Convincing-but-problematic retailer ad appears to reveal Square Enix's long-awaited Final Fantasy XIII will be packed in with a super-sized version of Microsoft's console. [UPDATE] Now confirmed!
Source: A now-dead product page on Microsoft's ExpertZone retailer partner site, uncovered by the tireless Web-diggers over at the NeoGAF Forums.
What we heard: With X10 less than 24 hours away, excitement is building about what announcements might come out of Microsoft's press event in San Francisco. Given what looks like a major leak, gamblers should place their bets on a $400 bundle with both Final Fantasy XIII and a 250GB hard drive-equipped Xbox 360 being on the day's agenda.
A listing for just such a bundle was spotted by NeoGAF on ExpertZone, which is used to preview and display wares to Microsoft's retail partners. Before it was summarily pulled down, NeoGAF user jmoe316 quickly screen-grabbed the retailer listing, which shows a FFXIII-themed box with heroine Lightning on the cover next to a white Xbox 360 console. Also shown are the FFXIII game, two white controllers, and a white console.
Visually, the $399.99 "Special Edition" bundle's contents seem straightforward--and completely plausible, given the great fanfare with which Microsoft announced that the formerly PlayStation 3-exclusive role-playing game was coming to the 360. The product description also bears classic Microsoft marketing-speak, touting the expanded storage of the drive and how FFXIII "takes full advantage of the Xbox 360 system's advanced hardware, providing intuitive controllers while delivering seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and stunning cinematics."
Unfortunately, it's somewhat stunning that just a few inches away, the "What's included" breakdown of the box content describes the console and the controllers as "black." The less-than-seamless discrepancy makes it unclear if Microsoft's graphics department forgot to change the fine print when they recycled a mock-up from November's black Modern Warfare 2 bundle or if the ad is a top-notch fake. Also unnerving is the crude Photoshopping of the controllers and console, which also points to either a forgery or a mock-up. Finally, one of the Final Fantasy boxes bears the "Only on Xbox 360" logo reserved for console exclusives.
The official story: "We have nothing to announce at this time."--Microsoft rep.
Bogus or not bogus?: Looking not bogus. The ad's origin, language, and presentation all appear genuine, and it's easy to believe an underpaid, unobservant graphic designer on a tight deadline simply made a mistake. (Such things have happened before.) And given the building excitement of long-suffering Final Fantasy XIII fans for the game's looming March 9 launch, what better way to entice non-Xbox 360 owners into the fold than with a shiny new bundle?
[UPDATE] The bundle has been officially confirmed by Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb. Surprise?
360 Consumers need more respect (even though they didn't realize) 360 need the support of 3rd parties... like PS3 do with their HDD.... I'm using 6 Tera on PC about 1 & a half years ago.... why 360 HDD still "stuck" using small capacity around 250 Gb... 360 does not seem to require exclusive HDD crap from Microsoft...
Good points Teddy, it's going to be interesting to see sales figures broken down by region.
Microsoft really needs to start adding in an HDMI cable or start putting the HD component cables back in the box, not doing some is lame and so nickle/dime of them...PS3 is looking better all the time, next time I get RROD I'm done with the 360.
Microsoft's way of combating the obvious Sony run-off with FFXIII. It's no surprise to anyone that the PS3 version will sell more, simply because any gamer in the know understands the game was built for the PS3 (and that GoW III releases the same month). This is Microsoft's attempt to mitigate those new PS3 system sales. It's a smart move Microsoft, but I wonder how much good it will do with GoW III releasing so closely. Also, Maziel, all of those you mentioned are multiplatform. popplayer22 was referring to the fact that the exclusives for 360, besides maybe ME2, don't seem as potent as PS3's. I have to disagree. I think although this year will see more PS3 sales, Fable 3 is also on the horizon, as is another Modern Warfare game (supposedly). it'll all depend, imo, on Natal, and PS3 motion controller.
Makes me wonder why Sony isn't doing a PS3 bundle. Maybe saving that love for God of War?
for all whose tired of halo reach is that last game in franchise so stop complaing their milking it to the fullest with the toys and anime to save up for their next project
@ Rottenwood Lets be honest, the RPG scenery is dry compared to last gen on both the PS3 and XBOX360. You act as if its the ps3's fault there are no RPGS. What about FFXIII versus? Howcome you failed to mention that? It's a PS3 exclusive. Xbox360 has that amazing game Mass Effect 2 and PS3 has that might be-Amazing game FFXIII Versus. This gen has been about FPS games instead of RPGs unfortunately.
@ popplayer22 Dead Rising 2, Battlefield Bad company 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, Red Dead Redemption, Metro 2033, Alien versus Predator, Mafia 2 , Lost Planet II, Max Payne 3, Fallout New Vegas, the list goes on and on.....
So basically all they have for us this year is Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake and Halo: Reach? Thanks for another dry year for us 360 gamers Microsoft!! I'll be playing Heavy Rain and God of War. Anyone want to buy a 360?
Seriously Bungie, drop your outdated Halo franchise already and develop a new IP. Is Halo ALL you can do???
Seriously Bungie, drop your outdated Halo franchise already and develop a new IP. Is Halo ALL you can do???
man they should have stopped at the premium bundle I mean the elite came out recently but now this??/ wow this is messed up
might happen might not either way the game cover says "only for xbox 360" when I made the picture larger. whoever did this needs to do a better job. dang
I can say as a PS3 AND 360 owner and lover...this deal (if real) wouldn't interest me even if I didn't own a 360. With all the games I've played and installed on my 360 I've only used...20ish out of 60 gigs. And XIII just...doesn't feel right on the 360 imo, a lot of games feel GREAT on it, but the idea of playing XIII with a 360 control makes me..iffy at best...
