Square Soft Announces Lineup for Electronic Entertainment Expo

[04.13.99] » Highly Anticipated Final Fantasy VIII Title to be Unveiled

Square Soft Announces Lineup for Electronic Entertainment Expo; Highly Anticipated Final Fantasy VIII Title to be Unveiled

DATELINE: COSTA MESA, Calif., April 13

   Square Soft(R), the leading developer of interactive role playing games, today announced its lineup of titles for the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) to be held in May 1999. The company plans to unveil the U.S. version of Final Fantasy(R) VIII, a title that was released in Japan in February 1999 and broke industry pre-sell records with more than 2 million units on reserve before the product was available on store shelves. Within the first four days of release, an overwhelming 2.5 million units were sold through and more than 3.3 million units were sold in Japan within the first month.

   Final Fantasy VIII's record sales in Japan have led to a historical phenomenon in the gaming world, surpassing even its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII, with combined lifetime sales in Japan of 3.26 million. Final Fantasy VIII is the latest title in the award-winning Final Fantasy series, a product line that is heralded by the industry as the benchmark for all role playing games (RPGs).

   "Square Soft is excited to showcase our strong product line for the 1999 season which includes titles that will appeal to all ages," said Jun Iwasaki, president of Square Electronic Arts. "The anticipation for the U.S. release of Final Fantasy VIII has been overwhelming. It promises to be the epic title for Square Soft this year."

   The following titles will be showcased at E3 in Booth #1506:

   Final Fantasy VIII -- the latest in the award-winning Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy VIII features a compelling story mix of action and adventure with an added touch of romance. Squall is a member of an elite combat team that engages in a power struggle with another faction; both are battling to take control. The key question for Squall and his team is whom to trust? Adding to this completely new Final Fantasy story line are intriguing characters such as the free spirited young woman, Rinoa Heartilly, the sorceress Edea, Quistis Trepe the instructor, and Squall's archrival, Seifer. In addition to a riveting storyline, Square's development team has ratcheted up the graphics in this game, with more finely shaped characters that sport detailed expressions and facial movements, and full motion videos that use motion capture technology for more realistic human movements and actions. The title also includes an enhanced magic system for longer, more in-depth gameplay. The title will ship on the PlayStation(R) game console in Fall 1999.

   Ehrgeiz(TM) -- an exciting, arcade quality fighting game that includes intense mini-games within the game as well as a full-featured RPG adventure. Ehrgeiz breaks the traditional boundaries of fighting game design with a revolutionary redefined battle engine that allows 3D movement of its characters. Hand-to-hand and weapons-based combat allows for a wide range of technique and strategy for game players of all levels. Ehrgeiz also includes guest characters from Final Fantasy VII. The title will ship on the PlayStation game console in Spring 1999.

   Chocobo Racing(TM) -- the first action-racing game that features Chocobo, a familiar character from the Final Fantasy series. A large cast of unique characters race their way through a wide variety of courses in a story mode that allows a single-player to speed his/her way through "chapters" of an old- fashioned pop-up book. Chocobo Racing features five unique game modes, fluid graphics and arcade-style handling. In addition, players can edit the parameters of their chosen characters at the end of every story mode creating a unique character unlike any other which can be saved on a memory card and used in other game modes at a later time. Chocobo Racing will ship on the PlayStation game console in Fall 1999.

   Chocobo's Dungeon(TM) 2 -- an adventure RPG title featuring Chocobo and his friend Moogle. These characters, both from the Final Fantasy series, embark on a quest in search of hidden treasure. Chocobo's Dungeon 2 offers an engrossing storyline and dynamic role playing elements that include Square Soft's patented Active Time Battle (ATB) system which enhances game play over traditional turn-based methods. In addition, a Random Dungeon Generator makes for a different adventure every time promising hours of entertainment. Chocobo's Dungeon 2 will ship on the PlayStation game console in early 2000.

   The company will also feature several previews for upcoming games in Square Soft's E3 in-booth theater. They include:

FINAL FANTASY ANTHOLOGY(TM) -- combines two classic role playing games, Final Fantasy V and VI. The anthology features huge worlds, rich story lines, innovative battle and magic systems and an intriguing cast of characters. This marks the first time Final Fantasy V has appeared on a console in North America. In addition, newly added full-motion video (FMV) opening and closing sequences have been added in an effort to combine classic role playing gameplay with the ultimate in today's high tech video prowess. The title will ship on the PlayStation game console in Winter 1999.

SaGa Frontier(TM) II -- offers players the unique freedom of choice. Unlike traditional linear role playing games, SaGa Frontier II offers a multi-level, free scenario system where players select the scenario they want to play. The game is set in the 13th century in a world named "Sandail" against a backdrop of dramatic 2D environments in watercolor. Players battle their way through several scenarios from the perspective of various characters they select. The title offers three battle modes: duel, team and strategic. SaGa Frontier II will ship on the PlayStation game console in early 2000.

Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. and Square Co., Ltd.

   Square Co., Ltd. is the leading third-party developer and publisher of home video game console software in Japan with annual sales of more than US $345 million and 1,200 employees worldwide. Square Co., Ltd. became famous for its role playing games, including its world-renowned Final Fantasy series, which has sold more than 22 million units to date, and now publishes other titles under the Square Soft brand spanning all genres. Square Co., Ltd. is based in Tokyo, Japan, and maintains a branch office in Osaka.

   In North America, Square Co., Ltd. publishes its Square Soft titles through Square Electronic Arts L.L.C., located in Costa Mesa, CA. Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is a Limited Liability Company established on May 1, 1998 by Square Soft, Inc. and Electronic Arts(TM) to manage the marketing and distribution of Square Soft products in North America. More information about Square Soft products can be found on the Internet at http://www.squaresoft.com.

   Final Fantasy, Ehrgeiz, Chocobo Racing, Chocobo's Dungeon and SaGa Frontier are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd. Square Electronics Arts is a service mark of Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. Square Soft is a registered trademark of Square Co., Ltd. Electronic Arts is a trademark or registered trademark of Electronic Arts or its wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.