Tag Archives: Final Fantasy

Train2Game News Final Symphony

Posted on by

Final SymphonyFollowing the unprecedented, sell-out success of its FINAL FANTASY video game concert series, Final Symphony, production company Merregnon Studios is pleased to announce that it is working with celebrated composer Nobuo Uematsu and the world-famous London Symphony Orchestra on a brand new digital album recording of the concert for release in early 2015.

Published by leading digital music distributor, X5 Music Group, Final Symphony the album represents a new benchmark in video game music production. Befitting both the composer and orchestra behind the album, Final Symphony will be completely recorded, mixed and mastered at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios, with Nobuo Uematsu on hand to personally supervise the album’s production. Also featuring the talents of conductor Eckehard Stier and solo pianist Katharina Treutler, both of whom delighted audiences during the award-winning tour, Final Symphony is sure to enchant music fans when it launches globally next year.

In another exciting announcement that continues to reinforce video game music as one the most electrifying and fastest growing genres of classical music, UK radio station Classic FM, the biggest classical music radio station in the world, will exclusively broadcast part of the Final Symphony recording as a world-premiere before the album’s launch next year.

“It is always an honour to hear my work being performed live on stage, but in bringing Final Symphony to Abbey Road Studios I hope that many more people will now be able to enjoy the outstanding arrangements that Merregnon Studios has become famous for,” said Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. “To work with the London Symphony Orchestra in a studio that has played host to many of my own personal, musical heroes will be a very special experience.”

“For me, this album marks the ultimate video game music production,” commented Merregnon Studios’ Thomas Böcker, producer of Final Symphony. “It was an absolute musical privilege to work with the London Symphony Orchestra on Final Symphony last year – the orchestra’s first ever live performance of music from a video game – and to have them back in the same room as Nobuo Uematsu at Abbey Road Studios is like hitting the video game music jackpot. This album will showcase video game music at its very highest quality and I can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Final Symphony is an officially licensed series of concerts featuring symphonic music from the video games Final Fantasy VI, VII and X, with exclusive arrangements penned by Masashi Hamauzu, Jonne Valtonen and Roger Wanamo. First performed in May 2013, Final Symphony has enjoyed sell-out success in Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark, Sweden and Finland, featuring the virtuoso talents of some of the world’s leading orchestras and soloists.

The album also marks the second collaboration between Merregnon Studios and X5 Music Group, following the recent digital launch of Symphonic Fantasies Tokyo, a concert featuring music from Final Fantasy, Secret of Mana, Kingdom Hearts and Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross and is available to purchase now from all leading digital music retailers.

Train2Game News Final Fantasy VII G-Bike

Posted on by

image

Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, today announces FINAL FANTASY VII G-BIKE, a thrilling high-speed action chase game from FINAL FANTASY VII, is coming to iPhone and Android. The game will be free to play with in-app item based purchases.

G-BIKE is one of the most loved mini games from the FINAL FANTASY series. Making its appearance in FINAL FANTASY VII (released in 1997), G-BIKE could be played at a specific point in the main story or from the Gold Saucer amusement centre. G-BIKE is now taking its turn in the spotlight, completely re-made with modern technology as a brand new mobile game experience.

FINAL FANTASY VII G-BIKE is an authentic racing game that sees you speeding through the FINAL FANTASY VII world. The game offers quick and easy play on touch devices, in which gamers can enjoy thrilling high-speed bike chases as well as deep RPG like elements such as customisation, character growth and item collecting.

Enjoy one of the most visceral parts of the FINAL FANTASY VII universe in the palm of your hand!

FINAL FANTASY VII G-BIKE Key Features:

A motorcycle chase based action game set in the world of FINAL FANTASY VII

·         Perform many exciting actions in full 3D stages, evading obstacles and attacking the enemy at high speed.

Elements unique to FINAL FANTASY VII

·         Experience familiar sights from the unique universe of FINAL FANTASY VII, such as classic monsters and Cloud Strife’s awesome fighting techniques, recreated with beautiful graphics.

Deep gameplay to savour, including numerous missions and character development

·         Contains a wealth of familiar gameplay features including different missions, gigantic boss battles, detailed weapon customisation and item collecting elements

Train2Game News UK Top 20 Games – 24.03.14

Posted on by

inFamousSecondSon-1Sony has a good week in the charts this week with inFamous Second Son taking the number one spot. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes makes it’s debut at number two this week with Final Fantasy X and X-2 arriving at number four.

