Gamescom 2017: Square Enix announces their plans for the event
Square Enix today released their schedule and details on what they have in store for Gamescom 2017. Among the events planned for the show (which dwarfs San Diego Comic-Con with an attendance projected at over 350,000 people) include playable game demos (including FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT, FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE, LOST SPHEAR, and LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM.
They will also be streaming a few events on their Twitch channel including daily battle challenges in FINAL FANTASY XIV Online including enemies from their new expansion, STORMBLOOD, interviews with Producer/Director Naoki Yoshida and a cosplay contest.
Full details below courtesy of their press release:
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES FULL GAMESCOM 2017 LINEUP
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT and LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM Lead a Dynamic Line-up of Playable Titles
In a huge area dedicated to the latest updates in the FINAL FANTASY XV Universe, visitors can experience the first public hands-on demo for FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, try their hand at the brand-new PlayStation®VR fishing adventure, MONSTER OF THE DEEP®: FINAL FANTASY XV and play the upcoming multiplayer expansion FINAL FANTASY XV -MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES.
In addition, fans are also invited to experience classic titles in the FINAL FANTASY series in a very special retro trip to celebrate the series’ 30th anniversary. Fans of the critically acclaimed mobile-RPG, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS®, can also look forward to special activities at the SQUARE ENIX booth with photo opportunities with beloved character Fina throughout the show and a signing session with Producer, Hiroki Fujimoto, from 14:00–15:00 PM (CEST) on Thursday 24th August.
Finally, Square Enix Collective is proud to present five titles from its current portfolio of forthcoming indie releases, in the form of BATTALION 1944™, DEADBEAT HEROES™, FORGOTTON ANNE™, OH MY GODHEADS™, and TOKYO DARK™.
SQUARE ENIX Products
Fans are invited to visit the SQUARE ENIX Products booth (hall 5.2, A10) to check out over 140 different merchandise items including exclusive pre-sales of FINAL FANTASY XV and KINGDOM HEARTS goods, brand new action figures, music, card games, silver jewellery, accessories and much more! The SQUARE ENIX Products booth will also be host to an exciting program of events for the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game,including demo plays,the first ever German national tournament and many more special guests and giveaways!
FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game
With over 5.5 million boosters shipped worldwide, the FINAL FANTASY Trading Card Game has taken the world by storm and is returning to Gamescom this year. Demo plays will be organised at the SQUARE ENIX Products Booth and participants will obtain an exclusive promotional card, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the FINAL FANTASY series. The convention will also host the first ever German national tournament where 16 regional winners will compete to secure one of the four slots in European final in October. The event will be streamed live on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th August from 10:30AM (CEST) on the SQUARE ENIX Germany YouTube Channel. More surprises are to be expected with special guests and giveaways!
TITLE DETAILS (by alphabetical order):
DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT
Platform: PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system
Developer: Square Enix/Team Ninja (Koei Tecmo)
Release: 30th January 2018
Developed in partnership with Team Ninja from KOEI TECMO GAMES, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT presents a new and refreshing team-based brawler experience featuring exhilarating 3vs3 team battles. Combining seamless gameplay, FINAL FANTASY characters and breathtaking worlds from the past 30 years of the franchise, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT welcomes all gamers to the online battle arena with a completely new style of competitive gaming. In DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY NT, players can choose from over 20 legendary characters and call forth familiar summons like Ifrit, Shiva and Odin to prevail over the opposing side or to turn the tide of the battle in each match.
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS
Platform: iOS, Android, Amazon
Developer: Square Enix, gumi Inc.
Release: Available Now
Reaching its first anniversary earlier this year and recently surpassing 25 million downloaded worldwide, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is a full-scale FINAL FANTASY adventure made for mobile devices.
Fusing together the epic features of all FINAL FANTASY titles, including captivating story, and a classic turn-based battle system with a simplified mobile interface and pixel art style, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is an adventure appealing to both newcomers and long-term fans alike.
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
Release: Available Now
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE improves upon the 2006 classic FINAL FANTASY XII with a multitude of modern enhancements making the game more beautiful and easier to play than ever. The HD remaster introduces a reconstructed battle design, the brand-new Zodiac Job System and stark visual and sound improvements, making FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE the perfect opportunity for players both new and returning to experience the ultimate grand adventure through the world of Ivalice in an entirely new and improved way.
FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood
Platform: PlayStation®4, Windows PC
Developer: Square Enix
Release: Available Now
Stormblood is the second premium expansion for the critically-acclaimed MMORPG. FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, which has recently surpassed over ten million players globally. The game continues the story of the Warrior of Light as they join the resistance and set forth to the vast land of Ala Mhigo, challenging new threats across Eorzea™ and embarking on numerous new quests. The expansion features a new level cap increase, multiple new jobs including the Red Mage and Samurai, exploration of underwater environments, battle system updates, new dungeons and much more.
FINAL FANTASY XV: EPISODE PROMPTO
Platform: Xbox One®, PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
Release: Out Now
The world of FINAL FANTASY XV continues to expand with the release of Episode Prompto, the new DLC episode where players can experience a brand-new storyline from the perspective of the fan-favourite character, Prompto. In FINAL FANTASY XV: EPISODE PROMPTO players will get a glimpse into the human side of the cheerful photographer, as Prompto Argentum and Aranea Highwind embark across a snowy wilderness with an array of new weapons to battle imperial forces.
