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Square Enix Has Gyromancer In Its Future
Fans of everything that Square Enix does should be on the look out for Gyromancer, a trademark recently filed by Square Enix for use in services such as “computer game software” and “video game software.” That’s typically a good sign that Square Enix will use Gyromancer for a computer game or video game. We’d go…
By Michael McWhertor Published July 29, 2009 -
Star Ocean: The Last Hope Finally PS3 Bound?
Star Ocean: The Last Hope was a good get for Microsoft, moving more than 420,000 copies on the Xbox 360, managing to become bestselling Xbox 360 game in Japan. That game may also be coming to the PlayStation 3. According to a listing from online retailer and rental service Gamefly, a PlayStation 3 port of…
By Michael McWhertor Published July 28, 2009 -
Square Enix Is Bringing These Games To GamesCom
Germany’s annual gaming convention is moving from Leipzig to Cologne this year, redubbed GamesCom, but retaining the spectacle of its eastern predecessor. Everyone’s going, including Square Enix, which will be armed with Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts and much, much more. Square Enix will be showing largely what you’d expect, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIV…
By Michael McWhertor Published July 28, 2009 -
The Demographics of Dragon Quest
Not only did lots of people buy DS role-playing-game Dragon Quest IX at launch, lots of different kinds of people. Japanese website Gpara surveyed 99 gamers in Tokyo’s Akihabara, Yurakucho, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro with these three questions: 1. What are your feelings about purchasing DQIX? 2. Out of DQs I-VIII, which is your favourite? 3.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 27, 2009 -
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Manga Kicks Off
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days isn’t due out in North America for another two months or so, but maybe the manga will tide you over ’til then. The July issue of Shounen Gangan features an eight-page preview chapter of the manga which basically re-hashes all the names and some of the neuroses of Organization XIII‘s members.…
By AJ Glasser Published July 24, 2009 -
This Is A Final Fantasy Legend DSi
Role-playing-game SaGa 2: Hihou Densetsu: GODDESS OF DESTINY aka Final Fantasy Legend II is getting a DS remake. Know what that means? Special SaGa DSi! The remake corresponds with the 20th anniversary of the series. If you didn’t know that, just take a look at this SaGa DSi. It says just that. And if you…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 23, 2009 -
Influential Studio Ghibli, Final Fantasy Animator Has Died
This Wednesday, animator Yoshinori Kanada passed away after suffering a sudden heart attack. He was 57 years old. A “Superanimator” since the 1970s, Kanada left his mark on Square Enix as well. After working at Toei, he moved on to become the Key Animator on a number of Studio Ghibli’s biggest titles: Kiki’s Delivery Service,…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 22, 2009 -
More New Final Fantasy XIII Screens of New Character
Not only do we get to see new character Hope Estheim wield his boomerang, we also get new images of Szah, too. The dying wish of Hope’s mother was for motorcycle dude Snow Villiers to protect her son. She died while trying to fend of PSICOM troops. Famitsu scans reveal new FFXIII screenshots [Final Fantasy-XIII.net]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 22, 2009 -
This Is How They Make The Final Fantasy XIII Sounds
The official website for Final Fantasy XIII has a neat making-of feature giving a glimpse at how sound was done for the game. In the clip, a foley artist does sound for a PSICOM troop. The sound for each was done individually, and this is not the final sound cut for this scene. This is…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 21, 2009 -
Expecting 5 Million Copies of Dragon Quest IX Shipped
With 2.3 million copies sold in its first week, Dragon Quest IX is already a smash hit. Square Enix shipped 3 million copies at launch to ensure everyone who wanted the game could purchase it. But Square Enix isn’t stopping there. Square Enix president Yoichi Wada told the Japanese press, “We’re look at reaching over…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 20, 2009 -
How Do Dragon Quest’s Famitsu Scores Stack Up?
Japanese game magazine Famitsu gave new DS title Dragon Quest IX a perfect score — the tenth game to get such a score. But how does it stack up to the others? Since Famitsu has been doing its 40 out of 40 reviews, the DQ titles have been rated: Dragon Quest II 38/40 Dragon Quest…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 17, 2009 -
More About This White-Haired Boy Final Fantasy XIII Character
His name is Hope Estheim. The white-haired boy did make an appearance in the E3 Final Fantasy XIII trailer, but thanks to this Japanese magazine article, we have more details about him. Hope wields a boomerang as his weapon, and there is a bit of friction between the fiery tempered character and bandana dude Snow.…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 16, 2009 -
Four Warriors of Light Gameplay Looks Like This
Teased title The Four Warriors of Light: A Final Fantasy Anecdote is traditional turn-based role-playing game for the Nintendo DS. A very cute one at that. Have a look at the game’s gameplay footage. The title follows a boy out to save a princess and will be out in Japan this fall.
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 16, 2009 -
But How Many Copies of Dragon Quest IX Were Shipped?
We know how many were sold in the first two days, and now we also know how many copies of the game were shipped. We sure do know a lot of things. Rumors that 3 million copies of DQIX would be available at launch in Japan are corrected. Three million copies of the game were…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 14, 2009 -
First Two Days Dragon Quest IX Sales Tally Is In
On July 11, the eagerly awaited Dragon Quest IX went on sale in Japan. According to Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, the game racked up 2.34 million in sales. PS2 title Dragon Quest VIII sold 2.23 million in its first week. Think about it. 『ドラクエIX』発売2日間で、販売本数234万3440本−−エンターブレイン調べ [Famitsu] [Pic]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 13, 2009 -
These Amazon Japan Customers Do Not Like DQIX
Did you hear? Dragon Quest IX is out in Japan. And if the Amazon Japan reviews are anything to go by, the people have spoken and the people are upset. These are Amazon reviews, so please, take them just as that: Amazon reviews. At the time of writing, the game has 503 reviews, averaging 2.5…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 13, 2009 -
Look! People Lining Up For DQIX
With 2 million pre-orders and a rumored 3 million copies shipping, we honestly didn’t expect folks to line-up for Dragon Quest IX. Sleep in! Square Enix hasn’t created a shortage. All the millions who want the game, can get it. But still, low and behold, there were lines earlier this morning in Akihabara. Reader TitillatedOcelot…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 10, 2009 -
Loads Of New Square Enix Toys
Square Enix don’t just make games. They make action figures, too. Sometimes for their own games, sometimes for other people’s games. These new figures are a bit of both. Part of the company’s August toy catalogue, we can see a range of new stuff, from new Final Fantasy “Creatures” mini-statues to new Trading Arts mini-figures…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 10, 2009 -
First Look At Dragon Quest IX’s Co-Op Game Play
We’ve heard about Dragon Quest IX‘s local only co-op play. Now, let’s finally watch famous Japanese celebrities play it. For those who want to get right to the action, gameplay starts at about 3 minutes in. According to this episode of Tsuruno Takeshi’s new show Joudeki!! Geinoujin Kodawari Ou Kouza Iketaku, this is also the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 10, 2009 -
Broken Street Date Or Not, Don’t Play DQIX Just Yet!
Square Enix role-playing-game Dragon Quest IX doesn’t go on sale until July 11 in Japan. That still hasn’t stopped at least one mail order retailer from breaking the street date — though, with a special request. The pictured notice thanks consumers for purchasing the title, which the shop has been able to ship a day…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 10, 2009