All formats
Week ending 22 March 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 INFAMOUS: SECOND SON SONY COMPUTER ENT. –
2 METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES KONAMI –
3 TITANFALL EA GAMES 1
4 FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD REMASTER SQUARE ENIX –
5 SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH UBISOFT 3
6 – FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 6
7 DARK SOULS II BANDAI NAMCO GAMES 2
8 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 4
9 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE EA GAMES 7
10 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 9
11 THIEF SQUARE ENIX 5
12 CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 8
13 BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 10
14 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 11
15 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 13
16 YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND NINTENDO 12
17 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 14
18 ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES SEGA 15
19 NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS EA GAMES 18
20 RAYMAN LEGENDS UBISOFT 16
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 Games – 17.02.14

Posted on by

The_LEGO_Movie_VideogameIn an interesting development the Lego Movie Video Game has become the number one game, beating new arrival the highly anticipated Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII which enters the charts at number three.

All formats
Week ending 15 February 2014

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE –
2 – CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS ACTIVISION 2
3 LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII SQUARE ENIX –
4 FIFA 14 EA SPORTS 1
5 GRAND THEFT AUTO V ROCKSTAR 6
6 LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 5
7 – BATTLEFIELD 4 EA GAMES 7
8 ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG UBISOFT 10
9 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 8
10 FABLE: ANNIVERSARY MICROSOFT 3
11 TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION SQUARE ENIX 4
12 – NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS EA GAMES 12
13 KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL SONY COMPUTER ENT. 9
14 ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES SEGA 17
15 GRAN TURISMO 6 SONY COMPUTER ENT. 11
16 – WWE 2K14 2K SPORTS 16
17 NBA 2K14 2K SPORTS 15
18 BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 13
19 – LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 19
20 FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014 SEGA 18
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2014 UKIE Ltd

These charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn PS4 release date

Posted on by

PS2CoverSheet108Square Enix, Inc. have announced that FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be released on the Sony PlayStation 4 on April 14, 2014 with official service beginning on the same day.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn on PlayStation 4 system will be available in either a Standard Edition or Collector’s Edition with pre-orders for both starting January 27. Pre-orders for either edition will include two in-game items (Mog Cap & Cait Sith Doll minion) and the ability to participate in Early Access starting on April 11. The limited Collector’s Edition comes packaged with an art book, music CD, art cards, a themed security token, and several special in-game bonus items.

Existing players who have registered a copy of the FINAL FANTASY XIV Collector’s Edition or FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition, or who utilized the digital Collector’s Edition upgrade service, will automatically receive the two new in-game items (Fat Chocobo Mount & Wind-up Moogle minion) that are making their debut in the new PlayStation 4 system Collector’s Edition for free.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn PlayStation 4 system Collector’s Edition Includes:

  • Special box featuring artwork by Yoshitaka Amano
  • Art Book – The Art of Eorzea: A Realm Reimagined
  • Special Soundtrack -The Sounds of Eorzea-
  • Seventh Umbral Era Special Movie Content Disc – The Waning of the Sixth Sun
  • Art Card Set
  • Themed Security Token
  • In-Game Items – Coeurl Mount, Behemoth Barding, Baby Behemoth minion, Helm of Light, Fat Chocobo Mount and Wind-up Moogle minion

PlayStation 4 system owners will be able to join the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Beta Test at no charge starting on February 22. Players who own the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system version of FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be able to transfer their accounts to the PlayStation 4 system version for free starting April 11. Once transferred, PlayStation 4 system players will no longer be able to access the PlayStation 3 system version. To play both versions, a player must purchase the PlayStation 4 system version separately. Additional account transfer details will be announced at a later date.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Standard Edition for the PlayStation 4 system will be available for $39.99. FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition for the PlayStation 4 system will be available exclusively on the Square Enix Online Store for $79.99. A digital version of the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition will be available for $59.99 through the PlayStation Network. PlayStation 3 system and PlayStation 4 system Standard Edition owners can also choose to upgrade to a digital Collector’s Edition to receive the in-game items through the FINAL FANTASY XIV Account Management System, Mog Station. A free 30-day trial is included for new accounts, with monthly subscriptions starting at $12.99.

