They probably don't want to pay to stamp out thousands of discs that aren't likely to sell....it's basic economics.
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It's not shelf space they are worried about. It's the actual costs involved for making the expansion for NA PS2 users. Any manufacturer that would print the NA discs for PS2 would require a minimum amount of discs to be printed. This is usually in the area of 3,000 to 5,000 discs. Then they have to be distributed etc. I would gather that there are less than 3,000 people who play exclusively on PS2 in the NA region. It doesn't make sense to print 3-5k copies when your only going to sell 1k if they are lucky at most. It just isn't cost effective.
You wanna know whose to blame for that? Consumers in the NA market. PS2 is an obsolete system. Most (if not all) retailers do not even carry PS2s and/or PS2 games anymore. Its sound reason that a PS2 version of Seekers for Retail Stores wouldn't last more than a week on their shelves seeing as newer games on newer consoles (your CoDs, Lego XXXXXXX Series, Maddens etc) would sell better and for much more. Plus you have to factor in the costs to make the retail discs and ship them out. Stores like Gamestop wont carry SoA for the PS2 as its not cost-effective. They dont really even sell 'NEW' PS2 games anymore. I can understand SEs logic to not release a PS2 version over here. It wouldn't sell. Simple as that. Doesn't take a major in Economics to figure that out. There are other (sometimes better) platforms in which to play XI on these days, and considering the Poll SE did (I believe) last year, most users over in NA and EU play either on PC or the 360
Well this whole PS2 expansion issue has finally done one thing. Ended the whole "PS2 limitations" argument.
Most Asian players have migrated away from the PS2 to the PC or the 360 for this game. The PS2 is in all likely hood not anymore commonly used in Japan when playing this game than outside. I see the announcement of the PS2 Japanese release more as a formality than anything myself.
well, what I see they didnt say they are dropping PS2 support.. with japan release their PS2 version more likely NA/EU will follow later on... and I still use PS2 FFXI on my PS3, its been 8 years lol.