LADYDRAGON.COM - NCsoft Unveils Groundbreaking Lineup and New Web site for Electronic Entertainment Expo

Wednesday April 30, 2003

SQUARE ENIX U.S.A., INC. TO UNVEIL EPIC NEW ROLE PLAYING GAMES AT THE ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO, MAY 14 - 16

Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("Square Enix U.S.A."), publisher of Square Enix(tm) products in North America, today announced its Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) lineup of new video game releases for multiple gaming platforms. All of the games will be on display at the Square Enix U.S.A. booth (#624) in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Making its first E3 appearance since the recent merger between Square and Enix, Square Enix U.S.A. is poised to take role-playing games (RPGs) to the next level with a variety of innovative titles. The new company will continue its efforts to elevate the popularity of RPGs worldwide. The highly anticipated FINAL FANTASY XI®, the company's first venture into online gaming, will make its North American debut for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the PC. The company will bring several high caliber role-playing games to the North American market - UNLIMITED Saga(tm), FINAL FANTASY®X-2, STAR OCEAN(tm) Till the End of Time and Drakengard(tm) - all for the PlayStation 2. In addition, Square Enix U.S.A. will showcase FINAL FANTASY® CRYSTAL CHRONICLES(tm) for the Nintendo GameCube(tm), and FINAL FANTASY TACTICS(tm) ADVANCE and SWORD of MANA(tm) for the Game Boy® Advance.

Online Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 and Windows®

FINAL FANTASY XI

FINAL FANTASY XI is the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) and latest installment for the world-renowned series. FINAL FANTASY XI is a cross-platform, cross-continent MMORPG, allowing players to connect to the same exact world whether they are playing on a PlayStation 2 or a PC.

The title showcases the same award-winning visual content, innovative game play and emotional storyline that has made the FINAL FANTASY series one of the most popular video game series in the world, selling over 44 million units worldwide to date. FINAL FANTASY XI incorporates the features the franchise has become known for and has those elements constantly evolve in its ongoing adventure. Players will be able to unite in the world of "Vana'diel" where they can create characters choosing from a variety of races, facial features, size, hair styles and colors, play at their own pace, form parties with other players and embark on multiple adventures through vast environments.

In FINAL FANTASY XI, players become immersed in an expansive, original story that includes quests and boss battles. They can participate in missions either alone or with other party members and acquire skills such as alchemy, leatherworking, jewel crafting, fishing and many more. Various communications tools have been incorporated into FINAL FANTASY XI to assist communication between players, including easy-to-learn chat and messaging systems. Whether it be cross platform or cross continental, players can communicate and interact with each together simultaneously to create a new history for the world of Vana'diel.

Square Enix U.S.A. recently announced the public beta test program for FINAL FANTASY XI. The beta program is scheduled to begin in June for the PlayStation 2 and July for Windows. Selected testers will have a chance to explore the world of Vana'diel in FINAL FANTASY XI prior to its release. This title is rated "T" (Teen).

PlayStation 2 Titles

UNLIMITED Saga

UNLIMITED Saga, the first title in the legendary series for the PlayStation 2, elevates the genre to new heights with eclectic art styles, sophisticated game play structure and fuses traditional animation and advanced computer technology into one game.

The story is uniquely told and played through the eyes of seven different protagonists, each with their own motivations for seeking the seven grand menaces. Each protagonist follows their enemy to the Seven Wonders, a group of structures shrouded in mystery. However, they are not aware that the antagonists are seeking to obtain the power of the Seven Wonders for their own incentives. Legends say long absent Gods lie within them and their release will trigger a rebirth of the Golden Age. Fates cross in a town during the hustle and bustle of a festival.

Advanced game play features in UNLIMITED Saga include the "Free Scenario" and "Map Movement" systems, allowing for the most open-ended adventure possible allowing players to focus on the core of the RPG experience: Discovery and Growth. Also included are a unique character development system, breathtaking hand-illustrated visuals, as well as a new form of animation named "Sketch Motion." UNLIMITED Saga completely supports 5-channel sound through out the entire game, using Dolby Laboratories' latest technology, Dolby Pro Logic®II. UNLIMITED Saga will be released June 2003. This title is rated "T" (Teen).

FINAL FANTASY X-2

FINAL FANTASY X-2 is the first sequel in the long respected series. This sequel keeps the familiar environment fresh with the inclusion of a newly created battle system. The first female-led FINAL FANTASY, it combines an experience that is both light-hearted and melancholy fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and dark secrets.

