- Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings headed to Europe
 The highly popular DS sequel to Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings has been confirmed for a release in Europe. As with most European releases, Revenant Wings isn't expected until after the American release. The given date -- early 2008 -- is for "all PAL territories." Pocket Gamer UK
- Game Trailers now schooling gamers on Final Fantasy history
 A little over a month ago, GameTrailers.com began its "Final Fantasy Retrospective", a survey of the Final Fantasy series, beginning with its humble origins some twenty years ago. Aside from being extremely well put-together and informative, it features references to some of our favorite embarrassing Square titles, from Alpha to 3-D Worldrunner. Now in its sixth installment featuring Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy XI, it is a comprehensive look at one of Square Enix's flagship series and a definite must-watch for any fan or historian. Now that G4 has hit rock bottom, GameTrailers.com appears to be a source for thoughtful programming woefully unavailable elsewhere. Watch Now
- Piano Squall brings tempest of music
 Various have tried, many have failed. But one, Michael Gluck, has made success out of video game music performance and recently released his album GAME--Game and Animé Music Emotions--to the delight of connoisseurs and convention goers everywhere. Square Haven recently talked to Gluck, who frequently takes on the guise of "Piano Squall", to talk with him about his musical career and his most recent accomplishment. His Story and a Review
- E3 2007 - Square Enix to bring online store stateside
 In addition to its E3 lineup announcement, Square Enix has revealed its scheme to open a North American online store. Square Enix, as a self-described "premiere [maker] of high end-collectibles" plans to stock a multitude of "popular and hard-to-find items" including Master Arms, Play Arts, and Mechanical Arts spanning various series, from Final Fantasy to Kingdom Hearts. Clearly, Square Enix has seen that someone, somewhere is making money selling its products. The immediate consequence will likely find many third-party vendors competing for profits with Square Enix itself. The Online Store
- E3 2007 - Final Fantasy XII: Zodiac Job System
 With the E3 fun underway, Square Haven starts you off with the Japanese Zodiac Job System trailer and a few tidbits about a game that, in all fairness, you'll probably never get to see. Cry with me... Details
- Sakaguchi: Final Fantasy XII sucks, Blue Dragon an extension of Chrono Trigger
 Next month's EGM has an interview with Hironobu Sakaguchi, currently at Mistwalker, in which he's asked what he thinks of Final Fantasy XII. His answer? "I just played the beginning. You really can't expect much from the game when Yasumi Matsuno, a crucial member of the team, leaves in the middle of development." Also: "When creating Blue Dragon, Dragon Quest wasn't on my mind. I was actually thinking about Chrono Trigger and Blue Dragon is an extension of that game.". More at the link! Neogaf
- Localization Tactics: A Conversation with Alexander O. Smith
 Alexander O. Smith is a localization specialist who translates Japanese media through his independent company, Kajiya Productions. His projects for Square include Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XII. We touched base with Alex to learn more about his career in the game industry, and his most recent projects adapting Square Enix games for the English-language market. Square Haven Interview
- The Pioneers: Hitoshi Sakimoto
 Hitoshi Sakimoto is currently one of the most prolific music composers in the game industry. He began his career working with Quest on the Ogre Battle series, and later joined many of the same core collaborators for Square games Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story. From Medieval strategy RPG's to sci-fi sidescrollers, the composer maintains a complex yet recognizable style across his diverse and influential titles. The Pioneers
- Famitsu awards veterans of the gaming industry
