Jobs
   There are a number of new jobs for the Dress Up system, the newly announced jobs include White Mage, Gambler, and Dark Knight. Each job class has its own set of abilities, there are Command Abilities (access in the battle menu) and Auto Abilities (automatically enabled).
   For example, White Mage automatically increases his/her defense when HP is low, and they can use abilities like "Care" to cure all party members. Gambler has a command ability called "Two Dice", which can hit the enemy a number of times based on the sum of the two dice. Dark Knight can use blood sword and dark magic, but agility will greatly deduced.
After each battle you will receive AP (ability point), which can be used to learn new abilities. Command Abilities will consume MP like in FFX.

   Nooj and his past...
   The official name for the new male character is Nooj, who is the leader of the Young People's Alliance. Nooj is an important character in the game, who seems to have a past with Paine. He lost his left arm and leg two years ago in the great battle against Sin, ever since he installed a mechanic arm and leg.

   New Yevon vs Young People's Alliance
   At a certain point in the game, Yuna will be given a choice to join either the Young People's Alliance or the New Yevon Organization. Yuna's choice will affect the storyline and her relation to other characters, especially those from the two alliances.

   source | The Magic Box

   Square reportedly will release the first add-on disc to its online MMORPG Final Fantasy XI in April. Titled Final Fantasy XI: Jirat no Genei, it will feature new areas, jobs and many more additions.
   Final Fantasy XI: Jirat no Genei will be released on April 17th for 3,980 yen (33.62USD).

   source | RPGFan

   Square announced that Media Factory will release a collection of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance pin badges. A total of 12 different designs each featuring one character of the game will be available.
   The Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Pin Badges will be available on February 21st for 350 yen (2.97USD) apiece. Fans who are interested in getting their hands on all badges at the same time can purchase a special box containing a total of 20 badges for 7,000 yen (59.41USD.

   source | RPGFan

   Just wanted to take a small break from the news to point some attention towards our SquareAMP Forums. After a few relatively unstable builds over the past couple of years - we have since installed vBulletin (last July) and remain rock solid. So drop by and say hi!

   source | SquareAMP Forums

   Square has released first information regarding the original soundtrack of Final Fantasy X-2. Unlike all other Square soundtracks since 1996, it will not be published by DigiCube, but by Avex. The soundtrack, which carries the catalogue number AVCD-17254, will contain a total of 55 tracks. As previously reported, it will be the first Final Fantasy soundtrack not to feature Nobuo Uematsu as composer, but rather Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi have been named as composers in his stead.
   The Final Fantasy X-2 Original Soundtrack will be released on March 31st 2003 for 3,650 yen (30.91USD).

   source | RPGFan

   New details regarding the newest Final Fantasy compilation album, The Black Mages, available next month, have been released. The one disc album will feature ten arranged battle themes from Final Fantasy I, II, V, VI, VII, VIII and X. The style of the arranged tracks will be hard-rock. The following ten tracks can be found on the Nobuo Uematsu-produced album in arranged form:

   Battle Scene (Final Fantasy)
   Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V)
   Force Your Way (Final Fantasy VIII)
   Battle, Scene II (Final Fantasy II)
   The Decisive Battle (Final Fantasy VI)
   Battle Theme (Final Fantasy VI)
   J-E-N-O-V-A (Final Fantasy VII)
   Those Who Fight Further (Final Fantasy VII)
   Dancing Mad (Final Fantasy VI)
   Fight With Seymour (Final Fantasy X)

   Final Fantasy - The Black Mages will be published by DigiCube on February 19th for 2,381 yen (20.19USD).

   source | RPGFan

   Square's upcoming GameBoy Advance strategy RPG Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will offer three display modes. The first one is optimized for playing the game on an original GBA, the second for the new GBA Advance SP, and the third for using a TV set as display.
   Final Fantasy Tactics Advance will be released in Japan on February 14th, alongside the new GameBoy Advance SP. The game's stand-alone version will be available for 5,800 yen (49.23USD), whereas the bundle with a pearl-white GBA Advance SP, a pouch and strap will cost 18,300 yen (155.34USD).

   source | RPGFan

   Square has revealed a new character set to make an appearance in its upcoming PlayStation 2 RPG Final Fantasy X-2 in the recent edition of JUMP Magazine. Named Nuji, the 21-year old male is described as cool headed and warm hearted. Furthermore, it seems like he will play a major part in the game's story.
   Apart from Nuji's introduction, the article also reported the return of Yevon's teachings to Spira in the form of a New Yevon Movement which meets the fierce resistance of the Young People's Alliance Ajito. Gameplay-wise it looks like you will be able to raise Chocobos again.

   source | RPGFan

   Avex announced they will release a Final Fantasy X-2 Original Sound Track CD in Japan on March 31, for 3500 yen. A separate Final Fantasy X-2 Theme Song Single will be released on the same day, for 800 yen.

