News

Source : The Magic Box

A little while ago, Square released a teaser poster and a little information about Final Fantasy XII.

http://www.the-magicbox.com/game122502g.htm

The poster looks alot like a Final Fantasy IX city would if it were set modern day, not suprising because the art director ,Hideo Minaba, also worked on FFIX.

Also, the character designs are by Akihiko Yoshida, who worked on Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics, so there should be some interesting character designs coming out of this.

It looks like it will be an interesting game, just from that poster  and the people working on the project. We'll see how everything unfolds.

It appears that Square and Disney's relationship will last beyond their game for the Playstation 2.

http://www.ffinsider.net/news/news.php?id=308

Square and Disney have plans to release a Kingdom Hearts movie.  There is no script for this movie as of right now, but it is in the works. Since there isn't even a script yet, it most likely will be quite sometime before this movie would be released to theaters. Not much information is known otherwise as of yet either.

Other plans for the Kingdom Hearts line include a possible television series and a sequel to the PS2 game.

Source:

Final Fantasy Insider

This brings up a popular discussion topic. Do video games translate well into movies?  Tomb Raider? I haven't seen it myself, but I heard it wasn't all that spectacular.  Mortal Kombat? Eh, it was alright. One of the few video game movies that I've watched more than once.  Super Mario Bros. the Movie? It was a tad bit different.  It also had bad luck in the timing of its release though.  Street Figher the Movie? I can't remember much about it so it couldn't have been all that great. It does have the redeeming fact of Ming Na playing Chun Li (*waves to Beth* She has nothing on you, Honey) Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within wasn't so bad  if you ignored the "Final Fantasy" in the title. I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. Video games do not cross over well into Hollywood.

That said,however, if there ever was any video game turned movie that had a chance of doing well, it would be this one. Especially with Disney working on it.  There are those who love and those loathe the company.  Personally, I'm indifferent. But whether one likes Disney or not, it has to be recognized that they have been quite successful.  I'm not sure how  big a role Square would play in its production. I can't see it being too large though after the hit the company took after FF:TSW didn't meet their expectations (That's probably a gross understatement, I know).  Their role will probably more conceptual than anything else.  I don't know if I'd go see or not, but can this movie possibly hurt Square Enix at all?
Let me know your feelings about it.

RPGamer has some new screen shots of the much anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics Advance

Check them out here: http://www.rpgamer.com/games/ff/ffta/fftass.html

The images look fairly nice for the GameBoy Advance. Is it just me or does it look like they are using cel-shading?

FFTA is scheduled for a Valentine's Day release in Japan. We'll have to wait a little longer before it come out in North American or PAL versions.

It was originally thought that Square was going to simply port FFT from the Playstation, but it is an entirely new game.

Sources: RPGamer
              GameForms

According to rumors, There will be an interview with the Director of Squaresoft, Yasumi Matsuno, and the Nintendo Representive, Shigeru Miyamoto, in the newest issue of Famitsu Magazine. In it, the two men discuss future projects.

Here's "leaked" snippet from the interview:
---
Journalist: Is the development of Final Fantasy XII in progress?

Matsuno: Collaboration with Nintendo is positive. I should perhaps not have said that now (Laughter)?

Journalist: Final Fantasy XII will not be a play PlayStation 2 game?

Miyamoto: (Laughter)

Matsuno: We will give the details at the proper time.
----

*note this is a rumor, and this interview is not confirmed as exsiting. The issue hits today, February 7th. More information will more than likely be available next week sometime. So stay tuned.

Source: Final Fantasy Insider

A couple of days old, yes, but this is my first day as a News Editor so...

http://www.gamesarefun.com/cgi-bin....,81144,

According to Gamesarefun.com's sources, Enix of America closed their doors for the final time last Friday. Enix of Japan, their parent company, is recognized for helping to start the console RPG genre with their landmark Dragon Quest title (released in the US under the title of Dragon Warrior) for the NES.

Don't worry about about the status of series such Dragon Warrior and Star Ocean over in the United States though.  With the recent Square-Enix merger, it appears the Square will handle the localization of software for their North American audiences.

For more information on the Square Enix merger, see Rubicant's update here: http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/forums/ipb/index.php?act=ST;f=2;t=637

Source: Gamesarefun.com

RPGamer has posted 30 new screenies of FFX-2 Including a couple of lovely
ones showing Yuna as... you guessed it : A Pop Idol singer.

Screen Shots... HO!!

Oh Right... Completely forgot to introduce myself.
News Poster CypherEX! Hi All Great to be here,
and I should be posting LOTS of news.