Square attempted Final Fantasy 7 & 8 Steam re-release

Square Enix uploaded updated versions of Final Fantasy 7 and 8 to Steam, a new report discovers. But, it's unlikely these classics will ever be sold.

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Outside of the two online Final Fantasy games, only two main entries of the Final Fantasy franchise ever found release on the PC. Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII were originally released in 1998 and 2000, ported by now-Square Enix subsidary Eidos. While they were technically flawed, the ports helped introduced the franchise to a whole new audience.

It appears that Square Enix attempted to revive those ports for re-release on Steam. A report by RPG Site shows that Steam's "Content Description Record" (accessible via the "Steam Registry Toolkit") holds entries for both releases. It's clear that Square Enix had the intent to distribute the games on Valve's digital distribution service, as modifications to the game code were apparently discovered. According to the report, game files were edited, likely in an attempt to make the games "run better on newer operating systems."

However, it appears those attempts were unsuccessful, with RPG Site adding that the performance of the two games is "extremely temperamental" on modern systems. The last time Square Enix edited those files was in 2010--and it's unlikely that this project will be revisited. For now, it seems like fans of the games will have to rely on the PlayStation Network for a downloadable version that runs on PS3 and PSP.

(via Destructoid)

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 23, 2011 4:30 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Square attempted Final Fantasy 7 & 8 Steam re-release.

    Square Enix uploaded updated versions of Final Fantasy 7 and 8 to Steam, a new report discovers. But, it's unlikely these classics will ever be sold.

    • reply
      June 23, 2011 4:39 PM

      Would've re-bought this. I got FF7 working pretty darn well on the old XP system (including original music) using third party fixes, doesn't seem like Win7 compatibility would be such a stretch.

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        June 23, 2011 4:41 PM

        * Given source code access and funding.

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      June 23, 2011 4:39 PM

      [deleted]

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      June 23, 2011 4:43 PM

      This article came as a shock, as I am literaly sat here frustratedly tring to coax FF7 to work on my new PC. (Had it working perfect on my old one, Windows 7 and all, but now something is missing and its not having it). God I wish they'd do it.

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        June 23, 2011 6:15 PM

        Probably that lame proprietary video codec they require so your game doesn't black screen on startup. I spent a few hours on the horn with Eidos tech support in '98 before finally getting someone who knew what was up.

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      June 23, 2011 4:44 PM

      I'd buy this in a second. Depending on how much they re-worked it, I'd be willing to pay up to $20 for it.

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      June 23, 2011 5:03 PM

      [deleted]

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      June 23, 2011 5:03 PM

      Give it to CD Projekt. I'm sure they'll be happy to get it working if Square Enix were to allow the games to be released on GOG.

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        June 23, 2011 6:25 PM

        thats what i was goig to suggest. They are good at this.

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          June 23, 2011 6:26 PM

          Yeah, when I think "Old PC games that work on modern platforms", I do not think of Steam.

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            June 23, 2011 6:57 PM

            Absolutely. Square Enix was one of the Publishers that CD Projekt has been after for a while, now. They've appeared in their last two press briefings.

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              June 24, 2011 1:11 AM

              what do you mean "after"

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                June 24, 2011 7:30 PM

                As in going after, or trying to sign a contract with. Kinda like how certain producers or directors of movies will "go after" a particular actor to try and sign them on for a role.

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      June 23, 2011 5:48 PM

      [deleted]

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      June 23, 2011 5:53 PM

      You forgot the other part: all of the Dungeon Siege III pre-order DLC is on Steam.

      Dungeon Siege III Burning Band of Scorch DLC (Gamestop)
      Dungeon Siege III Talisman of the Grand Mage DLC (Gamestop)
      Dungeon Siege III Sacred Heart of the Legion DLC (Best Buy)
      Dungeon Siege III Bite of Arakun DLC (Amazon)
      Dungeon Siege III Annulus of Force DLC (???)
      Dungeon Siege III Medallion of St. Elys DLC (???)

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      June 23, 2011 6:51 PM

      It's better off this way. The music was pretty bad for those ports.

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      June 23, 2011 11:12 PM

      whoa

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      June 24, 2011 1:52 AM

      They should talk to those Qhimm guys. Without any help from Square, they've made FF7 and 8 PC pretty awesome.

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        June 24, 2011 2:58 PM

        agreed re-played both of these a couple years ago. Qhimm not only made the games playable, but added mods to improve character models and more. It's a shame that a company like Square-Enix would never formally allow a crew like this to do the work that they are obviously incapable of doing on their own.

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      June 26, 2011 2:13 PM

      i would have paid for it...

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      June 26, 2011 10:12 PM

      I want FF XII on PC!

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