The latest version of one of the classic video games, Final Fantasy, has just been released in Japan and is already causing a sensation.
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| Source: AFP |
This captivating and renowned role-playing game has inspired a feature film, countless mobile ringtones, soft drinks, and of course, the VCD release of the weekly IT magazine Echip three years ago.
Regarded as the flagship product of Sony PlayStation and the game company Square Enix, the process of developing and enhancing Final Fantasy is so complex that its creators liken it to a monumental architectural project. “We have to design it meticulously down to the smallest details. It’s like building a Gothic cathedral,” stated Yoichi Wada, president of Square Enix.
After a four-year wait, Final Fantasy fans can finally get their hands on a new version. Since the release of the first Final Fantasy in 1987, Square Enix has sold over 65 million copies worldwide, attracting tens of millions of players with its stunning visuals and captivating, mysterious storyline.
To support the release of version 12, Sony Computer Entertainment has started selling PlayStation 2 gaming devices with the Final Fantasy XII logo pre-attached, as well as pre-installing the game.
Struggling to protect its profits after a prolonged decline, Sony has announced a delay in the release of PlayStation 3 for technical reasons. While Microsoft has reason to celebrate with the Xbox 360 selling very well, analysts suggest that the delay in launching the PS3 is a strategic move for Sony at this time.
Last year, Microsoft dealt Sony a significant blow when it signed a contract with the creator of Final Fantasy, the renowned engineer Hironobu Sakaguchi, to design a game specifically for Xbox.
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