EMagLive.com has received multiple reports over the last few days from sources who wish to remain anonymous that Microsoft is making a largely successful bid for two of the PlayStation 3's most anticipated third-party exclusives: Metal Gear Solid 4 and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.
The reports of Final Fantasy Versus XIII heading to the 360 have been circulating for nearly the last month after it was revealed that at least parts of the White Engine were being ported to Microsoft's console. Speaking to EMagLive we were told by a source close to Microsoft that the Redmond company was in productive discussions with the Japanese developer Square Enix to "at least get [Final Fantasy 13] as a timed multiplatform and at most get the game as a simultaneous release".
We learned that Square Enix was apparently asking for a large monetary compensation for the port, while Microsoft maintained that they did not want to pay for the cost of PlayStation 3 development on the title. Despite the difference of opinion it appears that the two companies are close to reaching an agreement that will bring the blockbuster RPG to the 360.
We contacted Square Enix for comment, but the company maintained that they had no news to announce stating "at this time, there is nothing announced toward a Cross Platform Final Fantasy game, other then Final Fantasy XI and The Last Remnant. This is not to say it will never happen ... decisions to develop additional games for the XBox 360 will ultimately be made by Square Enix and Microsoft."
We set out to get additional sources on the story and while chasing them down learned that Microsoft was also very close to reaching an agreement with Konami regarding Metal Gear Solid 4. Konami apparently also requested significant monetary compensation, but if our sources are to be believed the end result is looking like it will remain the same: Microsoft is close to reaching a deal which will bring MGS4 to the 360.
Konami responded by saying that they "have no information concerning the possible release of Metal Gear Solid 4 on the XBox 360 at this point". But they told us to "keep an eye on our website for updates" regarding any announcements on a 360 version of the anticipated title.
Microsoft declined to comment, saying only that they "just can't divulge any details of any deals we have with business partners" at this time. The representative noted that if there were any truth to the information we had, Microsoft would not be able to comment on business relations with partners, especially those concerning any future titles.
How could Sony lose two of its most pivotal third-party exclusives? Jack Tretton head of Sony Computer Entertainment America revealed earlier this summer that Sony had a strict policy against "buying" exclusives. "We have a very different approach to exclusives than some of our competitors," stated Tretton. "We don't buy exclusivity, we don't fund development. We don't, for lack of a better term, bribe somebody to only do a game on our platform."
Yet many developers find that the costs of developing on Sony's platform can outweigh many of the benefits. Sony's royalty on each disc sold is twice the royalty Microsoft levies on their system. Additionally, each extra month of development that the platform requires can raise the break-even point by as many as 50,000 â 80,000 units on big titles.
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