Has to be a fake i mean come on there is no way something like this is gonna happen though X10 is happening so anything could happen
wow, what a deal! I got a PS3 with a 500GB HDD for $400 and it included a copy of inFamous. Now THAT's a deal!
FAKE. THe wording on the ad/insert is completely home made. Microsoft has never talked like that and there isn't enough upselling in the insert. For example instead of "it comes with a copy of the game" you'd see "version is bundled with the hottest selling RPG ever, Final Fantasy XIII."
They should do this for ps3, not xbox. more people have xbox in the U.S. and the odds of any one gamer buying a 360 specifically to play FFXIII are slim. On the other hand, I find it more plausible that gamers will buy PS3's for FFXIII because of the FFXIII-versus exclusivity contract. Sony should really think about doing something like this. I'd be willing to bet that we won't see a significant increase in Xbox 360 sales after the FFXIII launch.
@rottenwood....regardless ff13 on ps3...x360 has definitely gained popularity on RPG platform,,,there are huge quality RPGs available...i just ended magna carta 2 which was actually ps2 original....i am just saying ff13 on ps3 will give the best result and enjoyment factor as compared to x360... i love x360 and i only buy ps3 exclusives like SIREN lost in translation....uncharted 2,,,,kill zone2...MGS4....god of war 3 (soon) i have only 12 titles on ps3 and on x360 i never counted,,,,
As a 360 owner this is cool, however....I still haven't picked up a PS3, I was kinda hoping we would get the PS3 bundle that they got in Japan. Which I would finally pick up a PS3. If not I will just get the game on the 360 and pick up a PS3 here in the future when a good bundle arrives.
It's amazing what a difference a generation makes. The PlayStation 2 was a gold mine of quality RPG titles; the PS3 has completely stumbled in this regard. Their top titles - Final Fantasy XIII, Fallout 3, Eternal Sonata, and Dragon Age - are all multiplatform. Their ace in the hole, Demon's Souls, is a fantastic game but doesn't have enough mass-market appeal. The Mass Effect series has tipped the scales to the 360; that was unthinkable with the original X-Box, which had a pitiful RPG selection that frightened small children. Hell, even the Fable series has a following. Microsoft shored up a weakness and it has paid off in spades.
its just professional marketing....rich mummy-daddy kids will be buying this bundle...bcoz ps3 ff13 version is coming with Japanese subs/language option and may be we can listen to original theme by Sugawara Sayuri ...instead of Leona Lewis crap....and innocent X360 is getting English version only... along with MP4 video compression ......no matter what,,, ps3 has edge of blue ray...... but i own both savage machines...i will definitely buy ps3 version...
Pretty sure this is just a decent fake. Why would they ship two controllers with a single player game? Also those controllers are not black, and why would they ship black controllers with a white console?
sorry... that is a crap advertisement...for all the money that they could make with that bundle... you would think they could afford capable graphic artists that can tell the difference between black and white... honestly.. I couldn't even let that pass as a decent fake..
this bundle wont sell as well as the modern warfare 2 bundle. maybe with a cheaper price it could sell well in japan. but japan gamers aint even getting ff13 on 360. which is stupid for ms... if my 360 breaks and wont be fixed for free i might think about buying this bundle. but i would prolly wait and get a 120 gig bundle with natal in the box for 250 bucks this holiday. or pick up a halo reach bundle:shock:
@FPS dominator... Thanks for speaking the truth about the xbox360! I have been posting about this for a while but everyone seems to think i'm being bitter! I own a xbox 3fixme!!! The quality of the console sucks plain and simple! This is just another $400 dollar rip off stunt by Microsoft. I have caught on to their style of sales and advertising and would buy 3 ps3's before I spend one penny on xbox360 repair or another console!
Bring on the FF13 white 250 gig Ps3 bundle that they had in japan. after all FF was mainly on sony systems
I think that special bundles being more expansive than standard ones is a short-sight MKT move because it aims at a very limited hardcore fan base that probably already owns a console (being a PS3 or a 360), and that won't encourage new online memberships (PSN or XBL), or a wider software audience. I think that Sony and MSFT should simply add the price of the game into the standard price of the console and add an original and exclusive skin art related to the specif game. This could entice newer comers/buyers, and the growth of the user base.
Mass Effect 2 deserved a special bundle, FFXIII is looking to be a good but not great jrpg. Way too many dumb gameplay choices by the dev.
This bundle is much needed for Microsoft if they're going to try and take away people buying the PS3 version. Let's face it. Despite the fact that it's for 360 too, people have bought a PS3 solely because they think the PS3 version will be superior. Who knows, maybe the 360 port will be good.
Don't people have better things to do with their time than to make a fake ad about a product release? What is the point?
@ TripSe7en i dont "bash" it......i state the facts. maybe if everyone did that then microsoft wouldnt get away with ripping people off. the HDD's they sell dont even cost 20% to make and for the same price you can get over twice the capacity on a ps3 or PC HDD. i know its not a personal attack but whats wrong in what i said? and btw what about fans of other products like cars and clothing ect....im sure people dont expect to be hired by nike just for wearing their shoes.......they do it because it represents quality. same way ill support the best system......if microsoft gets their act together next gen ill probably become a microsoft fanboy but thats highly unlikely considering their business ethics.
Meh, I don't buy it. Plus, even if it was on ExpertZone, they often mentioned promotions that never made it to stores. Clearly this one didn't make it to the QA department.
Oh, and, if you notice, under the pieces of the bundle, it says there are supposed to be two black controllers. Where are they on the picture? Haha.
Fake. Special Edition consoles have at least SOME difference to the actual console itself: like a new skin, color, etc. This is just a regular old 360 with a newly designed box and the game inside.
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