Correction on Final Fantasy XI release date, pricing

[02.26.02] » FFXI to hit Japan in May, not April, and at a slightly higher cost.

   It seems the earlier report on the release date and pricing for Square's Final Fantasy XI, which originated from The Magic Box, was slightly premature. Famitsu today confirmed that the game would be launching on May 16th for 7800 yen ($58 USD), not on April 27th for 6800 yen ($50 USD). The game will come packaged with an extra disc containing the PlayOnline software needed to sign up for and use Square's new online service with Final Fantasy XI. PlayOnline will begin its official operations on that same day.

   The reported monthly fee was also incorrect -- it will be 1280 yen ($9.50 USD) a month, rather than the slightly cheaper 500 yen fee ($3.75 USD) reported earlier. There's no word on whether the two free months of play that were previously reported will, in fact, be included with the game, but it still remains in the realm of possibility.