NA Press Releases

LOS ANGELES (February 3, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that their upcoming Action-RPG NIER™ for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, will be available at North American retail outlets on April 27, 2010.

The latest offering from the RPG masters at Square Enix, NIER is a unique “Action-RPG” that blends traditional RPG gameplay mechanics with intense, bloody combat and powerful magic to create an action-packed single-player experience where players explore and discover a future lost to a shadowy past.

Developed by cavia Inc, NIER delivers on Square Enix’s renowned pedigree for creating unique and twisting storylines coupled with deep character development – a pedigree that has kept gamers around the world enraptured for decades.

Players will jump into the title role of the unyielding Nier as he begins his desperate quest to discover a cure for his daughter, Yonah, who is stricken with the deadly Black Scrawl disease. Armed with powerful magic as well as mighty swords, Nier will battle alongside formidable allies against waves of dark enemies and giant bosses to discover the truth about the disease, his daughter…and himself.

For more information about NIER, please visit the game’s official Web site at http://www.niergame.com/. Fans can also stay up-to-date with all of the latest screenshots, videos and breaking news by becoming a fan on the official Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/NIERGame.

FEATURES

• The Next RPG from Square Enix: NIER, the newest franchise from RPG masters Square Enix, delivers unique and memorable characters, intense action-packed battles, explosive magic and storytelling like only Square Enix can.
• Unbelievable Story Twists and Reveals: Immerse in an amazingly intricate storyline set in a world plagued by human anguish, buried secrets and a ravaging disease. With plot twists hiding around every corner, NIER’s story needs to be seen to be believed.
• RPG Gameplay Injected With Action-Packed Combat: Battle ferocious and mysterious enemies by combining proven RPG-style gameplay, such as magic, character development and faithful allies, with action-focused explosive swordplay and combat.
• Powerful Magical Abilities: When his sword isn’t enough, Nier can call on a remarkable array of stylish and powerful spells to augment his combat moves and overcome adversaries. As players progress, upgraded spells will help defeat ever-more-deadly enemies.
• Brutal Combat Moves: Face off against evil creatures and unleash brutal combat moves along with devastating combo attacks. Unlock an arsenal of devastating weapons, each with its own design and attack style.
• Formidable Allies: Travel with a dynamic party of allies and do battle against monstrous giants as a powerful and united party.
• A Dynamic and Stunning World: Travel across an unforgettable world filled with dynamic landscapes featuring the hauntingly familiar remains of modern society.

NIER is rated M (Mature). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. NIER will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $59.99 for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems.

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.

© 2010 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Developed by cavia inc. 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. NIER is a trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from Microsoft. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook. Inc.

LOS ANGELES (February 9, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that it has shipped STAR OCEAN®THE LAST HOPE®: INTERNATIONAL for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

STAR OCEAN THE LAST HOPE: INTERNATIONAL delivers the prequel of the acclaimed STAR OCEAN franchise to PlayStation 3 system users. Developed by tri-Ace Inc. - renowned for offering gamers spectacular visuals and expansive storylines - the game adds to the rich, science fiction saga of the series, beginning with the aftermath of World War III.

This latest installment allows players to control their own spaceship to move from planet to planet as they explore the vastness of space. The refined gameplay features dynamic four-character team combat and the capability to seamlessly switch party members during battle. STAR OCEAN THE LAST HOPE: INTERNATIONAL also improves upon the innovative real-time battle system that has become a trademark of the STAR OCEAN franchise.

In addition to English and Japanese voice options, this PlayStation 3 system version will include a total of six languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese, allowing STAR OCEAN fans around the world to blast off on their epic adventure among the stars.

STORY

The year is A.D. 2087. In the aftermath of World War III, Earth has been ravaged and the population decimated by a deteriorating environment. The countries that survived have joined together to form the Greater Unified Nations and turned their eyes skyward…to space.

Edge Maverick and his childhood friend Reimi Saionji are chosen as pioneer members of the Space Reconnaissance Force, which was created to seek out new worlds beyond the stars. Their ship, the Calnus, takes its place on the lunar launch pad along with four other starships of the first reconnaissance fleet. These ships - humanity's last hope - blast off one-by-one and sail into the awaiting wormhole that leads to the vast star ocean.

And so, Edge and his crew begin their voyage in search of a new haven for humanity...and a second chance.

FEATURES

• Combines sci-fi and fantasy elements, spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe
• Item creation and Private Actions, two hallmarks of the STAR OCEAN franchise, also make their return, allowing for players to enjoy upgraded versions of both systems
• Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's dynamic real-time battle system, now featuring amazing graphics through Blu-ray Disc®
• Up to four characters can take part in battles simultaneously and party members can be switched mid-battle
• New Blindside battle system fuses evasion and offense, enabling players to confuse and ambush enemies by quickly moving out of their line of sight when targeted
• Pilot the Calnus spaceship for the first time in the series and journey to various planets of the STAR OCEAN universe
• Features breathtaking CG movies by Visual Works, the cutting-edge studio whose previous work includes cut scenes for the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY® series
• In addition to English and Japanese voice options, the PlayStation 3 system version will include English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Japanese language options for STAR OCEAN fans around the world

STAR OCEAN THE LAST HOPE: INTERNATIONAL is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. STAR OCEAN THE LAST HOPE: INTERNATIONAL is available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $59.99 (USD). The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/starocean/.

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. STAR OCEAN and THE LAST HOPE are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. Blu-ray Disc is a registered trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

LOS ANGELES (February 23, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that it has shipped PONY FRIENDS® 2 to North American retailers. Available now for both Nintendo DS™ and Wii™, PONY FRIENDS 2 is the latest installment of the top selling virtual pet series.

Developed by Tantalus Media Pty Ltd., PONY FRIENDS 2 provides a comprehensive pet simulation experience that lets players become best friends with their perfect pony. Pony lovers can customize their ponies and explore tricks, trails, quests, racing and much more. Players can also join their friends in the stables through a unique multiplayer feature that allows them to compete in pony trick competitions and race against each other.

Perfect for anyone who has ever wanted their own pony, PONY FRIENDS 2 offers a total of 12 breeds to choose from. Each pony has its own personality that players can get to know in-depth. Ponies will even respond to player voices in the DS version when they talk into the microphone. The customizable experience also offers new, intuitive riding gameplay to explore the 25 diverse trails. Take the reigns of the perfect pet pony today!

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. Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.