Final Fantasy Wiki:Shinra News
Talk286this wiki
Welcome to Shinra News (formerly Current Events, Midgar Press and Bonga Bugle), the propaganda machine of the Shinra Electric Power Company, now hosted at the Final Fantasy Wiki. Here, special news pertaining to the Wiki and the Final Fantasy series that grab our attention will be reported for all to read. Anyone can start a news report, but be sure to leave the date, location, source and sign your report with three tildes (~~~) before sending in to the printing press.
News reports should be structured in a chronological manner, with recent issues posted at the top. To post a reaction or write a comment, follow the links provided according to the respective news link. Remember, only news related to the Wiki and to the Final Fantasy series are allowed. Let's work together as a community to maintain the newsletter! If you find that our reports are either incorrect or incomplete, feel free to edit them as you feel fit. Just be sure to include a note that you've edited it with (''Edited by'') along with those same ~~~ below the original reporter's name.
After reporting news, please place a mention of it along with a direct link to that section on this page: /News Box, so that it will appear on the Main Page. To save space, please limit news entries on the News Box to only five.
Old news are in the Archives:
- Archive I - 2006
- Archive II - 2007
- Archive III - 2008
- Archive IV - 2009
- Archive V - 2010
- Archive VI - 2011
- Archive VII - 2012
June 2013
Edit
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn coming to PS4Edit
June 10th by DiamondEdge
During Sony's conference on E3 2013, it has been announced that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released on PS4, and remain exclusive to sony platforms on consoles, being also available on PS3.
No further details have been announced.
Source - IGN
Final Fantasy Versus XIII has been rebranded as Final Fantasy XVEdit
June 10th by Drake Clawfang
Edited by 8bit
During E3 2013, Tetsuya Nomura appeared via a pre-taped announcement to show a trailer for Versus XIII, ending with the game's logo shattering and reforming to show its title is now Final Fantasy XV. A spokesman for Sony stated the game is for the upcoming Playstation 4.
Square-Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy XV will be available for the Xbox One as well.
Sources - Siliconera - Gametrailers
Final Fantasy XIII-2 is coming to North American PSN Store next weekEdit
June 8th by Monterossa
Final Fantasy XIII-2, the direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII is coming to North American PSN Store next Tuesday, according to the official US PlayStation Blog.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be the first downloadable Final Fantasy of the 7th generation consoles.
TheSpeedGamers to marathon Final Fantasy for charityEdit
June 8th by Jeppo
TheSpeedGamers are to host a Marathon playing all of the main series Final Fantasy games between 24th June and the 1st July to raise money for ACT Today, an American charity devoted to helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Previously TheSpeedGamers hosted a Final Fantasy marathon back in 2009. Their initial aim was to raise $20,000 for ACT Today, but by the end of the marathon they had raised over $50,000, during which they had also broken the Guinness World Gaming Record for the longest relay on a Japanese RPG with a total of 168 hours.
Source: [3]
Square Enix announces their E3 LineupEdit
June 6th by Kimlasca warrior
Square Enix has recently announced its lineup for E3 2013, mentioning Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII among their Final Fantasy products to be presented. There will also be a media session from Square Enix called Future of Final Fantasy that will be limited only to the press before E3 begins. More detailed information about the rest of their lineup and details about the Future of Final Fantasy are available within the sources.
Lightning Returns set for a release in February 2014Edit
June 6th by Paramina
After projecting an initial release date of Autumn 2013, Square Enix has announced that Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be released on February 11th in North America, and February 14th in Europe.
The announcement was made in an E3 trailer that was released for the game, which you can watch over at the source site.
Source: [6]
Final Fantasy Tactics for iOS has been updated with high resolution graphicsEdit
June 5th by Monterossa
Square Enix has updated Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for iOS with redrawn unit graphics and map textures. All of the units are now in high-resolution and draw speeds have been increased, addressing some crashing issues.
The game is half off starting today until June 12th; the price of Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is $7.99 for iPhone and $8.99 for iPad.
Sources - [7]
Final Fantasy IV remake now available for AndroidEdit
June 5th by Keltainentoukokuu
The remake version of Final Fantasy IV that was released for iOS last year, has now come out for Android and is available at Google Play Store.
Source: [8]
May 2013Edit
New Final Fantasy IX quest discovered 13 years laterEdit
May 28th by jeandeve, edited by Tia-Lewise
YouTube user GarlandTheGreat has uploaded a video showing a sidequest present in Final Fantasy IX that, until now, was pretty much unknown outside Japan.
