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Preview of character creation in Final Fantasy XIV
The start of the beta signups for Final Fantasy XIV was certainly good news for the many people anticipating the game next year, but it didn't exactly pierce the fog surrounding the game. Square-Enix, of course, has always played their cards close to their chest when handing out previews, but there's still so much more to learn about the game and a number of curious people. FFXIVCore, a fansite with an active base of users translating as much new information on the game as possible, has posted a set of new scans and translations detailing that most important of processes in an MMO: character creation. While there isn't as much hard information as fans would like (and isn't that always the case), the characters on display boast a wide variety of slight differences, as noted by the article. There's also some information regarding a third force in the game's main conflict, the Garlean Empire, although details on it are scant. Still, the promise of a detailed character creator is certainly alluring, as are most of the pictures we get regarding said character creator. Final Fantasy XIV often winds up releasing news and previews in chunks, so it's best to keep an eye open for the next few days for further possible information.
Final Fantasy XIV support page located
Sometimes new information comes from the strangest sources. Apparently, when Square-Enix made their last update to the Final Fantasy XIV with two new jobs revealed, they added a little something unexpected. Not what would have been expected, either -- it was the support site for the game. Since the game is yet to be released or even have a finalized date published, said site contains only a handful of questions, which largely contain no new information... but there are at least two interesting pieces to be gleaned from the site, one minor and one slightly larger. The smaller piece of information is the list of supported platforms for the game: Windows PC and Playstation 3. That isn't exactly new information, but it's confirmed. The slightly larger tidbit is the confirmation that Japanese releases of Final Fantasy XIII will contain a code to obtain an exclusive in-game item for Final Fantasy XIV. The answer specifies that plans to include said code in the North American or European releases have yet to be decided... which could mean anything. Will the item be exclusive to Japanese players to compensate for the game having a global launch instead of one in Japan first a la Final Fantasy XI? Will the item be cosmetic or have some game impact? Will there be different items based on region? No answers are yet forthcoming, but it should be an interesting tidbit for fans looking forward hungrily to the game's release some time in 2010.
Top 20 Final Fantasy characters that should be in Dissidia
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/Top_20_Final_Fantasy_characters_that_should_be_in_Dissidia'; Although Final Fantasy Dissidia has yet to be announced outside Japan, we're still fervently watching out for more tidbits on this hotly anticipated title. However, the last we heard about anything officially confirmed in this game was back in December, and with Nintendo coming off strong with another mixed-cameo fighter -- Super Smash Bros. Brawl -- perhaps the PSP-exclusive Dissidia has been forgotten amongst the Mario and Link duels everyone's been having. Or maybe everyone's just too enraptured in getting their FF fix from the recently released Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. In any case, we're still very excited about this next PSP exclusive from Square Enix, and wouldn't want gamers out there to forget about this megaton game. With little known about the character roster, there leaves a lot of room for speculation. So in all our best efforts, we present this Dissidia feature highlighting the top twenty Final Fantasy supporting characters we want to see in the game. Arguably, in a game like this, a good cast of playable characters is crucial; it's working for Brawl, and it'll undoubtedly go the same way for Dissidia. But why only supporting characters you might ask? Well, you'll find that out soon enough. Start the countdown! >
Get a job in FFCC: The Young King and the Promised Land
The many jobs available in Final Fantasy games rivals those that exist out in the real world, however we're sure being able to use Cure on your hurt friends and casting Thundaga on your enemies is pretty much better than any kind of job we've ever had. And we used to work as a late-night security guard. We didn't have to do anything but sit!But, we digress. The upcoming Wii Ware title Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Young King and the Promised Land will feature many of the job classes you Square Enix fans know and love. So, feast your peepers on the above trailer.%Gallery-12067%
Under The Hood: Pseudo-MMOs, part two
I realized in my last article I promised to explore the viability of pseudo-MMOs as an expanding market, but it appears I will have to renege on that pledge. I've been getting a veritable glut of the names of games that incorporate MMO-style play in a distinctly non-MMO structure or environment. So instead, here is a brief exploration of the Massive Single-player Offline, or MSO, market, as well as a few online games which share MMO elements.The one which absolutely fits every single criteria for an MMO except for online play (and a rare few others) is Final Fantasy XII. This game, like no other, incorporates MMO-style play into an expansive and engaging single-player environment. Friendly NPCs, hunting quests, main story quests, instanced environments (monsters respawn after leaving and reentering a zone), real-time combat, non-random encounters (you see it, you fight it), and a distinct waypoint system. It's best described as the solo player's MMO.
Square Enix's next MMO may not be Final Fantasy related
In a recent discussion with Gamasutra at the Final Fantasy XI Fanfest, the developers behind FFXI confirmed that they are still working on a new MMO, but revealed that it might not be a part of the Final Fantasy series -- and then again, it might be. Producer of FFXI and Square Enix vice president Hiromichi Tanaka said that the new game could either be part of the FF series, a sequel to an existing FF game, or something entirely new.The Gamasutra interview also includes comments from the dev team about World of Warcraft and how they feel it has impacted their game. Their answer? Not much. They note that FFXI was at its peak in subscribers close to WoW's launch, and there was no notable drop in numbers after the soon-to-be industry giant was released.
