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GDC '08: Final Fantasy XIII powered by Crystal Tools

Square Enix renames the White Engine underpinning all its upcoming console efforts, suggests a Wii version and external licensing could happen in the future.

SAN FRANCISCO--One of Friday's best-attended Game Developers Conference sessions was actually a dry technical recap of how a third-party publisher went about creating a new game engine that it would share among all its internal development teams. While it might seem odd that such a talk would inspire hundreds of people to form a line stretching clear across the Moscone Convention Center's North Hall, it becomes more understandable considering the session's title was "The Technology of Final Fantasy," and the games the engine will be powering include Final Fantasy XIII and Square Enix's mysterious unannounced massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

Once the crowd had packed in to the auditorium, Taku Murata, general manager of Square Enix's research and development division, recapped the development decisions behind the publisher's White Engine. He also revealed the engine's new name: Crystal Tools. Speaking through a translator, Murata said that people had been discussing Final Fantasy in retrospective terms of late, and that he wants to change that to make people more excited about the present and future of the franchise.

While Final Fantasy XIII is a PlayStation 3 exclusive, Murata said Crystal Tools has no such affiliation, and is already compatible with the PC and Xbox 360 also. He added that some parts of the engine also support the Wii, but Square Enix isn't really touting it as a Wii engine because it's not fully compatible "yet."

Most of the talk focused on the development decisions behind Crystal Tools, from why Square Enix wanted a single companywide platform in the first place to how long ago Murata realized the benefits of real-time asset previews as an engine feature (that would have been more than a decade ago during development of Final Fantasy Tactics).

Fans who attended the show in the hopes of a glimpse of Final Fantasy XIII and what the engine can do were given the tiniest of concessions, as Murata showed a brief trailer at least partly based on the one shown at last year's Square Enix Party.

Murata also talked about some of the things the team working on Crystal Tools did right and wrong in the first year and a half of development. Getting the first version of the software up and running in just a year was a victory for the publisher, but he said the team realized far too late that they needed a technical writer to provide developers with proper documentation for the engine.

During the audience question-and-answer portion of the presentation, Murata was asked if the engine could be licensed to outside publishers, similar to what Epic Games has done with its Unreal Engine 3. Murata said it was possible in the future, but it wouldn't be possible right now, partly because the lack of proper documentation regarding the ins and outs of Crystal Tools would make it difficult to support.

238 Comments

  • NAWAF005

    Posted Mar 2, 2009 7:53 am GMT

    GO!! PS3 !!! GO !!

  • Tiger_Raid

    Posted Nov 5, 2008 2:29 pm GMT

    definitely getting this on Xbox 360

  • sMeAgOl_VaDeR

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 11:03 am GMT

    how will the 360 be able to take in all this?? the 360 is a piece of s**t, and final fantasy is a LONG GAME, which will need a lot of space and will need a very powerful system to run the graphics and stuff. the 360 barely has all these things... i bet FF XIII will have 2 discs for the 360... in the middle of a boss fight "please insert disc 2", lol.

  • leonheart_z

    Posted Aug 14, 2008 8:51 am GMT

    believe me..it will be better on the ps3,yeah 360 fanboys will say disc swapping is no problem..but we'll see who gets a better gaming experience..oooh the load times in between..hahahaha!! so 360 guys stop complaining if u want to play this game(very well!)and versus xiii - get a ps3..ok? and stop bashing..!!

  • amulbocus

    Posted Aug 10, 2008 4:01 pm GMT

    MGS4 players, does anyone remember the bit where otacon says to snake to change discs, but then realises "its on ps3 bluray" so theres no need to and disc swapping is a pain, thats got to be the biggest p$%s take over the 360 thus far, absolutley hilarious.I have no doubts FFXIII will make this problem even worse on 360 as its a bigger game with intense HD visuals. FFXIII will seperate the men from the boys, thats for sure, but MGS4 is still the king right now on any platform.

  • GhostyMcboo

    Posted Aug 5, 2008 9:11 pm GMT

    I love how you guys say "we" get it... am I the only one who sees the irony in that pun?

    ... and when people say one is better than the other, wtf are they basing that on? Blue hair "versus" Pink?

    No-one nows anything about the games, stop pretending you do.

