NA Press Releases

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (March 2, 2004) — Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. (“Square Enix U.S.A.”), the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive products in North America, announced that Drakengard™ for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, ships to North American retailers today. Drakengard weaves action-packed gameplay with complex character and weapon development in the setting of a mysterious kingdom.

Drakengard tells a tale of love, sacrifice, obligation and bitter compromise following the struggles of a Union soldier named Caim. He comes to find that the Empire he once knew has raised an army with unexplainable great power and has taken his sister prisoner. In the ultimate sacrifice, Caim joins souls with the dragon he despises in order to save his sister. Together they begin their quest to unravel the mystery behind the Empire’s sudden rise to power. They will soon discover a connection between the Empire, Caim’s sister, the mythical Seeds of Resurrection and the gods themselves.

Drakengard features three battlefields and multiple experience and growth elements based on the player’s decisions, which immerse the player in an all-new gameplay experience combining fantasy, interactivity and a tragic saga.

Gameplay Features

Diverse battlefields

Aerial Combat
Players fly high above the landscape astride a powerful dragon and dispatch airborne opponents with devastating fire and thrilling special attacks.

Strafe Attack
Players can annihilate entire groups of soldiers with a blast of fire from the dragon. Strafe Attack also allows players to seek out hidden locations and rare items.

Melee Mode
Players can dismount the dragon and enter the battleground on foot attacking a myriad of enemies face to face. In addition, “melee mode” allows Caim to enter areas forbidden or inaccessible to the pact-beast.

Multiple experiences

Story
The story is conveyed through event sequences, over an hour of CG movies and through gameplay action itself. Depending on how the game is played, the player can experience different story elements and one of a variety of endings that can be uncovered.

Characters
In addition to Caim, players can “summon” other characters to control, each of whom has his or her own abilities, pact-beasts, weapons and troubled past.

Areas
Players can return to previously cleared areas and encounter new characters, changed environments and different enemies.

Growth element

Dragon Growth
As the game progresses, the dragon and its abilities will mature. Its physical appearance evolves into an imposing presence and dragonfire attacks become more powerful.

Character Growth
Caim’s battle attributes also evolve throughout the game. He is rewarded with improved combo attacks, more powerful magic and enhanced strength as his weapon’s levels increase.

Weapon Growth
As the player’s weapon levels up so will the visual representation of the weapon. Players can choose from a selection of over 60 weapons imbued with their own magic and history, revealing each of the weapons’ lethal past.

Marketing and Advertising Support

The launch of Drakengard is supported by television advertising campaigns throughout March. The spots will run in various time slots on target network, cable and syndicated programming such as Comedy Central, MTV, Spike TV, WWE and Fuse. Promotions in conjunction with Drakengard include MTV's “Fantasy Music Tycoon” and WWE's “Backlash” to be aired in April. The combined print and online advertising campaigns in various gaming magazines and sites will reach millions of gamers in March and April.

BradyGames’ Drakengard Official Strategy Guide is the ultimate resource to help players resolve the conflict between the Empire and the Union in this epic adventure. The detailed mission strategies will help gamers stop all foes dead in their tracks-whether it’s an aerial or ground mission. The area maps included in this section pinpoint the precise path through each area. In addition, players will have the power to uncover all 65 weapons, including the hidden ones, with the handy quick reference section. With all game secrets, including how to access the ultimate flying machine revealed, players will enjoy endless gameplay options and hours of replay value. The strategy guide is available at electronics, book and software retailers for $14.99 US/$21.99 CAN.

Drakengard is available at North American retailers for a suggested retail price of $39.99 (USD). The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Drakengard “M” for Mature. Additional information on Drakengard can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/drakengard. For more information about the ESRB, visit http://www.esrb.org.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, 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. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 49 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 31 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.com/.

Copyright © 2008 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (March 5, 2004) — The Academy of Interactive Arts and SciencesR (AIAS), saluted Square Enix last night, awarding the company’s FINAL FANTASY® X-2 video game for Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance - Female for the game’s Rikku, voiced by Tara Strong. AIAS presented the awards at their Seventh Annual Awards ceremony held at the Palms Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.

FINAL FANTASY X-2 was also a finalist in Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction and Console Role Playing Game of the Year categories. The title was released in November 2003 in North America for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and has sold more than one million units to date.

Accepting the award, Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO of Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. said, “On behalf of the FINAL FANTASY X-2 development team, I would like to thank the Academy for the award. We are honored that our peers have chosen FINAL FANTASY X-2 from the many excellent titles released this past year. We hope to continue to deliver quality titles and come back for more awards next year.”

