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September 24, 2009

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES GYROMANCER: A NEW PUZZLE RPG GAME FOR XBOX LIVE ARCADE AND STEAM

Title Features PopCap Games Favorite Bejeweled Twist at its Core
LOS ANGELES (September 24, 2008) Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today the upcoming launch of Gyromancer™ for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Steam®.

Gyromancer is a new puzzle-RPG developed in collaboration between Square Enix and PopCap. With a blend of puzzle elements from the PopCap Games puzzle hit Bejeweled Twist™ and the RPG mastery of Square Enix, Gyromancer is an all-new experience that defines the puzzle-RPG genre.

"Gyromancer is a cool puzzle/RPG hybrid that uses Bejeweled Twist's game mechanic at the heart of its battle system," said Jason Kapalka, Chief Creative Officer and co-founder of PopCap. "We've worked with Square Enix as a distribution partner in Japan for several years, and it was fun to collaborate with them in a more creative way on Gyromancer."

"We've always enjoyed a strong partnership with PopCap Games and Gyromancer represents our goal of developing unique gaming experiences, " said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. "We believe that Gyromancer will appeal not only to core gamers, but will further introduce the RPG genre to casual gamers as well."

Players assume the role of Rivel, a summoner who ventures through the enchanted Aldemona Wood. Each stage contains its own objectives, from defeating beasts that block the player's way, to solving puzzles before time runs out. Rivel can learn to summon dozens of the unique beasts he encounters, bending their power to his will and commanding them in battle. Hidden within each stage are a number of rewards earned for completing feats great and small. Finding them all won't be easy. Are you up to the challenge?


STORY
Rivel, leader of the rebel faction Temperance and sorcerer vessel of the Godseye, follows Qraist, the countslayer, into the enchanted Aldemona Wood. The wood whispers to the two. For Rivel, the wood holds the key to his locked memories. For Qraist, the wood holds his calling — to be its master. Unbeknownst to either, the nefarious Everett watches quietly from the shadows. Within this enchanted wood, severed from the outside world by ritual, lie mysteries and answers, knowledge and wonder. Each enters in search of something — but what is it they will find?


FEATURES
  • Assume the role of Rivel, a deadly mage, as he rids Aldemona Wood of a brooding darkness through over 10 compelling game stages
  • Experience an all-new battle system based on the popular puzzle game Bejeweled Twist
  • Command over 50 unique beasts! Powerful new beasts can be acquired as players gain levels in battle
  • Search the map for items, coins and new beasts to join Rivel's fight
  • Participate in the online ranking system to register high scores

Gyromancer is rated T (Teen) by the ESRB. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. Gyromancer will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade and Steam.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 50 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 Holdings Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. 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.

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of "casual games" — fun, easy-to-learn, captivating video games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of over 230 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, and Shanghai. Its games have been downloaded more than 1 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled®, has sold more than 25 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap's games are played on the Web, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox and DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap is the only casual games developer with leading market share across all major sales channels, including Web portals, retail stores, mobile phones, MP3 players, and game devices.


DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. GYROMANCER is a trademark of Square Enix Co. Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from owner. STEAM is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation.

The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed at www.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used for the benefit of those owners.

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