Final Fantasy Wiki:Shinra News

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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.

All Shinra News stories will also be reported on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

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
• Archive VIII - 2013

September

Final Fantasy IV now available on Steam

September 17th by Leon95

Final Fantasy IV has been released for Steam today, marking the game's debut on PC. The release includes a version of the game similar to the 3D remake released for the Nintendo DS in 2007, and it also features all new Steam achievements and trading cards.

Source: Steam

Final Fantasy XV Demo to come bundled with Type-0 HD

September 17th by --BlueHighwindツ

Final Fantasy XV will be coming out along with the release of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. Access to the demo would be included as a downloadable voucher for those who bought Type-0 HD, which is coming this March as previously reported. The demo is known as "Episode Duscae", which will show the early portions of the game's action. The game will be shown in a slightly altered state to suit the medium of the demo. The demo will be available for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. There is still no release date for Final Fantasy XV on any system. Still after many years of long waiting and production delays, this is the most solid sign of Final Fantasy XV's imminent release that we have ever been given.

This report was initially posted by GameInformer who later deleted the post for unknown reasons, though other gaming news sites are still referencing that report. IGN is reporting the news independently.

Source: IGN.com

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Release Information

September 17th by Keltainentoukokuu

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is coming to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on March 17, 2015 in North America, March 19 in Japan, and March 20 in Europe, according to a pulled Game Informer report. A voucher code for a playable demo of Final Fantasy XV will be included with each copy.

Source: IGN.com

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD to appear at Tokyo Game Show

September 16th by Keltainentoukokuu

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan's Tokyo Game Show website has accidentally leaked a number of unannounced exhibiting titles for this week's Tokyo Game Show, including a previously missing Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. There may be one more unannounced Square Enix game to appear at the show, judging by the way the leak was obtained by examining the files on the website.

Source: Gematsu.com

Square Enix to bring games to mobile devices via streaming

September 13th by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix has announced a new cloud-streaming service in Japan, called Dive In, that will allow the streaming of games to iOS and Android devices. A 3MB Wi-Fi connection is required, but a 6MB connection gives best results.

Dive In will launch on October 9th, and will include the following Final Fantasy games at launch:

Final Fantasy XIII

• 3 days – 250 yen (plus tax)
• 10 days – 510 yen (plus tax)
• 30 days – 1,250 yen (plus tax)
• 365 days – 1,800 yen (plus tax)

Final Fantasy VII International

• 3 days – 200 yen (plus tax)
• 10 days – 400 yen (plus tax)
• 30 days – 1,000 yen (plus tax)
• 365 days – 1,429 yen (plus tax)

Each game will come with a free 30-minute trial, and Square Enix have plans to add more of their titles to the service. Final Fantasy VIII has been announced for November, Final Fantasy XIII-2 for December, and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII for sometime in 2015.

Source: Siliconera.com

Bravely Second- New Screenshots

September 12th by TheMysteriousGeek

A new job, a new jobmaster and several screenshots have been unveiled for Bravely Second. The Tomahawk class specializes in guns, and is a mainly offensive job though it does have support abilities. Its Jobmaster, Amy Matchlock, is from a distant region of Florem, and is able to communicate with the spirits and can summon the tribe's guardian.

The player communicate with the abducted Agnès Oblige through the "Teach me, Agnès" Feature. She will help out with both the main story and the sub-scenarios.

The game has yet to receive a Western release date.

Sources: [1] and [2]

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Demo Out

September 4th by Drake Clawfang

A demo for the upcoming rhythm game for 3DS is now available for download. The demo features two songs, the BMS "J-E-N-O-V-A (AC version)" and the FMS "Edgar & Sabin's Theme". The player can play the two songs on any of the three difficulties, using a locked party of Tifa (2nd), Edgar, Laguna, and Lightning (2nd). Save data from the demo will be carried over to the full version of the game, unlocking extra characters in the game as a reward for playing the demo. The player is able to play the two songs as much as they like, but the demo can only be launched from the 3DS' home menu 30 times before it expires.

Curtain Call comes to North America September 16th and Europe September 19th.

Source: Siliconera

Square Enix games revealed for Tokyo Game Show

September 2nd

A document has recently appeared detailing the game lineup for the 2014 Tokyo Game Show. The list includes multiple titles from Square Enix, including Bravely Second, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Final Fantasy Explorers alongside other non-Final Fantasy titles such as entries in the Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts series. As of this posting, neither Final Fantasy XV or Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, which have been hinted to appear at the show, are present in the listing. The publisher is also hosting their usual Mega Theater as well as unannounced stage events.

