- Nomura: "We're absolutely not making a FFVII remake"
 Look, I've been telling you guys for years and you just won't listen. Now even Tetsuya Nomura confirms the truth: Square Enix doesn't give a rat's ass about your misguided desire to force the company's employees into a money-losing slavish effort of reproducing a 10 year old game simply because you think Sephiroth in HD will give you a raging hard-on.
Oh yeah, IGN reports on an interview with Dorimaga in which Nomura and Kitase proclaim the abovementioned. Best part of the interview? Apparently Sakaguchi's original script for FF7 included "a character called Hot Blooded Detective Joe." IGN
- The Last Remnant in print
 The first image illustrations and in-game screenshots of Square Enix's international RPG have been surfacing in Japanese gaming magazine Dengeki. The Last Remnant marks an experiment for the game developer, both in planning a simultaneous release for Japan and North America, and a cross-platform destination for Playstation 3 and XBox 360. Recently it has been revealed that the game's artwork will be overseen by Kimihiko Miyamae and Yusuke Naora, while the soundtrack will be composed by Tsuyoshi Sekito. Details
- Dawn of Mana not fooling nobody
 Word on the street is Square Enix's Dawn of Mana ain't the best game ever. After receiving some harsh rebukes from Famitsu magazine and rebates gallore from Amazon.co.jp, the latest entry in the Seiken Densetsu series has launched in North America to lukewarm reviews. Details
- Tokita talks Final Fantasy IV
 Game producer Tomoya Asano and Takashi Tokita, the original scenario writer for Final Fantasy IV, joined Famitsu earlier this week to discuss the Final Fantasy IV Nintendo DS remake, currently in production at Square Enix. "The new content is designed to have the greatest impact on those who have played through Final Fantasy IV countless times," says Tokita. "It’ll be like meeting that girl you were in love with as a kid, but she's grown much more beautiful." Details
- Final Fantasy IV DS trailer premieres
 The first trailer for the Nintendo DS remake of Final Fantasy IV went live earlier today. The teaser includes CG cutscenes, dramatic voice acting, and fully orchestrated remixes of classic Uematsu themes. Meanwhile, Takashi Tokita, the original game's scenario writer, promises the most epic rendition of the classic RPG possible on the portable Nintendo console—broadening the scope of Final Fantasy IV's story and expanding into three dimensions, while preserving the appeal of the original 16-bit classic. But can it be done? Trailer
- Front Mission 1st headed to North America after all
 While we may have to wait until E3 for an official announcement, the chances of seeing Front Mission for the Nintendo DS in North America are looking pretty solid. In addition to the Front Mission Project blog posting a screenshot of the English-language port, Gamestop has listed the NA release date as October 2. Indeed, all signs point to English-language players gaining access to Front Mission... finally. 1st screenshot
- Critique of Games: Akito Inoue
 Square Haven had the opportunity to speak with Akito Inoue, assistant professor at GLOCOM, The Center for Global Communications at the International University of Japan, about his game-related publications in Intelplace. Akito's research sheds light on the history of videogames and anticipates the future of interactive media. Details
- Chain of Memories: A Conversation with Amanda Katsurada
 Amanda Jun Katsurada has contributed to the production of such Square games as Legend of Mana, Vagrant Story, and Kingdom Hearts as a localization specialist. Born in Gunma, Japan and graduating from Penn State University, she has studied archeology in Athens, and covered motor sports events for Japanese rally magazines. We caught up with Amanda to learn about her background in translation and interpretation, and to discuss her experiences in the videogame industry. Square Haven Interview
- チェインオブメモリーズ: Amanda Katsuradaインタビュー
Amanda Jun Katsuradaは聖剣伝説 LEGEND OF MANA、 ベーグラントストーリー, キングダムハーツなどの数々のゲームの制作に貢献したローカライゼーションのスペシャリストである。群馬県で生まれの Amandaは後にアメリカに渡り、Penn State 大学を卒業する。在学中にアテネで考古学を学んだ彼女の活躍は翻訳、ローカライゼーションだけにとどまらることを知らず、近年では日本のカーラリー雑誌でAmanda の記事を読むことが出来る。今回のインタビューでは、翻訳家や通訳としてのバックグラウンドについて、さらに、テレビゲーム業界での経験について話を聞いた。 インタビュー
- Mapping out the Square Enix Party
