You guys coming or going?

For those of you not familiar with the Final Fantasy family tree, Versus XIII is one of the most anticipated games in the series, probably since FFX,(as far as the graphical boost was concerned). The game was 1 of 3 others in what is called the Fabula Nova Crystallis, which in Latin means 'massive explosion crystals'. The other two games, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Type-0(formerly known as Agito XIII), have since been released, as well as XIII-2, a companion sequel to XIII. Not only is there a companion sequel available, for the past couple months I might add, but there's also a companion sequel...to the companion sequel in the works, right now! Or so they speculate, but even with that in the works, Final Fantasy XV is also reported to be announced in a couple of weeks. So what does any of this have to do with Versus XIII? In a nutshell, nothing and everything.

You see, all this was started by Kotaku. Although regarded by many as a reliable site for all things gaming, pop culture and blah blah blah, it's also considered by just as many a site that promotes lies, hypocrisy and unapologetic subjectivity. In other words, take this with a grain of salt because of where this rumor originated. SquareEnix is refusing to comment on it, because that's what they do. That's what any self-respecting agency does when they're trying to keep production under lock and key. Square then made an announcement that they're going to drop huge news come September 1st. What it could entail is a grab bag of new titles, updates on current projects, a new movie in the works or... I don't know, it's anyone's guess.

But all fingers point to the announcement of Final Fantasy XV and/or more info on XIII-3. Somehow, that leads to a conclusion that Versus XIII is being "quietly" canceled. That's all fine and dandy, but considering Versus XIII's development hasn't even been a year into full-on "100%" production, this has me questioning the validity to any news of cancellation.

"But Kotaku has inside sources!" Okay, you got me there. But in reality, it's still a rumor, and will stay so until an official announcement is made. There's also a rumor going around that EA is pulling a majority of it's titles from the Wii U due to Nintendo's weak sales. That was over a month ago and nothing has come of it. What really irritates me is how every site I turn to is reporting this like they heard it straight from SquareEnix's mouth. What's worse is the finality they force into the ordeal, like the death sentence has been issued before the jury ever had a chance to deliberate. I have yet to read from any website that has gone out of their way to, not exactly discredit, but somehow detract from our worst fears. Every outlet seems hellbent on being the first to take a hard, steaming squat-popper on your hopes and dreams.

Another thing that gets me is that SquareEnix is supposedly trying to quietly cancel the title in order to keep stock from taking a dip. As if a game of this magnitude and anticipation could be capable of such a thing. Seriously, that's assuming a lot. But let's play devils' advocate; assuming this is fact, the cat is out of the bag now and any attempt to control stock prices is now moot. But hey, maybe that's the point of this all, action where there was inaction. That's about all the confidence I'll put into it. "The writing is on the wall," they said. Really? Considering the game was announced at E3 in 2006, the trailer was used with the same tech used to film Advent Children, which is basically all we had to go on...an Advent Children digital short. Something made on the fly(as fly exists in FF) to get stock holders and consumers alike to buy into the hype for an ambitious, new title. Even though, afterwards, the game didn't reemerge with any new footage until E3 2010, a four year span that didn't even consist of a 100% production process. Then fingers start pointing to it's absence at E3 2011, yet we all forget the September 11th announcement, just months after E3. As I stated earlier, development was finally at 100% and all resources were now pouring into the most anticipated Final Fantasy to date. Then suddenly, less than a year has passed and we're to believe the game is just suddenly canceled? I fail to see how the writing was ever on the wall. Although in the midst of all this, I found it a bit funny that of all developers, it would be Sony Worldwide to reassure fans that The Last Guardian, another widely anticipated game that was plagued with setbacks, was still in development and totally not canceled. Well, that's good news. Go Team ICO?

There's also statements that the majority of Versus XIII's development team has be reallocated to work on Final Fantasy XV, a non-existent game! Or...it could be that Versus XIII is just receiving a new title(O___O). But who knows? After all, it's just a rumor.

- The 'Unconvinced' Agamemnon

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