Source: Nova Crystallis

August

Bravely Second coming to Japan in Winter 2014, but the trailer is here now

August 29th by --BlueHighwindツ 15:35, August 29, 2014 (UTC)

Satoru Iwata announced in this morning's Japanese Nintendo Direct presentation that Bravely Second be released in Japan this coming winter for the Nintendo 3DS. Along with that came a short trailer, just over a minute in length. Most of the trailer focused on Agnès Oblige in new FMV cutscenes, along with some gameplay footage of the characters wandering around the new towns for the sequel. The few seconds of battle footage showed returning jobs in action, along with the new Gunner job leaping around and spraying bullets at enemy teams. Still no word for a Western release.

Source - Siliconera

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD gameplay seen at PAX Prime 2014

August 29th by Tia-Lewise 08:14, August 29, 2014 (UTC); edited by Keltainentoukokuu

PAX Prime 2014 debuted 20 minutes of gameplay for the upcoming HD remake of Final Fantasy Type-0, which was announced for PlayStation 4 and XBox One at June's E3. Director Hajime Tabata stated at PAX that Type-0 is "about 80% done". In an interview with Kotaku Tabata said the game would release within a year. No new content is being added to the original, but new difficulty modes are being included.

Source - IGN & Kotaku

Final Fantasy Explorers has a Japanese release date

August 20th by --BlueHighwindツ 15:13, August 20, 2014 (UTC)

Final Fantasy Explorers has been given a release date in the newest issue of Shonen Jump: December 18th, 2014. In a new article detailing the game we also learn that the summons Ramuh and Fenrir have been added into the game, along with a new version of the Trance system. This new version of Trance boosts your stats and allows you to string powerful attacks without using AP. More details of the game are to come, along with hopefully a North American and European release date for us in the Anglo-speaking world.

Source - Siliconera

Square Enix offering discounts on Playstation Network

August 6th by Drake Clawfang (talk) 01:38, August 7, 2014 (UTC)

Numerous Square-Enix titles are on sale on the North American Playstation Network. Numerous Final Fantasy titles are ranging in price from $4.99 to $9.99, and the recent Lightning Returns is down to $24.99. If there's a title you've been meaning to get for your collection, now's the time to grab it.

Source - Siliconera

July

Square Enix opens "Eorzea Cafe" in Tokyo

July 31st by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix's new Eorzea Cafe, open as of today and located in Tokyo's Akihabara, is modelled after the Carline Canopy, an in-game location, and is named after Eorzea, the region where Final Fantasy XIV takes place. The décor uses weapons, armor, and moogles, as well as a giant map of the world. The cafe houses computers where patrons can play the game. The food served at the cafe is Final Fantasy themed. Square Enix has prior experience of Final Fantasy themed catering from their Cafe Artnia, located inside the official Square Enix shop in Tokyo, that sells food and cocktails and other goods.

Source: [3]

Square Enix announces Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call for Comic Con

July 16 by Crystal Tear

Square Enix has announced that it will be teaming up with developer Deep Silver for a joint exhibition of games at the San Diego Comic Con 2014. The booth, called "Deep Silver / Square Enix Arcade" and open to the public, will feature multiple Square Enix games including Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call.

Source: Polygon

Square Enix opens a teaser site for "Final Fantasy Record Keeper"

July 15th by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix has opened a teaser site for "Final Fantasy Record Keeper". The site has a countdown, links to Facebook and Twitter and a background of shifting images of various playable characters from the series.

Visit the site here

June

New class/job announced for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn

June 11th by Keltainentoukokuu

New classes have been announced for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn at the ongoing E3 convention. In the upcoming 2.4 patch, the game will get the new Rogue class and corresponding Ninja job, which will be pure DPS. Both are dexterity focused, take less fall damage, and have fast movement speed. They have a stealth mechanic affording them to choose their battles and they use poison for additional damage on their daggers.

Source: [4]

Final Fantasy Explorers announced for Nintendo 3DS

June 11th by Keltainentoukokuu

According to this week's issue of Jump magazine, Final Fantasy Explorers is in development for the Nintendo 3DS. It is a multiplayer action RPG where players search for crystals while battling summoned monsters. The game will let the player select from multiple jobs, such as Black Mage, White Mage, Knight and Monk, but many more jobs from the series will be present. Parties consist of up to four players, and players need to use each job effectively to take on the enemies. The goal is to defeat the different generations of summons.

