Square Enix Attending E3 2008, Hopefully Fabula Nova Crystallis Series

This year's list of developers who will be attending E3 2008 has been revealed today. Square Enix will be attending as they do every year.We are hoping to see some new footage or possibly even gameplay on Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII. The last time we've seen the games of the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation outside Japan was back in E3 2006. John Yamamoto, CEO of Square Enix of North America and Europe, wants a worldwide release, so it is quite possible to see the games at the show. Lets just hope.

[Square-Enix Attending E3 2008 - FFXIII as well?]

Rumor: New Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII at PS Premier

This year's PlayStation Premier Event is said to feature new trailer for Square Enix's upcoming Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Here is what we know.

· There will be a 3-4 minute video showing a three men party fighting at a plain region.
· The battle scene camera will make you get motion sickness according to the original poster.
· The final design of Final Fantasy Versus XIII's antagonist will finally be revealed, apparently he has a long gold or white hair.

Whether this is going to be shown to the public at first or in private viewing, we do not know. But knowing Square Enix, a private showing is probably the case.

[Rumor: New FFXIII and Versus XIII footage at PS Premiere]

GDC 2008: Square Enix's Crystal Tools in Images

4Gamer managed to take some pictures during the Square Enix GDC 2008 session. The images reveal Final Fantasy XIII enemy models including a solider and the creature Lightning fights in the CLOUD trailer being made in Crystal Tools. It is also revealed that the engine is used to render cut scenes. Enjoy!

[GDC2008＃33 ファイナルファンタジーのために作られたスクエニオリジナルエンジン「Crystal Tools」とは]

GDC 2008: Square Enix Renames White Engine to Crystal Tools

At the Game Developers Conference 2008, Square Enix's Taku Murata had a conference during the show. He revealed that the White Engine, which is being uses in Square's upcoming Final Fantasy XIII title, has been renamed to Crystal Tools. He also mentioned bringing the engine to the Wii, but of course the graphics will not match up with that of the PLAYSTATION 3's.

[GDC 08: White Engine renamed to Crystal Tools]

1000th Famitsu Special: Fabula Nova Crystallis Interview

We will be straight with you here. We have no idea what these scans say. What we think we know, according to a title translation from the original news story, is that it's an interview with Nomura regarding Final Fantasy XIII, Versus XII, Agito XIII, and some other Square Enix games, and that it's the 1000th Famitsu issue special. We merly posted this in case anybody can help us out.

Update: Ok, we have a minor translation. The magazine is interviewing Testuya Nomura to celebrate their 1000th issue. Some of the details below.

- While designing Final Fantasy VII, they were indecisive about how spiky to make Cloud's hair.
- Since people are more used to the beautiful CGs of FF characters, Nomura prefers his own artworks to not be shown out in the open too often and thinks that the Final Fantasy illustrations done by Yoshiyuki Amano are what people prefer to see.
- Normally draws with just a mechanical pencil, then scans and digitally colours his artworks.
- Buys games based on Famitsu reviews.
- Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII: Has muscular legs, she isn't sweet, strict to herself and to others, and doesn't like whiners. She is quite like a military soldier.
- Final Fantasy XIII scenario writer, Motomu Toriyama wanted her to be more muscular and macho, but Nomura thought people wouldn't be fond of her as a main character if he designed her that way.
- Aya (Aya Brea from PE3) is a bid more rounded than Lightning.
- Versus XIII heroes' clothes will probably be revised.
- Versus XIII main character is unlike Cloud nor Squall as people are expecting. Everyone's impression on him will greatly change once they hear him speak. Many people may not like him.
- His name will be related to weather just like Lightning, but personally Nomura has gotten bored of this naming tradition.
- The next time they reveal new Versus XIII info, they will reveal the main character's name.
- Agito XIII characters are being called after their weapons between the development staff members, like how the boy with the cards is known as "Card-kun". The girl with glasses is being called "Class President" just because of her image, though.
- Final Fantasy XIII scenario writer, Motomu Toriyama wanted her to be more muscular and macho, but Nomura thought people wouldn't be fond of her as a main character if he designed her that way.
- Versus XIII main character is unlike Cloud nor Squall as people are expecting. Everyone's impression on him will greatly change once they hear him speak. Many people may not like him.

