[thanks GameVideos]

The new European games convention, shifted this year from Leipzig to Cologne, will feature most of the major game developers, plenty of press conferences and an absurd amount of games. The list of developers on hand include Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Activision, Electronic Arts, Sega, Square Enix, Take-Two, Ubisoft and Capcom.

We've just received Activision and Electronic Arts play lists and they're impressive, including games like Modern Warfare 2, RAGE and APB.

Activision plans to bring all of their big titles with them to the show. That means we'll be getting time with Modern Warfare 2, Bakugan, Singularity, Blur, Tony Hawk RIDE, DJ Hero, Band Hero and Guitar Hero 5.

Electronic Arts too will come to Germany packing some major heat with nearly 20 titles to show off. That means time with APB, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Brütal Legend, C&C 4, Dragon Age: Origins, Mass Effect 2, Need for Speed SHIFT, Need for Speed NITRO, RAGE, The Beatles Rock Band, FIFA 10 (next gen), MySims Agents, TS3EP1, Army of Two: The 40th Day, Dante's Inferno, Dead Space Extraction, The Saboteur, NHL and Tiger Woods Online.

We've also heard that Square Enix will be showing off Batman: Arkham Asylum, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV, Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Mini Ninjas and Order of War. The biggest news coming from Square for the show is that Supreme Commander 2 will be playable for the first time anywhere during Gamescom.

We'll be feet-on-the-ground, live at the show getting hands-on with all of the big games and liveblogging the big press conferences, including a recently announced one from Electronic Arts.

With rumors swirling that a Playstation 3 price cut is landing the week of the show and Sony set to have a press conference that Tuesday, this could shape up to be one of the biggest Euro games conventions yet.

Final Fantasy VIII was light-years ahead of VII both graphically and in terms of complexity, and perhaps that's the reason the game is one of the most underappreciated games in the Final Fantasy line. I must confess, that before reading Jack Patrick Rodgers' write-up, I considered it one of the weakest entries myself, citing IX as the sweet-spot for PlayStation-era roleplaying games. Now I've got an itch to play through the title once again with a keener eye on the underlying themes, thanks to insightful observations like these:

At one point, Squall's party reaches the site of a recent battle, and one of his traveling companions casually drops a bombshell on everyone else: they're all orphans of the previous world war and grew up at the same orphanage, but their memories of their time together have been erased by the Guardian Forces. The childhood friends that Squall can only dimly recall are in fact his new companions for this mission.

It's a terrific, resonant metaphor: the experience of warfare stole their childhood innocence and is slowly turning them into soldiers who have no purpose except the next battle. More than that, it's a commentary on how the responsibilities and pressures of adulthood can cause us to forget who we once were. Anyone who has ever rediscovered a childhood memento and found old memories flooding back can sympathize with characters who are amazed at how much they've forgotten.

It's a fascinating read, highlighting moments such as the Laguna visions, which while at first strange turn out to be the efforts of a son trying to come to terms with his absent father, or Squall's calling out of Seifer as a bully when the other students are trying to remember him fondly upon news of his apparent execution.

It may not do much to change Final Fantasy VIII's low level of regard amongst fans, but "Remembering the Orphan" will definitely have some looking at the game in a completely new light.

Remembering the Orphan: Final Fantasy VIII [PopMatters]

In an interview with game site Gpara, Yamagishi revealed:

Personally, I want to make erotic games... Really. I quietly said to the previous company president "I'd like to make erotic games" to which he retorted loudly, 'NO!'

Dreams crushed, hopes dashed, bummer dude.