Final Fantasy anniversary bash in SF on 26 June
The "anniversary bash" referring to a celebration, not that thing you do in the comments section every time we talk about Square Enix's upcoming remakes. Indeed, the plan is to "commemorate 20 years of devotion, dedication and passion from the greatest fans in the gaming industry," so there won't be any place for you at the Metreon's PlayStation store in San Francisco come this June 26th. The first 100 people to arrive promptly at 6PM (on the the day before, knowing hardcore Final Fans) will receive free items that are exclusive to the event, while everyone else will have to be satisfied with purchasing the PSP version of the first, err, Final Fantasy. Square Enix also promises a special showing of July's re-sequel, Final Fantasy II. I'll see you there -- look out for the guy dressed as eager ladies' man and last-minute quitter, Irvine.That's not who I'm going as, but watch out for that guy. He's a creep.
Final Fantasy XII: International Zodiac Job System announced
Square Enix announced today an enhanced version of Final Fantasy XII, subtitled International Zodiac Job System (no, really), due out in Japan August 9.According to Game|Life's Chris Kohler, who obtained a media kit for the title, enhancements to the game include: 12 new license boards for each character, tuned to specific jobs in the FF universe (e.g., Monk, Red Mage) A presentation based on the US release (English voices, 16:9 widescreen) A "bonus DVD based on the US version." Much like Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix and FF X-2: International Edition, IGN suspects International Zodiac Job System will remain Japan only -- though, with English voices, it could be a viable import for those with even rudimentary knowledge of Japanese language.
DS Daily: One more time
Nostalgia is a big factor for veteran gamers. As we long wistfully for the days of yore, full of Opera Houses and Triple Techs, companies scheme to use this wonderful emotion for profit. Square-Enix is a particularly egregious offender, but damned if we're not willing to buy that game we loved just one more time.Final Fantasy III is a bit of an exception, since the title was never truly released in regions outside of Japan before last year. But how willing are you, as gamers, to buy rehashes of the very same game? We got the entire Final Fantasy Advance series (I, II, IV, V, and VI) and now Square-Enix wants to release a graphically overhauled version of FFIV ... again? With the inclusion of Final Fantasy Chronicles on the Playstation, this will be the fourth release of the same freaking game.Do you need extra features or updated graphics to re-buy a game, or do you refuse on principal? As we know is that as long as we keep buying them, Square-Enix will keep remaking them. Pah.
Final Fantasy remakes unconfirmed for UK; imports feature English option
Unfortunately, it appears that the UK version of the Final Fantasy remakes are not yet confirmed for the UK, according to CVG. The title is currently "to be decided."While we don't think Square Enix would miss an opportunity to milk Europeans for their money (look at the game's pricing), impatient gamers can import the Asian version of the classic RPGs. In an unexpected move, these UMDs feature both English and Japanese language options.Those that have picked up an import copy seem to have high praise for the remakes. A Neo-Geo forum user notes that the CG intro "isn't all that," but the "game looks freakin' nice on the PSP screen ... [and] music and sound quality seem top end too."
DS releases for the week of April 2nd
What a week! At this rate, we could almost use a DS drought, just to give us time to save up some cash! But we shouldn't complain, since our counterparts in the UK and Australia aren't having much of a week as far as releases go. Isn't that always the way of it? One week, we get a ton of games and they get none, and the next week it's reversed. The only thing we can ever count on is that Japan is going to debut a veritable truckload of new titles. No matter what's going in the rest of the world, the Japanese must have their new DS games.US releases Cake Mania Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales Honeycomb Beat Konami Classics: Arcade Hits
Square Enix reveals their party plans
We don't usually sit around wishing we lived in Japan, but sometimes there's an overriding temptation that throws everything into a tailspin ... and wouldn't you know that dastardly Square Enix is behind it. The source of our agony? That the fabulous franchise festival known as the Square Enix Party 2007 is going to go on without us. The pain. Thanks to the series of tubes that connects us with Japan, we at least have loads of video to look forward to -- and now that SE has announced a formal list of titles that will be available at the event (both playable and video-only), we're starting to get a little excited. Playable games on display include FFXII: Revenant Wings, Itadaki Street, It's a Wonderful World, and the new Crystal Chronicles for the DS. That may in fact be more Final Fantasy than we could shake a stick at. Also verified: an unknown Final Fantasy title, but we have to admit that it may be attached to those other guys. We won't begrudge them that; we've got plenty of games here to drool over. [Via Wired]
FFXII gets the preview treatment
Over at 1UP, they got their hands on a few Japanese magazines containing info on the highly-anticipated (by us, anyway) Final Fantasy XII spin-off title Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings. In checking out their preview, we noticed that there is a lot of new information on the game. As such, we're doing the gentlemanly thing and presenting it to you, fine reader, in the most entertaining way possible: with our minds. Why yes, dear reader, in fact right now you are staring at a blank computer screen, it is us who have projected the image of this website into your mind and, might we say, it's awfully cold and vacant up here.Jokes about your intelligence aside, some of the newly-acquired facts on the title include: The game will feature over 50 different summons, with each varying in rank (three total ranks) The third rank summon may only be used once in each map A section of the airship will be used to house in-game achievements, taking the form of monuments The Salamander summon has been changed from a lizard to a wild boar [Thanks, Ibrahim!]
