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Final Fantasy 15 Demo Update in Development, Release Plans Unclear

Square Enix wants to update the Episode Duscae demo, but is unsure Microsoft or Sony will allow it.

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Square Enix is at work on an updated version of the demo for Final Fantasy XV--what it calls Episode Duscae version 2.0--though it remains to be seen how or if it will be released.

During the latest video briefing from Square Enix, director Hajime Tabata discussed various changes and fixes that are being made based on feedback from the demo, which was included with Day One editions of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. He also expressed a desire to allow players to see these changes for themselves before the full game was released.

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"If possible, instead of presenting a master that will be like the final release, I really want everyone to see and feel how the game is improving toward the final release as we take in all of their feedback," he said.

Asked if he was talking about allowing players to try this out at an event, Tabata said that was the original plan. "We first thought it would be good to constantly upgrade Episode Duscae across various events," he explained. "But it would be more ideal from the dev team's perspective if we could distribute Episode Duscae version 2.0 to everyone who played the demo."

He clarified that he was talking about an update or patch for the existing demo, but noted that "from a first-party perspective, there's been no precedent of applying patches to demos, so we're currently discussing with them to see if it's feasible."

Tabata cited "mid-to-late May" as when the developers are hoping to release the update. If they're unable to do so, they plan on bringing it to events, though he didn't specify which ones.

In terms of actual changes you can expect to see in the update--assuming it's released--are "enhancements" to the Active Cross Battle system and "improvements to the camera and targeting system. There will also be additional combat actions and overall rebalancing."

More joint attacks will also be included, and the way in which they are activated "might be different than the one currently in the demo." A dodge roll--which will definitely be in the full game--may be in there, too. It was absent from the existing demo due to technical constraints. The "range of actions for each weapon" could be expanded in 2.0 as well, though that, like the dodge roll, isn't a definite for the demo.

The broadcast was recorded on April 10, so it's possible there has been some development in the meantime. We've contacted Square Enix to find out the latest and will report back with any details we receive.

Elsewhere in the video, which you can watch above, Tabata revealed plans for XV to largely skip E3 in June. Instead, the game's major promotional push will take place at Gamescom in August.

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