communiqué de presse de Square-Enix

Aprés les recents événements sur le net, Square-Enix ne veux pas laisser sortir de leur cages les rumeurs décevante et nous annonce quelques nouvelle dans ce communiqué officiel.
(Ce communiqué officiel est à la base en américain donc la traduction laisse un peu à désirer, veuillez nous en escuser)

Afin d’apporter aux foyers la dernière fantaisie durant cette période de vacances, Final Fantasy X-2 débarquera le 18 Novembre prochain.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (Nov. 3, 2003) - Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. (“Square Enix U.S.A.”), éditeur des produits Square Enix™ en Amérique du Nord, a aujourd’hui annoncé que FINAL FANTASY® X-2, pour les consoles de salon PlayStation®2, sera présent dans les rayons de nos revendeurs nord-américains le 18 Novembre, quelques semaines plus tôt que la date initiale prévue pour Décembre. FINAL FANTASY X-2, la première femme de la famille FINAL FANTASY, est la séquelle de FINAL FANTASY X, une des meilleures ventes PlayStation 2. Réalisé en Décembre 2001 en Amérique du Nord, FINAL FANTASY X s’est vendu à plus de 6.4 millions d’exemplaires à travers le monde, jusqu’à ce jour.

"Nous sommes ravis de publier FINAL FANTASY X-2 juste à temps pour ces vacances. FINAL FANTASY X-2 emportera les joueurs dans de nouvelles aventures passionnantes, repoussant une fois de plus ses limites d’un scénario émotionnel qu’ils ont d’ores et déjà expérimenté dans FINAL FANTASY X," dit Jun Iwasaki, producteur exécutif et PDG de Square Enix U.S.A. "Ce jeu n’est pas qu’une simple suite. Les fans ne seront pas les seuls à se réjouir devant la continuation du scénario, FINAL FANTASY X-2 offre un gameplay entièrement remis aux goûts du jour, ce qui séduira quiconque à la recherche une aventure remplie de "fun"."

FINAL FANTASY X-2 sera disponible au prix de $49.99 (USD). The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) a catalogué FINAL FANTASY X-2 au rang "T", abréviation de Teen.

FINAL FANTASY X-2 a obtenu des critiques exceptionnelles pour ses graphismes, sa présentation, son scénario ainsi que ses protagonistes et a reçu les notes suivantes de magazines enthousiastes :

"5 sur 5" --- PlayStation Magazine, édition de Décembre 2003
"Graphimes 5, Bande-son 4.5, Jouabilité 4, Intérêt 4.5 (sur 5)" --- GamePro, édition de Décembre 2003
"A" --- GameNOW, édition de Décembre 2003

Le reste ? Je pense que tout le monde le connaît par cœur. Square Enix USA ajouta juste leur volonté de localiser Final Fantasy X-2 pour le début de l’année 2004 en Europe. Ainsi, un soupçon d’espoir nous fera prier sa sortie avant Mars prochain.

:: Le communiqué officiel dans la langue d'origine :

LOS ANGELES, Calif., (Nov. 3, 2003) - Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. (“Square Enix U.S.A.”), the publisher of Square Enix™ products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY® X-2 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system will ship to North American retailers on November 18, 2003,weeks earlier than the originally scheduled December release date. FINAL FANTASY X-2, the first female-led FINAL FANTASY game in the franchise's history, is the sequel to FINAL FANTASY X, one of the best-selling PlayStation 2 titles. Released in December 2001 in North America, FINAL FANTASY X has sold over 6.4 million units worldwide to date.

"We are thrilled to release FINAL FANTASY X-2 just in time for the holidays. FINAL FANTASY X-2 will take gamers on exciting new adventures, building upon the intense, emotional storyline they experienced in FINAL FANTASY X," said Jun Iwasaki, chief executive officer and president of Square Enix U.S.A. "This game is not just another sequel. Not only will the fans of the original get to enjoy the continuation of the story, but FINAL FANTASY X-2 offers a completely new gameplay experience that will appeal to anyone who's looking for a fun-filled adventure."

FINAL FANTASY X-2 will be available at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY X-2 "T" for Teen.

FINAL FANTASY X-2 has received outstanding reviews for its graphics, presentation, story, and characters and has earned the following review scores to date from enthusiast magazines:
"5 out of 5" --- Official PlayStation Magazine, December 2003 issue
"Graphics 5, Sound 4.5, Controls 4, Fun Factor 4.5, all out of 5" --- GamePro, December 2003 issue
"A" --- GameNOW, December 2003 issue

About FINAL FANTASY X-2 FINAL FANTASY X-2 is the first sequel in the long respected series. While keeping the series' traditions, the sequel stays fresh with several new elements. Among them, the reintroduction of the ATB (active time battle) system accelerates the pace and excitement of battles. FINAL FANTASY X-2 is also the first mission-based FINAL FANTASY, allowing for non-linear gameplay and features new and unique job classes, which provide diverse looks for the leading female characters and an enhanced character development system. The first female-led FINAL FANTASY hails the return of a free-spirited Yuna, her enthusiastic cousin Rikku and introduces Paine, their sarcastic, hardnosed friend. The game is filled with light-hearted and melancholy moments, fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and ominous secrets that threaten the peace of their world, Spira.

Taking place two years after Yuna's fateful journey to defeat Sin in FINAL FANTASY X, the once chaotic world of Spira has gone through a massive transformation, entering a period of "Eternal Calm." Despite the Calm, Yuna's heart is empty and longs for her lost love. When she obtains a mystical sphere that contains imagery of what might be the Blitzball player she thought was gone forever, Yuna is driven to seek the truth behind what she has seen.

Throughout the land of Spira, players will find "spheres" which contain visual recordings of historical events. The trio of "sphere hunters" — Yuna, Rikku and Paine — is out to search and collect the spheres. "Dress spheres" are also collected, opening up different types of jobs ranging from Warrior, White Mage, Alchemist to Trainer and many more, all of which can be changed in the heat of battle. In addition, dynamic movements have been incorporated into gameplay resulting in a deeper immersion of the game. Additional information on FINAL FANTASY X-2 can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX-2/.

Marketing and Advertising Support The launch of FINAL FANTASY X-2 is supported by one of the largest television advertising campaigns to date for the series, which will kick-off December 1 and continue through January. The spots will run in various time slots on target network, cable and syndicated programming such as Comedy Central, MTV, Spike TV, WWE and UPN (Smackdown). The combined print and online advertising campaigns will reach millions of gamers over a course of three months, from November through January. A playable demo, a short movie titled "FINAL FANTASY X-2: Prologue," developers' interviews and an in-depth look at the game is included in the December 2003 cover story issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, which is available now at newsstands nationwide.

"Greatest Hits" Galore In addition to FINAL FANTASY X-2, the following top-selling RPGs from Square Enix U.S.A. will be available as "Greatest Hits," this holiday season, all under $20 (USD):

Available now as Greatest Hits
-FINAL FANTASY® X (PlayStation 2)
-KINGDOM HEARTS® (PlayStation 2)
-Available soon (December) as Greatest Hits
-FINAL FANTASY ANTHOLOGY® (PlayStation)
-FINAL FANTASY CHRONICLES® (PlayStation)
-VAGRANT STORY® (PlayStation)
-XENOGEARS® (PlayStation)

More information on these and other Square Enix products can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com. About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan’s best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 30 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.

Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif., handles operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com.