Square Enix U.S.A. Takes Role Playing Games to the Next Level in the
Highly Anticipated FINAL FANTASY(R)XI for the PlayStation(R)2
Computer Entertainment System and the PC
FINAL FANTASY Enters Its Next Phase of Evolution With the Series' First
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG)
Which Provides Cross-Platform Play Between Console and Personal Computer
LOS ANGELES, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("Square Enix
U.S.A."), the publisher of Square Enix(TM) products in North America,
announced today the North American debut of FINAL FANTASY(R)XI for the
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and the personal computer (PC)
at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), held May 14-16 at the Los Angeles
Convention Center. FINAL FANTASY XI, will be available for demonstration at
several booths including Square Enix U.S.A. (South Hall, booth #624), Sony
Computer Entertainment America (West Hall, booth #2416), ATI Technologies Inc.
(South Hall, booth #646), Logitech(R) (South Hall, booth #1300) and NVIDIA(R)
Corporation (South Hall, booth #1636).
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO )
FINAL FANTASY XI is the first cross-platform massively multiplayer online
role-playing game (MMORPG), which allows gamers to connect to the same exact
world whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a PC. The "persistent
world" in FINAL FANTASY XI continues to evolve, transform and develop, even
when gamers are not playing. The title offers players a chance to experience
FINAL FANTASY in a completely new environment, while retaining the same award-
winning visual content, innovative gameplay and deep storyline that has made
the FINAL FANTASY series one of the most popular videogame series in the
world, with more than 44 million units sold to date. FINAL FANTASY XI was
released in Japan in May 2002 (PlayStation 2) and November 2002 (Windows), and
has shipped a combined total of more than 300,000 units with over 200,000
registered users.
"FINAL FANTASY XI will unite players around the world in ways never
achieved before," said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO of Square Enix U.S.A.,
Inc. "Implementing the latest technology, FINAL FANTASY XI will be one of the
largest, most in-depth online adventures players will experience. The title
will provide gamers with an unsurpassed personalized gaming experience taking
them on incredible adventures, in which players control their own destinies
while traveling through an expansive online universe. Console gamers will see
the elements that they have come to expect from the FINAL FANTASY series, but
in a completely new environment. For MMORPG players, this title promises an
adventure like no other, with a compelling storyline, numerous events, boss
battles and other features that are unique to the FINAL FANTASY series."
In FINAL FANTASY XI, players will embark on multiple adventures through
vast environments in the world of "Vana'diel," which has more than 100 areas
to explore, including mountains, forests, ice plains, deserts, oceans, rivers,
castles and dungeons. Players travel through these areas using various modes
of transportation including Chocobos, boats and airships. Incorporating time
and climate changes, ranging from daytime to evening and desert sand,
thunderstorms, fog and snow, Vana'diel's persistent world is composed of three
unique regions: the Republic of Bastok, known for Industry and Might; The
Kingdom of San d'Oria, called "A City Within A Fortress;" and the Federation
of Windurst, founded on "The Fruits of Knowledge." These countries enjoyed a
friendly relationship on the surface; however, the territorial expansion is a
constant desire for all of the countries leaders, and players must choose one
of these countries as their home.
Players will create their alter ego that will exist on the world of
Vana'diel, choosing from a variety of races, facial features, hairstyles and
colors. They will be able to play at their own pace and form parties by
utilizing the various communication tools that have been incorporated into
FINAL FANTASY XI, including easy-to-use chat and messaging systems. Players
will become immersed in an expansive, original story that includes missions,
quests and boss battles. They can participate in missions either alone or
with other party members and acquire skills such as alchemy, leatherworking,
jewel crafting, fishing and many more. By communicating and interacting with
other members of the community, players will create a new history for the
world of Vana'diel.
FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2
Sony Computer Entertainment America will publish FINAL FANTASY XI on
PlayStation 2 with the simultaneous release of the internal hard disk drive
(40GB)(for PlayStation 2) in Q1 2004. FINAL FANTASY XI utilizes the Network
Adaptor (Ethernet/modem)(for PlayStation(R)2) to allow players to connect
online, either via broadband or dial-up connection. This structure allows
anyone with an ISP and a PlayStation 2 to participate in FINAL FANTASY XI.
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows(R)
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows finally brings the rich gaming experience
that Square Enix has brought to console gaming for several years to the PC.
Minimum specifications are as follows: 800MHz Pentium(R) III PC with Windows
98 operating system and DirectX(R) 8.1, 128 MB RAM, 6 GB Hard drive, CD-ROM
drive, keyboard, 56K connection, and either the ATI(R) Radeon(TM) 9000 Series
or NVIDIA GeForce(TM) video card with 32MB of RAM. Square Enix U.S.A. will
publish FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows and is scheduled for release in Q4 2003.
Both versions will include the "Rise of the Zilart(TM)" expansion pack,
which was recently released in Japan.
PlayOnline(TM)
FINAL FANTASY XI is multiplayer online game in which players play via the
Internet and is playable either via broadband or dial-up connection on both
the PlayStation 2 and the PC. In order to play FINAL FANTASY XI, players are
required to have a stable Internet connection and will be required to register
via PlayOnline, a network service created by Square Enix, which will provide a
wide range of services and entertainment including online games, online
entertainment and communication. PlayOnline not only serves as a portal to
the world of FINAL FANTASY XI, it is a gateway to several other applications.
Communication tools such as email, messaging, "Friend List," games, support,
downloadable files and audio and visual customization are all part of the
PlayOnline service. Players can create personalized PlayOnline identities or
"handles" that allow other players to communicate with each other no matter
where they are on the PlayOnline network. Details on the PlayOnline service
and the FINAL FANTASY XI monthly fee will be announced at a later date.
Square Enix U.S.A. has partnered with Sony Online Entertainment Inc.
(SOE), the online gaming division of Sony Pictures Digital, to provide in game
support and customer service by phone for both versions of FINAL FANTASY XI as
well as PlayOnline.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY XI
"T" for Teen. For more information about the ESRB, visit http://www.esrb.org .
About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
Headquartered 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. The recent merger between Square and Enix brought two of
Japan's best-selling franchises -- FINAL FANTASY(R), sold over 44 million
units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR(R) in North America), sold
over 30 million units worldwide -- under one roof. Both known to be pioneers
in the role-playing game (RPG) genre, the unification of Square and Enix has
created one of the most influential providers of entertainment content in the
world.
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) 2003 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design:
Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co.,
Ltd. The SQUARE ENIX logo is a trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd.
PlayOnline, TetraMaster and Rise of the Zilart are trademarks of Square Enix
Co., Ltd. PlayStation and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Windows and DirectX are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For further information, please contact: Kyoko Yamashita of Square Enix
U.S.A., Inc., +1-310-846-0400, ext. 354, kyoko@square-enix-usa.com; or Monica
Bouldin, bouldinm@ruderfinn.com, or Nurha Hindi, hindin@ruderfinn.com, both of
Ruder Finn, +1-310-479-9929, for Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
SOURCE Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.square-enix-usa.com
CONTACT:
Kyoko Yamashita of Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.,
+1-310-846-0400, ext. 354, kyoko@square-enix-usa.com; or Monica
Bouldin, bouldinm@ruderfinn.com, or Nurha Hindi,
hindin@ruderfinn.com, both of Ruder Finn, +1-310-479-9929, for
Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
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