The Game Developers Conference 2008 is only a week away, and there is the possibility we will see the official unveiling of Square-Enix’s new MMORPG for the PS3.
According to the official GDC 2008 website, four members of the veteran publisher will be speaking at the event, and one of them is Taku Murata, the head of Square-Enix Research & Development. He’ll be talking about the process regarding engine development, plus the confirmation of a new MMORPG. “The new game engine will be used for FINAL FANTASY XIII, new MMORPG under development, and other titles in the future.” Now, Forever-Fantasy is speculating this mystery game is actually Final Fantasy Haresis XIII, a MMO scheduled to be released for the PlayStation 3 at some point down the road. It uses the White Engine - like FFXIII - and it could be one hell of a great addition to the PS3’s library. Besides, it’s always good when a console gets one of the MMO genre.
Obviously, this should be confirmed at the conference, so we’ll just wait for the final word in one week’s time. However, in the meantime, it’s always fun to wonder, speculate, and even expect.
Source: PSX Extreme
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Square Enix Ltd. has announced that ‘Final Fantasy’ and ‘Final Fantasy II’ will both be on sale in the UK on 8th February, 2008 on the PSP system.
Experience the classic gameplay, captivating storylines and unforgettable characters that gave birth to the Final Fantasy phenomenon. Completely re-mastered exclusively for PSP, Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II are the definitive versions of the epic games that established the biggest RPG brand in the world.
These new editions feature redrawn graphics and character art, exclusive all-new dungeons, full 16:9 widescreen visuals and an updated camera view that gives players a new perspective on these two timeless classics that defined the RPG genre.
John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd. comments, “Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II represent the foundations of the Square Enix success story. They are the first two imaginative steps in the long and distinguished history of the Final Fantasy franchise. With these beautiful new versions, fans can now experience the origins of Final Fantasy wherever they go.”
Source: Game News
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PlayOnline and Square Enix are once again winding up for another update to their online RPG title Final Fantasy 11 (also available on Xbox 360). The FFXI official website has announced today that the newest version update of the game will be going live this March and will feature a lot of new content.
The newest update will include many brand new quests and areas that the developers have hinted at since the release of their previous expansion Wings of the Goddess. Around six major areas are still closed off as of the release of the expansion and this new update may be the official opening of some, if not all, of them.
It was also mentioned that some adjustments and tweaks are being planned out, focusing on several different elements such as the Campaign battles and other battle related items.
While this was all the information Square Enix released so far, they promised more details to the list of features in the near future. Updates as we get them!
Source: MMORPG
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Rumors come, and then they’re smashed. That’s just how this industry goes. Sometimes they actually turn out to be true, but I’d venture to say that a vast majority of them turn out otherwise. Such is the case of Final Fantasy XIII’s 2008 release date.
This one actually came from the mouth of a Square Enix employee, so it seemed to have a bit of credit behind it. Unfortunately, it sounded too good to be true, and was later proven to be so. Square Enix made an official statement saying that they have made no official statement, and anything we’ve heard so far is nothing more than hearsay.
I’d say that it may still be safe to hope for a playable demo sometime this year, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Sure, I’m a bit bummed to hear this, but I can’t say that I’m too surprised. Besides, the year’s barely begun, there are plenty of other good games to look forward to.
Source: Square-Enix
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Square Enix promises that “2008 will be the year” for new info (and maybe the release?) of the latest in its epic RPG series, Final Fantasy XIII, as it reveals plans to release a demo.
Not even a rough date was given for the demo, only that it main objective will be to give fans a hands-on with the new battle system.
The only hint of the full game’s release was the quote: “I wonder when we’ll be able to sleep…”. Eh? We plan to have a kip tonight - is that when it’s coming out?
Because we know you FF fans are keen on the smallest of details, here’s a few more tid-bits plucked from the translations of the Japanese mags, courtesy of FF-XIII.net.
-Nomura: “2008 will be the year. There will be tons of news bits, info on characters and summons, and an unexpected connection between the keywords Cocoon and Farushi.
- We’re aiming for a demo to give players a hands on on the battle system.
- FF13’s theme: determination.
- Farushi: Their existence surpasses humans.
- Rushi: Those chosen by Farushi to carry out a mission. The pigtail girl is a Rushi. Farushi is not the Crystal.
- Mr. 33cm is also a Rushi.
- This time summons are in digital form.
- A new monster that looks like a cross between a turtle and elephant.
- The red thing on Carbuncle’s head is a ruby.
- Hint on release date: “I wonder when we’ll be able to sleep…”
Source: Computer and Video Games
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After a long wait, famed Final Fantasy music composer Nobuo Uematsu and his band The Black Mages is finally releasing its new album on March 19 in Japan. Titled The Black Mages 3: Darkness and Starlight, it will be presented by Uematsu’s record label Dog Ear Records, which also took care of launching the original soundtrack of Mistwalker’s Blue Dragon.
