Final Fantasy XI
Three new expansion scenarios to be released by download.
London (22nd November 2008) – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of Square Enix® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announced their plans for three new expansion scenarios for FINAL FANTASY® XI.
Six years since its initial release, FINAL FANTASY XI currently has 500,000 active users playing in Europe, Japan, and North America.
Today, Square Enix confirmed a series of new scenarios to expand their online game world. Rather than being released as data discs, these expansions will be made available through an online digital distribution service. The expansions will be made available simultaneously worldwide for all FINAL FANTASY XI platforms.
The three new expansions have been created by Masato Kato, one of the minds behind the original FINAL FANTASY XI storyline, spanning from its very beginning through to the Rise of the Zilart® expansion.
[Profile of Mr. Masato Kato]
Served as director and scenario writer on titles including Chrono Trigger®, Radical Dreamers, Xenogears and Chrono Cross® for Square Co., Ltd. (now Square Enix Co., Ltd.). Oversaw the initial plot conception and event direction for the original FINAL FANTASY XI and Rise of the Zilart expansion. Since leaving Square in 2002, Mr. Kato has worked on a number of titles and continues to pursue his unique design vision.
*Available for online purchase only
A Crystalline Prophecy – Ode of Life Bestowing™
One day, a giant crystal appeared in the skies above Jeuno, triggering a series of unexplained happenings across the land. Now, adventurers will set forth to unravel the mysteries of this primordial crystal that holds the secret of Vana'diel®'s past.
A Moogle Kupo d'Etat – Evil in Small Doses™
It all started with an innocent drop of rainwater and a rickety, ramshackle Mog House desperately in need of repairs. Little did anyone suspect that this was only the beginning of a harrowing nightmare unheard of in the annals of moogle-kind.
A Shantotto Ascension – The Legend Torn, Her Empire Born™
The eccentric Professor Shantotto returned to Windurst one day after a mysterious, unexplained absence, shocking her colleagues with behavior so outrageous it put her old self to shame! When she goes so far as to proclaim herself ruler of her own empire, adventurers set out to discover the truth behind her alarming shift in personality.
Online Launch Date: The first expansion is set to be released in Spring of 2009, with follow-ups scheduled to be made available every few months thereafter. At present, these are planned to be released chronologically in the order in which they are listed above.
Price: All titles TBA.
Scenarios can be purchased through the PlayOnline® Viewer. It will be possible to begin playing the scenarios immediately after they are purchased.
*Please note that in order to play the additional scenarios, users must have the PlayOnline Viewer, FINAL FANTASY XI, and Rise of the Zilart installed.
For more information, please visit: http://www.playonline.com/ff11eu/addon/
About FINAL FANTASY XI
FINAL FANTASY XI was originally released for the Japanese market in May 2002. In October 2003, the title was released in North America, and the European version then followed in September 2004.
FINAL FANTASY XI is the first MMORPG capable of simultaneous multiplayer action across three different platforms, allowing players worldwide to experience the adventure together on Windows®, PlayStation®2 (North America and Japan only), and Xbox 360®.
FINAL FANTASY XI players from all over the world can immerse themselves in a vast online gaming universe encompassing a community of 500,000 players, and some 1.7 million characters.
March 2007 saw the introduction of the French and German language versions of FINAL FANTASY XI, creating an influx of new players. As players can no doubt attest, this has contributed even further to the game's vibrant and multi-cultural online community.
FINAL FANTASY XI is the first ever MMORPG released for Microsoft's Xbox 360.
For more information about FINAL FANTASY XI, please visit www.playonline.com.
About Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 46 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.
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. Is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with offices in London, Square Enix Ltd. handles operations in Europe and other PAL territories, including sales, marketing, and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.
DRAGON QUEST, FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE ENIX and the SQUARE ENIX logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. in the United Kingdom and/or other countries. CHRONO TRIGGER, CHRONO CROSS, PLAYONLINE, RISE OF THE ZILART and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. in Japan and/or other countries. Windows, Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United Kingdom and/or other countries. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Square Enix Limited is a company registered in England & Wales under the number 3679704 whose registered office is Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street, London EC2A 4LS.
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Contact:
Alex Huhtala
Public Relations Manager
Square Enix Ltd
+44 (0) 20 7324 5223
alexh@square-enix-europe.com