NA Press Releases

LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2009) —Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America announced today that a bus tour offering fans the first chance to get their hands on the North American version of FINAL FANTASY® XIII will be kicking off on January 13, 2010.

The bus is scheduled to make numerous stops in the San Francisco and Bay areas through January 16, loaded with a never-before-seen demo area of the North American version of FINAL FANTASY XIII. Locations will be revealed and updated through the Twitter site @PlayFFXIII (http://twitter.com/PlayFFXIII), so start following today!

One of the most highly anticipated games of this generation, FINAL FANTASY XIII marks the dawning of a new era for the celebrated franchise, bringing the series to multiple hi-definition consoles simultaneously for the first time in its history. Introducing the ultimate Active Time Battle system and extraordinary new characters, FINAL FANTASY XIII will set new standards for role playing games.

FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available for both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 9, 2010.

Official Web Sites:
FINAL FANTASY XIII information: http://finalfantasyxiii.com
FINAL FANTASY XIII Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIII
FINAL FANTASY XIII Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfficialFFXIII
[NEW] FINAL FANTASY XIII Bus Tour: http://twitter.com/PlayFFXIII

STORY

Cocoon — a utopia in the sky.
Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise.
Under the Sanctum's rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.

Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal'Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever.
Their tranquility was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal'Cie.
The moment that fal'Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end.
Fal'Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants.
They become l'Cie — chosen of the fal'Cie.
Those branded with the mark of a l'Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.
A prayer for redemption.
A wish to protect the world.
A promise to challenge destiny.
After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins.

FEATURES

• Take Part in a Gaming Experience that Sets New Standards — The first in the series developed for a simultaneous release on multiple high-definition consoles, FINAL FANTASY XIII pushes new boundaries in cinematic presentation, sound and gameplay.
• Experience the Unity of Speed and Strategy with the Ultimate Active Time Battle system — The familiar system has evolved, granting players the freedom of executing numerous commands in a single turn with the multi-slot ATB gauge. Whether inputting singular commands in each slot for consecutive attacks, or expending multiple slots at once to activate a devastating blow, it’s up to the players to respond effectively to the battle conditions at hand.
• Adapt to the Ever-Changing Tide of Battle with Paradigms — A brand-new game mechanic enabling players to assign roles to their party members at any time during battle, shifting between combat paradigms. Consisting of various combinations of the game's six roles, ranging from Commando, the offensive specialist, to Medic, the quintessential healer, paradigms allow players to respond and adapt instantly to any given situation to turn the tide and seize victory.
• Witness the Battle Scene Transform with an All-New Summon System — Introducing Gestalt Mode, a powerful dimension of the summon system that elevates the action to a whole new level. In Gestalt Mode, characters and their transformed Eidolons fight as one, dealing massive damage to enemies through simple button commands.
• Delve into an Emotional Experience — An immersive storyline connects players to an intriguing cast of characters. Will they have the strength to confront their cursed fates, or will destiny prevail over all that they believe in?
• A Brand-New Song for an International Audience — Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Leona Lewis has come on board with Square Enix to provide her new song, "My Hands," for the North American and European versions

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 92 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 53 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.

© 2009 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. CHARACTER DESIGN: TETSUYA NOMURA.
DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. "PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft and, Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from the owner. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Twitter is a registered trademark of Twitter, Inc.

LOS ANGELES (January 26, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that PONY FRIENDS® 2, the sequel to the top selling Nintendo DS™ title, will become available in North America on February 23, 2010. Developed by Tantalus Media Pty Ltd., the newest installation of the popular virtual pet game will now be available on three consoles: Wii™, DS and PC.

PONY FRIENDS 2 welcomes players back to the stables with all new features that let them become best friends with their perfect pony. As part of a comprehensive pet simulation experience, pony lovers can customize their ponies and explore tricks, trails, quests, racing and much more. Additionally, PONY FRIENDS 2 offers a unique multiplayer experience that allows players to race against a friend and compete in pony trick championships.

For all players who have always wanted their own pony, PONY FRIENDS 2 provides the joys of pet ownership and an endless and engrossing gameplay experience. Each pony has its own personality, and with a total of 12 breeds to choose from, players can get to know their ponies in-depth. The DS version even lets players talk to their ponies – with the ponies responding to player voices.
With new, intuitive riding gameplay and a customizable experience, players can take the reigns with PONY FRIENDS 2 this February and have the perfect pony they’ve always dreamed of.

Overview PONY FRIENDS 2 allows players to create their perfect pony and take part in a comprehensive range of fun activities. Featuring twelve ponies (four new breeds), each with different personalities, players can customize every aspect of their appearance. Taking special care of their pony to keep it clean and healthy, players can take it on trail rides across different landscapes and environments. Grab the reins, photograph wildlife and unlock countless secrets on the journey.
PONY FRIENDS 2 features an exciting competitive mode across all formats. Players can compete in races and trick competitions alone or with friends on Wii and DS. Trade ponies and even talk to them on Nintendo DS!

FEATURES

• Race, compete and trade with your friends: Enter race and trick competitions to win trophies! Experience multiplayer racing and trick competitions on Wii.
• Explore 25 diverse trails, befriend wild ponies and photograph wildlife to discover secrets: Take the reins and ride your pony on a range of trails and through open areas, alone or with a friend. Photograph a variety of wild animals and earn the friendship of wild ponies.
• Earn new accessories and create a special look for your pony: Choose and personalize your ponies and trade with friends!
• Discover the PONY FRIENDS world and get to know your ponies at your own pace: There’s always something new to explore. Groom and take care of your pony to keep it happy. Talk to your pony on DS and watch how it responds to your voice!

PONY FRIENDS 2 is rated E (Everyone). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL PONY FRIENDS 2 will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $29.99 for Wii and $19.99 for DS. The official website can be found at http://www.ponyfriends.com.

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 92 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 53 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.

DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX, and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. PONY FRIENDS is a registered trademark of Square Enix Ltd. Tantalus is a trademark of Tantalus Media Pty Ltd. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.