NA Press Releases

Ever wondered what DLC really means?
Wonder no more as Crystal Dynamics proudly unveil DLC = Downloadable Lara Croft.

The DLC campaign starts on August 18 with the release of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light™ as part of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade programme on XBLA. The game is the first fully downloadable arcade game based on Lara Croft and not only includes a new isometric view in the brand new single player adventure, but also includes a franchise first two player offline cooperative experience. This marks the beginning of the Downloadable Lara Croft campaign which will run until the end of 2010.

On September 28 - Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be released with full online support on PlayStation®Network and PC (via the Steam network). On the same day we will offer a free update for Xbox®360 gamers to download which will include the introduction of two player online co-op as well as full leaderboard support and voice chat functionality.

"DLC for us means Downloadable Lara Croft," said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics. "It all begins in August with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light releasing on XBLA and runs through to the end of the year with the additional packs we will be offering. Oh and be prepared for a few surprises."

From October to December the Downloadable Lara Croft campaign continues with 5 packs available across all formats. The first three are expansion packs featuring a combination of all new puzzle, exploration and combat experiences in the game and new areas to explore. The further two packs are playable character packs, offering gamers the chance to experience the entire adventure without Lara Croft and Totec and instead with some other well-known videogame characters...

LOS ANGELES (August 12, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that CHAOS RINGS™ is now available for iPad® on the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com) and App Store™ worldwide.

CHAOS RINGS is a brand-new role playing game (RPG) which was initially released for the iPhone®/iPod touch® in April 2010. The game has earned high praise as a title that stretches the hardware to the limit, boasting a huge adventure and beautiful graphics. As a result, the title earned the No.1 sales spot in 15 countries around the world and is now available for iPad featuring 1024x768 HD support.

CHAOS RINGS is set around a battle tournament called Arca Arena, where teams of two compete for victory and eternal life. Characters gain levels and earn experience points from defeating their foes to upgrade their team's combo skills, enabling the pair to launch bigger, stronger and more devastating attacks.

The unique story of CHAOS RINGS unfolds based on the pairing of characters that the players choose. By experiencing the story lines of each pairing, the true mystery of Arca Arena will be unveiled.

Featuring a turn-based battle system, players are given the choice between "solo" moves, where they can enter commands separately, or "pair" moves, to execute actions as a team. Working as a "pair" allows the characters to concentrate their efforts for more effective power. Defeating enemy monsters allows players to obtain specific DNA information called "gene," which players can equip to learn the monster's magic and special attack moves.

For more information, please visit the official CHAOS RINGS website: http://dlgames.square-enix.com/chaosrings

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES LIMITED-TIME SALE
TO CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF CHAOS RINGS FOR iPad
The first ever discount on CHAOS RINGS for iPhone/iPod touch!
Half price for CRYSTAL DEFENDERS® and SONG SUMMONER®: The Unsung Heroes – Encore

Celebrating the release of CHAOS RINGS for iPad, Square Enix will be discounting titles that have been released to date for iPhone/iPod touch/iPad for a limited time. Sale ends August 26, 2010.

Please visit the following websites for more details:

Web page with description of the apps on sale: http://www.square-enix.com/jp/game/ipod/

Web page with a list of apps for iPhone on sale: http://dlgames.square-enix.com/iphone/

Applicable Titles

For iPhone/iPod touch

For iPad

Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S. based wholly–owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., a holding company leading Square Enix Group. Square Enix, Inc. publishes and distributes entertainment content under the Square Enix Group's internationally renowned brands such as Square Enix, Eidos® and Taito® in the Americas. The Square Enix Group includes a global network of leading development studios located in North America, Europe and Japan. The Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 54 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and other well–established products and services.

More information on Square Enix Inc. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA August 16, 2010 — Crystal Dynamics®, a part of Square Enix Europe, is pleased to announce that Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light™ will be available this Wednesday on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft as a part of Microsoft's Summer of Arcade program.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is the first fully downloadable title from developer Crystal Dynamics as well as Lara's first downloadable arcade adventure which introduces a franchise first isometric camera and two player cooperative adventure.

"We put everything we could into our first downloadable adventure and we're very proud of what we have created," said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics. "We designed a game that can be played in three ways; as a compelling single-player adventure, as a fun local co-op game and as a wider online co-op experience and we're pleased that gamers will have the chance to play both single player and local co-op modes on their living room couches at launch, with online co-op allowing gamers to play across multiple couches arriving shortly afterwards."

There is also a full slate of DLC coming throughout the rest of the year; which includes three gameplay packs focusing on combat, exploration and puzzles and two character packs which allow the player a chance to experience the adventure with other well-known videogame characters. A free update will come soon after launch on Xbox 360 offering online cooperative play (offline cooperative play will be available on August 18) and full leaderboards.