"People dig up random little easter eggs and bugs in old games all the time. What they don't often find are entire side-quests which have somehow remained hidden from view for over a decade."
The sidequest has been known to Japanese players since the Final Fantasy IX Ultimania was released, but went unnoticed by Western players until forum member The_Kusabi_ posted a translation of the sidequest from the Ultimania on the GameFAQs messageboard, which was quickly confirmed by fellow member MysterPixel as a legitimate sidequest still present in the English version.
Sources - Kotaku Jeuxvideo.com GameFAQs thread
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn to be released on August, 27th; collector's edition revealedEdit
May 23rd by DiamondEdge
Square Enix has announced the release date for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. The game will be released worldwide on August, 27th, for PC and PlayStation 3. Pre order bonuses include early access to the game, a Cait Sith minion, and a moogle cap helmet.
The collector edition has also been revealed, and will come with a 80-page hardcover artwork book, a bonus disc with cinematics telling the Seventh Umbral Era events, a music disc, five art cards, a Square Enix account security token and four in game items: The Helm of Light, designed after the Warrior of Light's helmet, a baby behemoth minion, a coeurl mount and behemoth chocobo barding. The Collector Edition box cover features an exclusive artwork by Yoshitaka Amano.
The PlayStation 3 discs will be sold for $79.99 (Collector edition) and $39.99 (Standard Edition), while digital download prices will be announced later.
Windows versions will be sold for $69.99 (Collector edition), $49.99 (Digital collector edition) and $29.99 (Standard edition, both packaged and digital).
Players who bought the original release's Collector Edition will receive all in game items, and players who bought the standard game will be able to buy a "digital upgrade" to receive those items.
Source - Playstation EU Blog
Final Fantasy XIV official website
Final Fantasy VIII coming to PC with enhanced graphicsEdit
May 17th by Drake Clawfang
Final Fantasy VIII has been announced to be re-released for PC, but it won't simply be the same game. Square Enix is planning to upgrade the graphics of the original game, and other new content is being discussed. North American and European players may know that Chocobo World, a Pocket Station game that linked with Final Fantasy VIII, was never released outside Japan but the content it unlocked in Final Fantasy VIII remained in the game. The previous PC release of the game included Chocobo World, so presumably this re-release would do the same.
Source - Famitsu via Siliconera
Final Fantasy XIII-2 being re-released with DLC bundleEdit
May 13th by Drake Clawfang
Final Fantasy XIII-2 is going to be re-released in Japan under Square Enix's "Ultimate Hits" label. Titled "Final Fantasy XIII-2 Digital Contents Selection", it will be released on July 18th for 5,040 yen (approximately $50 US). The base game will be available in stores and for download, retailing at 2,940 yen or 2000 Microsoft Points. A DLC bundle containing the same DLC included on the "Ultimate Hits" re-release will also be made available for download for 2,100 yen or 1,360 Microsoft points, approximately $21 US.
The DLC bundle includes all six Coliseum fights (Omega, PuPu, Gilgamesh, Ultros and Typhon, Lightning and Lieutenant Amodar, and Jihl Nabaat), Serah's White Mage, Summoner and Beachwear outfits, Noel's Black Mage, Battle Attire and Spacetime Guardian outfits, Mog's Wondrous Wardrobe outfits, Serah's Genji Bow, Noel's Catastrophe Blade and Muramasa, and the three bonus episodes for Lightning, Sazh and Snow.
There is no word yet if North America or Europe will receive a similar bundle.
Source - Siliconera
First Final Fantasy X-2 HD screenshots releasedEdit
May 9th by FFfangirl
The first screenshots of the HD remaster of Final Fantasy X-2 have been released, showing off the upgraded character models and textures.
Source: Square-Enix Europe Blog
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn To Be Released This SummerEdit
May 1st by Drake Clawfang
The updated remastering of Final Fantasy XIV is scheduled to enter its third phase of beta testing this June. At this time the Playstation 3 version of the game will be playable, and PC and PS3 players will be able to play together freely. Phase 3 will also introduce the city states Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa. There is no confirmed release date for the final product yet, but it cannot be far off.