 At this year's Famitsu Awards, Hironobu Sakaguchi was distinguished as the Most Valuable Person, Nintendo won big with Pocket Monster, Mario netted the honor of character of the year, and Square's long-time RPG mainstay Akitoshi Kawazu accepted the award for best game. All in all, last year's big winner (in Famitsu's judgment, anyway) is old school gaming. Images, details
- Hitoshi Sakimoto provides exclusive music to the A Night in Fantasia website
 Eminence have unveiled a small yet fresh composition from composer Hitoshi Sakimoto on their website for their upcoming concert A Night in Fantasia. While not epic in nature, it does resemble the feel of Final Fantasy XII and does the job of providing background music well. Check it out
- Eminent Square musicians headed to Australia
 Eminence, as previously advised is holding its next two concerts in the Night in Fantasia series in Sydney and Melbourne. Joining the already superb list of guests consisting of Hitoshi Sakimoto, Yoko Shimomura, Yasunori Mitsuda (Sydney only), Junichi Nakatsuru and Masaru Shiina will be Kow Otani (Shadow of the Colossus, Haibane Renmei) and Shiro Hamaguchi (orchestrator of many modern FF pieces including One-Winged Angel. (Both of the additional guests will be in Sydney only.) Will the Mitsuda be revising his performance of signature Celtic music on the bouzouki? Be in Sydney on the weekend of April 20 or Melbourne on April 27 to find out. Read on
- Square's behind the scenes video of Final Fantasy XII
 The bonus disc of Final Fantasy XII collector's edition came replete with some candid interviews from the game's designers. Though Ivalice mastermind Yasumi Matsuno is nowhere to be found, other contributors to the epic RPG featured on-screen include scenario writer Daisuke Watanabe and translators Alexander O. Smith and Joseph Reeder, art directors Hideo Minaba and Isamu Kamikokuryou, along with CG director Eiji Fujii. Character designer Akihiko Yoshida also tells how he set out to design visuals that had never been seen before by blending medieval armor with mountain biking gear. Video interviews
- UK cosplayers queue up for Final Fantasy XII
 Square Enix held its official Final Fantasy XII Cosplay competition in Central London this weekend to celebrate the release of the epic RPG in the United Kingdom. Free t-shirts and posters were apologetically handed out at the event in an effort to compensate for the late European release, while producer Akitoshi Kawazu and co-director Hiroshi Minagawa were on-hand to sign paraphernalia. Final Fantasy XII is on sale now in Europe and Australia. Pics
- Patrick Stewart lends Britishness to Final Fantasy XII
 *Update* As reported by kotaku, Patrick Stewart has been hired to record voice overs for the Final Fantasy XII advertisements to appear in Australia and the UK. The lauded Yorkshire-born Shakespearian actor is most widely known as bald and virile Starfleet officer Jean-Luc Picard, and paraplegic and virile Professor Xavier of the X-Men. David Dyett, European Marketing Director of Square Enix Ltd. comments, "As our first and only choice, we're thrilled that Patrick Stewart has provided the voiceover for the Final Fantasy XII television campaign in the UK and Australia." Watch the UK trailer
- A Night in Fantasia set to be Nirvana
 Eminence, which has brought us several concerts featuring game music and a home to our very own Nephtis has recently announced an upcoming set of performances which strives to rival their previous engagements in both scope and sheer star power. Curious? Read on. More
- Square rakes in dough; may make bread
 Square Enix recently released their most recent fiscal results, accompanied by some rather interesting shipping figures and a new profit projection to boot. Should you care? Don't answer that! Just click on! Read More
- Balthier Bunansa all over Ivalice
 After piloting the Strahl to a perfect famitsu score in Japan and record sales in North America, Final Fantasy XII's Balthier Bunansa is broadening his horizons. He helped land the Playstation 2 title Gamespot, IGN, and Edge Magazine's awards for best game of 2006. Now he is set to debut in European territories on February 23. But will this mark the end of Balthier's adventures? Hardly. His upcoming destinations are the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. The Ivalice Trilogy of Balthier
- Setting the Stage for Balthier: A Conversation with Gideon Emery
 Gideon Emery hails from Windsor, Berkshire and studied theatre at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. He has acted extensively in South Africa, on stage, screen and radio, and received the National Vita Award for Comedy for his performance in the play Heel Against the Head. Today he is here to talk about his role in Final Fantasy XII as the sky pirate Balthier Bunansa. Square Haven Interview
- Not Afraid To Be Strong: A Conversation with Kari Wahlgren
 Kari Wahlgren gave voice to such anime characters as Haruka of Cartoon Network's FLCL and Robin of Witch Hunter Robin. This afternoon she is talking to Square Haven about some of her experiences portraying two of Square Enix's most memorable recent characters: Final Fantasy XII's Lady Ashe and Dirge of Cerberus's Shelke. Square Haven Interview
- FFXII sets new shipping record; indignant fans demand greater cult status
 A Square Enix press release has announced that the recently-unleashed and well reviewed Final Fantasy XII has set a new shipping record for the series, coming at 1.5 million U.S. copies, just over 60% of total Japanese sales to date. The number is promising, but if sales drop out the dust-collection record still stands. 1up
- Final Fantasy XII sequel, three additional titles announced
 The news hit hard today with the most recent issues of Japanese gaming magazines VJump and Famitsu: Square Enix has unveiled no fewer than four titles currently under development for the Nintendo DS and Playstation 2. Alas, not a single one was Chrono Break. Click on to learn about Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix, Subarashiki no Sekai: It's a Wonderful World, and Heroes of Mana. Read More
- Quarter financial results: Squeenix in the green
 The results are in for the first quarter of the current fiscal year and Square Enix has turned a profit of 888 million yen ($7.60 million USD) from 37.20 billion yen ($318.21 million USD) of sales. This constitutes a tripling of sales and no less than sixteen times the same quarter's profits last year. More specifically, titles such as Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria and Dragon Quest VIII selling in Japan and Europe contributed to the 363 million yen ($3.11 million USD) profit of the Square Enix game division, while the official Final Fantasy XII strategy guide also did its part by increasing the profits of the publishing division more than one hundred percent. A new Final Fantasy XI expansion (along with original title's XBox release) helped boost online sales sixty percent. The only loser was Square Enix's subsidiary Taito, whose acquisition you may recall to have been just under a year ago; it has since suffered an operating loss of 663 million yen ($5.67 million USD). No, there is nothing clever to say. Merely weep at the loss of money.
- Square Enix sweeps Playstation Awards
 Evil overlord and Sony Computer Entertainment president Ken Kutaragi presided over the tenth annual Playstation Awards yesterday, where Final Fantasy XII received the Double Platinum Award for breaking the two million sales mark since its release in March. Meanwhile, Kingdom Hearts II was graced with the Platinum Award and Dirge of Cerberus came away with a Gold Award alongside Namco's Tales of the Abyss and Banpresto's wonderfully named Daiji Super Robot Taisen Alpha: Shuuen no Ginga he. It looks like Squeenix is on a roll. A Picture
- Final Fantasy XII receives NA release date, special edition
 Square Enix has finally confirmed that the North American release date for their considerably anticipated and highly vaunted Final Fantasy XII will fall on October 31, 2006. The standard retail price is to be $49.99 USD, but where opportunity for more profit lies, there will be a special edition. FFXII's special edition, which will release only in EB and Gamestop stores, will include not only a steel collector's case, but also Japanese and American trailers, in-depth developer interviews, an art gallery, and featurettes of the history of Final Fantasy--all for $59.99 USD. Rumors that Yoichi Wada will be including a self-addressed envelope for stuffing cash to send directly to his office have been greatly exaggerated. Famitsu
- An E3 2006 approaches. Command?
