NA Press Releases

Are you a die-hard FINAL FANTASY® Fanatic who is counting the days until the release of FINAL FANTASY XII? Then come join us at 10:30am on the morning of October 11, 2006 for a special celebration in Times Square as we commemorate the upcoming release of the next installment in this beloved franchise. Be a part of history and show your support for your favorite franchise as the city of New York declares October 11, 2006 to be FINAL FANTASY XII Day!

That's right, cheer alongside your fellow brethren and show the world why you're the biggest FINAL FANTASY fan. Oh, and did we mention that cosplayers will be getting special treatment? Show us how much you love FINAL FANTASY XII and you will have the chance to receive special FINAL FANTASY XII merchandise, reserved for our most loyal fans.

Now this doesn't mean we don't want you to celebrate with us just because you don't have a FINAL FANTASY XII costume. By all means, join the party and represent!

FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® XI Vana'diel® Collection 2007, created exclusively for Windows®, will ship to retailers on November 7, 2006. This exciting collection combines the award-winning FINAL FANTASY XI stand-alone product as well as the Rise of the Zilart®, Chains of Promathia® and Treasures of Aht Urhgan™ expansion packs, and a new foldout Quick Manual that includes a world map and a starter's guide, into one convenient budget-priced package.

FINAL FANTASY XI is the first massively multiplayer online role playing game capable of simultaneous multiplayer across three different platforms, allowing players to take up arms together on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Windows, or Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft whether they are in North America, Europe or Japan.

In FINAL FANTASY XI, players embark on numerous adventures through vast environments in Vana'diel: a persistent world with over a hundred areas to explore, including mountains, forests, glaciers, deserts, oceans, rivers, castles, and dungeons. FINAL FANTASY XI lets players create an alter ego to traverse the world of Vana'diel and gives players the opportunity to form parties with others or play at their own pace. The expansion packs Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, and Treasures of Aht Urhgan are included, adding new jobs, areas, monsters, items, and quests while continuing the storyline in new and exciting ways.

FINAL FANTASY XI Vana'diel Collection 2007 is rated (T) for Teen. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Web site, www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. For the official FINAL FANTASY XI Web site, please visit http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/. FINAL FANTASY XI Vana'diel Collection 2007 is available exclusively for Windows at North American retailers for a suggested retail price of $29.99 (USD).

CHAINS OF PROMATHIA, FINAL FANTASY, PLAYONLINE, RISE OF THE ZILART, SQUARE ENIX, the SQUARE ENIX logo, TREASURES OF AHT URHGAN and VANA'DIEL are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Windows, Xbox, and Xbox 360 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Los Angeles (OCtober 11, 2006) — In recognition of the success of the FINAL FANTASY® series and in conjunction with the highly anticipated launch of FINAL FANTASY XII on October 31, 2006, NYC & Company, the city's official tourism marketing organization, dedicated to building New York City's economy will declare October 11, 2006 to be FINAL FANTASY XII Day. This prestigious honor highlights the impact that Square Enix Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, and the FINAL FANTASY franchise have had on gaming and the digital entertainment community.

"Square Enix is thrilled to accept the great honor that NYC & Co. has bestowed upon us," said Daishiro Okada, president and COO of Square Enix, Inc. "For FINAL FANTASY XII Day, we hope that New Yorkers and all FINAL FANTASY fans will unite to celebrate this esteemed occasion with us."

There are several events and festivities planned in the city of New York on FINAL FANTASY XII Day. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., NYC & Co. officials will hand over the declaration to Square Enix executives, Akitoshi Kawazu, executive producer of FINAL FANTASY XII and Okada at a ceremony located at the Times Square Visitors Information Center. The ceremony will also include the unveiling of the FINAL FANTASY XII cosplay costume winners selected from the official online contest and a brief press conference for media attendees. Additionally, the FINAL FANTASY XII trailer will be presented in Times Square and street team members will be roaming Manhattan, giving away limited-edition FINAL FANTASY XII tchotchkes throughout the day.

Following FINAL FANTASY XII Day, Square Enix will showcase FINAL FANTASY XII at DigitalLife (booth #1422) where attendees will be the first to get their hands on the complete version of the game. Eager players will be able to journey through the immense world of Ivalice and discover the magic that led to more than 2.4 million units sold to date since its release on March 16, 2006 in Japan for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. DigitalLife 2006 will take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City and will run from October 12 through 15, 2006. More information about DigitalLife can be found at www.digitallife.com.

About FINAL FANTASY XII

Story

As war looms on the horizon, the mighty Archadian Empire begins a campaign to subjugate its neighbors. The small kingdom of Dalmasca shares their fate, and it is here that our tale begins.

Two years after the fall of Dalmasca, the citizens are without guidance and direction. In the capital city of Rabanastre, the denizens gather and await the introduction of Archadia's new consul. To Vaan, a young man living on the streets of Rabanastre, the Empire is a hated enemy who took the life of his brother, the only family he had left. In an effort to exact revenge, Vaan hatches a plot to break into the palace and steal from the occupying imperials. There, he gets more than he bargained for as he runs into Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne. Together, the two will embark on an incredible journey through Ivalice, tracing the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire's invasion. The choices they make will determine the very fate of the world.