FINAL FANTASY XV -MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES
Platform: Xbox One®, PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
Release: 2017
Create your own custom avatar and join up to three others online (or fight alongside AI companions) in exciting multiplayer quests. Explore storyline as well as single player quests, make camps for meetups with friends and unlock new customisable items, weapons and more. FINAL FANTASY XV -MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES is an exciting and expansive new way to play, as you battle to bring the light back to Lucis.
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
Platform: Windows PC
Developer: Square Enix
Release: Early 2018
The ultimate fantasy adventure heads to Windows PC offering cutting-edge technology provided by NVIDIA Gameworks and native 4K (maximum 8K) support for high-resolution displays and HDR10. FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION boasts a wealth of bonus content from the console versions originally available through the Season Pass and free updates, while the new first-person mode allows a more immersive experience than ever before.
LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM
Platform: Xbox One®, PlayStation®4 system, Windows PC
Developer: Deck Nine Games™
Release: 31st August for Episode 1
LIFE IS STRANGE: BEFORE THE STORM features Chloe Price, a 16 year-old rebel who forms an unlikely friendship with Rachel Amber, a beautiful and popular girl destined for success. When Rachel’s world is turned upside down by a family secret it takes their new found alliance to give each other the strength to overcome their demons.
LOST SPHEAR
Platform: Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4 system and Windows PC (STEAM®)
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Release: 23rd January 2018
Expanding on the beloved I AM SETSUNA™, the LOST SPHEAR adventure begins in a remote town where a young boy, Kanata, awakens from a devastating dream to find his hometown disappearing. To stop the world from being lost forever, Kanata and his comrades set out to rebuild the world around them with the power of Memory by manifesting thoughts into matter.
MONSTER OF THE DEEP: FINAL FANTASY XV
Platform: PlayStation®VR system
Developer: Square Enix
Release: 2017
In the completely new FINAL FANTASY XV VR game, MONSTER OF THE DEEP: FINAL FANTASY XV, players will explore the world’s oceans, lakes, ponds and rivers and participate in a wide variety of fishing challenges, witness stunning details only in PlayStation®VR, and reacquaint themselves with familiar faces like Noctis, Prompto, Ignis, Gladiolus, and more.
RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER
Platform: Xbox One X
Developer: Nixxes/Crystal Dynamics (a Square Enix studio)
Release: 7th November 2017
Developed in partnership with Nixxes Software, the Xbox One X update for the award-winning game includes 4K graphics, and a range of technical enhancements that leverage the full power of the console. The update also introduces three visual modes, so gamers can choose the setting that best suits their play style. Rise of the Tomb Raider is available now on Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Xbox One X players who already own the game on an Xbox One platform will receive the update for free.
Square Enix Collective
BATTALION 1944
Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developer: Bulkhead Interactive™
Release : PC Early Access in 2018
Battalion 1944 is an ‘old-school’ multiplayer WW2 shooter that recaptures the core action of classic multiplayer FPS games and propels WW2 into the next generation. Having grown up playing the sensational WW2 shooters from the turn of the century, the designers at Bulkhead Interactive have utilised the most up-to-date industry technology to create a visceral and heart-thumping multiplayer experience featuring raw, skill-based infantry combat.
DEADBEAT HEROES
Platform: Windows PC, Xbox One
Developer: Deadbeat Productions™
Available: 2017
Deadbeat Heroes is a 3D, movement-based brawler about dodging bullets, stealing super powers and cracking wise. Action in the game is all about celebrating movement, with the ‘Deadbeat Heroes’ playable characters being some of the most agile in videogame history; seamlessly able to leap, dash, wall-run, climb, backflip as well as attack in any direction and perform a wide variety of super-moves. They’ll need this agility as there is no block – these ‘glass cannon’ protagonists are able to dish out damage, but not take it!
FORGOTTON ANNE
Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developer: ThroughLine Games™
Available: 2017
Forgotton Anne is a beautiful story-driven, hand-crafted 2D cinematic adventure about the Forgotton Realm, where all mislaid items from the human world – old toys, letters, single socks – end up. With the help of the Forgotlings – creatures composed of these mislaid objects – Anne and Master Bonku, the only humans trapped in this realm, are on a quest to find their way home…
OH MY GODHEADS
Platform: Windows PC
Developer: Titutitech™
Available: Now in Early Access, full launch later in 2017
Oh My Godheads is the world’s first capture-the-head action game for 1-4 players. Capture-the-head is like capture-the-flag, but the flag is an ancient head that’s alive, angry, and after you! Fight with friends to capture these furious, living heads and bring them back to your team’s plinth…if you can. Born from a love of old school multiplayer games like Micro Machines, Worms, and Street Fighter, Titutitech wanted to recreate the fun, fast-paced multiplayer experience of those games while adding full 3D environments for more tactics, more depth, and more replayability. Oh, did we mention it’s got exploding pies?
TOKYO DARK
Platform: Windows PC/ Mac
Developer: Cherrymochi™
Available: 7th September, 2017
Tokyo Dark is a side scrolling point-and-click mystery adventure game for Windows and Mac. As Detective Itō you’ll explore Tokyo – following leads, collecting clues, and making difficult decisions with far-reaching consequences. Tokyo Dark features a huge number of dialogue choices and interactions that affect character attributes and change the outcome of the story. Unlike a visual novel, you’ll control Detective Itō directly as you explore Tokyo, trying to balance your professional duty, personal life, and sanity. Will the past come back to haunt you, or will you stand by your decisions?