Final Fantasy XI -- Big Plans, Big Money - IGN (original) (raw)

The development of Final Fantasy XI and the PlayOnline network service that power's Square's upcoming PlayStation 2 online RPG cost between 2 and 3 billion yen ($16-24 million), Square president Yoichi Wada confirmed today in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun. It will take four to five years to determine the success or failure of the venture, he said, since the business plan behind the game relies on long-term profits from monthly fees.

Wada reaffirmed Square's plans to release a PC version of FFXI, a prospect which has not been discussed since the game's announcement some time ago, but at the same time stated that promotion of the PS2 version would be a top priority. He also reiterated an interesting point from another recent interview, that Square plans to produce another online game, one "very different from FF," that will be announced next year.

We'll have more news on FFXI when it debuts in Japan on May 16, and we should pick up a few tidbits on Square's plans for its American release at the upcoming E3 show. Look forward to it.