Features

Completely new voiced cut-scenes added for the North American release

Newly implemented 16:9 functionality in the North American version allows for wide screen display

Gorgeous CG cinematics and cut-scenes in Dolby® Pro Logic II combined with real-time graphics rival those of next-gen titles

Shocking plot twists take players on an unforgettable journey

Active Dimension Battle (ADB) system, enables players to move seamlessly between exploration and combat

Highly customizable Gambit system allows complete control over character AI during battles

License board gives the player the ability to customize each character's skills and abilities

FINAL FANTASY XII will be available at North American retailers at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The Collector's Edition, offered exclusively at GameStop and EB Games stores as well as through the e-commerce sites GameStop.com and EBgames.com, will be available at a suggested retail price of $59.99 (USD).

FINAL FANTASY XII has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about the ESRB, please visit: www.esrb.org. For the latest updates on FINAL FANTASY XII, visit: www.finalfantasyxii.com.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content 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 68 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 40 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, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com/na.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Los Angeles (OCtober 31, 2006) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® XII, the latest entry in the timeless franchise that has sold more than 68 million units worldwide, is available in retail outlets across the nation. Developed exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY XII has already sold more than 2.4 million units in Japan since its release on March 16, 2006, and has won numerous Game of the Month awards from the industry's top publications in America, making it one of the highest-reviewed games of the year. In honor of this phenomenon, there was a celebration in Times Square on October 11, 2006 to commemorate the upcoming release of FINAL FANTASY XII.

"FINAL FANTASY XII is the most accessible RPG yet, allowing casual and hardcore gamers to truly customize the complexity of the game to their playing style," said Daishiro Okada, President and COO, Square Enix, Inc. "We're also very pleased to be able to provide several exclusives for the North American release including true 16:9 functionality, additional voiced CG sequences and a truly special Collector's Edition. The Collector's Edition comes with completely unique packaging, in-depth interviews with the development staff, special trailers, a history of the FINAL FANTASY series and several other features. We are extremely proud of both versions of FINAL FANTASY XII and hope gamers will enjoy our efforts."

With more than 2 million copies in the first shipment in Japan, the twelfth installment in the most celebrated RPG franchise looks to continue its runaway success on the other side of the Pacific. For the first time in its history, FINAL FANTASY delivers an entirely new breed of RPG that seamlessly integrates exploration and combat. Overflowing with gorgeous, sweeping landscapes and breathtaking adventure, FINAL FANTASY XII is a gaming experience that captivates gamers with its immersive environment, riveting pace and gripping storytelling, made possible only by the creators of the FINAL FANTASY franchise.

FINAL FANTASY XII brings innovative, never-before-seen additions to the franchise. The all-new "Gambit" system allows players to fully customize the A.I. of each party member and dictate the flow of their actions. With this powerful system, players can "program" party members to act effectively and intelligently in any situation. Additionally, the new "License Board" feature creates fully customizable characters that evolve and grow to the player's specifications. Players are now able to dictate their development, raising multi-dimensional characters derived from the gamer's play style. These features, coupled with an intriguing storyline full of twists, turns and political intrigue, combine to form this year's most exciting and refined RPG experience that will touch the hearts of gamers everywhere.

Story

Two years after the fall of Dalmasca, the once proud kingdom struggles under the rule of its oppressors. Subjugated by the mighty Archadian Empire and bereft of its royal family, the kingdom clings tenuously to life. Dalmasca's future has been enslaved.

To Vaan, a young man living on the streets of Rabanastre, the Empire is a hated foe that took the life of his brother. When Vaan meets Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne, the two embark on an incredible journey through Ivalice, tracing the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire's invasion. As they travel, they encounter others opposed to the Empire. Together, the choices they make will determine the very fate of the world.

Features

Newly implemented 16:9 feature enhances graphics on widescreen televisions

Brand-new, fully voiced cutscenes added for the North American release

Gorgeous CG cinematics and cutscenes in Dolby® Pro Logic II combined with real-time graphics rivaling those of next-gen titles

Shocking plot twists take players on an unforgettable journey of betrayal, political intrigue and a kingdom's struggle for survival

Active Dimension Battle (ADB) system enables players to move seamlessly between exploration and combat

Highly customizable Gambit system allows complete control over character A.I. during battles

License board gives the player the ability to customize each character's skills and abilities

FINAL FANTASY XII is available at North American retailers at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The Collector's Edition, offered exclusively at GameStop and EB Games stores as well as through the e-commerce sites GameStop.com and EBgames.com, is available at a suggested retail price of $59.99 (USD).

FINAL FANTASY XII has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB. For more information about the ESRB, please visit: www.esrb.org. For the latest updates on FINAL FANTASY XII, visit: www.finalfantasyxii.com.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content 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 68 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 40 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, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com/na.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the Square Enix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Dolby, Pro Logic and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.