Square Enix has announced that its third annual Final Fantasy XI fan festival will be held from March 9th to 11th, 2006 at the Santa Monica Pier in California.  Players who register in advance will be charged $85, while those who pay at the door will have a $100 fee.  It should be noted that ticket availability is limited.

Those lucky enough to attend the festival will be able to play the newest Final Fantasy XI expansion, The Treasures of Aht Urghan, which features the Blue Mage job.  Members of the Japanese development team will also be present at the event.

If those two items aren't enough to draw fans, the contests surely will be.  Attendees can participate in the Ballista Royale Finals, the Fan Movie Contest, and the Costume Contest.  A raffle will also be held, with the prizes including a Chains of Promathia PC.

Those interested can find the Final Fantasy XI Fan festival site, which offers more information on the event, here.  Don't forget to buy your tickets!

[Source: RPGFan]

It was already known that Square's upcoming shooter, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, would show what happens to the game's protagonist, Vincent Valentine, after the events of Final Fantasy VII and Advent Children.  However, Square has recently stated that the game will also unravel the mysteries of Vincent's past.  Dirge of Cerberus's tutorial mode, in fact, will allow players to control a young Vincent, still a member of the Turks.

Also, Square revealed that some of Vincent's enemies in the Deepground Soldier ranks will be quite a handful, boasting bazookas, machine guns, swords, and more.  And, of course, the'yre all protected by heavy body armor.

Lastly, a new character has been unveiled; Nero, a mysterious Deepground soldier with a bandaged face, radiates a dark aura.  His role in Dirge of Cerberus is still largely unknown.

Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus will hit the Japanese market on January 26th, 2006.

[Source: RPGFan]