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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 -
Poll: Japanese People Thought Dragon Quest IX Would Have WiFi
This Saturday Dragon Quest IX is going on sale in Japan. Apparently, there are already 2 million pre-orders. Some of those folks might be in for a surprise! The game uses the DS’s local ad hoc wireless, but loads of gamers thought the title would use the DS’s WiFI connection so that players didn’t have…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 9, 2009 -
Hey Pirates, Beware of Fake Dragon Quest IX Hentai Boobies!
The “leaked” version of Dragon Quest IX is malware. The ROM was dumped early on to Japanese bulletin board 2chan and is actually a hentai slideshow show called “DS Owata”. Maybe download “Dragon Quest IX JPN DSi Enchanced NDS iND” if you’d like a hentai slideshow? Oh, this bricks your DS. Buying it legally does…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 9, 2009 -
Kingdom Hearts Conceived With Chainsaws
That’s how Square Enix designer Tetsuya Nomura first pitched the game’s weapon to Disney. Square Enix wanted to make a game starring Mickey Mouse, he tells Japanese game mag Famitsu, and Disney wanted a game starring Donald Duck. “Meanwhile,” he says with a laugh, “I wanted neither.” What did Nomura want? “The first weapon I…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 9, 2009 -
Report: 2 Million Dragon Quest IX Pre-Orders
Dragon Quest IX won’t go on sale until July 11, but it already looks poised to be a huge hit in its native Japan. According to the Nikkei Marketing Journal, various retailers are apparently reporting brisk pre-orders for the game — to the tune of 2 million total pre-orders. According to Media Create, however, DQIX…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 8, 2009 -
Dragon Quest IX Pre-orders Top 2 Million In Japan
Square Enix is set to release Dragon Quest IX in Japan this Saturday, almost five years on from the previous PlayStation 2 entry. If pre-orders are any indication, the Nintendo DS role-playing game will be another hit. According to Japan’s Nikkei newspaper, pre-orders for Dragon Quest IX Hoshizora no Mamoribito have topped 2 million. That…
By Michael McWhertor Published July 8, 2009 -
Goodbye Eidos, Hello Square Enix Europe
Square Enix‘s takeover of British publisher Eidos wasn’t going to stop at just ownership. It’s running all the way through to publisher names, with “Eidos” given the chop in favour of the more ominous “Square Enix Europe”. So the name “Eidos”, which has long been associated with brands like Tomb Raider and Hitman, will no…
By Luke Plunkett Published July 8, 2009 -
Dragon Quest IX’s One Save Data Slot Explained!
According to the Dragon Quest IX DS case, the game only has one save slot. DQIX producer Ryutaro Ichimuar explains why. “Because the amount of freedom we give players is huge,” says Ichimura, “the data that needs to be saved is enormous.” Thus, it was difficult for Square Enix to create a save file and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 8, 2009 -
Dragon Quest IX Is Gonna Be Hard, Yo
Just because Square Enix is releasing Dragon Quest IX on the DS, doesn’t mean they’re putting out an easy game. On the contrary, DQIX is going to be difficult says series creator Yuji Horii. We make the game to be quite hard. It’s harder than any of the previous titles, and the enemies are also…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2009