360: Square-Enix is bringing...

Final Fantasy XI to the Xbox 360.  errrmmm...exciting?

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May 16, 2005 - As we reported a few hours ago, Microsoft announced at their Xbox press conference that Square Enix is officially on board as an Xbox 360 developer. Their first title? A game that just makes total sense to bring to a system like the X360; Final Fantasy XI. "Square Enix and MS share the same vision for the future of gaming and entertainment." Youichi Wada , President of Square said. "So tonight, I\'m very excited to announce that Square Enix will join with Microsoft and Xbox to bring our games to Xbox 360 and Xbox Live."


The trailer that was shown at the press conference started off with a lot of landscape shots of the existing world of Final Fantasy XI, eventually building up to show characters one by one, fighting monsters such as Diablos and Behemoths. Details were far and few between, but from the trailer that was shown at the press conference, the gameplay looks on par with the PC version of the game, although the detail is more apparent with the X360 rev.
What\'s questionable will be whether or not the game will include the expansion Chains of Promathia, although chances are with the changes made to Xbox Live, the expansion might be a downloadable upgrade. But that remains to be seen. The game will utilize MS\' Xbox Live service in conjunction with their PlayOnline service to deliver what\'ll be an attempt to merge both PC and Xbox 360 players into the same game world. This is a first for any MMORPG title that\'s currently active online, and it\'ll certainly present a huge challenge for both Microsoft and Square Enix to pull off without a hitch.

No other details were discussed at the press conference, but Wada did finish his presentation by showing off some new footage of an unknown title (most likely a tech demo) using X360. In the demo were a few Final Fantasy XI character races in a huge greenhouse-like building, suspended over a beautiful lake. Flying dragons and hot air balloons hovered overhead while the sky itself was partly overcast. A beautiful sight indeed, and a good indication of what Square Enix wishes to do with the system in the future as this relationship developers even further. As of now, Square Enix has yet to discuss what other titles will be in development for the X360, but the smart money might be on titles similar to Final Fantasy XI; something that can take advantage of the strengths of Microsoft\'s system.

Well, he did say games so hopefully we\'ll see something else from them.  I hope it\'s not some trash like Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles though...

Ehem, not so excited.

The game looks hot on the 360. There just better not be any extra fees. :l

This will be great with the live service.

No way in hell will I buy this game though.

[Bobs_Hardware]

Of course there would be an extra fee..

Unless you were on Silver.. in which case there would only be one fee.

^^^Doesn\'t look like that\'s necessarily the case with FFXI;

May 17, 2005 - What\'s better than knowing that your upcoming next generation system of choice will be getting a high definition version of Final Fantasy XI? How about knowing that you\'ll be able to brag about your new gaming hardware to your PC and PS2 counterparts?


Japanese news source Mainichi Interactive reveals that Final Fantasy XI for Xbox 360 will allow for cross platform play. Players of the PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 versions will be able to play one another.
This immediately hints that we can, at the very least, expect the Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy XI to offer all current content now available for the PS2 and PC versions. But what bonus features will Xbox 360 users get besides powered-up visuals? For this, we\'ll have to wait for Square Enix to share more details on the title.

Mainichi reports that gamers will be able to use either Xbox Live or Square Enix\'s Play Online service to play Final Fantasy XI. How this will work out in terms of monthly charges is currently a mystery.

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Wow, they\'re getting an enhanced port of a 4 year old game. Yippie!

*opens up a champagne*

The fact that Square is on the Xbox, and did say games is quite an accomplishment.  There were many people, including myself, that thought it would never happen.