  • gamerkiduri

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 12:48 pm GMT

    360 will get 1 we get 2. and 1 of them is an exclusive. and anyway i never wanted the normal ver i only wanted versus cause its better

  • latino10505

    Posted Jul 22, 2008 4:04 pm GMT

    luna_chanfui First of all, i'd like to say, this article is missing a very very important fact,
    that is "WHEN THE FF XIII TRAILER ENDS, IT SHOW UP "FOR PLAYSTATION 3 ONLY" before the screen totally goes black..

    first to say, i'm not the fanboy on the both console..

    so why do we bother it's ps3 exclusive? simply go and buy ps3 and the games is yours...

    360 fanboys clearly do like TEKKEN, MGS4, GT and FF series...not only them,everyone likes the game , you 360 fanboys yell and shout loudly like want mama come to hug you..if mama(FF, MGS4) dun come, they yell and shout the rumor loudly to get attention..until Kojima had to repeat and repaet again,saying that MGS4 still PS3 exclusive.

    mean time, I realize PS gamers dun ever put a SH!T on halo, gear of war, or forza..

    think about it..

    this is really interesting phenomenal...

    This dumsh1t i guess u didnt see E3 cause we are gettin it and ps3 Sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • olisaoli

    Posted Jul 18, 2008 6:33 am GMT

    I'm glad that FF13 is coming out on the 360, but I'm going to get a ps3 anyway cus of KH3 and Versus. FF13 isn't coming out anytime soon so I have enough to save up money for it. And also the 80gb ps3's are at $399.99 in the fall so that's good news.

  • eliascastro912

    Posted Jul 17, 2008 6:44 pm GMT

    with crisis core we waited and waited and what did we get? one of the best psp games ever! patience is key

  • the_lost_knight

    Posted Jul 9, 2008 2:08 pm GMT

    XIII is like **** compared with XIII versus. the difference is massive, and luna, your a retard . Oh btw, what is this online thing about? isn't this single player? or is it just installed along with single player

  • F-unit2008

    Posted Jul 3, 2008 8:59 pm GMT

    2009 release

  • luna_chanfui

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 7:37 pm GMT

    First of all, i'd like to say, this article is missing a very very important fact,
    that is "WHEN THE FF XIII TRAILER ENDS, IT SHOW UP "FOR PLAYSTATION 3 ONLY" before the screen totally goes black..

    first to say, i'm not the fanboy on the both console..

    so why do we bother it's ps3 exclusive? simply go and buy ps3 and the games is yours...

    360 fanboys clearly do like TEKKEN, MGS4, GT and FF series...not only them,everyone likes the game , you 360 fanboys yell and shout loudly like want mama come to hug you..if mama(FF, MGS4) dun come, they yell and shout the rumor loudly to get attention..until Kojima had to repeat and repaet again,saying that MGS4 still PS3 exclusive.

    mean time, I realize PS gamers dun ever put a SH!T on halo, gear of war, or forza..

    think about it..

    this is really interesting phenomenal...

  • akiwak

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 12:51 pm GMT

    Hey if you want QUALITY you have to give it time. If you want quantity get an XBOX360 plenty of RPGs there.

  • kos1085

    Posted Jun 19, 2008 9:47 am GMT

    I can't wait for Final Fantasy XIII and XIII versus.

  • itwiz90

    Posted Jun 17, 2008 6:33 pm GMT

    I am a Fan of Final Fantasy from the very beginning. Square Enix take your time and do this right. ANd if they do it ought to be awesome.

  • corndawg69

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 4:13 pm GMT

    Take all the time ya need square. I am still having a blast with FFXI,FFXII, and FFCC. Good things come to those who wait ^^

  • the_greenzero

    Posted Jun 8, 2008 4:00 pm GMT

    You'd rather a game come out soon and suck, I know it might not sound like much but many game developers always have afterthoughts of what they should've done. Square's just probably making sure that they get everything in check, plus there's a load of other games out there so you just have to be patient. Nothing else you can do for now, hell play GTAIV and buy MGS4 or something, I'm sure they'll keep you occupied.

  • carneyfolk

    Posted Jun 4, 2008 7:00 am GMT

    by the time these games come out we will be playing on the ps5

  • the_greenzero

    Posted May 31, 2008 1:40 pm GMT

    I'm looking forward to this game.