   source | The Magic Box

   Square has announced plans to bundle its upcoming GameBoy Advance strategy RPG Final Fantasy Tactics Advance with Nintendo's new GameBoy Advance SP in Japan. The bundle will contain the game, a Pearl White GBA SP, an original Final Fantasy Tactics Advance premium strap and an original carrying pouch. Interested players can pre-order the bundle through 7-11 stores and Ito Yokado game stores starting January 17th.
   The Final Fantasy Tactics Advance GameBoy Advance SP bundle will be released on February 14th, the same day as the standalone versions of the game and the handheld, for 18,300 yen (153.89USD).

   source | RPGFan

   Bloomberg reported that Enix and Square have revised the terms for the merger between the two companies, under the new agreement, the ratio will become 0.85 for Square (increased from 0.81) and 1.0 for Enix. The new terms is intended to resolved the disagreement from Square's largest shareholder Masashi Miyamoto, who previously dissatisfied with the term.

   source | The Magic Box

   Enix announced they may no longer make any new game announcements on printed media in Japan, they are unsatisfied that the first images of Dragon Quest VIII being released on the Internet four days ahead of their schedule in December 2002, the images of the game were scanned off the Shonen Jump magazine four days before the magazine actually went on sale. In the future, new game announcement will be made in press conferences instead.

   source | The Magic Box

   Square Electronic Arts LLC today confirmed that Final Fantasy X-2 for the PlayStation 2 will indeed be released on this side of the Pacific. The first ever direct sequel to a Final Fantasy game is expected to become the biggest selling game of the year, when it will be released in Japan on March 13th 2003. The game will feature the Job Wheel System, which was first introduced in Final Fantasy Tactics and as a first in the series an all-female cast. One of the new job classes is 'Pop Star', which can be attained via the Job Wheel system.

   source | RPGFan

   The merger between Square and Enix is in danger of being called off and terminated, reported by Japanese news Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The reason is that the largest shareholder of Square -- Masafumi Miyamoto, is dissatisfied with the amalgamation ratio announced in the shareholder's meeting, which is 0.81 for Square, and 1.0 for Enix. Right now Square and Enix are trying to resolve the issues.

   source | The Magic Box

    Square announced today that it will bring the PlayStation remakes of Final Fantasy and Final Fantasy II to North America in the form of Final Fantasy Origins. Set for release in April, the compilation will feature both games on a single disc. As previously noted, these games are remakes of the original titles that debuted on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987 (1990 in the US) and 1988, respectively. Both games have been given a graphical overhaul from an 8-bit to a 16-bit level, and will feature something not even invented at the time of the games' releases: some of Squaresoft's famous CG cutscenes. Furthermore, a number of new events designed to enhance the games' storylines have also been introduced into the game. Not to be outdone, the soundtracks have been given an overhaul, and now feature opening theme songs.
    Final Fantasy Origins will also include a number of special features on the disc. Both games will now have new gameplay modes (essentially difficulty levels) that will help make the games accessible for younger players and a "memo save" feature will allow for quick saves on the world map. A new bestiary will be added for players' assistance, and an art gallery showcasing Yoshitaka Amano's artwork will be also be available. In order to add "replay value" to the games, a photo gallery is unlocked when you finish Final Fantasy, and more pictures are added upon replay of the games.
    Final Fantasy was released in 1987 (1990 in the US) to critical acclaim. It focuses on four young warriors sent to restore the world from ruin by returning the light to the Crystals they bear. Final Fantasy II was released only in Japan in 1988 and is more plot-driven than its predecessor. Featuring a revamped battle system, it tells the story of a group of youths determined to stop the malicious Emperor who has unleashed a horde of monsters upon the land in order to conquer the world. Final Fantasy Origins will be released in April and carries an ESRB rating of "T" for "Teen". No pricing information was available at this time.

   source | RPGamer

   Square has released additional information regarding its newest add-on for Final Fantasy XI, Vision of Jirat. The update will feature 3 new areas: Yutanga forest, Rikyua desert and the coastal village of Kazem, many of new monsters and over 200 new items. Several new job classes will also be introduced including the Blue Mage, Dragooner Knight, Ninja, Summoner and the as of yet unconfirmed Samurai.
   Furthermore, the PlayOnline Production team will add additional quests and missions of rank 6 or higher. The add-on for the PlayStation 2 version will ship on DVD, while the PC version's update will ship on CD-ROM.
   Final Fantasy XI: Vision of Jirat is loosely set for a spring release and will be shipped for both versions at the same time. No price has been announced.

   source | RPGFan

   DigiCube has provided release date and pricing information for three upcoming Final Fantasy soundtracks. FF Tactics Advance OST and FF Battle Arrange -THE BLACK MAGES- will be released February 19th for 2913 yen and 2381 yen, respectively. One week later, Drama CD Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Radio Edition Vol. 1 will debut for 2857 yen.

   source | Gameforms