Source - Siliconera
April 2013Edit
Distant Worlds To Be Released On Blu-RayEdit
April 28th by Drake Clawfang
As part of Final Fantasy's 25th anniversary celebration last year, Square Enix held a Distant Worlds concert in Tokyo last year. In June, a Blu-Ray recording of the concert will be available for purchase in Japan. The video will have nineteen songs performed by full orchestra with accompanying vocals for songs with lyrics. The songs include Not Alone, Blinded By Light, Eyes On Me, Battle With the Four Fiends, One-Winged Angel, and series stables such as Prelude, the Chocobo Theme, and the Final Fantasy main theme.
The video will retail for 6,500 yen, approximately $66 US, but it is unknown if it will be sold to North American or European fans.
Source - Siliconera
Remastered Super NES Sound Tracks ComingEdit
April 27th by Drake Clawfang
Square Enix has announced remastered soundtracks for Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V, and Final Fantasy VI. Final Fantasy IV Original Soundtrack Remaster Version will be released July 3rd, with the release dates for the other two to be announced. First print copies of the soundtracks will have illustrations by Yoshitaka Amano on the cover.
Source - Siliconera
Final Fantasy Tactics Goes SocialEdit
April 26th by Drake Clawfang
Square Enix has announced a new social game titled Final Fantasy Tactics S. The details are light thus far, but the game will cast the player as a clan master commanding different jobs to restore luster to the Crystal. A teaser site for the game depicts familiar jobs and monsters based on Final Fantasy Tactics sprites, such as Flan, Behemoth, Demon Wall, and jobs including Black Mage, Elementalist, and Dragoon. Viera, Moogles and Seeq are included among the sprites.
Source - Teaser website.
Bravely Default: Flying Fairy to See Overseas ReleaseEdit
April 3rd by Drake Clawfang
The website Siliconera has confirmed that Bravely Default: Flying Fairy will see a release for English-speaking audiences. The site states the information came from "trusted sources" during the Game Developers Conference.
Source - Siliconera
March 2013Edit
Final Fantasy III released for OuyaEdit
March 30th by Keltainentoukokuu
The Android-based Ouya platform now features the 3D version of Final Fantasy III originally released on Nintendo DS.
Official Final Fantasy III website
Source: [9]
Yoichi Wada resigns as Square Enix CEOEdit
March 26th by Some Color Mage
Following a forecast showing massive losses for the company, Yoichi Wada has resigned from the position of CEO of Square Enix, effective June. He will be replaced by Yosuke Matsuda, Representative Director and Chief Financial Officer. The reason given for this change is "Renewal of the Company's management team", meaning it is possible more changes are coming.
Source: Press release
Final Fantasy V to appear on Japanese iOS on March 28thEdit
March 20th by Kaimi, edited by Some Color Mage
As announced late last year through the trailer for Final Fantasy IV iOS port, Final Fantasy V is soon to be released in Japan on iOS. The game contains upgraded graphics, on quality par with Final Fantasy Dimensions, as well as upgraded portraits. All GBA extras will be included in the iOS port as well.
An Android release is scheduled sometime after summer.
Source: Final Fantasy Network – Final Fantasy V iOS announced for Japan
Final Fantasy X HD to be Bundled with Final Fantasy X-2Edit
March 19th by FF9, edited by Keltainentoukokuu
The Final Fantasy X HD remaster has been revealed to have Final Fantasy X-2 bundled with it on the Japanese PlayStation 3 version. On PlayStation Vita the games will be sold separately. Both games are of their International versions, which include additional content compared to the games' original versions.
Today's revelations concern the Japanese release; no word on the overseas releases yet.
Source: [10]
Square Enix abandons the idea of social gamesEdit
March 8th by Kaimi, edited by Cat (meow ∙ hunt)
Possibly much to most fans' relief, Square Enix have decided to abandon the idea of social gaming to make "epic and famous" games. Square Enix explains that the hardcore gamers were left out, and they themselves felt guilty for making Final Fantasy a cash-cow series.
February 2013Edit
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn benchmark and new trailers releasedEdit
21st February by DiamondEdge
Square Enix released today the first benchmark software for the new version of Final Fantasy XIV. The program is used to estimate how well the game will run on the machine, and can be dowloaded for free. Additionally, a new trailer showing the changes around Eorzea and battle footage has also been released, as well as a developer commentary video showing the console UI with an explanation by Naoki Yoshida.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn benchmark software
Final Fantasy XIV - Exploration Trailer
Final Fantasy XIV - A Tour of Eorzea, Part 1
Final Fantasy XIV - Developers' Commentary Gamepads
New Final Fantasy announced for PS4Edit
20th February
Shinji Hashimoto announced a new Final Fantasy game in development for PlayStation 4 during Sony's PlayStation 4 announcement, and said to be excited for this year's E3.
