- New Titles Highlight Company's Objective of Versatile and
Portable Entertainment in All Categories -
LOS ANGELES, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
("Square Enix U.S.A."), publisher of SQUARE ENIX(TM) products in North
America, today announced its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) line-up of new
video game releases for multiple gaming platforms as well as other forms of
entertainment. All of the titles will be on display at the Square Enix U.S.A.
booth (#624) in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO )
"The products we are showcasing at this year's E3 will exemplify some new
and interesting directions for SQUARE ENIX," said Jun Iwasaki, president and
C.E.O. of Square Enix U.S.A. "A variety of games will be available for demos,
and we're very excited about some surprises we have in our line-up. Not only
are we exploring different types of RPGs, we're also looking to build upon
some of our original content, our most popular franchises, and applying them
into other forms of media. The future of entertainment will encompass more
than presenting content in a singular format such as in a movie, videogame or
comic book; the new entertainment experience will cross platforms and media."
Console Games
FRONT MISSION(R) 4
FRONT MISSION 4 marks the debut of the popular mech-based strategy game
series on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Utilizing the
technological capabilities of the system, FRONT MISSION 4 brings you the
newest chapter in the best-selling series. While boasting an enhanced battle
system, outstanding new graphics and dramatic voiceovers, FRONT MISSION 4
maintains the strategic gameplay that has won acclaim from both gamers and
press worldwide. As in the previous games, players can fully customize their
wanzers, or mech units, with a variety of powerful weaponry and parts. In
addition, new tactical features such as the "Link System" bring a new
dimension of strategy to the game.
Set in 2096, FRONT MISSION 4 opens as an unidentified group of wanzers
assaults and destroys an E.C. German base. The player's point of view
switches between two main characters that find themselves trapped within a
dangerous global conspiracy. Elsa, a new recruit in the E.C.'s Durandal
corps, is sent to Germany with her team to investigate the attack. The story
then shifts to Darril, a U.C.S. Army sergeant in South America. He and his
company are sent to Venezuela after its governor declares independence from
the U.C.S. Though Darril's squad seems far more interested in slacking off
than fighting a war, their plans for early retirement are put on hold after
they witness a fateful plane crash in the jungle.
FRONT MISSION 4 will be released June 15, 2004. This title is rated "T"
for Teen.
STAR OCEAN(TM) Till the End of Time(TM)
The first PlayStation 2 installment in the acclaimed science fiction RPG
series, the Director's Cut version is considered to be the culmination of the
developer's true vision. STAR OCEAN was originally released with two versions
in Japan. The development time was extended for the North American release in
order to incorporate the extra features of the Director's Cut, the only
stateside release of the title. STAR OCEAN builds on the first-rate concepts
of earlier games in the series and leverages the technological capabilities of
the PlayStation 2 to surpass them. In addition, the larger data capacity of
the Director's Cut allows for multiple added extras providing the most
complete game package possible. Incorporating the new features with gorgeous,
extended cinematic sequences and an unparalleled real-time battle system,
including a new VS. mode, STAR OCEAN is sure to attract a new group of
admirers and thrill the longtime fans of the series.
STAR OCEAN's protagonist, Fayt Leingod brings his family and childhood
friend, Sophia Esteed to the Federation-managed resort planet Hyda for a
long-deserved vacation. Their dreamy holiday turns into a nightmare when Hyda
is attacked by an unknown space military. In the heat of the attack, Fayt is
separated from Sophia and his family and begins an emotional quest into the
unknown to find his loved ones.
STAR OCEAN will be released August 2004. This title is rated "T" for
Teen.
FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST(TM) and the Broken Angel
Square Enix U.S.A. is proud to bring the action-adventure RPG Fullmetal
Alchemist to the PlayStation 2 in Spring 2005. Developed by Racjin, Fullmetal
Alchemist is the story of two brothers, trained in the ways of alchemy, who
find themselves on the adventure of their lives as they seek the mysterious
Philosopher's Stone.
The story begins as Edward and Alphonse Elric hop a train to the capital
city of Central. But an impromptu hijacking forces them into an all-out brawl
against a rebel military faction. Fortunately, Edward has more than a few
tricks up his sleeve with a variety of alchemy skills; he can transmute
everyday objects into powerful weapons. After the hijackers are defeated, a
shocking new twist is revealed, sending the brothers' path askew and leading
them to their wildest quest yet ...
