikely given the series' history. Titles in the main series have always been exclusive to a single platform upon initial release. Only remakes appear on alternate systems, usually enhanced in some form. Final Fantasy XI, which is considered by many to exist outside the main series, is the only official FF game to have launched on two platforms at once -- PlayStation 2 and PC.

Microsoft has made clear their wish to see a Final Fantasy game on Xbox 360. They got one, the MMO Final Fantasy XI, but it was a day late and a dollar short. There's no chance of seeing another game in the series hitting the console, especially this thirteenth installment. If you're not entirely convinced that Final Fantasy XIII will remain a PlayStation 3 exclusive, Square Enix executive Shinji Hashimoto sets the record straight stating, "As for FF on the Xbox 360, it's currently a completely blank page." That's one way to put it.

Chance of Xbox 360 Port: Slim
Xbox 360 owners won't be having any Moogle sightings... at least, not anytime soon.



World of Warcraft

Confirmed Platform: PC

Rumored Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

You're more likely to be simultaneously hit by a car and zapped by lightning than curl up on your couch playing World of Warcraft on your Xbox 360 controller. Resume hunching over your PC, because World of Warcraft isn't hitting consoles anytime soon, if ever. Blizzard President Mike Morhaime settled rumors of a port earlier this month telling Next-Gen, "At this point, there are no plans to release any of the Blizzard franchises on console." This shouldn't come as any surprise given that the company is reiterating a point that has been hammered time and time again. Several times since the initial launch of World of Warcraft, Blizzard executives have made clear that in no form would the game hit consoles.

The question has to be asked: why would it matter anyway? Everyone is already playing World of Warcraft. A console version probably wouldn't bring too many more players into the fold. Even more, massively multiplayer games haven't established themselves as viable in the console space. PlayStation 2 exclusive EverQuest Online Adventures was a dud, whereas Final Fantasy XI endures thanks to dedicated PC players, not PlayStation 2 or Xbox 360 users. There's no need for Blizzard to throw away money on a console title...again.

Chance of Xbox 360/PS3 Port: Slim to None
Blizzard has little to gain and lots to lose by taking the MMO juggernaut onto consoles. Plus, the company has terrible luck with console releases. Why bother?



Crysis

Confirmed Platform: PC

Rumored Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Considering that nobody can run the damn thing, inklings of a Crysis port could bode well for those wanting to actually play Crytek's super-charged first-person shooter. Simply viewing the main menu has been known to break lesser PCs, while high end systems can barely churn out the game's phenomenal graphics. It takes a supercomputer to run this monster -- didn't Ken Kutaragi once define the PS3 as exactly that?

"Crysis could be on the 360 or PS3", Crytek CEO Cervat Yerli confessed to CVG last summer. Of course, a port of the game would demand extensive reprogramming to meet the fixed specifications of either console. Such an effort would take lots of time and software engineers skilled in console optimization. Incidentally, Crytek was on the prowl earlier this year for programmers knowledgeable in PS3 development. The company has yet to announce its new project now that Crysis is done; it seems only natural that a port could be in the pipeline. The PC version's lower-than-expected launch sales only add more fuel to the fire.

There's also the real potential for a multi-platform release for an unannounced sequel. Yerli explains, "The game is designed as a trilogy, so you have two more installments to come." A PS3 and Xbox 360 multi-platform release for subsequent installments of the young series wouldn't be out of the question, especially given Yerli's assurance that Crysis could be accomplished on consoles. Until Crytek or publishing partner EA divulge their plans, we'll have to continue melting motherboards and expensive graphics cards.

Chance of Xbox 360/PS3 Port: Highly likely
Console gamers rejoice! You may not have to sell your first born for a new gaming rig after all!

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