Final Fantasy Explorers is yet to have a release date. Square Enix is listed as the game’s developer.

Source: [5]

Final Fantasy Type-0 Getting HD Treatment and Going Worldwide along with Agito

June 10th by Kaimi

Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy Type-0 will get the HD remaster for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

"The voice of our Western fans was instrumental in the development of Final Fantasy Type-0, and we're very excited to release this title soon," said Hajime Tabata, director of Final Fantasy Type-0. "The new PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gaming and entertainment platform have really helped to re-envision this dynamic and turbulent world of Orience."

Some of the key features of Final Fantasy Agito include character customization, player choice, and missions.

Currently, there is no accompanying trailer.

Source: NovaCrystallis.com — Final Fantasy Type-0 HD and Final Fantasy Agito coming to the west]

Mobile racer Final Fantasy VII G Bike announced for smartphones

June 10th by Crystal Tear

In this week's issue of Famitsu as translated and reported by Gematsu, Square Enix has announced a racing game for Android and iOS smartphones called Final Fantasy VII G Bike. Based on the G Bike minigame found within the Gold Saucer in Final Fantasy VII, the game is being co-developed by mobile developer CyberConnect2 for release in fall 2014. Other mobile games based on the Gold Saucer minigames are also planned.

Source: Famitsu via Gematsu

Fan Localization of Final Fantasy Type-0 Arrives

June 8th by Kaimi

SkyBladeCloud has released today the fan localization for Final Fantasy Type-0 he and his team had been working on for around 18 months. The original release date for the localization was set to August 8th, 2014, but was released earlier due to considering the current version to be enough despite lacking some minor graphical edits.

The fan localization was done under the name "Operation Doomtrain".

Source: SkyBladeCloud.net — We have arrived!

Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III to skip E3 2014

June 6th by Crystal Tear

In an interview by Famitsu translated by SQEX.info, Shinji Hashimoto, producer for the upcoming PlayStation 4/Xbox One game Final Fantasy XV has confirmed that both it and Kingdom Hearts III will skip the event. Speaking on the status of the game, he said "development for Final Fantasy XV is going well. Internally, we try to ascertain the best timing for revealing new information about Final Fantasy XV to the fans. So when we were going over our promotion plans, we judged that this year’s E3 would not be the best time to exhibit information about Final Fantasy XV. Instead we are currently planning to exhibit new information at events after E3 2014."

Hashimoto also clarified on an earlier rumor that he had confirmed their appearance there at a Thailand Comic Con, saying that "There was a misunderstanding in the reporting of that, a number of stories were accidentally mixed into one. When I was asked about Final Fantasy XV's presence at E3, the answer I gave was that 'I can't answer yet.' But somehow what I had said was framed in a different context when it was reported."

Final Fantasy XV was originally unveiled in 2006 as Final Fantasy Versus XIII and remained mostly under the radar until its re-reveal at E3 2013. Since its re-reveal, there has been little information or new footage from the game. Which events the game will be featured at in the future is as yet unknown.

It was stated new information on other games from Square Enix would be present at E3.

Source: Famitsu via SQEX.info

Famitsu teases something for fans of Lightning and the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy

June 5th by Crystal Tear

Katsuhiko Hayashi, editor-in-chief for Japanese video game magazine Famitsu, is teasing something special for fans of the character Lightning and the Final Fantasy XIII games. The "something special" is confirmed not to be a new game featuring the character or a fourth XIII game, but an article of some kind in the magazine related to the series. The official Square Enix Twitter page has reiterated this, saying there will be a surprise for her fans.

Source: Nova Crystallis

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call western release details

June 3rd by Keltainentoukokuu

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, sequel to the Nintendo 3DS rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, will be released in North America on September 16th and in Europe on September 19th and will get a Collector's Edition limited to 5,000 copies that will be identical in both regions. The Collector's Edition will feature a pouch for the Nintendo 3DS, a music CD with 20 tracks from the game, another CD with five remixed tracks, and five premium CollectaCards from the game. The Collector's Edition is priced $69.99 in North America, and £44.99/€54.99 in Europe, and will be available through Square Enix's Online Store. Pre-ordering the game through certain retailers nets a limited edition, which includes the remix CD also included in the collector's edition. Pre-orders are open through Amazon.

