Square Ships FINAL FANTASY IX for the PlayStation Game Console; Latest in Best-Selling FINAL FANTASY Series Returns to the Pure Fantasy Roots.

Business Editors/Entertainment and High-Tech Writers

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2000

Square Electronic Arts(SM) L.L.C. (Square Electronic Arts) today announced the release of FINAL FANTASY(R) IX for the PlayStation(R) game console. FINAL FANTASY IX, the latest title in the highly acclaimed FINAL FANTASY series, is a role-playing game that takes players through an immersive storyline with completely new characters and environments that are rendered using the latest in 3D graphic digital technology. FINAL FANTASY IX harkens back to earlier FINAL FANTASY installments by recreating fairy tale settings and dwarf-like characters that came to define the FINAL FANTASY series.

"When FINAL FANTASY IX hit store shelves in Japan this July it had pre-sold one million units in a record-breaking 17 days. Since then it has sold 2.8 million units to date," said Jun Iwasaki, president of Square Electronic Arts. "We think this version will find similar success in the U.S. while simultaneously extending the life of the original PlayStation game console."

Sales of FINAL FANTASY IX in Japan have propelled the life-to-date sales of series to an astounding 30 million units, making the FINAL FANTASY franchise one of the best-selling series in the history of videogames.

FINAL FANTASY IX begins with a group of bandits, which includes a skilled thief named Zidane, travelling to the town of Alexandria for a pageant being held in honor of Queen Brahne. Once there they befriend a royal knight, a lonely magician and the Queen's daughter, the beautiful Princess Garnet, who join their party. The group discovers that the Queen has begun using highly advanced magical weapons to terrorize neighboring kingdoms. Helping her is a powerful sorcerer named Kuja, who has been supplying the Queen with magic. The rag tag group must ban together to stop the Queen before she marshals her evil forces to carry out her deadly plan.

FINAL FANTASY IX features eight different playable characters such as Zidane or Princess Garnet. Each character has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, making each one completely unique. For instance, Vivi has the ability to cast black magic such as, Fire, to invoke physical harm on the enemies. However, in terms of curing himself or others, Vivi lacks this ability. Characters are divided into categories according to ability, how that character will develop, and what equipment they will be able to use. The game's battle system, Active Time Battle System, allows up to four people in the party to be active during battle. Players must consider each character's varying abilities to defeat opponents.

Players follow the party through eerie dark forests and medieval kingdoms as they encounter fearsome monsters and various level bosses such as a plant monster that traps characters in a viny cage on his head and a creature called Black Waltz who uses both blizzard and fire magic on his opponents. Players defeat these enemies with a variety of weapons and spells. Each character begins with one special power and unique weapon, and collect more as they progress through the game. Players also have the ability to summon Eidolons, powerful spirits who assist the characters in battle. Many of these Eidolons are returning characters from FINAL FANTASY VIII, such as the ice queen, Shiva, who's powerful ice attacks decimate all who stand in her way.

As with previous FINAL FANTASY games, this latest title offers cutting-edge graphic artistry in both the full-motion video (FMV) sequences and gameplay. Sequences capture visual details such as large, stormy ocean waves that show ocean spray blowing in the wind or brilliant red and gold flames of a building explosion that cascade from the sky like fireworks.

To assist players in their journey, a complete online strategy guide for FINAL FANTASY IX will be made available to players at PlayOnline.com(TM) (www.playonline.com) starting today. The online guide offers a complete walkthrough, character information, equipment data, bestiary, ability list and more. Square Electronic Arts has teamed with BradyGAMES to create this new interactive format for the online and printed strategy guide. Using the keywords found throughout the printed guide, players can log on to PlayOnline.com and type in the keyword for in-depth information on that section of the game. Currently, PlayOnline.com offers a preview to PlayOnline, a comprehensive network entertainment and community service which is scheduled to launch in 2001 in Japan, followed by the U.S.

FINAL FANTASY IX is compatible with DUALSHOCK(TM) analog controller and has a suggested retail price of U.S. $40. The game carries an ESRB rating of "T" (Teen). BradyGAMES' FINAL FANTASY IX Official Strategy Guide will be priced at $12.99.

Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. and Square Co., Ltd.

Square Co., Ltd., is the leading third-party developer and publisher of home video game console software in Japan with annual sales of more than US $687 million consolidated base (based on average annual exchange rate of 106 Japanese Yen per US Dollar during fiscal year 2000) and 1,200 employees worldwide. Square Co., Ltd. became famous for its role-playing games, including its world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has sold more than 30 million units to date, and now publishes other titles under the SQUARESOFT brand spanning all genres. Square Co., Ltd. is based in Tokyo, Japan, and maintains a branch office in Osaka. More information about Square Co., Ltd., can be found on the Internet at http://www.square.co.jp.

Square Electronic Arts(SM) L.L.C. is the exclusive publisher of all SQUARESOFT(R) products in North America. Square Co., Ltd. publishes its SQUARESOFT titles in North America through Square Electronic Arts L.L.C., located in Costa Mesa, CA. Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is a Limited Liability Company established on May 1, 1998 by Square Soft, Inc. and Electronic Arts to manage the marketing and distribution of SQUARESOFT products in North America. More information about SQUARESOFT products can be found on the Internet at http://www.squaresoft.com.

Note to Editors: FINAL FANTASY, SQUARE SOFT and the SQUARESOFT logo are registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd. FINAL FANTASY IX(c)2000 Square Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. COMPUTER GRAPHICS MOVIE:(c)2000 Square Co., Ltd. & Square Visualworks Co., Ltd. ILLUSTRATION:(c)2000 YOSHITAKA AMANO. U.S. Patent No. 5390937, 5649862. PlayOnline.com is a trademark of Square Co., Ltd. Square Electronics Arts is a service mark of Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. Electronic Arts is a trademark or registered trademark of Electronic Arts in the U.S. and/or other countries. PlayStation and the PlayStation logos are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.