Gaming sites indiscriminately copy FFTA non-article For no particular reason other than to be perceived as on top of shit, several gaming sites have posted non-articles, fluffed up with irrelevant opinion, on non-information about Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - something about 300 missions and 40 jobs from a 30-word blurb at Gamefront. It is expected that heel-dragging Square sites will sluttily rehash the non-contents of whatever sources they stumble upon, irrelevant opinion and all. Except this one.
Square makes money Since Square actually expects to sell more games in Europe than in North America, that means we stupid Americans should stop bitching about every damn trivial thing you don't like about Final Fantasy Tactics Advance or Final Fantasy X-2, you myopic, self-absorbed idiots! (Point of view shift intended.) Full Article
Ocarina of Time, Ura Zelda included in US Zelda Nintendo of America has announced that your wildest dream has come true. No, I'm afraid it's not the rumored Shigeru Miyamoto/Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot collaboration, rather, US preorders for The Legend of Zelda: the Wind Waker will include the Ocarina of Time/Ura Zelda bonus disc (named "Master Quest" for US release) included in Japanese preorders (article). Zelda will be released in North America on March 24. Gamers.com ?
People are buying Xboxes in Australia According to GamePro, people are apparently buying Xboxes in Australia, where Microsoft has had an increasing market share -- just 4% less than that of Sony. We can't confirm the reliability of this report, however, and are understandably skeptical of its accuracy. Besides, I mean, who gives a shit about the Australian gaming market anyway? They sell, like, 32 consoles in the course of a year. Link
Playboy, Hugh Hefner create gaming franchise "Playboy Enterprises announced that it will partner with ARUSH Entertainment and Groove Games to produce a line of original titles based on the rise of Hef's empire... The first title in the series, which one might describe as 'SimHef,' will let players establish and build their own Playboy franchise from the ground up." I need not editorialize on this story... it's a joke enough as it is without my witty interjections. Gamers.com ?
JaRule likes looking at naked boobs and taking pictures of them In addition to the announcement that they will be producing a new gaming franchise (article), Playboy has confirmed that shitty, image-driven rapper JaRule will be photographing two naked chicks for an upcoming issue of Playboy (article). In other news, there has been no activity whatsoever in the gaming industry, resulting in fan sites having to report shit like this.
Nobuo Uematsu makes ears happy A new, arranged Final Fantasy album, titled The Black Mages, has recently been announced on Nobuo Uematsu's PlayOnline site. According to the site, The Black Mages is scheduled for a February 2003 release. Website visitors can also download a preview version of Gilgamesh's battle theme from Final Fantasy V. Link
Final Fantasy XI no longer bleeding money Square has reached the 190,000 Final Fantasy XI subscriber mark, and expects to hit 200,000 by the end of the week. With 200,000 subscribers killing and maiming their way across the virtual world of Vana'diel, Square will finally break even on the $16 million investment made on the game's development and maintenance.
GBA Seiken Densetsu details released Square has revealed more information on Shinyaku Seiken Densetsu (roughly interpreted as "Seiken Densetsu New Testament"), which appears to be patterned after Legend of Mana. As in LoM, one may choose between two main protagonists (a male "gladiator" and female heorine). Rabites (a familiar enemy in the SD series) and even Lil Cactuar, (a character from LoM) appear in the action RPG. Shinyaku is being developed by Nintendo second party Brownie Brown. Quiter
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles information released The latest info on Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was revealed in a magazine spread headlined by this curious statement: "Crystals and mana interweave." Its plot is based on a quest to purify the world's crystals by using rare "mana water." The GameCube action RPG gives you the choice of choosing among four main characters each corresponding to a different race. Up to four characters can play Chronicles simultaneously, and the game also interfaces with the GameBoy Advance, which displays status info and field position for a character. Quiter
Xenosaga censored? While forum speculation has abounded regarding the censorship of the North American version of Xenosaga, Namco reps confirmed that all of the gratuitous violence will remain intact. (Xenosaga has received an ESRB "Teen" rating.) But, one scene will be omitted; let(s just say fanboys will have one less reason to bust a nut... read for yourself (if you dare). The Monolith Soft RPG and spiritual predecessor to Xenogears is scheduled for release February 25.