Peep these sweet Final Fantasy III figurines
For all of you that got a real kick out of the game, these figurines here might be right up your alley. With a total of seven available (with three of them pictured, natch), we imagine many a cubicle area or home desk could be spruced up (or even defended from ne'er-do-wells) by these awesome figurines. Play-Asia supposedly sells them, but they're currently sold out with no signs of replenished stock coming. Anyone want to get their hands on these?
Square Enix surprise: its a PSP port of a GBA port of NES games
It looks like EGM's Rumor Mill is starting to develop into truth. "Square Enix is whipping up a wild lineup for PSP this year ... These guys are serious too! I'm talking new games, remakes of old classics, and an all-new, unexpected Final Fantasy spinoff that will make the fanboys flip."Well, we can check off "remakes of old classics" off the list: Square Enix just announced their "20th Anniversary Series," which will be heading to PSP. First two games on the table? Final Fantasy Anniversary Edition and Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition. Both games will feature the enhancements of the Nintendo-published Final Fantasy I & II Advance: Dawn of Souls, and also include new CG movies and "further enhancements."While these aren't the games we've been clamoring for, I guess it's a step in the right direction. Any support from Square Enix is better than none, right? As it stands now, I'd much rather wait for Crisis Core than these remakes of remakes. Hopefully, we'll see the rest of the "wild lineup" that EGM hinted at.[Thanks, zaki! Via The Magic Box][Update 1: Scans are available at Jeux-France.]
Hot off the press: FFXII: Revenant Wings scans
A pair of pages featuring Final Fantasy XII from Famitsu magazine have been scanned and shot through the vast series of tubes that comprise the internet, eventually arriving on our digital doorstep. We now present said scans to you in an act of surrender kindness we hope will be valued. You're good people and deserve good scans. We'd include the scans past the post break, but they're fairly huge and would break the site's tables. Also, we'd translate the info, but our inability to translate Japanese script makes that impossible.Anyone want to take a stab at it?
Alive and gaming in Baghdad
"We can't go outside, so I prefer to keep inside and keep myself alive."The words are from Wisam, a gamer living in Baghdad. Wisam is a rarity, and listening to his story on Iraq blog / vlog Alive In Baghdad explains why. Wisam, a recent graduate of the Baghdad University English Department, explains that he spends upwards of $200 on electricity each month -- partly from a local generator that runs 4 p.m. until midnight and partly from the fuel he buys for his personal generator. That's a hefty sumWisam said he learned his English from games such as Metal Gear Solid and Final Fantasy. MTV News' Stephen Totilo has a thorough piece on Wisam and the crew of Alive in Baghdad. Among the game-related topics discussed, Wisam talked about the decline in interest for war shooters like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. "We hate the attacking, the gunfire in games," Wisam told MTV News. "We started to hate it."In a sad note, Wisam described how Grand Theft Auto is much like Baghdad right now. Omar Abdullah, who interviewed Wisam for Alive in Baghdad, concurred, telling MTV News that "it was very, very similar to Baghdad. We were like, 'Oh my God. These are the same actions that happen in Baghdad.' There are some places that are divided. For each place, there is a gang ruling that place. You can go down the street and drive any car. If you want to jump on a motorcycle, you can do it."With all the news that circulates about Baghdad, include tonight's U.S. Presidential address, it's thought-provoking to see a often missed perspective on the region.
Final Fantasy: Ring of Fates trailer
And rounding up the recent deluge of Square-Enix trailers from their annual Jump Festa event, this Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates trailer certainly impresses. There's some shiny text, and then a long, confusing sequence in which one tries to focus on five different scenes in the picture at once. Leave it to SE to try and simply overwhelm your senses ... they're rather good at that.The original Crystal Chronicles was a bit of a let-down, but this title can hopefully bring FF:CC out of the "crappy Final Fantasy spin-offs" category. Oh, and for a slightly higher quality version of the trailer, click here for the official movie from Square-Enix's website.(And did anyone check out what appeared to be a stylus-based fire spell around 1:41? Awesome.)[via Penny Arcade]
FFXII: Revenant Wings trailer
A trailer for the upcoming Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings has hit the 'net and, in watching it more times than a person honestly should, we've seen some interesting gameplay and characters who will join Vaan and Panelo in their adventure. The video quality doesn't do the game's graphics justice, in our eyes, so we assume to be blown away even more upon getting our hands on the title.As always, video is available past the jump.
FF: CC screens show off single player and multiplayer screens
Famitsu published some screens and info via their website today. The screens (the top two are from single-player, with the bottom two providing a glimpse into the game's multiplayer) show some in-game sections of the title, but don't really reveal much. Aside from that, any online translation aid we've tried online has spit back indecipherable code. So, we're stuck between a rock and a hard place at the moment in trying to gain any further information than the game stars twins.