 Square Enix's lineup for this year has 14 HP and a lot of mana to spare. Oh, and there's a new title for Seiken Densetsu IV... Link
- Square Enix profits fall and tumble
 Despite more optimistic initial numbers, Square Enix has since lowered its projections for the 2005/2006 fiscal year, with net sales at 125 billion yen ($1.06 billion USD) and net profit at 10 billion yen ($84.67 million USD), the latter figure a whopping 42.9% lower than previous estimations. Although high-profile titles such as Kingdom Hearts II and Final Fantasy XII helped to bolster sales, profits were damaged by the lack of top-sellers during the period from April through September. And despite the relative success of Final Fantasy XI, Squeenix's other MMO ventures have not gone successfully; likely the cause of their discontinued Everquest II support. What course will the company take in light of these events? That is difficult to say, but with the inability to point a finger squarely at Hironobu Sakaguchi, a renewed business strategy may be necessary. Game Daily
- Final Fantasy XII goes double-platinum
Now two weeks into its Japanese release, Final Fantasy XII has sold an estimated 2.08 million copies, making it more popular in these, its early days, than either Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2. Could this be a positive sign or just another instance of mass fanboyism? Game Science
- Final Fantasy XII soundtrack set for release
 April 19 will see the Japanese release of the Final Fantasy XII Original Soundtrack, which features main composition by Hitoshi Sakimoto with various thematic inserts by Nobuo Uematsu. The limited edition package, priced at around ?3990, with imports running anywhere from $32.66 to $38.90 USD, will come packaged in a DVD case and include both the four-disc soundtrack and a twenty-eight page booklet. Picture
- Final Fantasy XII receives perfect Famitsu score
 In a historic event, Final Fantasy XII has ravaged the innards of Japanese Famitsu in this, its week before release, and earned itself a perfect rating of 40 points. The consequences are quite dire. Full Article
- Final Fantasy XII memory card bundle announced
 To round out the Final Fantasy XII experience, Japan's Hori has announced its newest line of Final Fantasy XII memory cards. A limited edition memory card bundle will include not only the card itself, graced with the FFXII logo, but also a case to hold two such cards and an additional six stickers, presumably for aesthetic variety. With a suggested retail price of 3,200 yen ($27.14 USD), expect to be saving your games with your Final Fantasy XII controller on your Final Fantasy XII memory card using your Final Fantasy XII Playstation 2 while you sip gently on Final Fantasy XII Potion when Final Fantasy XII releases on March 16. Picture
- Bottoms up to Final Fantasy XII potions
 Because gamers have money and get thirsty, Suntory has released details on its Final Fantasy XII Potion beverage line. Its 120mL bottles contain not only herbs and nutritional supplements to relax and energize, but a 191 yen ($1.66 USD) price tag that is sure to relax and lighten wallets when the drink releases in Japan on March 7th. Of course, Suntory will also offer a "Final Fantasy XII Premium Box" containing a 100 mL bottle, decorative cork, and a Final Fantasy XII art museum card. With six types of corks and twenty-seven cards, even grumpy middle-aged Japanese men will be compelled to collect them all! Pictures
- Final Fantasy XII controller announced
 Game peripheral maker Logicool has announced that a special edition Final Fantasy XII controller will release alongside the title on March 16th. This white cordless controller will come stamped with the Final Fantasy XII logo and include a convenient LCD cleaner. Shiny. GPara
- Final Fantasy XII-branded PS2 on the way
 March 16 will not only see the release of Final Fantasy XII, but also a Sony-released bundle of the Playstation 2 ceremoniously branded with the Judge Master design. The package will not only include an actual system, but also a cell phone strap, vertical stand, and a copy of Final Fantasy XII itself. GameWatch
- Square commits seppuku; re-delays Final Fantasy XII? UPDATE: apparently not
 So, remember "finally", it was coming out on March 16, 2005? News in the new issue of Famitsu suggests that Square's "already oft-delayed title" is looking at a "new delay", with its new release squarely placed in the realm of "TBA". Your anger is my anger. I guess the shitty demo that came with Dragon Quest VIII is proof enough that this game doesn't really exist and they're just using it to sell the Enix side of the company. Update: so they clarified that Famitsu is full of shit and the game is shipping as planned. Woowoo!
- Dragon Quest VIII US to come with Final Fantasy XII demo
 Final Fantasy XII will see its first glimpse of public North American soil this November when Dragon Quest VIII arrives on its shores, complete with a demo of the game whose presence will probably draw people more than it will those who don't mind sitting through the super saiyan'ed up uberversion of the Japanese megalith. So you can be glad about that. Besides the DBZ unique selling point and the likeliness of Akira Toriyama's name being plastered on the box, DQ8's US appearence will also introduce a fully orchestrated score akin to that of the Dragon Quest V remake's, as well as numerous improvements to the gameplay system and menu interface design. Suffice it to say that Japanese gamers will probably not have to wait long until they, too, can play this superior American version. For 12000 yen.