Train2Game News: 2014 Classical Music charts

Posted on by

FF7 OrchestraWith a new year comes a new chance to get some of your favourite video game music in to the charts!

Voting in the 2014 Classic FM Hall of Fame is OPEN and once again you can help to see video game scores represented in the World’s BIGGEST poll of classical music tastes by voting for your favourite classical bit of gaming music. You can vote for any orchestral video game score or arrangement – many are in the voting database already but you can also enter your own and the only stipulation is it must be orchestral.

This year many scores are lumped together into one entry, including last year’s #3 (Final Fantasy Series, Nobuo Uematsu) and #5 (Elder Scrolls Series, Jeremy Soule). You get to make three votes and this year we want people to vote for their favourites and get gaming communities they’re part of to vote for their favourites to. We want to see as many pieces of game music in there as possible!

The more game music that can be put in to the charts the better as it will further strengthen Video Games as a form of art in this world.

So what are you waiting for! Go to http://halloffame.classicfm.com/2014/vote/ to vote! And follow what happens at www.facebook.com/classicvgmusic and @classicvgmusic on twitter. Spread the word and lets get our favourite game music to the world!

Train2Game News: UK Top 20 Games – 02.09.13

Posted on by

Saints Row IVSaints row IV hasn’t been knocked off the top spot for another week with the highest new entry being Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn which comes in at number three, just behind Splinter Cell: Blacklist. The other new entries this week are Rayman Legends at number six and Madden NFL twenty five at number seven.

All formats

Week ending 31 August 2013

POS.  TITLE  PUBLISHER  LAST
WEEK 
1 – SAINTS ROW IV DEEP SILVER 1
2 – TOM CLANCY’S SPLINTER CELL: BLACKLIST UBISOFT 2
3 FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN SQUARE ENIX –
4 DISNEY INFINITY DISNEY INFINITY 3
5 MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION MICROSOFT 4
6 RAYMAN LEGENDS UBISOFT –
7 MADDEN NFL 25 EA SPORTS –
8 CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS II ACTIVISION 5
9 PAYDAY 2 505 GAMES 18
10 FIFA 13 EA SPORTS 6
11 ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW LEAF NINTENDO 7
12 LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 8
13 THE LAST OF US SONY COMPUTER ENT. 9
14 MAX PAYNE 3 ROCKSTAR 12
15 LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE 13
16 TOMB RAIDER SQUARE ENIX 15
17 SKYLANDERS GIANTS SKYLANDERS 16
18 ASSASSIN’S CREED III XBOX 360 CLASSICS 11
19 GRAND THEFT AUTO IV XBOX 360 CLASSICS 17
20 NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED EA GAMES –
< previous week
Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C)2013 UKIE LtdThese charts cannot be reproduced either in print or online without obtaining permission from Ukie. If you wish to reproduce the charts in print or online, please contact david.smith@ukie.org.uk for the appropriate license.

Train2Game News: Games Industry News- 05.07.13

Posted on by

Xbox360 DashboardIt’s Friday so it is time for the end of the week games industry news round up!

Microsoft has begun inviting Xbox Live members worldwide to participate in the public beta for its 2013 Xbox Live Update for Xbox 360. The update will include improvements to overall performance and the ability to conduct transactions with local currency, as Microsoft Points will be retired later this year. To join, interested 360 owners should look for the Xbox Beta Program tile on the home hub of the Xbox Dashboard and once the places are filled the beta will be closed to the public. You will be required to sign an NDA for security reasons.

In celebration of summer, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces that all its mobile games in the App Store are priced at £0.69 this week including Man of Steel, LEGO Harry Potter Years 5-7, Batman Arkham City Lockdown, Scribblenauts Remix, LEGO Batman DC Superheroes, Midway Arcade and Bastion. Man of Steel, Batman: Arkham City Lockdown and Scribblenauts Remix are also available on Google Play at the same low price.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition is available for PC from Steam and other digital download portals. Originally developed by NetherRealm Studios, led by Mortal Kombat co-creator and creative director Ed Boon it has been adapted for PC by High Voltage Software. If you have always wanted to try your hand in Mortal Kombat, now is the time.