Source: [6]

May

Final Fantasy III releases on Steam today

May 27th by Keltainentoukokuu

Final Fantasy III has been optimised for PC gaming with improved 3D visuals and story sequences, and will include Steam Trading Cards and Achievements and new visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards. Final Fantasy III is the third installment in the Final Fantasy series originally released on the Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom). It was officially released outside of Japan for the first time when it was remade for the Nintendo DS. The subsequent ports are based on the DS version with updates.

Final Fantasy III on Steam

French Square Enix Twitter hints toward a Final Fantasy Type-0 announcement at E3

May 21st by Keltainentoukokuu

In a Twitter exchange Square Enix's French department has hinted that a localized version of Final Fantasy Type-0 would be announced at this year's E3. Final Fantasy Type-0, part of Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy series, is an action RPG released in Japan 2011 for PlayStation Portable. Currently, Final Fantasy Type-0 remains the single highest-profile Final Fantasy title in over two decades to have not been released internationally.

Source: [7]

Mobile game Final Fantasy Agito released in Japan

May 15 by Crystal Tear

Final Fantasy Agito, an episodic mobile game set within the universe of Final Fantasy Type-0, has been released in Japan for the iOS and Android mobile platforms. The game launched on 15th of May, 2014. Agito puts players in control of a customized Cadet who is chosen with others to become Agito, a messiah destined to save the world of Orience from destruction. Players take on combat missions across Orience in both single-player and multi-player modes, while also interacting with other characters in the world. The course of the story is dictated by the players' popular votes. Along with Type-0, the game is part of Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy, a subseries of games linked by a common mythos.

Source: Anime News Network

Final Fantasy III coming to Steam

May 9th by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix has announced Final Fantasy III will launch on Steam soon with upgraded visuals. The game has been optimised for PC gaming with improved 3D visuals and story sequences. It includes Steam Trading Cards and Achievements and a new design for the Job Mastery Cards. There's also quicker browsing through the bestiary.

Official site

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete available on Netflix

May 3rd by Keltainentoukokuu

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete is available for streaming in US Netflix. The Complete version is an extended cut of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children that was originally released on Blu-ray in 2009, that includes over thirty minutes of new footage.

Final Fantasy VII concert to be held in Tokyo this summer

May 1st by Keltainentoukokuu

A Final Fantasy VII symphony concert will be held in Tokyo on June 21st. It will be the first of the Game Symphony Japan concert series. While the tour's subsequent dates and music selections are yet to be announced, the first features pieces by Nobuo Uematsu, who also serves as executive music advisor for Game Symphony Japan, and will make an appearance at the performance, which will be conducted by Kenichi Shimura. The performance will take place at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo's Akasaka neighborhood, which boasts some of the highest-quality acoustics in Japan.

The organizers have set out to recreate the Final Fantasy VII narrative through the musical selection to recreate the sensation of playing through the game. Ticket prices range from 6,500 to 10,000 yen (US$64-$98), depending on seat location. The doors open at 1 p.m., and is scheduled to last around two and a half hours.

Source: [8]

Final Fantasy XI is dropping French and German support

May 1st by Keltainentoukokuu

Producer Akihiko Matsui announced by way of press release that German and French in-game text support is will be dropped and French and German language options will be removed after the July 2014 update. German and French players won't be losing their characters or settings and will be able to use them in English environments. Customer service support for French and German speakers will remain in place.

Source: [9]

April

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call has its western release this year

April 22nd by Keltainentoukokuu

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will be released in North America and Europe later this year, priced at $40. The sequel to the 2012 3DS rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy provides a total of 221 songs and more than 60 characters from the Final Fantasy series, and introduces new modes, including two-player duels.

Source: Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy Curtain Call official site

Final Fantasy III might be coming to PC

April 18th by Keltainentoukokuu

Final Fantasy III may be coming to PC, as a rating by Germany's USK board has leaked the news. The Final Fantasy III for PC is a new version of the game.

Source: [10]

Square Enix developers address industry rumors

April 8th by Crystal Tear

In an article in Famitsu, Yoshinori Kitase, Shinji Hashimoto and Mitsunori Takahashi have given multiple updates on confirmed and rumoured projects. According to Kitase, a "Final Fantasy X-3" is not being developed despite rumors fuelled by the recent audio drama. Takahashi has expressed his willingness to make another entry in the Dissidia subseries. Hashimoto has confirmed that development on Final Fantasy XV is going well.