Yamagishi Interview [GPara via はちま起稿]

Ray Huling argues that the next crop of Final Fantasy games will be, like theYamato, obsolete by the time they hit the ground. Impressive in their size, yet obsolete at the time of their completion. Huling says that the games have become such giant enterprises, it's sapping the fun out of the whole production (does that mean 'obsolete' or simply 'not fun anymore'?):

... the optional elements that demand so much effort to achieve on the DS represent only a bite-size version of the gaming Gargantua Final Fantasy has become. Mini-games, bestiaries, accessories, rare monsters, rare weapons - Christ! The humongousness of it all defies belief, defies completion. Sure, people have achieved all that can be achieved in a game like Final Fantasy XII - one of its FAQs, not even the largest, is spread across more than 770 pages. But people built the actual Battleship Yamato, too, which now lies in two pieces on the floor of the ocean off Okinawa.

Just as has happened with the main plot, the sidequests of Final Fantasy have become ends in themselves, separated from any notion of the fun they were supposed to provide. Final Fantasy has the most compelling profile of any videogame. It bristles with guns - but what can actually be done with all of that firepower?

I suspect there are many that would disagree, and while I didn't like FFXII for a variety of reasons, I just turned it off and hoped the next iteration would strike my fancy (and if not, oh well — there are plenty of other fish in the gaming sea). I'll agree that plenty of aspects of the games are ridiculous, but that's hardly confined to the Final Fantasy series. Is the game formula 'obsolete,' or just tired (or is Huling just tired of it?)? And what does obsolescence (of a non-technological variety) really mean in the context of RPGs or games more broadly?

The Battleship Final Fantasy [The Escapist]

Thanks creamsugar!

"We wanted to take it into our own hands. It shows our scope as manufacturers of collectible figures."

The example they gave was a figure that's $24.99 retail would be marked up to $34.99 on other stores, so making this store will save people a ton of money in the long run. In addition, their store will have exclusive items that won't be found anywhere else.

Also, apparently Disney saw the Kingdom Hearts figures, and they liked them so much they commissioned Square Enix to make them for Disney games that Squeenix doesn't even have anything to do with.

At long last, Square-Enix fans can shut down their fansites, toss out their petitions, wrap up their fanfics, as the company has announced the game everyone has been demanding: Destiny's Child Groove. That's right, no Vagrant Story sequel for you. Forget about that next-gen Einhander game. You get a mobile dance game featuring Beyonce, Kelly Roland and Michelle Williams, known collectively as Destiny's Child.

In what Square-Enix producers are calling a "landmark project" and press releases headlines are promising to be a "groundbreaking dance battle game", players will be able to enjoy four R&B tracks from the group in rhythmic gameplay against AI characters.

At this point, no details on exactly how bootylicious the game for mobile devices will be, but we're estimating "too bootylicious." Michael McWhertor

Square Enix, Music World and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Announce Collaboration for New 'Destiny's Child Groove' Mobile Game

Groundbreaking 'Dance Battle' Game Features Hits From One of Music's Top-Selling Groups

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ — Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix(TM) interactive products in North America, record label Music World, and SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT today announced the development of "Destiny's Child Groove," the first mobile dance game featuring the popular R&B songs of multiple Grammy-winning female group Destiny's Child.

"Destiny's Child Groove" is a competitive dance game that will feature images of vocalists Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, and four songs from the group's "#1s" album, including "Survivor," "Bug A Boo," "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath." Synchronizing music, rhythm and gameplay, "Destiny's Child Groove" will take the form of a back-and-forth dance battle in which users compete against A.I. characters.

"We are delighted to be working with Destiny's Child and Square Enix to roll out this innovative new game," said Thomas Hesse, president of Global Digital Business for SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT. "DC Groove will give fans a creative and fun way to connect with one of the most phenomenally talented groups of all time, and the opportunity to experience the thrill of state-of-the-art mobile gaming."

"The beautiful thing about this project is that the main people involved in creating it are youthful. The same goes for the artists, many of their fans, as well as our target gamers," said Shuhei Yamaguchi, Mobile Producer for Square Enix, Inc. "It's a game for the young, created by the young. I'm confident, this landmark project that expands the casual genre of mobile games, will be a hit."

The nationwide roll-out of "Destiny's Child Groove" will begin this winter on most major carriers. Detailed information will be announced at a later date.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

With headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises — FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 70 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST(R), which has sold over 40 million units worldwide — under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.

