Square-Enix: FFXIII visuals will get you hooked

Finally North American and European gamers know exactly when Final Fantasy 13 will be in store shelves in their respectful regions and they couldn't be happier. A lot of details were released today, including inside information on the visuals of the game. In fact Square-Enix believes lovers and new comers alike will be so impressed by how realistic the game looks that they'll be hooked by the visuals.

Here's Final Fantasy Art Director Isamu Kamikokuryo on the visuals and futuristic feel of the game:

"I wanted anyone who stepped in the world of Final Fantasy to get hooked on the extraordinary visuals," he said. "The blend of futuristic technology with the wild nature and ecosystem is unlike anything anyone has seen before."

"Each location and scene has detailed vision and beauty that brings the images to life," Isamu concluded.

The hype train is in full throttle now, and expect more important details on the 13th of every month leading to the game's release.

Get that credit card and pre-order the gem right now.

11.13.09 Ernice Gilbert

Sqaure-Enix has officially revealed FFXII box art

The biggest RPG this generation, has finally received some art. Inspiring, I think. See it here.

It was supposed to have a totally different look, but you know how things change.

What you just saw might well be the very same one that'll be on the western copy, so don't be surprised if it's just that. Usually box arts are the same universally, so we're pretty sure Square will keep this.

Final Fantasy is out on December 17th in Japan exclusively for the PS3, and in NA and Europe next spring.

11/03/09 Ernice Gilbert

Square-Enix lowers profits forecast by 65% following layoffs

Square-Enix is the company behind the biggest RPG in all of gaming, the Final Fantasy franchise. It's also been a while since it released a new title in the long running series. Also, earlier this year, the publisher/developer acquired studio behind the Tomb Raider games, Eidos Interactive for $121 million. In light of the aforementioned, it's not amazing that they're lowering profit forecasts.

The company issued a revision to its 2010 fiscal year forecasts, and have lowered expectations for first half profits by 65% to 2.6 billion yen ($28.4 million).

According to Square-Enix, a number of "special factors" contributed to forecast revisions, including an unfavorable exchange rate and the cost of premium severance pay packages for laid off staff.

What is not mentioned in the revised forecast, is the fact that the publishing giant is expecting profits in the second half of the year to skyrocket as Final Fantasy XIII is released in Japan on December 17th, and world wide next spring.

Get the full vibe here.

10/31/09 Ernice Gilbert

Final Fantay XIII TGS trailer now in English

Tired of all those Japanese FFXIII trailers? Yeah, me too. That was some serious "epicness" wouldn't you say? Think I might move to Japan on December 18th, one day after the release of FFXIII. I'll bypass the buying frenzy that'll undoubtedly happen, stay about a week, and then come back home after I've completed the game. So you ask why not just import the bad boy, and I say to you I won't, reason being I can't speak Japanese, and, well, need a Japanese interpretor's help, to which you'll say I could find someone right here in the states, and then I'll just yell at you. I'M GOING TO JAPAN!

Ah, see what I did there? I'm looking for an excuse to visit the orient, you, nor my wife will stop me this time around. December 18th can't get here soon enough. At least I'll be able to watch the TGS trailer with English subtitles while I wait. Square-Enix's localization crews need to take classes from the team who did this. So yes, I'll be in Japan alright, if only in my dreams. check the video after the jump.

09/30/09 Ernice Gilbert

Square-Enix looking to sell over six million copies of Final Fantasy XIII

The company behind one of the most respected Franchise, is hoping the latest installment will eclipse sales of its predecessors. CEO Yoichi Wada hopes, after making the once PS3 exclusive a multi-platform game, that sales will go well beyond the record set by Final Fantasy VII, this means FFXIII would have to go past the six million mark. Wada also stressed that the company was looking to establish some new IPs that would, in essence, take some load off of the already established names like, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy.

Wada continues, saying the company is striving for eight IPs that would constantly provide 2million units sales for the publishing giant. With development time lasting around 2years, the company hopes to release a game every quarter.

Square-Enix recently bought struggling developer Eidos Interactive for $117million, and is said to be changing its name to Square-Enix Europe, a testament to Yoichi and his team's global outlook.

Source

09/30/09 Ernice Gilbert

New Final Fantasy XIII trailer released publicly by Square-Enix

A Final Fantasy XIII trailer that was showcased a while back at Square-Enix's premier party and more recently at the Tokyo Game Show, has now been publicly recently by the company. It is available on the Japanese Playstation store for download if you have an account, but you can watch it here after the jump.

The trailer is simply incredible. A new character is also revealed in the form of an unnamed tattooed woman who's role is yet to be known.

Final Fantasy XIII will be available in Japan Exclusive for the PS3 on December 17th 2009, and spring 2010 for Europe and North America on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

09/28/09 Ernice Gilbert

Final Fantasy XIII PS3 Slim Bundle, makes me jealous

Don't you just love how Sony always seem to give the Japanese all the cool stuff? I mean really, look at this whitish, pinkish, "lightning" theme Final Fantasy XIII PS3 Slim. Just sweet. On top of that, the limited PS3s will boast a 250GB HDD, and will be out on December 17th 2009.

Square also said they plan on releasing FFXIII in North America and Europe Spring of 2010. The game is one of the most highly anticipated titles this generation, and has been the at center of heated debates, especially after Yoshinori Kitase announced at E3 08, that the once Playstation exclusive will be making its debut on the Xbox 360. Controversy or not, gamers from the world over will be getting their hands on this gem on day one of its release. Hec, some will even import the Japanese version; that's how good it is.

09/24/09 Ernice Gilbert

Famitsu predicts FFXIII Will sell 1million copies first week in Japan

Famitsu is usually accurate when it provides sales forecast for upcoming games. So don't be surprised if their latest prediction is laser sharp. Famitsu sees about 1million copies of Final Fantasy 13 flying off store shelves all across Japan, in the first week of the game's release on December 17th 2009. This comes as no surprise, as Final Fantasy is Japan's GTA, or their Halo, or whatever. But with estimates like these, it's hard to ignore the potential PS3 sales boost that'll undoubtedly follow suit.

Microsoft could sure use FFXIII in that part of the world, but It won't happen, (at least not yet), since the game is exclusive to the PS3 in Japan. The publication also provided forecasts for games such as Wii Fit Plus, Gran Turismo PSP, Tekken 6 amongst others. Check the full list here.

09/21/09 Ernice Gilbert