 Square Haven continues its report on the Square Enix Party with coverage from the show floor, including maps of the game booths, photos, and gameplay impressions. Demos of upcoming Square titles featured at the event included Final Fantasy Tactics A2: The Sealed Grimoire, Dragon Quest Swords, and Subarashiki Kono Sekai, among others. Details
- Square Enix Party: behind the swag
 Behind the swag presented to visitors of yesterday's Square Enix Party in Chiba, Japan there was more swag to be had by standing in line and playing the games. Here is a brief selection from the veritable cornucopia of Square Enix souvenirs available at the event. Images
- Here comes Takeharu Ishimoto
 People interested in game music should keep an eye out for Takeharu Ishimoto. The musician has been working with Square for years, mostly flying beneath the radar of mainstream recognititon as a synthesizer programmer. Ishimoto will be making his published soundtrack debut in a big way with Subarashi Kono Sekai, Dissidia Final Fantasy, and Crisis Core. Here's a chance to hear all his songs currently available. Music
- Initial impressions of the Square Enix Party
 The first day of the Square Enix Party in Chiba, Japan witnessed thousands of visitors to the Makuhari Messe convention center. Square Haven reports on the Amano artwork on the show floor, the cosplay displays, and various pamphlets and gifts made available to guests of the special event. An overview of the show floor, including photos of the booths and gameplay impressions, will unfold over the coming week. Images
- Square Haven to report on the Square Enix Party
 Square Haven will be attending the 2007 Square Enix Party in Chiba, Japan this Saturday and Sunday, and reporting on coverage throughout the week. Readers can expect stills from upcoming Square Enix games, along with two low-profile Square-related interviews. Japan
- Three Star Ocean titles emerge at Square Enix Party Conference
 At Square Enix's pre-party conference held today in Tokyo the company announced three Star Ocean titles are in development. Other news includes a release date for Final Fantasy XII International and first deatils on an entry for the Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon series for the Wii. Details
- Final Fantasy IV receiving DS remake
 The first scan of the Final Fantasy IV remake for Nintendo DS has appeared in the latest issue of Shonen Jump. Game development is being overseen by the team responsible for this year's popular port of Final Fantasy III, featuring similar soundtrack tweaks and 3D graphics. First scan
- Dissidia Final Fantasy unveiled for the PSP
 Today Square Enix launched a teaser site for the next Final Fantasy title for the PSP, titled Dissidia Final Fantasy. Judging by the first scan from Shonen Jump, the game is a 3D action title involving characters from assorted Final Fantasy titles, including Chaos, Kuja, and Zidane. The logo is designed by Yoshitaka Amano, while characters will be handled by Tetsuya Nomura. More information awaits to be revealed at the Square Enix Party this weekend. First scan
- Last Remnant director reveals first details
 Word is out on The Last Remnant. In the latest issue of GameInformer, director Hiroshi Takai explains the title will be the first Square RPG to make use of the Unreal Engine 3, and will debut simultaneoulsy in Japan and North America, likely on the Playstation 3 and XBox 360. The game stars two protagonists: a teenage knight named Rush Sykes and the mysterious, blood-soaked warrior dubbed "The Conqueror." First images
- The Pioneers: Yoko Shimomura
 Yoko Shimomura's parents wept with sadness when the young composer decided to take a job at Capcom following her college graduation. Today she is one of the most prominent composers of game music, and her songs from the Kingdom Hearts series have been performed by live orchestras in Japan, Australia, and the United States. Here, Square Haven takes a look at the musician's influential career thus far, supplemented by selections from her soundtracks. The Pioneers
- The Pioneers: Masashi Hamauzu
 Masashi Hamauzu is a classically trained musician and vocalist. Inheriting the talents of his father, an opera singer, the composer lent his voice to the chorus of "One Winged Angel" in Final Fantasy VII, and years later was selected to compose music for the game's long-awaited sequel. Here, ten music samples highlight the composer's career thus far, from his interning position at Square on up to his preparations for Final Fantasy XIII. The Pioneers
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05 June 2007 by 
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