Source: Famitsu via Nova Crystallis

Interview with Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda

April 1st by Crystal Tear

In an interview with Japanese website Nikkei Trendy, current president of Square Enix Yosuke Matsuda has announced that the company is changing its focus concerning AAA titles, including core series such as Final Fantasy. According to Matsuda, the company has been losing its focus in terms of trying to appeal to a broader audience while forgetting hardcore fanbases. Matsuda has stated that "Due to having split [the development mindset] according to regions around the world, we weren’t able to see this clearly up until now, but fans of JRPGs are really spread around the world." Following the success of Bravely Default, a classic-style JRPG for the Nintendo 3DS, in North America, the company will be focusing less on the global aspect and catering for core audiences, such as fans of JRPGs like Bravely Default and Final Fantasy.

Source: Nikkei Trendy via Siliconera

April Fools: Final Fantasy X second sequel announced - will be tied to upcoming Final Fantasy VII entry

April 1st by Drake Clawfang

Today Square Enix has confirmed that another sequel to Final Fantasy X is in the planning stages in the wake of the release of the HD remastering of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. However, in a surprise move, the game will definitively connect the world of Spira to the world of Gaia of Final Fantasy VII in preparation for a new entry into the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII.

Kazushige Nojima, who participated in the writing for both games, discussed these plans in a video announcement posted on Square-Enix's website. The Final Fantasy X title will tell its own story, but certain elements about the character Shinra and his connection to the Shinra Electric Power Company will be more conclusively established. Various information about the nature of the the aeons will also be revealed that will be used as the basis for Sephiroth's plan in the next Final Fantasy VII game. Yoshinori Kitase stated that Sephiroth's plan involves the summons and does not require him to have a physical body, and to combat him AVALANCHE will reunite, and encounter characters introduced in other Compilation titles.

The company is currently focusing its efforts on the Final Fantasy X title before moving on to the Final Fantasy VII title. Neither game had its title announced, though Kitase and Nojima avoided referring to the former as "Final Fantasy X-3".

"We've been waiting a long time for this and we're quite excited to finally take on this project," Kitase ended.

Source - Video announcement

Update: Following the announcement, the Final Fantasy Wiki polled the userbase for their opinions. The results can be found right here.

March

Final Fantasy Agito Set for release in Japan Next Month!

28th March by TMG- Why? (talk) 22:27, March 28, 2014 (UTC)
Edited by TMG- Why? (talk) 22:32, March 28, 2014 (UTC)

According to a recent news article online, the game Final Fantasy Agito is due for release in Japan next month. The article also mentions that the title has not been trademarked in the US but a trademark has been filed for, so there is hope that this title may be localised.

Source: Siliconera, Hardcoregamer

Staff changes announced for the Final Fantasy XV team

24th March by Tia-Lewise
Edited by Crystal Tear

According to a Nova Crystallis report via an interview on gaming site Denkiphile, Square Enix art director, art supervisor and character designer Yusuke Naora has joined the Final Fantasy XV development team, with his specific role currently unknown. In addition, Yoshinori Kitase is speculated to have left the project, with new, separate projects cited as the reason for this.

Source: Denkiphile, Nova Crystallis

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster released in North America

18th March by Keltainentoukokuu

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster releases in North America today. A remastered version of Final Fantasy X was announced at the Sony Press Conference in Japan on September 14th, 2011 as part of a 10th anniversary special. Later it was announced Final Fantasy X-2 would receive a similar remaster. The compilation is based on the International version of both games with some added content compared to the original PlayStation 2 releases: Final Fantasy X has an option for an expert Sphere Grid, and new superbosses in the form of Dark Aeons and Penance. Final Fantasy X-2 has a new mode called Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission where YRP explore a new location. It includes a Creature Creator system and new dresspheres. The set also includes Final Fantasy X: Eternal Calm, a cinematic that bridges the gap between Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, and Final Fantasy X -Will-, a brand new audio drama elaborating on events after Final Fantasy X-2.

The games contain improved maps and character models and textures, as well as improved lighting, shadowing and enhanced pre-rendered movies with better quality in high definition. Trophies for both games are added, and all controllable and other major characters have new character models with monsters and minor characters having rearranged textures to improve quality. The game plays at 16:9 widescreen and some scenes have been adjusted with different camera angles to accommodate for it. The FMV scenes are not re-rendered and merely cropped from the original 4:3 aspect ratio to fit the widescreen perspective. Both games have improved voice audio and remastered soundtracks.