Located in Los Angeles, Calif., AIAS is a professional academy of the interactive entertainment software industry. Voting members include some of the most respected designers and executives in the interactive arts and sciences industry. The Interactive Achievement Awards are amongst the most sought after and prestigious awards honoring excellence in video game design for console, computer and online platforms.

About FINAL FANTASY X-2

FINAL FANTASY X-2 is the first female-led FINAL FANTASY game in the franchise’s history and the first sequel in the long respected Final Fantasy series. While keeping the series’ traditions, the sequel stays fresh with several new elements. Among them, the reintroduction of the ATB (active time battle) system accelerates the pace and excitement of battles. FINAL FANTASY X-2 is also the first mission-based FINAL FANTASY, allowing for non-linear gameplay and features new and unique job classes, which provide diverse looks for the leading female characters and an enhanced character development system. The first female-led FINAL FANTASY hails the return of a free-spirited Yuna, her enthusiastic cousin Rikku and introduces Paine, their sarcastic, hardnosed friend. The game is filled with light-hearted and melancholy moments, fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and ominous secrets that threaten the peace of their world Spira. Additional information on FINAL FANTASY X-2 can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX-2/.

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. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 49 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 31 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 www.square-enix-usa.com.

Copyright © 2008 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (March 17, 2004) — Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., and Square Enix Co., Ltd. (“Square Enix”), announced today that KINGDOM HEARTS, the blockbuster hit video game which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system has shipped more than 4 million units worldwide, underscoring the title’s continuing popularity. More than 2 million units have shipped in North America, 1.23 million units in Japan, and Europe rounds out the number with 820,000 units.

“KINGDOM HEARTS continues to capture the imagination of gamers and proves to be a must-have title for PlayStation 2 fans around the world,” said Graham Hopper, SVP and General Manager, Buena Vista Games. “We would like to congratulate the entire KINGDOM HEARTS team on yet another impressive milestone.”

“The unique blend of Disney characters and worlds in a Square Enix style gameplay seen in KINGDOM HEARTS resulted in one remarkable game. We couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO, Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.

KINGDOM HEARTS combines classic Disney characters and worlds into a new story with new characters and environments created in the renowned Square Enix style. The game shipped to North American retailers nationwide on Sept. 17, 2002, and was received with overwhelmingly positive response from both gamers and critics alike.

In KINGDOM HEARTS, the player experiences the game as Sora, a 14-year-old boy whose world is shattered when a violent storm hits his island-paradise home, and he is separated from his two closest friends, Riku, a 15-year-old boy, and Kairi, a 14-year-old girl. While searching for his friends in a strange and mysterious land, Sora meets Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy who are on a mission to find the King of the Disney Castle, who has also mysteriously disappeared. The three learn of ominous creatures known as the Heartless, who collaborate with Disney villains to realize their devious intentions. Sora, Donald and Goofy join forces to recover Sora’s friends, return the King to his rightful position and save the universe. As Sora, the player will journey into multiple Disney worlds and meet over 100 of their favorite Disney characters.

KINGDOM HEARTS features an all-star voice cast that includes Haley Joel Osment (“The Sixth Sense,” “A.I. Artificial Intelligence”) as Sora, while David Gallagher (“7th Heaven”) and Hayden Panettiere (“Ally McBeal,” “Remember The Titans”) voice Riku and Kairi, respectively. Other voice talents featured in the game include Sean Astin (“The Lord of the Rings,” “Rudy”), Lance Bass (member of *NSYNC), David Boreanaz (“Angel,” “Valentine”), Mandy Moore (“A Walk to Remember,” “The Princess Diaries”), Christy Romano (“Even Stevens,” “Kim Possible”), Steve Burton (“The Last Castle”) and Billy Zane (“Titanic”). In addition, many of the original star Disney voice actors reprised their roles for this project.

The Greatest Hits version is now available at retailers nationwide for SRP $19.99 (USD). KINGDOM HEARTS is rated “E” for Everyone. Additional information on the title can be found at http://www.kingdomhearts.com.

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. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 49 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 34 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.com/.

About Disney Interactive

Disney Interactive is the award-winning publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc. The label produces high quality video games and CD-ROMs based on Disney properties. Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit. For more information on Disney Interactive’s products, visit http://www.disneyinteractive.com.

Copyright © 2008 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved.