Square Enix has announced that it will launch the Final Fantasy XI Starter Pack in Europe and other PAL territories for a low price of £4.99. This Windows-only offering will net players a copy of the game as well as a one-month free trial to the MMORPG.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer FINAL FANTASY XI to a whole new spectrum of gamers at such a competitive price,” said John Yamamoto, President and chief executive officer of Square Enix Ltd., “We are confident that this release, coupled with recent gameplay changes and the forthcoming Wings of the Goddess expansion pack will encourage even more to try what is an exciting and prolific online experience.”

Final Fantasy XI is an MMO based on the famous RPG franchise, enjoying about 500,000 active players on the PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 combined. An upcoming expansion dubbed Wings of the Goddess is slated for release this Winter.

There have been thousands of Final Fantasy parodies, but none as funny as Mark Leung’s College Saga. Up on Youtube, this epic 40 minute saga chronicles the hero’s efforts against vegetarians threatening to take over the world. Features repetitive NPCs, silly obstacles, turn-based combat and item acquiring, this is comedy at its finest. Below is episode one:

Hit the jump if you wanna catch the full saga.
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Summer is usually a dull time for gaming, but Square Enix’s lineup for the season just warmed things up. The publisher will release three new games for the PS2 and DS this summer, along with a PSP game that has already been released.

Already released is Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth for the PSP, which will be followed by Dirge of Cerberus, the Final Fantasy-spinoff title that features Vincent as the main character, for the PS2 on August 15. The following month will see the release of Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (DS) and Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2) on 19 and 26 September, respectively.

Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy XII for the PS2 will ship across North America on October 31. In addition to the regular edition, a limited “Collector’s Edition” will be available exclusively at GameStop and EBGames stores, containing a bonus DVD offering Japanese and American promotional trailers, developer interviews, an art gallery and featurettes focusing on highlights of the popular franchise. The regular version will retail for $50, with the Collector’s Edition going for $60.

As war looms on the horizon, the mighty Archadian Empire begins a campaign to subjugate its neighbors. The small kingdom of Dalmasca shares their fate, and it is here that our tale begins.

Two years after the fall of Dalmasca, the citizens are without guidance and direction. In the capital city of Rabanastre, the denizens gather and await the introduction of Archadia’s new consul. To Vaan, a young man living on the streets of Rabanastre, the Empire is a hated enemy who took the life of his brother, the only family he had left. In an effort to exact revenge, Vaan hatches a plot to break into the palace and steal from the occupying imperials. There, he gets more than he bargained for as he runs into Princess Ashe, the sole surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne. Together, the two will embark on an incredible journey through Ivalice, tracing the mysteries behind the Archadian Empire’s invasion. The choices they make will determine the very fate of the world.

This rumor was shot down before, but it has been going persistently strong since people just cannot get the idea of a really hot Final Fantasy 7 remake on the PS3. Anyways, IGN sent off an email to Square Enix to squash the rumor once and for all; here is their reply:

Since the FINAL FANTASY VII tech demo at E3 2005, there have been a lot of rumors about the presentation hinting at an actual remake. While the June 2006 issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly confirms the remake for release in 2007, Square Enix has never stated this.

We have however confirmed that development has begun for Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII on PlayStation 3. These titles are part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis Project which also includes a mobile game titled FINAL FANTASY Agito XIII.

Really, what kind of an answer do people need? “WE ARE NOT MAKING A F&*&@#! FINAL FANTASY 7 GAME!” That’s more like it, I guess.

The Magic Box is playing host to some fantastic non-scanned images of Final Fantasy XIII. They aren’t very high-res, but beautiful-looking, nonetheless.

And the final announcement is: FINAL FANTASY XIII… and its spin-off projects!

Dubbed Fabula Nova Crystallis, Square Enix revealed world-premiere footage from the thirteenth entry in the series is being developed exclusively for the PS3, along with a mobile version.

Defined in Latin as “the new tale of the crystal”, Fabula Nova Crystallis is made up of several different titles based on variations of the Final Fantasy XIII universe. Each title will feature different characters, different worlds and different stories, but will be connected to each other through a common mythos. Two titles are currently in development for the PS3: Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII.

No other details were announced.

In the company’s second announcement, Square Enix revealed new titles in the Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles series. Unveiled at the publisher’s E3 press event, Crystal Bearers will premier of the Wii, and Ring of Fates will make its debut on DS. Both titles are being developed keeping the unique features of the different hardware in mind.

A later date will see further information detailed.

On 1Up is word that the May issue of EGM reveals in its “rumor mill section” that Square Enix is expected to show a brief teaser video of Final Fantasy XIII (that’s thirteen) and confirmation that the game will be PS3-exclusive at E3 this year.

Just one month left! Freaking out commenced.

Nintendo has announced that Final Fantasy IV Advance will be launching on June 2 throughout Europe for the GBA, letting gamers re-experience one of the best games in the venerable series, with improved graphics and added content.

The title will retail for £30 when released. Details on the game after the jump.
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Japanese site Aniplex is offering information on the Final Fantasy XII Limited Edition Soundtrack that will be hitting Japan on April 19. To retail for 3,900 yen, the soundtrack will feature 100 songs on 4 CDs, some of which will not be in the game itself.

An image of the set has been included, showing off the casing and the extras. The site also states that the music have been composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto instead of Final Fantasy veteran Nobuo Uematsu. Hitoshi’s credits include Final Fantasy Tactics and Vagrant Story.