The two games are available together on a single Blu-Ray disc for the PlayStation 3 version. For the PlayStation Vita only Final Fantasy X gets a physical release, but includes a download code for Final Fantasy X-2.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster comes out in Europe this Friday.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call will contain songs from the SaGa series

16th March by TGOskar (talk) 05:31, March 17, 2014 (UTC)

On a recent promotional video by Square Enix Japan regarding content from Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, two new songs from the SaGa series of games have been released. The song "Four Noble Devils I", from Romancing SaGa 3 for the Super Famicom appears as Battle Music, while "The Sewers" from Romancing SaGa for the Super Famicom appears as Field Music.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is expected to release for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan on April 24th of this year.

Source: Siliconera

Tetsuya Nomura chooses his favorite Lightning fanart

13th March by Keltainentoukokuu

deviantART held a Lightning fanart contest that was judged by Tetsuya Nomura, Lightning's original character designer. He chose three submissions which were chosen out of hundreds of entries and discussed his impressions of each piece.

Check out the art and Nomura's comments here.

New details revealed for Final Fantasy Agito

6th March by Crystal Tear

In the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Weekly Famitsu, new details have been shared about upcoming mobile game Final Fantasy Agito, a prequel and companion game to Final Fantasy Type-0. The game's release has been delayed until spring this year, and two new characters have been revealed: Lean Hanpleman (voiced by Koki Uchiyama) and a female called Toono Mahoroha (voiced by Hitomi Terakado). Lean appeared under the name Joker in Type-0. Details on quests were also revealed: it appears that some quests will change depending on which day of the week the game is being played.

Source: Famitsu via Nova Crystallis, Silcionera

February

Details on Final Fantasy XV's English voice acting surface

27th February by Keltainentoukokuu
Edited by Crystal Tear

It appears Square Enix is working on, or at least planning for, the English voice acting of the upcoming Final Fantasy XV.

Voice Actress Katy Townsend listed "various" roles in the game as part of her resume, and Olivia Hack and Greg Berg are now also listed for the title by IMDb, although IMDb is not as reliable source than an actor's own resume. Townsend's resume lists Chris Borders as voice casting director, which likely means that voice work will be performed by world leading voice over production company TikiMan Productions.

Producer Shinji Hashimoto has promised news "shortly" during the Japanese launch event of the PS4 yesterday.

Update: David Yang, Senior PR Manager Square Enix, has confirmed that English voice casting has yet to begin for Final Fantasy XV. In a later update, Yang stated that voice acting for the final game had yet to begin in all languages.

Source: [11], [12]

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service on Wii and DS will end on May 20

27th February by Keltainentoukokuu

Nintendo will end its Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Wii and Nintendo DS on May 20, meaning Wii and DS owners will no longer be able to use online play, matchmaking, or leaderboards across any of the platforms' titles. Playing these games on Wii U and 3DS using their backwards compatibility features won't work, either.

This means that players of Final Fantasy III DS version will not be able to utilize the Mognet service to its fullest, for example, making obtaining the ultimate Onion Equipment impossible.

Source: [13]

Piano Opera Final Fantasy VII/VIII/IX announced

25th February by Ikran Ahiyìk

With a separation of nearly 2 years since the release of IV/V/VI, Piano Opera Final Fantasy VII/VIII/IX is finally announced, to be released on 23rd April, 2014. It is again arranged and performed by Hiroyuki Nakayama, produced by the composer Nobuo Uematsu.

The 12 tunes included are: "Opening ~ Bombing Mission", "Those Who Fight Further", "Words Drowned by Fireworks" and "Cosmo Canyon" from Final Fantasy VII, "Ami", "Force Your Way", "Liberi Fatali" and "The Man with the Machine Gun" from Final Fantasy VIII, and "Festival of the Hunt", "Not Alone", "Melodies of Life" and "Roses of May" from Final Fantasy IX.

Source: [14]

Gold Saucer from Final Fantasy VII is coming to Final Fantasy XIV

20th February by Keltainentoukokuu

Development of the Gold Saucer area for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is currently underway, according to director Naoki Yoshida. The designs and the contents for the area are almost ready, but the developers still want to ensure the breadth of content to the Gold Saucer when it will be released. It is unknown when the Gold Saucer in Final Fantasy XIV will become available.