The scans can be seen below. [PS3Forums]

[파이널판타지 노무라 오빠 인터뷰 스캔샷]

Famitstu & Square Enix Discuss Final Fantasy XIII Release Date

Well, Square Enix of North America already denied the rumored 2008 release date of Final Fantasy XIII saying that they were undecided (it could still happen), but it's probably not the same for Japan.

Famitsu, a Japanese gaming magazine, decided to call up and ask Square Enix's PR department a few questions about the matter.

Will Final Fantasy XIII be released in 2008?
All the information about that is false and Nomura/Toriyama never said the game will be released during 2008.

What caused that rumor?
The websites overseas probably mistranslated Toriyama when he said the development team is hoping to release a battle system demo in 2008, and "finally get the experience you wanted".

To conclude, what is the current status of Final Fantasy XIII, and when will we hear more information?
The PR department has stated that the progress of all Fabula Nova Crystallis games is going well, and the company always releases new information in events and through the media.

It's good to hear the development is going well. Hopefully soon, they will be able to release an official statement about the games.

[Famitsu interviews S-E PR department regarding FFXIII's rumors]

Final Fantasy XIII Information Coming to PSM3 February

The February issue of PSM3 magazine will feature some more information on Square Enix's upcoming Final Fantasy XIII. This information will probably remain the same as the new Famitsu and V-Jump information, but in more understandable terms.

We will update you next month when we find out what this information is.

[PSM3 to have Final Fantasy XIII info in Feb]

Square Enix Talks Final Fantasy XIII Release Date, Nothing New

Recent news on the internet states that Square Enix is going to be throwing Final Fantasy XIII this year (2008).

Today, Square Enix made a statement about the release situation.

A statement issued by Square Enix read: "Although information regarding the release date of FINAL FANTASY XIII has been reported by certain videogame websites, Square Enix itself has yet to make an official statement on this topic. Any reports of a confirmed release date are erroneous and should be disregarded.

"Square Enix will make an official announcement in the future concerning the release date when it has been determined."

[Square Enix hit back at FINAL FANTASY XIII release date rumours]

Next Gemaga Issue to Feature New Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII Details, Early Leak

The upcoming issue of Gemaga magazine is releasing January 30, 2008 in Japan. The new issue will have even more details on Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII, and also a comment from Nomura.

The magazine has some new details about the Versus XIII characters.

The symbols that appear behind The Prince and the girl (view here) are supposed to be involved in the battle system as well as the storyline of the game. The other new detail revealed is that The Prince and the girl's relationship has something to do with the Shakespeare quote shown in the E3 2006 trailer "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

[Via FF-XIII.net]

Final Fantasy XIII to be at Game Developers Conference 2008

Square Enix is going to be present at the upcoming Game Developers Conference 2008. A new engine for Final Fantasy XIII will be discussed at the event, along with a showing of art style for the series. As of now, we don't know whether the new engine is the White Engine or a brand new one.

Stay tuned as GDC 2008 approaches.

[Via Games Industry]

Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII: Translated Information from Scans

Well, you've probably seen the Famitsu scans we posted earlier today of Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII. Thanks to Forever-Fantasy, we have a translation of what these new scans tell us.

