Final Fantasy X delayed

[01.19.01] » Square's first PS2 RPG pushed back to the summer.

   Square today announced that the Japanese release of Final Fantasy X has been pushed back from its original spring release date. Despite Square's numerous assurances that the game is almost complete, FF X will not debut until July 2001. "We decided to delay FFX's release to elevate the title's quality to an even higher level and fully realize some great features that will push the envelope on PlayStation 2 is capable of. We are currently making every available effort to get FFX into the hands of gamers by July this year," Square explained.

   As a result of the delay, Square has changed its earnings estimates for its 2000 fiscal year, which ends March 31st. The company's original projections of a 2.5 billion yen (about $21.4 million US) profit have been drastically lowered to a estimated 3.4 billion yen ($29.1 million) loss.

   Final Fantasy X will still likely arrive in North America release before the end of the year; Final Fantasy IX debuted last July and still arrived in the U.S. by November.