Source: [15]

Square Enix interested in bringing future Final Fantasy games to PC

19th February by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix is interested in bringing future Final Fantasy games to the PC. Modern Final Fantasy games, such as the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, are already developed on PC and then ported to the consoles, and as far as the technology is concerned, it would have been possible to make a PC version. Square Enix decided against it due to deeming the market situation unfavorable for such a release, and also for security reasons.

But as there are many regions and countries where PC is strong, in terms of Square Enix's hope of delivering games to every country in the world and to as many gamers as possible, they are "definitely interested" in pursuing that route in the future.

Source: [16]

Yoshinori Kitase discusses his views on remaking Final Fantasy VII

18th February by Keltainentoukokuu

Director of Final Fantasy VII, Yoshinori Kitase, has talked with Eurogamer about his views on remaking the game, as many fans have wished for years would happen. He said he would love to do it, but that it would be such a huge undertaking he has doubts about the motivation it would require of him to make it. He also cited budget constraints and the availability of the game's original staff as barriers to such a project.

I won't rule out the possibility, but it would take a lot to make it happen. But should I ever take it on, it would have to be the biggest project I've done. My life work. So I would have to be as highly motivated as that to end up with something I'm very happy with. It's a huge thing for me.

Yoshinori Kitase to Eurogamer

Source: [17]

Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XV producers to appear at PlayStation 4 launch event

17th February by Crystal Tear

In a press announcement, it has been revealed that Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and Shinji Hashimoto, producer of both Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III are to appear at the Japanese launch event for the PlayStation 4 alongside other noted video game developers. It has been stated that the two will "be showing off the appeal of PlayStation 4 with gameplay exhibitions and video letters." Details on the letters and exhibitions are currently unknown.

The event shall take begin at 22.30 Japan time on February 21 and will run until the 22nd. Both Nico Nico and Ustream shall be hosting livestreams of the event.

Source: Nova Crystallis

Final Fantasy XV "quite far into development" and is given high priority by Square Enix

February 13th by Keltainentoukokuu

In a recent interview with Videogamer Yoshinori Kitase talked about the status of Final Fantasy XV: "We can't give too much information but certainly looking at Final Fantasy XV, it's not as if it's in competition with Kingdom Hearts 3 for resources or anything like that. It's quite far into development now and it is being given a very high priority within the company itself."

Kitase also talked about the game's relation to Final Fantasy XIII and Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy: "Right from the start when we first it announced it as Versus XIII, the game itself was backed up by the same Crystal legend: the Fabulla Nova Crystallis mythology that underpins the whole of the XIII series. So even though it's not necessarily the same universe or the same game, they're all linked and underpinned by the backdrop of that legend. Now it's moved on - obviously the title's been changed to Final Fantasy XV - but that hasn't actually changed. The story and the world is still going to be linked and backed up by that. So yes, there is the link between XIII and XV, and they both share that mythology as a backdrop and a starting point.

Source: [18]

Final Fantasy XIV to be released on PS4 on 14th April, Beta phases announced

February 12th by Jeppo

Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released on the PlayStation 4 console on the 14th April 2014. The games developer have released a trailer showing the gameplay on the new console version, which allows players to play the game at native 1080p, as opposed to 720p for the PlayStation 3 console version. The new version also allows players to play the game remotely on the PlayStation Vita, and offers full keyboard and mouse support.

The developers have also released information on the beta phases for the new console version. Both phases are available to all players who have either the PlayStation 3 or PC version of Final Fantasy XIV. A new server has been set aside for the beta version for the first phase, although characters created on this server will be wiped once the phase ends. Phase One takes place between the 22nd February and 3rd March. Phase Two takes place between the 4th and 7th April and will be fully playable on all servers with existing characters.

As announced earlier owners of the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIV will be offered to switch to the PS4 version upon retail release free of charge as long as they have played on the PS3 version at least once; however after doing so they will be unable to play the PS3 version again without purchasing another licence.

Source: [19]

New Final Fantasy XV trailer released to advertise PS4

February 10th by Tia-Lewise

A new trailer for Final Fantasy XV has been released, comprising mostly gameplay footage, and is being used by Sony to advertise the upcoming launch of the PlayStation 4 in Japan.

Source: [20]

Final Fantasy VI is released for iOS

February 9th by ~DBB~The 3rd King

The iOS version of Final Fantasy VI was released on February 6th. The game features updated graphics and portraits and is available on the App Store for $15.99.

