TOKYO GAME SHOW 2003: SUMMARY REPORT
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Posted on August 2, 2004
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Squaresoft and Enix took part in their first Tokyo Game Show as one company on September 26, 2003. The event attracted over a 150,000 fans/reporters over the course of three days.
Fans at the SQEX booth
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Posters for FF7AC + KH2
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Square Enix set up one of the more impressive booths of the show. The booth's highlight would have to be the big black wall that had a large screen attached to it and the large Square Enix logo that was placed on top of the screen, making it viewable to almost all that entered the show. Inside the Square Enix booth lay many small booths dedicated to the 20+ games that the company planned to show at the event. Most of these small booths were covered with posters and game related decorations. Many also gave you the opportunity to try out the games being advertised. To top it off, Square Enix placed two large inflatable characters on the top of their booth. The characters were a Blue Slime (from Dragon Quest) and a Chocobo (from Final Fantasy).
The Big Square Enix screen
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Blue Slime and Chocobo balloons
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Apart from the booths, Square Enix also held press conferences to give news reporters the real inside scoop on their upcoming games. The most important conferences were that of Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children. Both conferences took place in large halls that could seat at least 200 people. A large projection screen was placed at the front of the hall, alongwith tables and chairs to seat the many Square Enix representatives. Some of the reps included Youichi Wada, Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinari Kitase, and a few others.
FF7AC press conference
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Tetsuya Nomura at a conference
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Square Enix showed many new titles at this years Tokyo Game Show.
Here is their game list:
01. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (DVD)
02. Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission (PS2)
03. Final Fantasy XI (PS2/PC)
04. Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
05. Front Mission History (PSX)
06. Front Mission Online (PS2/PC)
07. Front Mission 4 (PS2)
08. Front Mission 1 (PSX)
09. Sword of Mana (GBA)
10. Drakengard (PS2)
11. Kenshin Dragon Quest
12. Slime Dragon Quest (GBA)
13. Full Metal Alchemist (PS2)
14. Junk Metal (PC)
15. Ambrosia Odyssey (PS2/PC)
16. Cross Gate (PC)
17. Kingom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA)
18. Kingdom Hearts 2 (PS2)
19. Star Ocean 3: Director's Cut (PS2)
and many new mobile titles, including FF1 and DQ1 for the next generation FOMA cellphones.
A few days before the Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix told shareholders about the blocbuster title that it planned to show at this years event. The statements made Square Enix's stock go up to 2,600 JPY which was a 15 month high for the company. During the TGS event, the stock went up to around 2,800 JPY and now is close to 3,000 JPY.
The blocbuster title was none other than Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. This title will come in the form of a 60 minute movie on a DVD disc. It will be a sequel to the original Final Fantasy VII. The story will take place two years after the end of the original game and will involve Cloud trying to save the world once again. Many old characters will make a return including Sephiroth. Square Enix showed a 2 to 3 minute trailer of this title, but were very strict on not letting anyone record the video.
FF7AC artwork at TGS
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Screenshot of FF7AC
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The same strict rules applied to their upcoming KH titles, Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA) and Kingdom Hearts 2 (PS2). KH2's storyline will take place a year after that of the original game. It will help solve the mysterious that were left in the first game, including the Deep Dive scenario. KH:COM's storyline will actually tie the first and second game together by taking a deeper look into the Deep Dive scenario. KH:COM is being worked on by outside developer, Jupiter, who have worked on other Pokemon/Disney titles for the GameBoy Classic. However, Tetsuya Nomura will be directing the project and so there is nothing to fear. Square Enix has attracted fans by telling them that KH:COM will feature actual FMVs the likes of which have never been seen before on the GameBoy Advance. KH2's battle system will be similar to the original, but will feature many small enhancement and many more abilities to learn. KH:COM will feature a new card system in which Sora can summon other characters to his aid. On a final note, Square Enix promised to fix the camera issue from the original KH title.
Life-sized statues of Sora
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Sora in his new KH2 duds
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The outside developer, Jupiter, is also working on another title for Square Enix called Junk Metal. This online PC title will allow gamers to customize their own robots/mechs and take them into battle. The title is just one of the many online games that Square Enix showed at this years event. Other titles included Final Fantasy XI, Ambrosia Odyssey, Front Mission Online and Cross Gate. Front Mission Online will be a strategy RPG whose storyline will be very much connected to that of the series. Ambrosia Odyssey will be an action RPG (MOARPG) that features breathtaking FMVs and cheaper costs than Final Fantasy XI. A new benchmarks test was introduced during the show called Vana'diel Benchmarks 2. This program will tell gamers if their PC has what it takes to play the new additions that Square plans to make to Final Fantasy XI. One of the additions includes a new PvP system where players can actually attack one another. This new system will be heavily connected to the old conquest system in which the three nations try gain more territory. Square Enix showed a real interest in its PlayOnline services and wanted to make it as interactive as possible. At the event, they spoke of how they would like players from all mediums (PS2, PC, and cellphones) to actually communicate with one another.
Online games presentation
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SQEX's interest in communication
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Another big announcement by Square Enix was that of Final Fantasy XII. They distributed postcards and stuck posters with FF12 concept art all over the show. The poster gave information on how the company will hold a press conference on November 19, 2003 for the new Final Fantasy. At the conference, they will release information and images on the gameplay, story, characters and a whole lot more. It is also apparent that Square Enix will announce if they intend to close the series at FF12 or make it continue on with FF13 and other titles.
A FFXII postcard is held
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One of many FFXII posters
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Square Enix set up many of their booths with playable areas. The longest line-up generated was for their new GBA title, Slime Dragon Quest. Fans got a chance to sit on a bean bag/chair while playing the game. Other playable games included Kenshin Dragon Quest, Junk Metal, Front Mission One, and many others. If fans weren't playing the new games, they were watching their trailers on the big screen. Some of the games shown included Front Mission 4, FFX-2 International + Last Mission, FFVII: Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts 2, KH: Chain of Memories, Star Ocean 3: Director's Cut, and many others.
Fan plays Slime Dragon Quest
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Fans play Full Metal Alchemist
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All in all, Square Enix did a great job at this years Tokyo Game Show. They generated the excitement that all gamers love, and gave us several good titles to look forward too. Thank you for reading my summary report and do come back for next years TGS report.
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(End of Post)
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