Full Metal Alchemist - PS2

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix has announced that Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel will ship to retailers nationwide on January 18, 2005. The action role-playing game will be exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Fullmetal Alchemist expands the story in the anime series which airs on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming. The tale follows the adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to make right the mistakes of their past.

"The early success of the anime series on Cartoon Network shows the great amount of potential the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise holds in the U.S. market," said Ichiro Otobe, president and COO of Square Enix, Inc. "We anticipate that American players will find the game to be as addicting as the Japanese fans have found it. The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, which encompasses comic books, a novel, TV animation, and games, has enjoyed a phenomenal amount of success in Japan."

In a forbidden act of alchemy, Edward and Alphonse tried to raise their mother from the dead and lost their left leg and entire body, respectively. Immediately after the accident, Ed sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse's soul and transplanted him into a suit of armor. The action begins as the two brothers head towards Central City in search of the "Philosopher's Stone," the only object that can return them to their natural states.

Based on the wildly popular anime and manga series in Japan, Fullmetal Alchemist has made its way to America, beginning with episodic programming on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The series spans 51 episodes in a story that ranges from tear-jerking drama to hilarious comedy. The anime series has been extremely well received by fans and media alike with a DVD release set for 2005.

Fullmetal Alchemist for the PlayStation 2 expands the tale in the anime series and is accompanied by fast-paced gameplay in which players can " alchemize" objects for use in battle. The story takes place in a lost chapter from the anime series during the Elric brothers' journey to Central. With animated cut scenes and in-game graphics that are the same quality as the TV series, the game ties in seamlessly with its anime counterpart.

The key to gameplay depends on how well the player utilizes the versatile battle system. Over 50 transmutable objects ranging from trees to trash cans litter the landscape, allowing the practice of alchemy to have unlimited potential. In addition to controlling Ed, players can also equip the sub-character Alphonse and call him to aid during heated battles.

Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel has a suggested retail price of U.S. $39.99 and is rated "T" (Teen).

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 60 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide – under one roof.

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Full Metal Alchemist - PS2

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix has announced that Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel will ship to retailers nationwide on January 18, 2005. The action role-playing game will be exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Fullmetal Alchemist expands the story in the anime series which airs on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming. The tale follows the adventures of brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric on their quest to make right the mistakes of their past.

"The early success of the anime series on Cartoon Network shows the great amount of potential the Fullmetal Alchemist franchise holds in the U.S. market," said Ichiro Otobe, president and COO of Square Enix, Inc. "We anticipate that American players will find the game to be as addicting as the Japanese fans have found it. The Fullmetal Alchemist franchise, which encompasses comic books, a novel, TV animation, and games, has enjoyed a phenomenal amount of success in Japan."

In a forbidden act of alchemy, Edward and Alphonse tried to raise their mother from the dead and lost their left leg and entire body, respectively. Immediately after the accident, Ed sacrificed his right arm to save Alphonse's soul and transplanted him into a suit of armor. The action begins as the two brothers head towards Central City in search of the "Philosopher's Stone," the only object that can return them to their natural states.

Based on the wildly popular anime and manga series in Japan, Fullmetal Alchemist has made its way to America, beginning with episodic programming on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. The series spans 51 episodes in a story that ranges from tear-jerking drama to hilarious comedy. The anime series has been extremely well received by fans and media alike with a DVD release set for 2005.

Fullmetal Alchemist for the PlayStation 2 expands the tale in the anime series and is accompanied by fast-paced gameplay in which players can " alchemize" objects for use in battle. The story takes place in a lost chapter from the anime series during the Elric brothers' journey to Central. With animated cut scenes and in-game graphics that are the same quality as the TV series, the game ties in seamlessly with its anime counterpart.

The key to gameplay depends on how well the player utilizes the versatile battle system. Over 50 transmutable objects ranging from trees to trash cans litter the landscape, allowing the practice of alchemy to have unlimited potential. In addition to controlling Ed, players can also equip the sub-character Alphonse and call him to aid during heated battles.

Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel has a suggested retail price of U.S. $39.99 and is rated "T" (Teen).

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 60 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide – under one roof.

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Metal Gear Solid 3 Contest

Konami Digital Entertainment - America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., launched the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater camouflage campaign, in which game fans worldwide can submit their own camouflage designs for inclusion in the video game from May 12 to June 30, 2004. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will ship for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system in November 2004.

The Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater camouflage campaign invites gamers to step into the famed world of tactical espionage. Starting today, players can access information on the contest and submit their own camouflage designs to be worn by the main character in the game at http://www.konamijpn.com/camouflage/index.html. All submissions will be reviewed by critically-acclaimed creator and producer of the Metal Gear Solid series, Hideo Kojima, and the award-winning design team at Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. Winning entries will be featured in the final game and the creator’s name and design will also be listed on the official Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater website, as well as in the end credits in the game. Three lucky winners will be announced at the Tokyo Game Show in Japan and will also be listed on the Konami website. Along with submitting camouflage designs, players will also be able to download camouflage patterns and incorporate them into the game when it ships this fall.

