- All your Final Fantasy XI in one easy-to-swallow package
 Square Enix will now be selling Final Fantasy XI in a combo packaged called Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'Diel Collection for the PC. This new package will include not only the original game but both expansions, Rise of Zilart and Chains of Promathia. This new release will ship at the price of $29.99 RPGFan
- Advent Children soundtrack prepped for release
 As recently announced by Square Enix, the two-disc original soundtrack for upcoming DVD/UMD movie Advent Children will find a Japanese release for sale and import on September 28. Following several days after Advent Children's September 13/14 release date, the album will be priced 3000 yen ($27.39 USD). Samples are available as background music on the movie's official websites. Listen
- Scorpions and Megadeth rockers on Heavy Metal Thunder
 Yeah, so, okay. Per Insertcredit, who can read Japanese, the following: "[...] for the opening theme, Japanese schlock rock group Sex Machineguns will be playing with Michael Shenker, of Scorpions and MSG fame (he's inexplicably popular in Japan, and referenced in pop culture as easily as Jimmy Hendrix would be). Also featured, Marty Friedman from Megadeth and Hawaii." and "[...] the game is command-based robot fighting, called 'robo-ress' (a play on puroresu, short for 'pro wrestling')". The main character is now named, as "denki akihabara": "Akihabara is of course the big electronics district in Tokyo, also referred to as 'electric town'. Denki indicated electricity, so there's a dual pun there." I certainly approve of this news. insertcredit
- Square Enix announces online magazine
 Showing that they have gone completely off the deep end, Square Enix introduced their online magazine, a periodical equipped with columns and developer interviews, as well as information on upcoming games, publications, movies and goods. For free, Japanese readers can subscribe and await their first August 5th edition. With this, the final cogs are in place, and the monolithic Square Enix machine begins to churn out polymorphic madness. Click for insanity
- 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
- Rescue Rangers in exciting Kingdom Hearts form
 Since the confirmation of the Pirates of the Caribbean world in the upcoming Kingdom Hearts II, a new slew of characters are making their way into the game. Included in the gang are Chip and Dale, Merlin, and Pirates character's Will Turner and Captain Barbosa. Now that we know they're involved; somehow, whatever's wrong will get solved. RPG Fan
- Advent Children set to appear on Japanese silver screen
 That's right. The news emerged just recently after the Square Enix Party trailer of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, when Square Enix announced that the movie would be set to appear in theaters across Japan on September 10th, just a few days before its scheduled September 14th DVD and UMD release. Naturally, no such plans have been announced with consideration to North American screenings, probably because of this. Our American readers may now commence pouting.
- World of Mana confirmed as polymorphic multi-genre outing
 While this much was pretty obvious from the start, World of Mana will in fact be a new franchise based on the revisitation of the universe crafted with the Mana series previously. "The Legend Lives On. Epic new tales in the Mana series are in the midst of being spun. From past to present, and on to the future, the Mana series continues to evolve. Glimpse the many facets of the World of Mana through a multitude of platforms -- glimpses that will soon unfold into an unforgettable fantasy experience. The day you can next step into the world of Mana is drawing near." -- multiplatform, several genres, and probably with online support in some fashion. Aside from the already announced Seiken Densetsu DS, however, platforms for the franchise ar up in the air. IGN
- Square Enix gauges public response to potential Final Fantasy VII PS3 overhaul
 It would appear that the Square Enix Party 2005's compilation trailer featuring clips from all the upcoming titles also showed the same "Final Fantasy VII Technical Demonstration" that we saw at E3. This of course means absolutely nothing, and certainly not that the company is in fact considering actually developing a remake of the title for the Playstation 3. Right? IGN
- Dirge of Cerberus online mode goes beta
 This monday will see the start of the Dirge of Cerberus Online beta test, where gamers will be able to playtest the online components announced earlier this week for inclusion in Dirge of Cerberus by way of the PlayOnline model. It's also possible to download some tools with nifty background pictures to test your connection. FFVII:DoC Beta
- 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.
- Grandia fights back, but looks a little similar
 Square Enix has at long last revealed information concerning Grandia III's battle system, called "initiative points" (doubtless due to poor translation). In battle, a dial appears in the upper left corner, and icons representing characters and enemies spin clockwise until they reach a "Com" line, commands are issued, and they continue to spin until they reach an "Act" line. This is, for those who may remember, a system replicated from the previous Grandia incarnation, and rolled into convenient circular form. Mana Eggs also make an appearance, and when broken will enable stronger spells. Grandia III hits Japan on August 4th. No word yet of a North American release. Official site
- Overpriced merchandise now available to touch and fondle before purchase!
 August 16th will apparently see the opening of a Square Enix merchandise store in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where you can freely opt to be extorted by the company in return for useless shiny things, like Dragon Quest slime miniatures or a variety of Final Fantasy character jewelry. Much like Nintendo's official New York store, in fact! Square Enix Character Goods Shop Show Case
- Hikki back for Kingdom Hearts 2
 Utada Hikaru will be back for the theme song of Kingdom Hearts II, which will be titled "Passion", Square Enix has revealed. Uh. That's about it. As this week is the week of Square Enix Party 2005, expect more soon.
- Square Enix goes into trademark rage
 Within one week of one another, Square Enix has filed two United States patents for both "Treasures of Aht Urhgan" and "Scars of the War". While the first is rumored to be the next in the line of Final Fantasy XI expansions, with Chains of Promathia just recently coming to a close, we can only guess as to the other; most probable: "Compilation of Final Fantasy VIII." GamesAreFun
- 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
- Radiata Stories slated for North American release
 Square Enix has now announced that Tri-Ace smash hit Radiata Stories will be released in North America on September 9, 2005 for an MSRP of $49.99 (USD). Radiata follows the story of Jack and Ridley as they meet under different and dire circumstances to make a difference in interactive environments and a real time battle system. Sporting 150 playable characters and a colossal world, it's sure to cause a ruckus come September. RPGamer
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17 Aug 2005 by 
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