Source: PlayStation Meeting 2013: Square Enix Presentation
First Look At Final Fantasy X Running On PlayStation VitaEdit
18th February by Drake Clawfang
The long-discussed but never seen HD remaster of Final Fantasy X has been revealed. Yuna, Tidus, and Bahamut can be seen posing in Luca in a technical demonstration of the HD graphics. The remaster will be made available on both the Playstation Vita and the PS3.
Source: First Look At Final Fantasy X Running On PlayStation Vita
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions arrives at AndroidEdit
14th February by Kaimi
Square Enix has ported Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions to Android with improved graphics. The game also received some other enhancements as well. The iOS users will get an update with all of the added features in the Android version at a later date.
Source: Siliconera.com – Final Fantasy Tactics: War Of The Lions Makes Android Debut With Enhanced Graphics
Final Fantasy concert by London Symphony Orchestra in MayEdit
8th February by Keltainentoukokuu
On May 30th, 2013, the London Symphony Orchestra will host Final Symphony London playing music from the Final Fantasy series, including Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, and Final Fantasy X.
Final Symphony will be the first live performance of video game music for the orchestra, and the performance is composed and arranged by Nobuo Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu. The two will be on-site for sign autographs.
Tickets range from £30 to £65 for the performance at London's Barbican Hall.
Purchase tickets
Final Symphony official website
50% off Select Final Fantasy Games for the Series' 25-Year AnniversaryEdit
5th February by Keltainentoukokuu
To celebrate Final Fantasys 25th anniversary, Square Enix is putting a number of Final Fantasy titles on sale on the North American PlayStation Network. For two weeks the following titles will be 50% off.
- Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy (PSP)
- Dissidia Duodecim Prologus Final Fantasy (PSP)
- Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP)
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PSP)
- Final Fantasy (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy II (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection (PSP)
- Final Fantasy V (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy VI (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy VII (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy VIII (PSOne Classics)
- Final Fantasy IX (PSOne Classics)
January 2013Edit
Final Fantasy Sale on European PlayStation NetworkEdit
24th January by Jeppo
As part of the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary celebrations, PlayStation Network are having a sale on almost all downloadable Final Fantasy games. Prices have been reduced by up to 50%.
Included in the sale are the PlayStation versions of Final Fantasy V Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy IX, as well as the PSP versions of Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Prologus Final Fantasy.
The offer ends on the 6th February.
Extended Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII trailer revealedEdit
17th January by Kamikaze839
Square Enix has posted an extended trailer of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII on the North American site. This video now reveals the combat system in action. Along with the trailer, the page also lists several news links from sources such as IGN and 1UP where more of the game's details, for example how the ability system works, on there.
You can see it here: [11]
Square Enix Poll: Favorite Female Final Fantasy CharacterEdit
17th January by BGMaxie
Square Enix has posted the results of the Favorite Female Final Fantasy Character on its facebook page. The poll was held on Square Enix's Final Fantasy 25th anniversary commemoration forums. Forum members could vote for one character only, and if they voted for more than one character, only the first vote counted.
Lightning earns the first place followed by Aerith, noted by winning for a small margin.
Edit
15th January by Keltainentoukokuu
Square Enix has opened a Final Fantasy: All The Bravest Japanese teaser site featuring silhouettes of Final Fantasy V character sprites battling a Final Fantasy VI Behemoth-type monster. Final Fantasy: All The Bravest is a subtitle which Square Enix trademarked not long ago.
A reveal is planned for Thursday.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Beta Test Applications OpenEdit
7th January by DiamondEdge
Square Enix has started the application process for the Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn beta test.
Any interested person can apply as a tester, regardless of having played the original version or not, but players with "Legacy" account status are guaranteed to be in the PC beta from Phase 1, and players with Final Fantasy XIV accounts will join in Phase 3. Players still in possession of the promotional code shipped with Final Fantasy XIII can use it to reserve spots on the Playstation 3 beta. Phase 1 of the beta is planned to start in February.
The complete version of the new opening cinematic (which includes the previously released "End of an Era" trailer) has also been released, and can be watched here.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn beta test application form