"We believe we have delivered a game which opens up new types of gameplay that will excite not only Tomb Raider fans, but all fans of digital gaming. The launch of Guardian of Light is just the beginning, we have a lot of additional content planned and we will be offering the first DLC pack for the first 30 days for free, exclusively on the Xbox 360®, so that gamers can get a taste of some of the exciting extras we have in store," continued Gallagher.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light begins with Lara searching for an ancient artifact called the Mirror of Smoke. Upon reaching the mirror, she is ambushed by a mercenary army who steals the mirror and releases an ancient evil named Xolotl. Xolotl proceeds to wipe out the armed force and escape with the artifact. Luckily, the disturbance also awakens the Guardian of Light, Totec. In order to track down and stop Xolotl, Lara must join forces with Totec and ensure the world doesn't plunge into an age of never-ending darkness.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light is available now on the Xbox LIVE Arcade Marketplace for 1200 MS Points and will be available for the PlayStation®3 PlayStation®Network and PC (via Steam) on September 28th, 2010 for $14.99. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information, please visit www.laracroftandtheguardianoflight.com or follow on Twitter and Facebook - @Crystaldynamics – Facebook.com/LaraCroft

About Square Enix Ltd..

Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, is a London-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world. Square Enix Ltd. publishes and distributes entertainment content from the Square Enix Group including Square Enix, Eidos and Taito® in Europe and other PAL territories. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos-Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 54 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide, together with other well established products.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. 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. TAITO is a registered trademark of Taito Corporation. LARA CROFT, EIDOS, TOMB RAIDER, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, the CRYSTAL DYNAMICS logo and LARA CROFT AND THE GUARDIAN OF LIGHT are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

LOS ANGELES (August 16, 2010) — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today GUN LOCO™, an exciting, all-new approach to the third-person shooter genre. Currently in development exclusively for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, GUN LOCO offers single and multiplayer gameplay in a sprint-action shooter format.

At the farthest reaches of the solar system, a collection of the craziest criminals in the universe are incarcerated on a remote prison planet with no walls and forgotten by society. In this long-abandoned world, the only rule is anarchy, as each faction fights in a bloodthirsty race for survival, power and freedom. Through several seven climate zones and numerous stylized maps, players must fight through the ruins of the world’s previous civilizations, taking on each region's inmates in a frantic and frenetic struggle to survive.

Featuring third-person, sprint-action shooter gameplay, players can assume the roles of unique and memorable characters in a game that redefines the run-and-gun shooter. While pursuing enemies and being chased by their opponents, players must make use of the sprint-action play by running, jumping, ducking and vaulting, using the environments to their advantage. With a powerful arsenal of weapons at their disposal, each character comes complete with their own kill move, coupled with a mocking take-down taunt to ridicule their victims. The frenzied and furious comic style gameplay comes into its own with full 12-player online multiplayer matches across the planet, with a range of game modes and multiplayer arenas.

GUN LOCO's characters feature a unique visual style with each created from the original design concepts of respected designer and toy maker Kenny Wong. Founder of kennyswork, Co-founder of Hong Kong-based Brothersfree and co-creator of the cult Brothersworker series of collectible action figures, Kenny's incredible design style and unique characterization are a perfect fit for the bizarre world of GUN LOCO. Painstakingly crafted by hand, each comic caricature has been designed from scratch as a real, posable action figure in the Brothersworker vein before being digitally scanned into the game. GUN LOCO brings these memorable misfits and surreal sociopaths to life through animation, audio and unforgettable action gameplay.

GUN LOCO will be available in 2011 on Xbox 360. You can find out more at http://www.gunloco.com.

About Square Enix, Inc.

Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S. based wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., a holding company leading Square Enix Group. Square Enix, Inc. publishes and distributes entertainment content under the Square Enix Group's internationally renowned brands such as Square Enix, Eidos and Taito in the Americas. The Square Enix Group includes a global network of leading development studios located in North America, Europe and Japan. The Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 54 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and other well-established products and services.

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. GUN LOCO is a trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. Eidos and Tomb Raider are registered trademarks of Square Enix, Ltd. Taito is a registered trademark of Taito Corp. Microsoft and Xbox 360 are registered trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

COPENHAGEN (August 17, 2010) — IO Interactive, a part of Square Enix® Europe, is pleased to announce that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days™ is out now on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC in North America and will be released from August 20 throughout Europe and other PAL territories and August 26 in Japan.

In addition to the highly anticipated release, the studio has revealed details surrounding DLC. Beginning August 31, 2010 three unique packs will be available for gamers worldwide including a Multiplayer Mask Pack, Alliance Weapon Pack and Doggie Bag Pack. Each pack extends the Multiplayer modes by introducing more 'tools of the trade' and all-new heist locations.

"Given the history of Kane & Lynch, we expected overwhelming interest, and the initial acclaim solidifies the ever-growing phenomenon and attraction gamers have to the characters and story," said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. "And we are proud to be able to extend the experience in the coming weeks with more maps, weapons and toys to heighten the tension and pressure of pulling-off a high profile heist."