Fullmetal Alchemist is scheduled for release in Spring 2005 and will carry
an ESRB rating of "T" for Teen.
FINAL FANTASY(R) XII
Our story takes place in a world called "Ivalice," in an age when magic
was commonplace and airships plied the skies -- the Archadian Empire, seeking
to strengthen its base of power, had been invading and subjugating its
neighboring lands one by one -- a fate which befell the small Kingdom of
Dalmasca. Archadia's invasion and the subsequent death of the Dalmascan king
prompted the Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne,
to take up arms against the invaders.
In her struggle to oust the occupying Archadian forces and restore freedom
to her people, Ashe must watch as many of her allies pay the blood price for
that freedom. Though tempted to abandon all hope in the face of the Empire's
might, her determination keeps her from succumbing before what would seem to
be inevitable defeat. Then she meets Vaan, an urchin from the Dalmascan
capital of Rabanastre. Vaan dreams of one day becoming a sky pirate, escaping
the Empire on his airship. Vaan, Ashe, Vaan's friend Penelo, the sky pirate
Balthier, his partner Fran and many more are on an adventure through Ivalice
that traces the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire's invasion.
Bringing with it a wide array of new gameplay elements, FINAL FANTASY XII
will change the way players think about the FINAL FANTASY series. Numerous
possibilities abound within each scenario, allowing for a less linear, more
unique experience for each player. The game also supports Dolby Pro Logic II
both in-game and during movie sequences, immersing the player in the middle of
the action. True to the series' tradition of progress and change, FINAL
FANTASY XII will move the role-playing genre forward and establish itself as
another landmark title for SQUARE ENIX.
FINAL FANTASY XII is scheduled for release in North America in 2005. This
title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.
KINGDOM HEARTS(R) II
It has been a year since the events of KINGDOM HEARTS. Sora and friends
are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself.
Together, they will face countless dangers in worlds both familiar and brand-
new. It seems the Heartless still exist. A new villain also awaits -- but is
it an old foe behind the mask, or a new menace? This mystery and others will
be solved as the story unfolds in a grand adventure. KINGDOM HEARTS has sold
over 4 million units worldwide and continues to gain popularity with fans of
both DISNEY and SQUARE ENIX across the planet.
KINGDOM HEARTS captured the imagination of gamers young and old by
combining classic DISNEY properties and implementing new characters and worlds
with SQUARE ENIX's renowned style. The tale is brought to life by an all-star
voice cast. Fans will revisit this beloved story and come to care for a new
troupe of characters in KINGDOM HEARTS II.
The release date for KINGDOM HEARTS II will be announced at a later date.
This title has yet to be rated by the ESRB.
Handheld
For Game Boy(R) Advance:
KINGDOM HEARTS(R) CHAIN OF MEMORIES
KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES for the Game Boy Advance bridges the gap
between KINGDOM HEARTS and KINGDOM HEARTS II, continuing Sora's tale where the
original left off. One night, after traversing endless grassy fields, Sora
comes to a crossroads. His mind swims as he recalls his lost friends. They
were supposed to return home at journey's end ... but this was not to be. A
man emerges from the shadows and speaks to Sora: "Ahead lies what you seek ...
but to claim it you must lose something dear." When the man vanishes, only a
single path remains. At the end of that path lies a castle, and inside that
castle stretches a vast nothingness. Sora's memories lay fragmented before
him, swirling and spiraling upwards to a great adventure. What will Sora
gain, and what will he lose?
By implementing elements never before seen on the Game Boy Advance,
KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES promises to deliver an unsurpassed gaming
experience to players. New features include high-quality movie event
sequences and a card-based battle system. As the latest collaboration between
DISNEY and SQUARE ENIX, KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES for the Game Boy
Advance will continue to expand the series' fan base and appeal to gamers of
all types.
KINGDOM HEARTS CHAIN OF MEMORIES is scheduled for release Fall 2004. This
title has yet to be rated by the ESRB.
Online
FINAL FANTASY(R) XI Chains of Promathia(TM) (Expansion Pack)
New areas such as Movalpolos and the Tavnazian Archipelago will be
available through the expansion titled "Chains of Promathia." This expansion
pack continues the adventure in award-winning FINAL FANTASY XI, the first
cross-platform, cross-continent MMORPG. The first online title in the
world-renowned series has quickly become one of most popular MMORPG to date,
boasting a community of 500,000 players and 1.2 million active characters from
Japan and North America combined.