- Next-gen Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest may see publication on multiple platforms
 Japanese newspaper Mainichi received some more exclusive information snippets in the form of Wada commenting that the next-gen FF and DQ games may be released on two or more platforms. He didn't mention which two, however, although at this point it doesn't mean anything considering Nintendo is tightlipped about any announcements. Nevertheless, Wada argues that releasing its two primary franchises across platforms would allow the company to appeal to a wider audience, which is just common sense, really. Look to Final Fantasy XI for an example of how Square Enix may approach the problem (and consider the platform independent PlayOnline model while you do).
- Square Enix Party 2005 Overview
It's been one busy weekend, and a lot to keep straight, so the Haven offers you this less-than-interactive guide to Square Enix Party 2005. Full Article
- FFXII delay and Matsuno mystery finally explained
 Although Yasumi Matsuno, revered visionary responsible for such exceptional works of art as Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story, remains listed as the man credited for "original concept/scenario/supervision" on Final Fantasy XII, he has apparently been very ill for a long time, which would explain 1up's earlier comments about him not being at work for a month. In a message on the official website, Matsuno mentions his regret for being uninvolved for so long but that the project is in good hands now: indeed, Hiroyuki Ito (director of FFIX) and Hiroshi Minagawa (Matsuno's Quest buddy) have taken over directing, and the rest of the staff hasn't really changed much. He also states that he's well again and that the project will meet its targeted release date of March 16, 2006 in Japan. Akitoshi Kawazu replaces Hironobu Sakaguchi as the series' executive producer. FF12.com
- Matsuno off FFXII team, says 1up
"Former director Yasumi Matsuno is no longer working on Final Fantasy XII" -- if we're to believe 1up's investigative reporting, then Matsuno is officially no longer involved with the game. "When part of the FFXII team was said to have left Square-Enix for Hironobu Sakaguchi's new development studio, Mist Walker, Matsuno was reported to have not shown up for work for a month until the crisis was resolved." What's he working on now? Not even 1up knows: "In fact, we're not sure what Matsuno is working on now, and whether he was kicked off the team or if he voluntarily removed himself, although he is still said to be at Square." Once again, Sakaguchi screwed everything up! 1up FFXII article
- Final Fantasy XII receives Japanese release date; fucking finally
With the opening of the Square Enix Party 2005, our good friends at Square Enix finally announced that a release date for the greatly anticipated Final Fantasy XII would be announced; and then announced it! Contrary to popular speculation, the release of FFXII would not coincide with the Rapture, but rather a more reasonable Japanese release of March 16, 2006. While this may seem like a long ways away, cries of cheer already echo around the world, as men party naked and women weep of joy. Square Haven will bring you more information as it arises.
- More Final Fantasy XII information revealed
 While no actual release date has yet been provided, Square Enix has at least taken the liberty to release some further information on Final Fantasy XII. For instance, the dark haired man in many scans is now Vayne Kaldas Soridor, the son and heir to Arcadia, and he is described as holding compassion for commoners despite his immense power. Two new summons have also been revealed: Hashmarim the earth summon and Berias (Velius) the fire summon; names taken directly from Final Fantasy Tactics. More information will be revealed, swears Enix, at the coming Square Enix Party 2005. SquareNet
- Hey, let's publish some news about Square Enix Party 2005
So apparently there's some new news regarding the upcoming Square Enix Party 2005, which is set to occur July 30-31 somewhere in Japan. Final Fantasy XII will be there. That fact alone virtually warrants coverage! The details
- Final Fantasy XII will be playable at Square Enix Party 2005
Square Enix has announced that the Square Enix Party 2005 event, which Wada said would show off the revamped Final Fantasy XII in playable form, will be held from July 30-31 in Makuhari Hall, Tokyo. The company will also show other new games, which will probably primarily consist of the new Compilation of Final Fantasy VII and Code Age titles. But we don't care about that shit.
