FINAL FANTASY® RADIO LAUNCHES TODAY ON AMERICA ONLINE®

First Dedicated Video Game Franchise Radio Station Debuts on #1Ranked AOL RADIO@ NETWORK
 
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2003) -- Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. (“Square Enix U.S.A.”), the publisher of Square Enix™ products in North America, and America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, announced today the launch of the new FINAL FANTASY® station, exclusively on America Online’s Radio@ Network. The new radio station features 200 tracks from the top-selling FINAL FANTASY video games, and will be available for listeners on Radio@AOL, Radio@AOL for Broadband and Radio@Netscape under the Soundtracks & More category. This is the first ever radio station on the AOL Radio@ Network dedicated to a single video game franchise.  The service is available to all AOL members and fans on the web, and will be live through April 2004. 
 
The FINAL FANTASY station features complete tracks from Square Enix’s recently released FINAL FANTASY XI, FINAL FANTASY XI: Rize of the Zilart™ and samplings from top-selling games including FINAL FANTASY VII, FINAL FANTASY VIII, FINAL FANTASY IX and FINAL FANTASY X.  Additional information on these products can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com.
 
“We are extremely excited to have a dedicated radio station for music from our FINAL FANTASY games on the AOL Radio@ Network,” said Jun Iwasaki, president and CEO, Square Enix U.S.A.  “The music is not just for gamers, but for all music lovers around the world. With their enormous reach and superior sound quality, the AOL Radio@ Network is a great way to showcase our music library.”
 
“As part of our ongoing mission to provide the best games programming for the mass market, we are excited to partner with Square Enix and provide our members with a Radio@ Network station dedicated exclusively to the FINAL FANTASY franchise,” said Matthew Bromberg, VP and General Manager, AOL Games.  “Since FINAL FANTASY is one of the hottest series of video games available today, music from the franchise is a perfect fit for our first video games station on the number one online radio network.”
 
The FINAL FANTASY station compliments additional FINAL FANTASY features that AOL members can find on AOL Games.  AOL for Broadband members can currently visit AOL Keyword: First Tip to access an exclusive broadband video highlighting tips from the FINAL FANTASY XI game. On November 18, members can visit AOL Keyword: FINAL FANTASY to access the game trailer, see the new characters, download an application to see if their PC is ready to play the all-new FINAL FANTASY XI as well as access the radio station and First Tip. 

The inclusion of music from FINAL FANTASY video games on AOL Radio@ Network adds to the heightening of the realization of video games as an art form.  With the technology available in today’s gaming consoles, video game music has been able to move beyond the stereotypical blips and bleeps of its predecessors and has become more sophisticated.  While still a growing market, video game soundtracks are now sold in major outlets and feature a variety of genres including rock, hip-hop, electronica, classical compositions and songs performed by popular artists.  The FINAL FANTASY soundtracks, which are original compositions, have grown to such popularity and the series’ veteran composer Nobuo Uematsu was named as one of the “Innovators” in Time Magazine’s “Time 100: The Next Wave – Music” feature. Square Enix hopes to pioneer the appreciation and awareness of not only its musical creations, but also video game music throughout the industry.

 The AOL Radio@ Network, which include Radio@ AOL, Radio@ AOL for Broadband and Radio@ Netscape, is the #1 Internet Broadcaster according to Arbitron Internet Broadcast Ratings (powered by MeasureCast technology).  The network is designed to transform the conventional radio experience.  These interactive services offer convenient 24/7 access to a vast selection of original and third party programming, contextual information and integrated commerce.  The AOL Radio@ Network currently offers 175 best of breed, music, news, sports, entertainment and seasonal stations including features from today’s hottest stars and most respected names in broadcasting.

About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
 
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents 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 45 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR® in North America) which has sold over 30 million units worldwide – under one roof.  Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. 
 
Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif., handles operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles.  More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com. 
 
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner, Inc. (NYSE: TWX) Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
 
FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd.  RIZE OF THE ZILART and SQUARE ENIX are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.