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 friends. 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. Incorporating a completely revamped battle system, new job classes, diverse looks for the leading female characters, renovated maps and enhanced character development systems, FINAL FANTASY X-2 promises to deliver a fresh new look. FINAL FANTASY X-2 will be released this fall. This title is rated "T" (Teen).

STAR OCEAN Till the End of Time

STAR OCEAN Till the End of Time is the first title in the science-fiction RPG series for the PlayStation 2. Building on the first-rate concepts of its prequels, STAR OCEAN fully utilizes the technological capabilities of the PlayStation 2, incorporating gorgeous cinematic sequences and an unparalleled real-time battle system.

Set in 772 (space calendar), four hundred years after the battle with the "Ten Wise Men," players follow protagonist Fate Linegod in his quest to find his loved ones after a sudden attack on the resort planet of Hida by an unknown space military.

The advanced real-time battle system, allows for players to move freely around the 3D field as well as choose which of the three party members they want to control. Fully polygonal graphics create a spectacular, detailed world that can now be explored in detail. Dolby Pro Logic®II will allow players to hear nuances such as the approaching footsteps of an enemy. STAR OCEAN Till the End of Time will be released spring 2004. This title is not yet rated.

Drakengard

Cast in a chaotic world of dragon pacts and warfare, Drakengard combines unique action RPG elements into a profoundly tragic saga. Developed by team members from such blockbuster titles as Resident Evil® Code: Veronica, the Bust-a-Groove® series and Ace Combat®, Drakengard seeks to immerse the player in an all-new gameplay experience, combining reality and interactivity.

Drakengard tells the tale of love, lore, sacrifice and obligation focusing on the main character Kyme, his sister Friae, and her fiancé and Kyme's childhood friend, Yuvalt. Players will be in for a thrilling ride as they battle on land and in the skies. Not only will the player's attributes evolve throughout the game, his contracted dragon will also mature as the game progresses, changing in appearance and abilities.

Drakengard will be released spring 2004. This title is not yet rated.

Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance Titles

FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES

Exclusively developed for the Nintendo GameCube, FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES is the first title in the popular franchise for the platform. Elements of the traditional single-player RPG have been adapted for the Nintendo GameCube, allowing for up to four-player simultaneous play.

In an innovative new interface, the Game Boy Advance acts as each player's controller, displaying his or her personal information and hiding it from other players. Players advance through the adventure by communicating directly with each other, cooperating and making deals. Since there are obstacles that only certain party members can clear, cooperative play becomes crucial. FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES will be released in 2003. This game is not yet rated. Nintendo of America Inc. will publish this game.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS ADVANCE

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS ADVANCE is the first FINAL FANTASY title for the Game Boy Advance in North America. Gamers can look forward to an open-ended job class creation system, the intense strategic battle and an exhilarating storyline which made the original PlayStation game FINAL FANTASY TACTICS one of the most critically acclaimed titles ever.

Players are thrust into the world of Ivalice, where they meet protagonist Marche and his friend, Mewt, who is struggling with family tragedies. After a snowball fight with school bullies, Mewt finds the book - Final Fantasy - and shares it with his friends. Looking to escape their dismal lives, they read it. However, something goes wrong and Ivalice is transformed into the world within the book. Thus Marche and friends begin their journey through the world of FINAL FANTASY.

Players can also unite with other players and form a party using the Game Boy Advance Game Link® cable. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS ADVANCE will be released in 2003. This game is rated "E" (Everyone). Nintendo of America Inc. will publish this game.

SWORD of MANA

SWORD of MANA is the latest installment in the celebrated Mana series, which includes FINAL FANTASY ADVENTURE (Game Boy), SECRET of MANA (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) and LEGEND of MANA for the PlayStation game console. SWORD of MANA is the first game in the series to appear on the Game Boy Advance.

Based on the storyline of FINAL FANTASY ADVENTURE, SWORD of MANA allows players to choose the role of hero or heroine. The player's choice changes his or her understanding of the story and relation to characters based on who is selected at the start of the game. With multiple possible experiences, replay value is high.

In addition to the visual upgrade and moving story, strategic elements have been added to the adventure, including a diverse selection of weapons. Players can select the best weapon for particular enemies, or choose from new attacks and magic spells. The popular "Ring Command System" returns, allowing players to easily choose items, weapons or abilities in battles. SWORD of MANA will be released in 2003. This game is not yet rated. Nintendo of America Inc. will publish this game.

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. The recent merger between Square and Enix brought two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY^®, sold over 44 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR^® in North America), sold over 30 million units worldwide - under one roof. Both known to be pioneers in the role-playing game (RPG) genre, the unification of Square and Enix has created one of the most influential providers of entertainment content in the world.

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