  • DRXgamer93

    Posted May 26, 2008 5:36 pm GMT

    PLEASE WHEN IS IT COMING OUT IM TIRED OF THIS CRAPPPY WAITING

  • raidenx2006

    Posted May 24, 2008 7:42 pm GMT

    can't wait..... i read versus battle system is supposed to be similar to kingdom hearts. Hopefully more KH than dirge of cerberus

  • wii--x360

    Posted May 24, 2008 7:37 pm GMT

    I personally think that both games should come out on the 360 and PS3 I have all 3 systems and there really isn't one I rather play then another one.

  • DRXgamer93

    Posted May 15, 2008 5:33 pm GMT

    OMG WHEN IS IT COMING OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

  • H-A-V-O-K

    Posted May 13, 2008 3:35 pm GMT

    @ white_jaguar: So far as they've been announced yeah both are coming out at the same time, as for the difference FFXIII will be the traditional FF RPG. FFXIII Versus will be an action game probably similar (but if we're lucky completely different and much better) to FFVII Dierge of Cerberus,
    and I assume will tell some backstory on some egnima we'll encounter in FFXIII.

  • white_jaguar

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:13 am GMT

    do both final fantasies come out at teh same time? If so wat is th differenc? I am definently itnerested in these games.

  • H-A-V-O-K

    Posted May 9, 2008 6:10 am GMT

    to Kaiz1992: *props* Well i was getting all giddy thinkin I mighta found another bloody debate i could join in on but i doubt anyone will be able to stop cryin long enough to counter you on that last post. so uh thanks for ruining my fun lol.....I'll add my two cents anyway.
    I own all three i bought a ps3 on their launch and a 360 about 2 months ago and my younger brother has a wii, I personally think all 3 are great in different ways. as far as computers being superior, I'm not too sure about that. I'll probably always be a console gamer simply because of accessabilty and affordabilty for example my ps3 being my most expensive machine was a fraction of the price of your most casual gaming pc, now lets talk heavy hitters any pc that can run crysis on full settings costs slightly more than your soul. so for a cheaper device you can run more games at a comparable rate and i get a blue ray player. i fail to see how pc's are technologically superior.

  • Kaiz1992

    Posted May 5, 2008 3:52 pm GMT

    Chamby, what a stupid person you are. Don't call someone an idiot when clearly you too are as much of an idiot.

    The PS3 is an excellent machine. It is not the best nor is Wii or 360. It's clear that the only best ''thing'' amoungst technology are Computers. Disagree with me if you want. But your precious consoles fail in comparison. Now, this fanboyism is going over the edge. How do you know the Xbox 720's graphics will be on par with PS3's? Can you see the future? No, you can't. So shut the hell up and quit spouting nonsense.

    I lol'd at the ''always will be''. There ''always will be'' a better console and you have to accept that Sony will not always stay on top even if you're going to be bitter because of it. I am not saying that the PS3 is an inferior machine however you're praising it WAY too much.

    Your future is nonexistent. ''Xbox 720 - PS4 - Xbox 1080 - PS5'' Do you not see that if it were that way it'd be endless?

    There is no such thing as a ''winner'' each console has their pro's and con's. See, this is why stupid arguements begin. Because of people like you. Drop dead.

    I think this ''child'' is Y-O-U. The Wii too is an excellent machine and a revolution to the gaming industry. But, i don't know who gave you the authority to call someone a ''kid'' when clearly you don't know squat about them.

    ''So stop acting like you know stuff'' Ironic isn't it?

    Fanboys like you don't have a say. So, best keep your opinionated mouth shut.

    Not making a dime? NOT MAKING A DIME? Are you eq389r73294712 joking me? Not making a dime. That made my day. Seriously.

  • GtheMVP

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 3:27 pm GMT

    chamby119 I've never seen anyone predict such a phail fuutre. Why are you such a fanboy?

  • chamby119

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 3:03 am GMT

    @Colonel_forte: You're truly the idiot here. The PS3 is a complex machine, but developers have already done some amazing things on it.... and if they're only scratching the surface of it's technology like you said, well, sony appreciates the compliment you just gave them.

