Square Enix clarifies position on Final Fantasy for 360

Square Enix has clarified that recent comments made by Shinji Hashimoto regarding Final Fantasy on Xbox 360 were referring to the company's current plans.

Japan's Nikkei BP quoted the executive producer as saying, "As for Final Fantasy on the Xbox 360, it's currently a completely blank page." Some reports interpreted this to mean that the series will never again appear on Microsoft's next-gen console.

However, a spokesperson for Square Enix told GamesIndustry.biz, "Hashimoto-san was talking about the current situation" - which would suggest his comments shouldn't be interpreted as forward-looking.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter said he expects the next Final Fantasy to appear on PlayStation 3 exclusively - but observed that Square Enix will face a tough decision.

"The series has always been single console and given the Xbox 360 sell through in Japan, it would be hard to put the next Final Fantasy instalment on the 360 only," he told GI.biz.

"Square Enix faces a dilemma: put the next game on the 360 only and alienate Japanese fans, depart with tradition and make it multi-platform, or go with PS3 as an exclusive and deal with the backlash from the west.

"I view Square Enix as a tradition-bound company, and expect the last alternative to be chosen," Pachter concluded.

Square Enix recently announced that RPG The Last Remnant is currently in development for both PS3 and Xbox 360, and will launch simultaneously in the US and Japan.