Final Fantasy XIII
As part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis project, Final Fantasy XIII embarks on an adventure full of mysticism, friendship, and strife in the name of destiny. The world calls for change. Chosen by the crystal to guide the world into this new era of change, Lightning attempts to overthrow the government from which she was cast. Cocoon, for many, is the ideal state of life. Or at least it was. Prosperity reigned upon its inhabitants. Powered by the crystal, they were given everything they would ever need: machines, magic, and other living beings. The citizens of Cocoon were thankful, but soon became scared of the threat posed from without. The people of cocoon grew scronful, outlawing any suspicious personae to the world below: Pulse. Lighning is one such person, and has witnessed the resulting injustice first-hand that has begun to overtake the world of Cocoon. After becoming friends with many of Pulse's inhabitants, she has begun to realize her true destiny."

Cocoon
The world above, as the people of Pulse know it, was enchanted by a magical crystal that established everything that the world has now become. Monorails and hover lanes divide the living sections of the inhabitants. This is a global utopia for all kinds of modern technology. Better yet, it is a place that is constantly evolving. The technology has become so advanced that the place has now decorated itself into a formidable fortress. The defenses accrued have made Cocoon a safe haven from the denizens below, but the people of Pulse do not see it that way. They see it as if the citizens of Cocoon have stranded themselves.

Pulse
Like Cocoon, the world of Pulse was created by a crystal. 'Awakened,' as the people would state. Due to the harsh rules Cocoon has led, many believe Pulse to be a breeding ground for everything that has gone wrong with the world. It is a place filled with malcontent. They believe this is the source of all the violence and misery that occurs. As a result, the government outcasts "conspirators" to this underbelly. Since then, the exiled Cocoon citizens have discovered the truth. That Pulse is actually full of life, beauty, and majesty. Even encountering a new species: the Rushi. The Rushi are believed to have been granted the power of magic in the form of summons. It is also believed that they hold the task to restoring the world.

Characters
The "pigtail girl" will be known as Nomchan for a while, until her real name is revealed (Just like Mr. 33cm).W

Well, thats all the information these new scans give us. Enjoy!

[Via Forever-Fantasy]

Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII: Thirteen New Famitsu Scans

The latest issue of Famitsu features thirteen pages of new scans and information of Square Enix's upcoming PLAYSTATION 3 exclusives, Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII. Thanks to FF-XIII.net, we have some of the translated information below, and thanks to Forever Fantasy for the scans.

• Nomura: "2008 will be the year. There will be tons of news bits, info on characters and summons, and an unexpected connection between the keywords Cocoon and Farushi.
• We're trying to release a "battle system demo" during 2008.
• Final Fantasy XIII's theme: determination.
• Farsi: Their existence surpasses humans.
• Lucy: Those chosen by Farsi to carry out a mission. The pigtail girl is a Lucy.
• Mr. 33cm is also a Rushi.
• This time summons are in digital form.
• A new monster that looks like a cross between a turtle and elephant.
• The red thing on Carbuncle's head is a ruby.
• Hint on release date: "I wonder when we'll be able to sleep..."

Hmm, that hint on the release date is pretty suspicious. I mean, seeing all these scans makes me not want to sleep. As of now, enjoy them.

Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII: New Famitsu Pictures

A Japanese blog called Apocalypse received their latest issue of Japanese magazine, Famitsu, early. That means more pictures of Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII earlier. The new scans show the pigtailed girl from Final Fantasy XIII, and in the second scan, it shows a girl from Versus XIII wielding a rapier sword.

This really makes us want a Famitsu subscription, with our scanner, we could get out better quality scans. Sadly, according to Amazon, a US subscription is nearly $400 for a year. Enjoy the pictures!

[Via FF-XIII.net]

Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII High-Res V-Jump Scans

It seems we can't give you enough of the same scans. Forever-Fantasy were able to obtain extremely high-resolution versions of the recently released V-Jump scans of Final Fantasy XIII and Versus XIII. You can view a translated version of these scans here.

Shonen Jump Features New Final Fantasy XIII Scans

The latest Shonen Jump in Japan contains new images from the closed mega theater from the Jump Festa 2008. It shows lighter settings on Final Fantasy Versus XIII, as well as the new summons in Final Fantasy XIII such as Carbuncle and Ifrit.

[Via Forever Fantasy]