2K unveiled the WWE 2K14 cover art featuring WWE Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The official reveal, which took place during an episode of Monday Night Raw, showcased cover artwork designed in partnership with “The People’s Champion.” The cover art reflects The Rock’s physicality and signature in-ring pose. To further celebrate, 2K recently launched a consumer contest for the opportunity to create alternate cover artwork to be included with WWE 2K14 retail copies. “I am exceptionally grateful to be chosen for the cover of WWE 2K14 and serve as the first cover Superstar under 2K’s leadership,” said The Rock.

Square Enix has released a new Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII trailer dubbed “The Divine Task”. The latest video reveals more about the game’s story, including the appearance of supporting character Hope. Lightning Returns was revealed at the Final Fantasy 25th anniversary event in 2012 and is billed as the last entry in the “Lightning saga”. The Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII’s release date has been confirmed as February 11, 2014 in North America and February 14 Europe on Xbox 360 and PS3. You can enjoy the trailer, here.

Train2Game News: Final Fantasy X and X-2 remastered

Posted on by

Final-Fantasy-XGood news for Train2Game students who are fans of the Final Fantasy games! Final Fantasy X and X-2 are being remastered.

The games are being remastered and made high definition to be released in Europe this year. The games will be released bundled on a disc together called FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster. It will be released on PlayStation 3 and PS VITA separately.

Final Fantasy fans will be excited to know that they’re not just getting a mind-blowingly beautifully HD version of the game that they love. Both games are based on the International version, which is the most complete, feature-heavy iteration of each game to release. The International version of FINAL FANTASY X-2 never made it to European shores before, so there’s quite a chunk of additional content for you to enjoy.

The International version of FINAL FANTASY X introduces an Expert version of the Sphere Grid in which all the characters start in the middle and you can choose any path but there are fewer nodes and therefore a decrease in the number of upgrades available. This edition also includes new abilities, new super-bosses and more.

FINAL FANTASY X-2 is also getting the International treatment, high definition graphics and more content that has not yet but announced.

Enjoy the trailer!

Train2Game News: Game music on Classic FM

Posted on by

Aerith's ThemeEver since I became your Train2Game blogger I have been contacted by a PR Guy for some of the biggest games developers. He has been leading his own personal campaign.

The guy I am talking about is a man called Mark Robins. Mark is a 13-year games industry veteran who used to work as a journalist at Computec and Future Publishing before moving into PR. The firm he works at, Lunch PR, is an agency whose clients include Bethesda Softworks.

The campaign he has been leading is to get some of the orchestral game music more well known. Robins’ campaign made amazing headway last year and recorded amazing success. Thanks to his efforts, he and his followers not only propelled Aerith’s Theme from Final Fantasy 7 and the theme from Skyrim into the Classic FM Hall of Fame, but Classic FM produced a pair of two-hour shows featuring nothing but video game music.

Mark has been using his contacts he gets through his job to ask for there help in spreading the word about his cause.

He firstly stresses “This campaign has nothing, nor has it ever had, anything to do with any of the clients I represent”

He goes on to say “This is a purely personal crusade. Skyrim made the Hall of Fame thanks to community motivation by Bethesda’s social media team. It’s no secret that I run the campaign, but I don’t actively tell people who I am via the social media channels and I’m actually really keen to keep this as distant from my work as possible.

“One of the interesting things I found when I started this was just how accepting the people at Classic FM were of the music. To them the revelation was, ‘Oh, we thought game music was all beeps and bloops, but actually this stuff is great. If Mozart or Beethoven were alive today then who’s to say this isn’t the stuff they’d be composing. It absolutely sits alongside movie and traditional classical music.'”

This year Robins is encouraging people to vote for Nobuo Uematsu’s soundtrack to Final Fantasy 7 again. He points out that thanks to last year’s voting effort there is now loads of video game music in Classic FM’s voting database, making it easy for people to highlight particular favourites. He also encourages fans of classical game music to join the Facebook group – not just to rock the vote, but also to share their enthusiasm.

This is great news for the games industry as it further cements the games industry as a main stream art form. I think it would be a good idea to further spread the news of this around to as many people as we can.