The subterranean city of Movalpolos was dug and built by a tribe of
Goblins referred to as the Moblins. Due to the nomadic nature of most
Goblins, it is extremely rare for any of these beastmen to reside together in
one place, making this community extremely unique.
The Tavnazian Archipelago is made up of tiny islands off the west coast of
Quon, once home to the proud nation of Tavnazia. The remnants of the beastmen
army remain in control of the archipelago, and until now, it was thought that
none of the former inhabitants had survived.
FINAL FANTASY XI Chains of Promathia is scheduled for release Fall 2004.
This expansion has yet to be rated by the ESRB.
Other Entertainment
FINAL FANTASY(R) VII ADVENT CHILDREN(TM)
Two years after the events of FINAL FANTASY VII, the ruins of Midgar stand
as testament to the sacrifices that were made in order to bring peace.
However, the world will soon face a new menace. A mysterious illness is
spreading fast. Old enemies are astir. And Cloud, who walked away from the
life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again ...
FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN is a fully developed, CG-work sequel to
FINAL FANTASY VII, the seminal 1997 PlayStation hit. Through approximately 60
minutes of beautifully crafted DVD content, FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN
revisits the rich universe and memorable characters of FINAL FANTASY VII two
years after its dramatic conclusion. Technological advancements bring a
visually stunning new look to the city of Midgar and its residents.
FINAL FANTASY VII, originally released in Japan for the PlayStation
console on January 31, 1997 (September 7, 1997 in North America), redefined
the standard for role-playing games (RPGs) and has since achieved
record-shattering sales of over 9 million units worldwide. Fans have long
requested a true sequel, and with FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN, their
wishes are granted.
The release date for FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN will be announced
at a later date.
Mobile Entertainment Content
SQUARE ENIX MOBILE brings the same level of technological and visual
excellence that gamers have come to expect from SQUARE ENIX products to
handsets and other mobile platforms. SQUARE ENIX hopes to shape the future of
mobile entertainment as the company addresses a growing and international
wireless audience in Japan, the United States, Europe, China and Taiwan.
SQUARE ENIX's mobile phone content has already enjoyed widespread
popularity in Japan. Released in March 2004 in Japan, FINAL FANTASY(R) and
DRAGON QUEST for NTT DoCoMo's new 3G phones (the 900i series) will be
available for demonstration at the SQUARE ENIX booth. These titles are
heavily featured in the 900i marketing campaign and come preinstalled on some
handsets. Other mobile content available for demonstration include a 3D
modeling sample of Cloud (main character, FINAL FANTASY VII), SQUARE ENIX
Gallery (a collection of downloadable wallpapers available through AT&T
Wireless' mMode(TM) service) and Brave Shot(TM), a fast-paced shooting game
available through the Verizon Wireless Get it NowSM service.
Visitors at the SQUARE ENIX booth will be in for a surprise to see the
latest development from SQUARE ENIX MOBILE: BEFORE CRISIS -- FINAL FANTASY
VII. The trailer will be premiering at E3, providing an exclusive look at a
game that could possibly take mobile entertainment to a whole new level.
About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
With its headquarters located in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd.
(Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents
including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North
America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling
franchises -- FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 60 million units worldwide
and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR(R) in North America), which has sold over 35
million units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most
influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and
continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif., handles
operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing
of SQUARE ENIX titles. More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on
the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com.
(C)2004 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.
FINAL FANTASY, FRONT MISSION and DRAGON QUEST are registered trademarks of
Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST,
STAR OCEAN, TILL THE END OF TIME, THE CHAINS OF PROMATHIA, ADVENT CHILDREN,
BRAVE SHOT, PLAYONLINE, and the PlayOnline logo are trademarks of Square Enix
Co., Ltd. KINGDOM HEARTS is a registered trademark of Disney Enterprises,
Inc. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.
SOURCE Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.square-enix-usa.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Kyoko Yamashita, kyoko@square-enix-usa.com,
or Sonia Im, sonia@square-enix-usa.com, both of Square Enix
U.S.A., Inc., +1-310-846-0400; or Monica Bouldin,
bouldinm@ruderfinn.com, or Doug Schneider,
schneiderd@ruderfinn.com, both of Ruder Finn, +1-310-479-9929,
for Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
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