Square Enix, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California and Seattle, Washington. It handles operations in North America, including development, localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square
Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com/na.

About Destiny's Child
Formed in Houston, Texas in 1990, when founding member Beyonce Knowles was 9 years old, Destiny's Child went on to become the top-selling all-female recording group of all-time, according to the World Music Awards. Destiny's Child has earned 35 RIAA gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications and is tied with the Supremes for releasing the most albums to chart in the Top 5 by a female R&B group. From 1997 until the group announced its "retirement" in 2005, Destiny's Child was honored with an ongoing series of awards and accolades including Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, Billboard Music Awards (including Top Pop Artist 2000), NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, World Music Awards (including World's Best-Selling Artist or Group), American Music Awards and Grammy Awards. In March 2006, Destiny's Child received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and international superstars, as well as a vast catalogue that comprises some of the most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

About Music World Entertainment

Music World Entertainment (MWE) is one of the world's leading entertainment and music conglomerates with global businesses including record labels, artist and producer management and development, a Master catalog series, Urbane Merchandise, investment and property holdings with offices in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York with a London office opening January 2007. MWE was founded by company President and CEO Mathew Knowles, the powerhouse management behind Grammy Award-winners Beyonce and global phenomenon Destiny's Child, the most successful "girl group" in the history
of pop music.

Music World Music (MWM), a prominent division of MWE, is one of the most successful labels in the world with over 100 million records sold to date including releases by Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, the "Roll Bounce" soundtrack and many more. Upcoming releases include the "Dreamgirls" soundtrack album, Kids Rap Radio, and the Music World Master Series.

Urbane Merchandise, the tour merchandise arm of MWE, has functioned as
tour merchandiser for Jay Z, Destiny's Child, Nelly, Beyonce, R Kelly, and
Chris Brown, among many others.
Music World Investment and Properties, a division of MWE headed by
Mathew and Beyonce Knowles, specializes in the ownership and development of
condominiums and office buildings, including the House of Dereon Media
Center, in Houston, Texas.
DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the Square Enix logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in the United
States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.

SOURCE Square Enix, Inc.

Thanks to the insidious software piracy movement for first warezing Final Fantasy XII a month before release and then uploading the opening movie to YouTube. I have no real comments, except, you know, it looks like Square-Enix isn't skimping on their past design methodology of having more CGI than gameplay. Also, with the appearance of the rabbit-eared women, Final Fantasy finally gets furries. Florian Eckhardt

I'll admit to being very likely to buy Final Fantasy XII upon release. I've been looking for a good, repetitive, random-battle RPG for quite sometime, and I haven't played any Final Fantasy titles since the seventh.

But it looks like FFXII won't just be hitting the PS2. Recent word is that a DS only FFXII spin-off, Final Fantasy XII: Returning Wings will be coming to the DS.

Apparently, the game will be based on the adventures of Vaan and Penelo. No, I don't know who they are either. It's also supposed to feature a graphic style that will appeal to a younger market. Hydrocephalia ahoy! Florian Eckhardt

Final Fantasy XII: Returning Wings [Video Games Blogger]

What did Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within have to do with the Final Fantasy video game series? The hell if I know... in response to my question "Where the hell was Cloud?", I vaguely remember the fan boy ramblings from my friend John about "materia" and "Mother Gaia" when we wandered out of the matinee, but ultimately, I like to think the answer is "nothing at all."

Stiil, if Final Fantasy is in the title, we can post it. Especially if it's a lazy Labor Day half-Friday. So, for your edification , the soulless automotons of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within do Michael Jackson's Thriller. Florian Eckhardt

We all know that localization takes time, but I had no idea that it could take this long. In 1986, Japanese developer Enix (now Square Enix) released RPG Dragon Quest. The game was a smash, and spawned seven sequels. It took three years for the first entry in the series to make it to American shores. Apparently, it has taken longer elsewhere. Writes Insert Credit's Brandon Sheffield, currently in France:

Dragon Quest 8 is actually the first DQ to come to europe, so it's simply marked Dragon Quest - no number, but sports the subtitle "the odyssee of cursed king".