For those not in the know, The Black Mages is led by the same man who’s been bringing us Final Fantasy music since its first iteration. He only contributed a few compositions in Final Fantasy XI, and wasn’t around to work on the 12th entry because he resigned from Square Enix. Only the FF theme song he created made it to Final Fantasy XII, but he is believed to be behind Final Fantasy XIII.
Other members of The Black Mages include seasoned guitarists Tsuyoshi Sekito who previously composed music for Squaresoft (before the merger with Enix) and Michio Okamiya, Kenichiro Fukui on the keyboard after producing Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children music, former Squaresoft synthesizer programmer Keiji Kawamori who took up the bass guitar, and drummer Arata Hanyuda.
Aside from remixes of Final Fantasy tracks, The Black Mages 3: Darkness and Starlight is expected to have a bonus disc with compositions dedicated to Japanese myths. On another note, Dog Ear Records will also release the original soundtrack of Mistwalker’s Lost Odyssey on January 28, and it will be filled with 56 tracks composed by Uematsu.
Source: QJ
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Haven’t seen new images for a while. Take these as proof that Square Enix (most likely all of Square Enix) is hard at work on both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy versus XIII. The new issue of Japanese manga Shonen Weekly Jump has images of both. Of course the release date is still “unannounced,” and we’re not expecting the games to drop before late 2009 — if we’re lucky. Hit the jump for a shot of vsXIII.
In the scan we can see images of possibly summons, 2 of which I am certain are Ifrit and Shiva. But more to come at a later date im sure.
Source: Kotaku
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If the PlayStation Portable’s current sway of role-playing titles hasn’t managed to plug your RPG desires, then the following piece of news should go some way to providing all the satiation you’ll ever need…
Specifically, Japanese gaming giant Square Enix has this week confirmed that Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII will be released exclusively across all PAL territories this coming spring on Sony’s slick and sexy handheld.
Set to arrive as the fourth entrant in the hugely popular Final Fantasy VII series - and also a direct prequel to the original PlayStation classic - Crisis Core will likely provide all the trademark excitement, grandeur, and exhilaration of the Final Fantasy franchise while also opening a wealth of new characters and secrets hidden within the world of Final Fantasy VII.
“Crisis Core - Final Fantasy VII is one of the most anticipated Final Fantasy releases of all times,” enthused John Yamamoto, president and CEO of Square Enix Ltd. “The game pushes the boundaries of the PSP hardware and will offer a truly fantastic gameplay experience for new fans and fans of the original instalment.”
Boasting an “engaging battle system” and also additional gameplay aspects not included in the existing Japanese version of the game, Crisis Core will chart the rise of the evil Shinra Company as its military might and monopoly on Mako energy afford it more and more power from its base of operations in the city of Midgar.
Players will assume the role of Zack (a young recruit in Shinra’s ‘Soldier’ skilled combat group), who finds himself part of an investigative team sent to locate a missing Soldier squad in the war torn land of Wutai. The team consists of Zack, Angeal, and legendary Soldier hero Sephiroth.
Features packed into Crisis Core include:
- Complete the Final Fantasy VII experience and reunite with the most recognised RPG characters created by world-renowned character designer Tetsuya Nomura.
- Witness stunning graphics and CG cut scenes coupled with top-notch voice acting in a 16:9 widescreen presentation, made possible by the PSP system hardware.
- Innovative D.M.W. (Digital Mind Wave) system enhances the action-packed real-time battle system, allowing players to unleash special attacks or call upon iconic Final Fantasy summons.
- Take on challenges with the all-new “Hard Mode,” which was not in the original Japanese release.
- Acquire unique accessories, items and abilities made available through 300 side missions to further enrich the gameplay experience.
Source: Monsters and Critics
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Square Enix has today announced details of its schedule for the fresh end of 2008, with Final Fantasy I and II on the PSP and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings on the DS both being given firm street dates.
Details of the release dates for other UK-bound Square Enix titles are somewhat more vague, with DS titles Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates and The World Ends With You due as the leaves begin to sprout, while we can expect Odin Sphere on PS2 and Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker on DS sometime before said leaves turn brown.
The full list follows:
8 February 2008
Final Fantasy I & Final Fantasy II (PSP)
15 February 2008
Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (Nintendo DS)
Spring 2008
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates (Nintendo DS)
The World Ends With You (Nintendo DS)
Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors (Nintendo Wii)
Early 2008
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (Nintendo DS)
Odin Sphere (PlayStation 2)
Source: IGN
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