Source: [21]

Lightning's Lara Croft DLC garb announced

February 5th by Keltainentoukokuu

A Tomb Raider-themed Lara Croft downloadable garb for Lightning in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will launch alongside the game on February 11. The garb has Lightning dress as Lara Croft wearing the vest, shorts, and boots. The set includes the Survivor's Axe and Riot Shield.

Source: [22]

January 2014

Square Enix will bring a Final Fantasy X/X-2 art gallery to Los Angeles

January 30th by Keltainentoukokuu

Square Enix will have an art exhibit for Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 at Gallery Nucleus at March 15 to 26. Proceeds from artwork sold at the event will be donated to charity relief to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Yoshinori Kitase and Yusuke Naora will be at the opening to greet fans and sign games. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster will go on sale three days early at the event, and the first 200 people that purchase the game can get their copy signed. Additionally, the first 300 attendees will get a door prize and the event will have playable demos.

Official gallery website for the event

Retro-spective trailer summarizes the plot of the Lightning Saga

January 29th by Kaimi
Edited by Crystal Tear

Square Enix has released "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII -- Retro-spective Trailer" which summarizes events of the first two games of the Lightning Saga just thirteen days before the release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII in North America. The trailer is done using the 16-bit style graphics as seen in the original release of Final Fantasy VI and chiptune remixes of "FINAL FANTASY XIII - Promise", "Lightning's Theme", "Blinded By Light", "Saber's Edge", "Born Anew", "Etro's Champion", "Lightning's Theme ~Unprotected Future~", "Heart of Chaos", "Hollow Seclusion - Game Over -", and ends with a fragment of the opening of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

The story recap itself misses a lot of events and contains many errors.

Link: LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII -- Retro-spective Trailer

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Soundtrack PLUS release date and details revealed

January 29th by Crystal Tear

Square Enix has announced that Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Soundtrack PLUS is to be released, featuring remastered and prototype versions of tracks from the game's Original Soundtrack. All the tracks are composed by Masashi Hamauzu, Naoshi Mizuta and Mitsuto Suzuki. The Soundtrack PLUS contained 25 tracks, is priced at ¥2000, and is set for release 26th March, 2014.

Sources: Nova Crystallis, Square Portal

Final Fantasy VI smartphone port rendered useless by game freeze

January 23rd by Tia-Lewise

Square Enix has acknowledged an issue in the recently released smartphone port of Final Fantasy VI, in which the game freezes following the fight between General Leo and Kefka Palazzo. They updated the app on January 21st 2014 to fix this, and in addition they have corrected the notable misspelling of Esper as "Espier," and the displaying of Sabin's Blitz icon. These have been confirmed also on the game's Google Play page.

Source: [23]

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII demo released

January 21st by Keltainentoukokuu

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII demo is now available to download in North America, and is soon coming to Europe as well. The demo has the Outerworld feature for players to post screenshots like their battle scores on Twitter and Facebook. The demo ends with a new trailer showing off the game's features, locations and characters. The Siegfried garb can be obtained by posting a score from boss battle via the "Outerworld Service". Additionally, the North American PlayStation 3 version nets the Utsusemi Samurai garb when the player downloads the demo.

Final Fantasy VI is released for Android

January 16th by Tia-Lewise

The Android version of Final Fantasy VI was released on January 15th. It features updated graphics and adjustments to the battle system. It can be bought from the Google Play Store for £10.99 or equivalent.

Source: Google Play Store

Previews for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII arrive on news sites

January 15th by Crystal Tear

Previews for the English version of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII have appeared on the web. Multiple news and review sites, including Destructoid, GameTrailers, VG247 and USGamer have posted official previews based on complete versions of the game sent to them by Square Enix. Also released are a batch of new screenshots to accompany the preview releases. A demo was available on Xbox Live, however this was accidentally released too early and has since been removed.

Previews have been mixed to positive. While many have decried the story, the majority have praised the combat and gameplay as being different from both the previous two XIII games and other previous entries in the Final Fantasy series.

Source: Nova Crystallis, Polygon
Preview links: GameTrailers, PlayStation Blog, VG247, Destructoid, Polygon, USGamer

Yasumi Matsuno wants to create a spiritual successor for Final Fantasy Tactics

January 15th by Keltainentoukokuu

A former Square Enix employee, Yasumi Matsuno, known for directing Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story, as well as for being the original director for Final Fantasy XII, is asking for $600,000 at Kickstarter to make a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy Tactics with a studio called Playdek.

Link to Kickstarter

Source:[24]