Something to do with its twenty year road to getting that overdue Euro release? Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Insert Credit]

Back in 2003, Square released the Kenshin Dragon Quest, plug-and-play with a Wii-mote like sword thingy. Speaking of which, this game is a sneak peak of sorts at the upcoming Wii Dragon Quest game. Kenshin is getting a second wind thanks to Japanese internet threads and positive word of mouth. Supposedly this is one of the better plug-and-plays out there. Not that the competition is exactly staggering, but still. Brian Ashcraft

More Photos Here [Ota Road]

In a recent update to the Nintendo of Japan site, the following Square playable characters/jobs were revealed: Ninja, White Mage, Black Mage, Moogle and Cactuar (aka Sabotender).

That squeaking sound you just heard wasn't the rub of sneakers on parquet flooring, it was the uncontrollable global release of pure nerd pleasure. For those of you with dry pants who are not yet convinced of the greatness that is Mario Hoops for the DS, please watch the TV commercial then promptly reevaluate your gaming instincts. Michael McWhertor

Official Mario Basketball 3on3 Japanese Site
Touch DS Commercial

Yesterday, we posted a rather neat video of Square-Enix's upcoming Final Fantasy III. It showed us that the long loading times of old FF3 builds for the DS have been reduced from long, chunky grindings of internal DS cogs into brief flashes of existential white space.

But how does it compare to the original Final Fantasy 3 for the NES? Well, check out this cool little screen-by-screen comparison over at N-Games.de, which shows — despite a jump to an incremental dimension — that the game is still pretty damned loyal to its source. Florian Eckhardt

FF3 NES vs. FF3 DS [N-Games.de]

There's some new Final Fantasy III footage up. It looks absolutely swell: the animations are smooth, the art style appropriately bobble-headed, the synonymous battle theme swells underneath a cliched battle between pixy and goblin. Unfortunately, I just don't like Final Fantasy. Better start learning, though, I guess... I don't see any other Triple A, or even Triple D, RPGs on the DS horizon. Florian Eckhardt

The E3 trailer from Final Fantasy XII, English edition, with new scenes and Valley Girl voices.

Best line, from the pretty blonde princess: "You're an air pirate! So steal me!" Wishful thinking caused me to superimpose the word "butt" somewhere in there. FLORIAN ECKHARDT

The Magic Box has posted some new and beautiful shots from the upcoming PS3 title Final Fantasy XIII.Some of them are obviously CGI and some of them look like CGI with the interface overlayed. Still, no one can say that Square Enix don't make a pretty game.

The main page also has some new details about the game. FFXIII won't have any online functionality; also, perhaps taking a page from Phantasy Star III each episode features different characters, with events taking place across various eras in history. Chocobos, Moggles, Crystals — all in! Also, FFXIII Agito will have action implemented into the system... your guess as to what that means is as good as mine. - Florian Eckhardt

FFXIII Screenshots [Magic Box]

1UP is reporting on some circulating Internet rumors that suggest that a Final Fantasy XII spinoff might be rocketing towards a 360 near you, sometime in the definite and wildly unpredictable future.

GamersReports.com scooped that an Microsoft inside man all but confirmed that a Fabula Nova Crystallis FFXIII spin-off would be coming to the 360 via Live Arcade. 1UP, expending a farthing's worth of that supposed gaming "journalism" that we keep on hearing about, bothered to call up Square and see if they'd confirm it. Which they wouldn't, but neither did they deny: sole response was a terse "no comment."

Still, it would make sense for a Final Fantasy XIII spin-off to come to Live when that series is also aimed at mobile phones. After all, both do pithy, pick-up-and-play downloadable games. - Florian Eckhardt

FFXIII Spinoff Heading to Xbox 360? [1UP]