At the Games Developers Conference in Cologne, Germany, there is a playable Alpha version of Final Fantasy XIV. Gametrailers has some footage of it, while one of the team members at FFXIVCore wrote up his impressions from playing it for 15 mintues. Gametrailers also has a few more videos that may be more interesting from the game developery perspective, which you can also see from the source link below.
Sources: Gametrailers, FFXIVCore
...Nothing interesting happened in the last week, so instead, we're just going to tell you that the developers for FFGaiden have been identified. It's an epic mess on the scale of what happens to the Cows in the Cow Level after I use Corpse Explosion.
Source: FFUnion
...Along with a boatload of new images, one can feel free to gorge oneself on a Famitsu interview with FFXIV details.
Source: Eorzeapedia, Forums Thread
...New beautiful artwork and playable characters have appeared on the web for FFXIV. Along with some new information. ;]
Source and more pics: The Magic Box
I even more specific/vague release date for FFXIII. Winter of 2009 (Japan of course :/ ).
Source: FFU
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SE has released some information about the classes/races in the upcoming FFXIV. There are some (obviously) familiar faces, and some, not so much.
It should also be noted that a few more screenshots of FFXIII battles have been released. These shots don't look like shipwrecks in the sand (as some news reporters might have you believe).
...Nothing gets past the eyes of avid fans. In this case, a side-by-side comparison of screenshots shows a noticeable difference between FFXIII's promotional shots and its actual cinematics. Of course, the higher quality shots are promotional, but no less upsetting.
But, as it turns out, not even Square Enix tolerates lower quality. SE has been given approximately $325,000 as a settlement from a Korean producer, under the charge that the producer had violated copyright laws.
Additionally, we of the EoFF Site Staff have reached an all time low. We would like to welcome several members to the roster of soul-snatchers, and hope that they will be producing work for a long, long, long time. A reminder as well, that the Returners start their gaming marathon tomorrow (details below).
Source: Sankaku (not once, but twice), Square Enix (copyright case)
...We at EoFF are always willing to support our fellow gamers when it comes to causes of interest. Another gaming marathon is being held by The Returners for the benefit of Child's Play, a charitable organization dedicated to children and their families during extended hospital stays. The 120 hour session is slated to begin August 6th.
In a show of solidarity, we too at EoFF also plan on resuming our "Eyes on Plays Final Fantasy" after the hiatus. Expect an update when it is ready to go, because things are fun. when we get ready to Aim and Ignite the hearts of Final Fantasy gamers everywhere.
...No, I am not temporarily blind in one eye after seeing Four Year Strong less than 12 hours ago; my mind is sound, and the announcement is true. Square Enix does in fact, have plans to show off their games at GamesCom, including a lineup that features their recent acquisition, Eidos.
Source: Kotaku (Forums Thread)
...Here's some more screenshots and scans of the new FFXIII character, Hope Estheim. It would appear that he and the female character Vanille are friends. They're no Matt and Kim, but one can hope that there's some of that extra special pew-pew-qq inducing attack methods that they can do. Also, he has mommy issues, if only because it's all Snow's fault. What a guy.
...An obviously awesome play on words with an old quote from a poem should be the signal that something awesome approaches. As it turns out, a new Final Fantasy XIII character has been revealed by the name of Hope Estheim, a boy with a vendetta against Snow.
If this information had been released on a different day, I would have used a Deas Vail reference, but instead, you get some more FF Gaiden screenshots.
An even better bonus on the day, for all of those fortunate enough to have a Wii (and spare points), FF Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A Darklord is available today for download for the Wii. Two parts.
Sources: Magic Box, Square Enix
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