- E3: Youchi Wada Q/A
 A Q&A session between members of the press and Wada & Hashimoto unveiled some (fairly obvious) details concerning topics like Xbox 360, PlayOnline, Before Crisis, Advent Children and World of Mana. Full Article
- E3: Final Fantasy XII delayed until 2006?
A photo taken by French gaming website JeuxFrance shows the release date overview Square Enix showed at its press conference, which quite obviously displays Final Fantasy XII as a 2006 "fiscal year" release (now - March 31 2006). This puts the game into 3 years of development time. Bah.
- First Final Fantasy XII media of 2005 surfaces
 What??? What is happening this week?! I can't take all the pressure! See the stupendous new screen that took one year of development time to churn out
- E3 2005: Squenix vaunts Polymorphism in full swing; still can't provide Final Fantasy XII release date; Kingdom Hearts II voice actors confirmed
"Square Enix, Inc. to Unveil Massive Lineup at The Electronic Entertainment Expo," states the press release furiously. But the list is unimpressive: there's nothing new save for the odd mobile phone title, and the release dates we're so fanboyishly begging for fail to appear as well. Nevertheless, here's the full list
- Square Enix 'fesses up to lacking Final Fantasy XII details
 Our decreasingly beloved company today released a short comment detailing its plans to release one major game a month starting next business year in Japan, but admitted that its priorities are slightly off-kilter: "It has yet to set a date for the introduction of its newest Final Fantasy game.", as reported by Bloomberg. Jesus Christ. Goddamn
- Final Fantasy XII officially MIA, says Square Haven
Weekly Famitsu this week reports news from the suddenly curiously anonymous Square Enix development team working on Final Fantasy XII, dishing out the unforgivingly enticing teasers like "When the weather gets a little warmer, we'd like to bring you some big news and the latest information." The rest of the magazine impressively sports a rehash of what we've already seen. The team's spirits remain at an everlasting high, however: "We've had lots of support from everyone, and we've been working constantly without eating or sleeping to increase the quality of the product!" Rewriting the game from scratch, presumably. But the game might see the light of day yet, it seems, as the dev team proclaims, "If we can continue to receive your support this year, we'd be very happy." So that the company doesn't entirely write off your game, then?
- What happened to Final Fantasy XII?
Thanks to Video-Fenky for noting Hiroki Tachibana's column on biglobe that goes into speculative detail about potential reasons for Final Fantasy XII's disappearance from the worldwide gaming radar. More inside!
- Final Fantasy XII slips into next business year
 Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports that Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has stated that Final Fantasy XII will not be released this business year in Japan. The business year ends on March 31st, 2005, making an effective publication of the title before April impossible. This will no doubt mean a large dip in projected profits for the company, although for the consumer it may mean a more evened up distribution of the company's three pillars during 2005, as FFXII, Kingdom Hearts II and Advent Children have all yet to appear. FFXII remains without a release date for NA and Europe.
- Offical FFXII update; racially charged images abound
Days after the fact, Square Enix has updated its Final Fantasy XII website with previous race information, in addition to new Moogle, Banga, and Seeq art and images. This, of course, lends itself to another opportunity to abuse the word "race". FFXII official site
- Famitsu gets racial; no charges pressed
New information emerges concerning the races of Ivalice and the racial controversies which surround them. Full Article
- FFXII site updated with race information
A new section of the Final Fantasy XII official site has been opened, revealing new details about the races of Ivalice. Currently, the only information available concerns the "Humes", an intelligent race which eats up a 40% piece of the population pie, and the Viera, slender-bodied and silver-haired forest peoples with a tremendous longevity. The Viera, who come in light-skinned and dark-skinned varieties ("Veena" and "Vana", respectively) have their numbers split between forest inhabitation and Hume integration. Sounds a bit politically charged, really... FFXII official site
- New Final Fantasy XII Music Samples
 Square Enix has updated its official FFXII website with three musical snippets from the game's soundtrack, in anticipation of the title's spring 2005 Japanese release. Meanwhile, the rest of us wallow in sel |
08 Oct 2007 by 