The ground-breaking art direction, relentless action gameplay and innovative multiplayer have received noteworthy praise from the critics worldwide and positions Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days as the standout shooter of 2010.

Please visit www.KaneandLynch.com for updates.

About IO Interactive

IO Interactive is the creative force behind some of the most talked-about multiplatform videogames to emerge in the last decade. Starting with the praised and ground-breaking Hitman® series, IO Interactive has since developed the cult classic "Freedom Fighters" and the controversial "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men". Most recently, IO Interactive released yet another innovative brand, "Mini Ninjas"®. IO Interactive has proven that dedication to original IP and unique brands are the hallmark of the company, and breaking new ground is critical to sustain the originality within our diverse team of developers. IO Interactive is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Europe.

You can read more about IO Interactive and our games on www.ioi.dk

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, is a London-based wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., a holding company leading the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. publishes and distributes entertainment content under the Square Enix Group's internationally renowned brands such as Square Enix, Eidos and Taito in Europe and other PAL territories. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 54 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide, together with other well established products and services.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. 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. EIDOS, TOMB RAIDER, IO INTERACTIVE, CRYSTAL DYNAMICS, KANE & LYNCH: DEAD MEN, MINI NINJAS, FREEDOM FIGHTERS, HITMAN and KANE & LYNCH 2: DOG DAYS are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Ltd.

As the upcoming September 30th, 2010 launch of FINAL FANTASY® XIV for Windows®PC nears, Square Enix has exciting news for current players of FINAL FANTASY XI. In appreciation of the years of adventuring that fans of the series have enjoyed, Square Enix is pleased to offer several bonuses for those that wish to experience both online adventures.

• The FINAL FANTASY XI monthly service fee will be discounted from $12.95 USD to $7.00 USD per month on FINAL FANTASY XI accounts linked to the same Square Enix Account as FINAL FANTASY XIV
• Applies only to FINAL FANTASY XI subscriptions that are paid for by credit card
• The discount will not be applied when the FINAL FANTASY XIV subscription is in its free period, as determined on the 26th of each month
• Does not apply to FINAL FANTASY XI accounts during their free trial period
• Only applies to one FINAL FANTASY XI account for each FINAL FANTASY XIV service account
• Only applies to the base monthly subscription and does not affect add-on content
• This offer will remain in effect until January 2011
• For example, if a Square Enix Account has two FINAL FANTASY XIV service accounts and three FINAL FANTASY XI accounts, then the discount would only apply to two of the three FINAL FANTASY XI accounts.

FINAL FANTASY XIV players with an active FINAL FANTASY XI account will begin their adventure with a special in-game item: Hermes' Shoes. "Named after an elder god, all but forgotten in the modern age, these gold-tipped shoes have been crafted with the lightest of leathers, making them optimal for use by heralds and noterunners."

• For qualifying players, all playable characters created on the FINAL FANTASY XIV service account will start the game with the bonus item automatically in their inventory
• In order to qualify for the bonus item:
• An active FINAL FANTASY XI account must be linked before the FINAL FANTASY XIV playable character is created
• At the time the FINAL FANTASY XIV character is created, the FINAL FANTASY XI content ID registered to the linked FINAL FANTASY XI account must not be invalid or cancelled
• The linked FINAL FANTASY XI account must not be within the free trial period

• When creating a new playable character on a FINAL FANTASY XIV service account, a character name used from the linked FINAL FANTASY XI account can be transferred to FINAL FANTASY XIV
• Transfer of a FINAL FANTASY XI playable character name will not be applicable in the following instances:
• If the FINAL FANTASY XIV playable character is created before an active FINAL FANTASY XI account is linked
• If, at the time that the FINAL FANTASY XIV character is created, the Content ID on the linked FINAL FANTASY XI is invalid or has been cancelled
• If the linked FINAL FANTASY XI account is within the free trial period
• If no FINAL FANTASY XI character exists on the linked FINAL FANTASY XI account
• Please note that in some instances, it may take upwards of 24 hours for the FINAL FANTASY XI character name to be selectable in FINAL FANTASY XIV
• When prompted, upon selecting the FINAL FANTASY XI character name as the FINAL FANTASY XIV playable character name, the transferred name will be the FINAL FANTASY XI player character name + FINAL FANTASY XI world name the character resides on.
• Example:
• FINAL FANTASY XI Player Character Name: Destiny
• FINAL FANTASY XI World Name: Odin
• The resulting FINAL FANTASY XIV character name: Destiny Odin

The bonuses announced in this release only apply to the Windows version. Bonuses for the PlayStation®3 version will be announced at a later time. Please note that bonuses are not valid if the FINAL FANTASY XIV service account is cancelled during the free 30-day trial period.

For more information on how to use a Square Enix Account and how to link a FINAL FANTASY XI account, please visit: http://support.na.square-enix.com/main.php?la=1&id=496