Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("Square Enix U.S.A."), the publisher of Square Enix(TM) products in North America, announced today the North American debut of FINAL FANTASY®XI for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the personal computer (PC) at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), held May 14-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. FINAL FANTASY XI, will be available for demonstration at several booths including Square Enix U.S.A. (South Hall, booth #624), Sony Computer Entertainment America (West Hall, booth #2416), ATI Technologies Inc. (South Hall, booth #646), Logitech® (South Hall, booth #1300) and NVIDIA® Corporation (South Hall, booth #1636).
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FINAL FANTASY XI is the first cross-platform massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), which allows gamers to connect to the same exact world whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a PC. The "persistent world" in FINAL FANTASY XI continues to evolve, transform and develop, even when gamers are not playing. The title offers players a chance to experience FINAL FANTASY in a completely new environment, while retaining the same award- winning visual content, innovative gameplay and deep storyline that has made the FINAL FANTASY series one of the most popular videogame series in the world, with more than 44 million units sold to date. FINAL FANTASY XI was released in Japan in May 2002 (PlayStation 2) and November 2002 (Windows), and has shipped a combined total of more than 300,000 units with over 200,000 registered users.
"FINAL FANTASY XI will unite players around the world in ways never achieved before," said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO of Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. "Implementing the latest technology, FINAL FANTASY XI will be one of the largest, most in-depth online adventures players will experience. The title will provide gamers with an unsurpassed personalized gaming experience taking them on incredible adventures, in which players control their own destinies while traveling through an expansive online universe. Console gamers will see the elements that they have come to expect from the FINAL FANTASY series, but in a completely new environment. For MMORPG players, this title promises an adventure like no other, with a compelling storyline, numerous events, boss battles and other features that are unique to the FINAL FANTASY series."
In FINAL FANTASY XI, players will embark on multiple adventures through vast environments in the world of "Vana'diel," which has more than 100 areas to explore, including mountains, forests, ice plains, deserts, oceans, rivers, castles and dungeons. Players travel through these areas using various modes of transportation including Chocobos, boats and airships. Incorporating time and climate changes, ranging from daytime to evening and desert sand, thunderstorms, fog and snow, Vana'diel's persistent world is composed of three unique regions: the Republic of Bastok, known for Industry and Might; The Kingdom of San d'Oria, called "A City Within A Fortress;" and the Federation of Windurst, founded on "The Fruits of Knowledge." These countries enjoyed a friendly relationship on the surface; however, the territorial expansion is a constant desire for all of the countries leaders, and players must choose one of these countries as their home.
Players will create their alter ego that will exist on the world of Vana'diel, choosing from a variety of races, facial features, hairstyles and colors. They will be able to play at their own pace and form parties by utilizing the various communication tools that have been incorporated into FINAL FANTASY XI, including easy-to-use chat and messaging systems. Players will become immersed in an expansive, original story that includes missions, quests and boss battles. They can participate in missions either alone or with other party members and acquire skills such as alchemy, leatherworking, jewel crafting, fishing and many more. By communicating and interacting with other members of the community, players will create a new history for the world of Vana'diel.
FINAL FANTASY XI for the PlayStation 2
Sony Computer Entertainment America will publish FINAL FANTASY XI on PlayStation 2 with the simultaneous release of the internal hard disk drive (40GB)(for PlayStation 2) in Q1 2004. FINAL FANTASY XI utilizes the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem)(for PlayStation®2) to allow players to connect online, either via broadband or dial-up connection. This structure allows anyone with an ISP and a PlayStation 2 to participate in FINAL FANTASY XI.
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows®
FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows finally brings the rich gaming experience that Square Enix has brought to console gaming for several years to the PC. Minimum specifications are as follows: 800MHz Pentium® III PC with Windows 98 operating system and DirectX® 8.1, 128 MB RAM, 6 GB Hard drive, CD-ROM drive, keyboard, 56K connection, and either the ATI® Radeon(TM) 9000 Series or NVIDIA GeForce(TM) video card with 32MB of RAM. Square Enix U.S.A. will publish FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows and is scheduled for release in Q4 2003.
Both versions will include the "Rise of the Zilart(TM)" expansion pack, which was recently released in Japan.
PlayOnline(TM)
FINAL FANTASY XI is multiplayer online game in which players play via the Internet and is playable either via broadband or dial-up connection on both the PlayStation 2 and the PC. In order to play FINAL FANTASY XI, players are required to have a stable Internet connection and will be required to register via PlayOnline, a network service created by Square Enix, which will provide a wide range of services and entertainment including online games, online entertainment and communication. PlayOnline not only serves as a portal to the world of FINAL FANTASY XI, it is a gateway to several other applications. Communication tools such as email, messaging, "Friend List," games, support, downloadable files and audio and visual customization are all part of the PlayOnline service. Players can create personalized PlayOnline identities or "handles" that allow other players to communicate with each other no matter where they are on the PlayOnline network. Details on the PlayOnline service and the FINAL FANTASY XI monthly fee will be announced at a later date.
Square Enix U.S.A. has partnered with Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), the online gaming division of Sony Pictures Digital, to provide in game support and customer service by phone for both versions of FINAL FANTASY XI as well as PlayOnline.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY XI "T" for Teen.