Article for those who dont want a video: https://www.gamesradar.com/games/final-fantasy/after-13-years-a-new-version-of-final-fantasy-7-is-replacing-the-current-version-on-steam-and-square-enix-hasnt-explained-whats-different/
Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/games/39140/announcements/detail/514107648813039663
Square Enix has announced a brand-new version of Final Fantasy VII for Steam. This is not a patch. It’s a replacement.
The existing release will be renamed FINAL FANTASY VII 2013 Edition, while a new version becomes the default Steam listing. Existing owners get both versions for free but save files will NOT be compatible between them.
My hope is, to get rid of the online service connection requirement. Right after the announcement, the game could not be started anymore. Hours later it worked again, but shows it depends on the servers of Square:
Is this not only for cloud saves?
Cloud saving people is a pretty core mechanic of FF7
Got a solid chuckle out of me with that one.
No, it probably affects tifa and aerith saves as well.
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I don’t know exactly for what. Other games do not rely on additional servers, even if they support Steam Cloud Saves. You can play them without online connection, then your data wouldn’t load off course. But the games usually start. In this case however, the game does not even start. I think it is kind of a DRM to check you own the game.
I mean this came up when I posted the story myself, and I immediately tried to launch the game to test it and it worked fine. Another user reported it was fine too.
To be clear, I’m not defending them using their own account service for the cloud saves either, because it is dumb to do so when Steam offers that functionality.
That’s kinda bullshit. Why does a near 30 year old single player game need internet to function?
So that middle management can justify their existence!
I’m hoping the game will be released on GOG as I wouldn’t buy a game I’ve already owned on console on Steam since it wouldn’t be DRM free.
it seems likely, FF7 is one of the most voted for games on their dreamlist and 4 FF games released on GOG recently
Yeah, I was surprised that FF7 was not included, but 8 and 9 are. This re-release could be part of reworking whatever is needed to release on GOG. Also 6 is missing for some unknown reason.