    That also means that your "Xbox 720's" graphics, will be on par with ps3's on release (just like ps3's graphics were on par with 360's, even though ps3's are now better and always will be), considering it comes out 3 years from now (like you said). And then sony will release an even better console about a year afterwards. Sony wins. And about the Wii remark, you are the child who knows nothing. If you knew anything about technology in video games, you'd know that next-gen isn't a phrase exclusive to graphics alone. What Nintendo has done with the Wii is the only real change to a video game console in years that is true to the phase "next generation". So stop acting like you know stuff. And it is all about money, that's why MS throw money all over the place to get the games they want... that must be why they're in the **** with 360. Not making a dime off that obese, noisy **** box of a console must be hard...

  • scyth01

    Posted Apr 26, 2008 7:17 pm GMT

    I'm sorry but.. I just hope XIII will be better in the play control then part XII was. Meaning, they took away the play control in XII (Gambit system). I like to play the game not feel like I'm watching some one else play it. Since part 1, I have played every FF game, I'm a big fan. But... S/E if you do to XIII what you did to XII... Then XIII will be the last FF game I play, sorry.

  • Ian_Michael

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 2:01 pm GMT

    If crystal tools turns out to be an awesome engine and Square Enix manages to license it out to other devs, that would make for some good games I think. Instead of just relying on Epic's engine there would be another choice, I think that would stir up some good healthy competition.

  • protokyoto

    Posted Apr 2, 2008 6:03 pm GMT

    @ Colonel: Ok, first of all you complain about people whining and make a lengthy comment that has little to do about the actual article so obviously you are the one with the whiny problem. Secondly you are obviously another one of those Xbox fanboys considering you were willing to put your precious system on a high pedastal by making such a blantant lie about the competition. Saying that Sony doesn't support 1080p in their games is BS as there are games on the PS3 that go that high. (Proof: http://www.makeyougohmm.com/ps3-1080p-games/) Seriously if you can't stay on topic with the article and your gonna go against system equality by making a ****fest out of everything you should just take a very sharp rusty needle and sew your fat mouth shut......just my two cents.

    Now onto the actual topic: Honestly I would love to see what this new engine could do for systems like the Wii that are a little behind on some firepower. I hope Square can keep up the good work on all the systems....regardless of what system a game is on it's the game itself that's important and I think this engine might be able to push future games in the right direction.

  • Ted_Zanarukando

    Posted Mar 29, 2008 12:38 pm GMT

    I will always go for Sony for Final Fantasy. I have already lost respect for Nintendo because of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. I would love to buy Final Fantasy XIII as soon as it is released in North America. I would rather play that or Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn than to play Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

  • FstrthnU

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 12:13 pm GMT

    I think that Final Fantasy XIII/ Versus XIII would be better for the Wii. Motion Sensing is much better for fully real-time/ action based RPGs. It's just too bad that Square accepted a contract forever bonding the core series to Sony (unless they find a loophole or break the contract.) Also, there's no way that Sony is going to let Microsoft or Nintendo (Sony's "blood rivals") acquire the licensing for the Final Fantasy Series (except for the Crystal Chronicles series, which Sony must be aching about.) Oh and Colonel, why should a Microsoft fanboy like you be here, apart from to annoy us (I'm a Nintendo fanboy, but I must go with Sony for Final Fantasy, for now.)

  • cridant

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 10:29 am GMT

    Ok this is for that fool COLONEL know it all **** hole... There is not going to be no 720 in 3 years... and PS3 is all rdy showing us its power! you are just a blind fool.. all consoles got some think, uoi are just a fan boy PLZ don't reply

  • Spider-Jim

    Posted Mar 23, 2008 4:34 am GMT

    I like games they are fun!!!

  • colonel_forte posted Mar 17, 2008 6:55 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    colonel_forte

    Posted Mar 17, 2008 6:55 am GMT (hide)

    All of you whiny little children that want to pretend you know how the videogame industry works need to listen, it has nothing to do with how powerful the systems are or what companies are doing better business than other companies. It's all about money. Dolfan928, you're an idiot. Microsoft didn't release "old technology" to get a jump, and if you'll notice, the 360 is the only game that's showcasing games in true hi-def (1080p). Right now the PS3 only has movies in that resolution. The PS3 might be amazingly powerful, but it's technology is so complicated, developers can't make games to take advantage of that yet. You know what other system suffered from the same problem, the Sega Saturn. I know the PS3 won't fall by the way side like it did, but just as companies really start to push the PS3, Microsoft will do something better. See, right now, only Sony is trying to lengthen the console life, no one else cares. So Microsoft can do the X-Box 720 in 3 years and blow the PS3 out of the water. Also Dolfan928, what would you accuse Nintendo of doing if you think Microsoft jumped the gun since the Wii is only a 'Cube with motion-sensing features.

