News
SQUARE’S FINAL FANTASY X ACHIEVES #1 SPOT FOR FIRST WEEK OF RETAIL SALES
#1 Selling Title for the PlayStation* 2 Computer Entertainment System
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (January 7, 2002) – Square Electronic ArtsSM L.L.C. (Square Electronic Arts), the exclusive publisher of all SQUARESOFT* products in North America, today announced that FINAL FANTASY* X, a PlayStation* 2 exclusive and the latest installment in the best-selling FINAL FANTASY series, was #1 in US sales across all videogame software categories in its first week of release, according to NPDFunworld (
www.NPDfunworld.com) Video Game Data (week ending December 22, 2001). FINAL FANTASY X marks one of the largest debuts for a PlayStation 2 title in the US.FINAL FANTASY X shipped to retailers nationwide on December 18, just in time for the Christmas holiday. In Japan, FINAL FANTASY X was released on July 19, 2001 and sold through 90% of the 2.14 million units it shipped in the first four days. It is the first PlayStation 2 title to reach the 2 million-unit mark. Square’s FINAL FANTASY series to date has sold more than 36 million units worldwide.
GameStop, Inc., operators of Babbage’s, Software Etc, GameStop and Funcoland stores reports significant sales of the title. "We’ve seen a terrific response to FINAL FANTASY X at our stores and online at gamestop.com," said Doreen McKenzie, Director of Merchandising, Video Games. "FINAL FANTASY X has pre-sold more units than any other PlayStation 2 title to date. Copies of the game have flown off the shelves throughout the holiday shopping frenzy. This title is a must have for all PlayStation 2 owners."
Retail stores are not the only outlets reporting substantial sales of the game. FINAL FANTASY X has earned best-seller status at e-tailers such as amazon.com, ebgames.com, gamestop.com, bestbuy.com and playstation.com.
FINAL FANTASY X has received outstanding reviews for its graphics, presentation, characters, storyline development and has earned the following review scores:
"9.5 out of 10" --- IGN.com
"9.3 out of 10" --- Gamespot.com
"9.5, 9.5, 9.0 out of 10 (based on three reviews)" and "EGM Gold" --- Electronic Gaming Monthly, February 2002 issue
"5 out of 5" --- Official PlayStation Magazine, February 2002 issue
"Graphics 4.5, Sound 5, Controls 4.5, Fun Factor 5, all out of 5" --- GamePro, February 2002 issue
"A+" --- GameNOW, January 2002 issue
"9.75 out of 10" --- Game Informer, January 2002 issue
"10 out of 10" --- PlayStation Magazine, January 2002 issue
The FINAL FANTASY X multi-million dollar marketing campaign includes national print, television and online advertising. Ads are currently airing on selected networks such as Comedy Central, ESPN/ESPN2, MTV, Sci-Fi Channel and Much Music (Canada). FINAL FANTASY X has also secured unique sponsorships with MTV (MTV Store), WWF (Royal Rumble) and Comedy Central (BattleBots).
FINAL FANTASY X has an ESRB rating of "T" for Teen and a suggested retail price of $50 US.
About Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. and Square Co., Ltd.
Square Co., Ltd. is the leading third-party developer and publisher of home video game console software in Japan with annual sales of more than US $614 million consolidated base (based on average annual exchange rate of 123 Japanese Yen per U.S. Dollar during fiscal year ending March 31,
2001) and 900 employees worldwide. Square Co., Ltd. became famous for its role-playing games, including its world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has sold more than 36 million units to date, and now publishes other titles under the SQUARESOFT brand spanning all genres. Square Co., Ltd. is based in Tokyo, Japan, and maintains a branch office in Osaka. More information about Square Co., Ltd. can be found on the Internet at
http://www.playonline.com.Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is the exclusive publisher of all SQUARESOFT products in North America. Square Co., Ltd. publishes its SQUARESOFT titles in North America through Square Electronic Arts L.L.C., located in Los Angeles, Calif. Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. is a Limited Liability Company established on May 1, 1998 by Square Soft, Inc. and Electronic Arts to manage the marketing and distribution of SQUARESOFT products in North America. More information about SQUARESOFT products can be found on the Internet at <
http://www.squaresoft.com/> http://www.playonline.com# # #
©2001, 2002 Square Co., Ltd. Character Design: Tetsuya Nomura. FINAL FANTASY, SQUARESOFT, the SQUARESOFT logo are registered trademarks of Square Co., Ltd. Square Electronics Arts is a service mark of Square Electronic Arts L.L.C. Electronic Arts is a trademark of Electronic Arts in the United States and/or other countries. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.
Share
Digg This
Glink It