Final Fantasy IX story info

[03.17.00] » Official full character names announced; new details on party make-up.

   Get ready to forget all those character names again. The latest issue of Japan's V-Jump magazine contains the official romanized names of the three currently-announced FF IX characters: Zidane Triball (first name previously translated as "Zotan" and "Zitan"), VIVI Ornitier (who, in a NORG-like streak, insists on having her first name written in all caps), and Edward Steiner. (Thanks to Nick Rox for the scoop.)

   The game will feature a total of eight "main" party members -- which means that other part-time characters, along the lines of FF VIII's Laguna, Kiros, and Ward, could still be included. Three of them, of course, are Zidane, VIVI, and Edward; the name of a fourth, Garnet, has appeared in screenshots, but that character has not been officially announced. Apparently, the story will not focus on one central character; like FF VI, several lead roles will drive the plot.

   The identity of the massive flying building seen in the trailer and early screenshots has also been revealed -- it's actually a traveling theater that floats from town to town, putting on performances for the townsfolk.

   And what of the equally impressive angelic creature seen towering over buildings? It protects a castle in which one of the coveted Crystals lie. Game Informer terms the creature a dragon, though in the screens seen thus far, it bears more of a resemblance to the summoned monster Alexander.

   Finally, RPGamer has reported that FF IX is said to take a standard forty hours to complete, a figure which will no doubt be inflated to over 100 by the time the English advertisements are printed up.