    Final Fantasy games (the primary series) will probably continue to be on Sony systems forever because to change it now would cause business problems for Square-Enix. Piss off Sony, bye-bye support. And engine licensing means nothing either. Sony got Unreal Tournament 3 first, even though the Unreal Engine III is PC based, and so is the 360. It's all about the almighty dollar. Someone paid someone else alot of money for that.

  • BlueyesCyclone

    Posted Mar 11, 2008 3:52 am GMT

    No matter people think FF XIII will never come out on the 360 but it might if its the graphics are dump down come out on the Wii because the PS3 and the wii are saleing like Hot cakes in japan, Hong Kong SquareEnixs ant stupid. And the only reason why the New MMORPG will come out on the 360 is because of the fan base they got with FF11 online even thoe people are slowing starting to lose intrest sorry about spelling in it they have always been like best friends with Nintendo and Sony thats what makes them more money they still make RPGS for the PS2 and the PSP Loyal to the core and don't forget Star Ocean 4 only for the PS3 and knowing SquareEnixs Kingdom Hearts 3 will be only for the PS3 to.

  • H-A-V-O-K

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 7:41 pm GMT

    I dunno...i was dissapointed with XII i pray to the powers that be that this one will be better though i doubt they'll ever top VII. and it'd be nice if they'd hurry up and announce it seeing as i have no RPG's for my PS3 save oblivion and i can only shut so many gates before i lose my mind (sniff).
    as for fluffiebunnie's comment i've read on more than a few site's that the same combat mechanic they used in XII will be used in XIII.
    Here's to hoping that XIII Versus isnt VII Dirge of Cerberus all over again.

  • Nafe posted Feb 28, 2008 6:36 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Nafe

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 6:36 pm GMT (hide)

    Let me see here... Since WII is selling a lot more then PS3, what would be the right move here... Hmm... maybe finally making the best RPG series in history on a system that is selling faster then the company can get stock for Hmmmmmm... sounds like an idea.

  • Sharingan-ZeroX

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 3:25 pm GMT

    hopefuly there's FFXIII for the wii, I realy don't have the money to spend more than 300 on a console just for one game

  • fluffebunnie

    Posted Feb 28, 2008 5:49 am GMT

    Hopefully this game does not play like FF12.

  • Razgard4612

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 4:56 pm GMT

    im curious to see how many developers will decide to use crystal tools. Hopefully its as widely used as the Unreal Engine and its better then it.

  • dolfan928

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:52 am GMT

    "... but don't you ever miss the days where nearly every title for every console were exclusive?"

    You bet I do. Those were the days when developers took full advantage of whatever console they released games on. Not like today, when everyone is forced to play the same bad multiplatform games because MS released a console using old technology to get a year's jump on the competition. That is hopefully coming to an end this year, and this generation can truly begin. Can't wait for FFXIII.

  • Santhin

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 10:43 am GMT

    I've been feeling less inclined to be interested in Final Fantasy over the years.

    When Final Fantasy first came over to the U.S., you didn't know what it was going to be about (I've been into the series since the first for NES), but what you knew was that you were getting a great RPG. Nowadays though, there's a lot of RPG's on the market, and if you keep watch on the genre and read reviews, you can find the ones that suit your personal tastes (I happen to be a big fan of MegaTen games myself.) That doesn't mean I don't like Final Fantasy, it just means it's not a must own title for me anymore. There's plenty of alternatives, and some that fit better to my personal tastes. (Shadow Hearts, for example, I loved the story and the combat system)

    Now, if the next home console Kingdom Hearts is exlusive to PS3... that may spur me to buy it.

  • zeldA14

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 9:51 am GMT

    I have a ps3 and a 360. i love em both. =)

    suckas.

  • Autolycus

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 9:27 am GMT

    pause422 or heck, same with anyone thats played Motorstorm and has noticed the 12-15 fps.

  • acidrain1976

    Posted Feb 26, 2008 8:55 am GMT

    Mmm, Crystal Tools... oh, and one more thing: Mmm, Final Fantasy XIII... oh yeah.

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