Square Enix Limited, the publisher of SQUARE ENIX interactive entertainment products in Europe, North America and other PAL territories, announced today that the highly anticipated MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game FINAL FANTASY XIV is set for global release on 30 September 2010 for Windows PC, with the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system version releasing in early March 2011.

In advance of the September 30 release, FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector's Edition, which is available in Europe from 22 September, will offer early access to adventurers eager to embark on this new chapter in the FINAL FANTASY series by granting access to the realm of Eorzea. Furthermore, the Beta phase for the Windows version will begin in early July 2010.

FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector's Edition includes:
-  EARLY ACCESS - Play a few days prior to the release of the PC Standard Edition
-  BEHIND-THE-SCENES DVD - Get an insider look at the making of FINAL FANTASY XIV with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD
-  SECURITY TOKEN - A FINAL FANTASY XIV branded Security Token used in addition to your regular password
-  ADVENTURERS BRANDED TUMBLER - Carry a small piece of Eorzea around with you with this branded tumbler
-  MAP OF EORZEA - A detailed map showing the key areas of Eorzea, essential for the committed traveller
-  TRAVEL JOURNAL - Record your travels in this journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art
-  FREE GAMEPLAY- 30-day free gameplay
-  GUEST PASS - Invite a friend to play free for a limited time
-  GAME DISC
-  GAME MANUAL

"This September, players around the world will join together to explore the fascinating and exciting realm of Eorzea," said Hiromichi Tanaka, Executive Producer of FINAL FANTASY XIV. "We're presenting players with a new style of online gameplay, that we know will please avid fans of online games, but welcome more casual gamers as well with the variety of gameplay and story-driven content."

FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector's Edition pre-orders will include the Onion Helm, an exclusive in-game item that accelerates character recovery after falling in battle. FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Standard Edition pre-orders will include a pair of Garlond Goggles, an exclusive in-game item that increases the speed of skill progression. For those who had registered their FINAL FANTASY XIII Campaign Codes, it will be possible to apply this code to the Windows PC version of FINAL FANTASY XIV. The users will receive a pair of Asuran Armguards, an exclusive in-game item that will enhance the effectiveness of the player's equipped arm or tool.

Please note, once you register your reward code to your Square Enix account, all new characters that you create from then on will receive the in-game item. Characters created before you link the reward code to your Square Enix account, however, will not receive the item.
All new FINAL FANTASY XIV game packages come with a 30 day free gameplay period. Players will receive a discount to their initial service fees in the form of a complimentary, all-access pass to the new realm of Eorzea. Following this free gameplay, the regular 30-day subscription fee will be €12.99 (UK £8.99). Each additional character will be €3.00 (UK £2.10) per month with a maximum of eight characters per account. For each account, one retainer (a non-playable character that will maintain item sales within the game as well as provide item storage while the user is logged out of the game) will be free of charge with each additional retainer being €1.00 per month (UK £0.70).

The FINAL FANTASY XIV PlayStation 3 version will be available early March 2011 with the pricing announced at a later time.

Story:
In the past, the city-states battled tirelessly, vying for domination and hegemony. Death-mongering beast tribes ravaged the land unchecked, leaving only destruction in their wake. Unseen enemies lurked beyond the borders, striking at the slightest provocation or show of weakness. The history of Eorzea is a tapestry woven of war and strife, stained with the blood of those gone before, and the tears and ash of fallen endeavours.
And yet the love the gods bear this unforgiving land endures, now as always. What is the allure of this seemingly forsaken place? With what hope and to what end do would-be inhabitants journey here to live out their days?
The answer lies with that which gives form to Hydaelyn and all myriad creations in it - crystals. The cornerstone of all things, it is these crystallized manifestations of the aether that beckon the people to come, risking all in the undertaking.
And so it is that adventures too have harkened the call - to bear witness to the epic set to unfold in this land. This Eorzea…

Features:
-  Conceived and produced from notable FINAL FANTASY developers - Produced by Hiromichi Tanaka (FINAL FANTASY I, II, III, XI), and directed by Nobuaki Komoto (FINAL FANTASY IX, XI), with art direction by Akihiko Yoshida (Vagrant Story, FINAL FANTASY XII) and musical score by Nobuo Uematsu (FINAL FANTASY series).
-  In-depth character creation - Choose a race and clan before going on to customise your avatar's face, hairstyle, skin tone and more, with subtle adjustments allowing for limitless possibilities.
-  The Armoury System - With defining emphasis on the game's weapons and tools, the Armoury System is a unique class system that influences both character development and an individual's style of play. With it, players have the flexibility and freedom to fight, craft and gather whenever and however they so choose. Simply equipping an item will automatically cause the character to take on the class associated with it.
-  Aetheryte transportation - Traverse the realm of Eorzea instantly using this seemingly supernatural teleportation system.
-  Solo or party play - Adventure alone or in the company of others as you undertake quests and engage in battles on your travels through Eorzea.
Windows Version Beta Test Phase To Begin Early July
The upcoming beta test phase is scheduled to begin in early July. For more details on how to participate in the beta test, visit our website.

The Windows PC required specifications for the Beta Test are now available:
-  Operating System: Windows XP SP3 (Windows XP users must have administrator access when installing and running the software, as well as performing version updates), Windows Vista 32-bit / 64-bit SP2 or Windows 7 32-bit / 64-bit (On a 64-bit OS, the software will run via WOW64 - Windows on Windows 64)
-  CPU : Intel Core 2 Duo (2.0GHz) or AMD Athlon X2 (2.0GHz)
-  RAM: Windows XP: 1.5GB or higher / Windows Vista & Windows 7: 2GB or higher
-  HDD/SSD Space: Installation: 15GB or more / Download: Space on the hard drive where My Documents is located should be 6GB or more (The drive containing "My Documents" must use an NTFS file system)
-  Graphics Card: 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600 series or higher, or 512MB ATI Radeon HD 2900 series or higher
-  Sound Card: DirectSound compatible sound card (DirectX 9.0c or higher)
-  Internet Connection : Broadband Internet connection or higher
-  Screen Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher; 32-bit or higher
-  DirectX: DirectX 9.0c
-  Others: Mouse, Keyboard, Gamepad (Gamepads are not required)