The definitive stealth action experience is given extraordinary new depth as the gameplay mechanics move beyond enemy surveillance via the series’ signature radar control, to constant consideration of the soldier’s integration with his environment. The new, in-depth “camouflage index” enables players to use the appropriate face paint and camouflage gear to blend into the environment, thereby avoiding enemy detection and aiding players in infiltrating dangerous enemy territory.

Promising an epic adventure similar in scale to that of a major Hollywood motion picture, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater encompasses all of the elements of the ultimate entertainment experience including edge-of your-seat action, intense stealth gameplay, outstanding visuals and a majestic soundtrack. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater raises the bar for action games across the board, introducing new features, a new era and a new setting to the series.

Set in the 1960s, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater thrusts players into a time period rife with political turmoil, where the global political landscape and escalation of war are shaping real world history. Players will plot a dangerous solo mission to infiltrate a heavily guarded enemy territory and uncover highly coveted secrets behind a newly created weapon of mass destruction. Gamers will journey through fully interactive, immersive and open-ended outside jungle environments that bring the realism and stealth combat to a whole new dynamic.

Comprised of some of the best talent in the entertainment industry, the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater design team is joined by screenwriter Kyle Cooper (Seven, The Hunt For Red October and The Fifth Element), to create an interactive opening sequence for the game. The blockbuster musical score is also composed by Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek, Armageddon, The Rock, The Replacement Killers, Enemy of the State).

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is available to play at Konami’s E3 2004 booth. For more information on the game, please visit: www.konami.com/mgs3.

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New Metal Gear PS3 Bundle

following is a press release sent out by Sony Computer Entertainment America, reprinted in its entirety. As a result, all statements are made by Sony representatives. While I have no official relationship with Sony, I figured a bundle including Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and a DualShock 3 was big enough news that you might want to hear it from the horse's mouth.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Introduces Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots PS3 Bundle Available In Late Q2 2008 In North America

Company Also Announces Limited-Edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack and April Availability of DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller for North America

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., February 26, 2008 – At its annual retail and publisher conference Destination PlayStation, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced details of upcoming PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) and PSP (PlayStationPortable) (PSP-2000) hardware bundles with two of the most highly anticipated 2008 titles. The company also announced the April 2008 availability of DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller in North America.

To coincide with the much-anticipated North American launch of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in late Q2 2008, SCEA will introduce a PS3 bundle, which will include an 80GB PS3, the upcoming blockbuster Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and a DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller for $499 (MSRP).

SCEA also announced the June 2008 availability of the limited-edition God of War PSP Entertainment Pack for $199.99 (MSRP). The God of War Entertainment Pack will include a "Deep Red" PSP with God of War himself, Kratos, silk-screened on the back of the unit, a copy of the highly anticipated upcoming God of War: Chains of Olympus game for PSP, the hit comedy movie from Columbia Pictures, “Superbad,” on UMD (Universal Media Disc), and a PLAYSTATION Network voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops from PLAYSTATION Store. The stand-alone version of God of War: Chains of Olympus launches on March 4, 2008.

"Working closely with our retail and publishing partners and sharing our hardware and software roadmaps at Destination PlayStation gives us a great opportunity to outline some key milestones for the year. In response to incredible demand, we will be manufacturing more 80GB PS3s for North America and the Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 80GB PS3 bundle is an ideal way to offer that continued value to our consumers," said Jack Tretton, president and CEO, SCEA. "With Blu-ray having won the format war, our stellar software line-up and a broad product portfolio, we will continue to drive the incredible momentum we’ve been generating since last fall."

SCEA will introduce the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller for the first time in North America in April 2008 for $54.95 (MSRP). DUALSHOCK 3, which incorporates both rumble and motion sensing SIXAXIS technologies, maintains the award-winning design and precise, responsive features of PlayStation controllers. The added rumble feature, combined with the SIXAXIS system, enhances the gamer experience with more interactive, intuitive and immersive game play experience and will work with more than 100 current PS3 titles.

In additional news coming from Destination PlayStation, SCEA announced Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will be available in North America in late Q2 2008. A Metal Gear Online "Starter Pack" will also be launched to support online game play. Gamers can select a single player experience or take the action online with up to 16 players and battle it out using the latest weapons and stealth techniques. For those eager to take on Solid Snake’s nemesis, Liquid Ocelot, a nationwide pre-sell promotion will enable gamers to pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and be guaranteed access to a multiplayer beta test for Metal Gear Online scheduled for late April.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation and PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (PlayStationPortable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system and its online and network services PLAYSTATION Network and PLAYSTATION Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

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