Final Fantasy XIII DLC?

It may not even be completed yet, but Square Enix is already discussing the possibilities of additional DLC (downloadable content) being offered on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. In an interview over at RPGSite, Yoshinori Kitase, Final Fantasy XIII’s producer, mentioned that they are ’exploring’ the possibility of downloadable content to possibly add new areas, items or enemies to the game. Kitase also hastened to mention that the DLC would be gameplay related, not expanding on the story.

Square Enix is no stranger to introducing DLC which adds items and dungeons rather than additional storylines. With recent titles Infinite Undiscovery and The Last Remnant ,they offered many different bits and pieces to download for a nominal fee. Suggesting DLC before a game has even launched is a somewhat controversial thing, as content like Resident Evil 5’s Versus Mode left many fans disappointed and even angered. It makes you wonder why such things couldn’t be included with the full release, being drip fed into Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN store post-release instead. Of course, if FFXIII DLC does appear on the scene, it could be construed as simply extending the lifespan of a game which has already been finalised to a point where additional items simply can’t be easily added.

The fact that Kitase has merely suggested the possibility of DLC with no official announcement does feel a little like Square Enix is testing the water--so to speak--to ensure that no backlash occurs. SE knows that Final Fantasy fans absorb everything related to the series. If a small suggestion goes out about something like this, it will quickly be discussed by many online which allows Square Enix to guage interest for such DLC and see if fans would prefer extra storylines to be included. There is certainly potential for Final Fantasy XIII DLC. While there may be the cynical concern that such DLC would merely be something like an extra weapon or two, there are a lot of positives that could come from this. Even a Final Fantasy XIII-2 emerging from this could be possible, as DLC such as GTA4’s The Lost and the Damned have been more like expansion packs than simple add-on content. The same could be true with Final Fantasy XIII, much to the delight of fans.

There is--of course--the negative side to the possibility of FFXIII DLC; could it potentially detract from the main game in the long run? What if it was something relatively pointless like new clothing for the characters, or an arena mode such as seen in the recent Mass Effect DLC. When the latter arrived last week, many were excited but ultimately disappointed as it detracted from the whole purpose of the game and tried to turn Mass Effect into something it is not: a pure action game. Such an occurrence for Final Fantasy XIII would be a real shame and a waste.

When looking at Square Enix’s past history with DLC, it certainly looks very plausible at some point. Other titles such as Mistwalker’s Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon have done similar packs in the past, adding extra dungeons and difficulty levels to much commercial success. As a self confirmed Final Fantasy addict, I can also quite easily see FF fans snapping up mostly anything to do with XIII. It is hotly anticipated and all RPG fans love to see any possible way of extending the lifespan of their beloved title. Final Fantasy XIII may still only be on the horizon but I would be very, very surprised if some form of DLC didn’t arrive at some point in the future.

TGR Says: True