Joystiq at NYC's Final Fantasy Day festivities
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Oct 11th 2006 at 5:20PM }
New York City's Times Square was overwhelmed by Final Fantasy fans as Square-Enix premiered the English language version of the upcoming Final Fantasy XII, which will be playable at this week's DigitalLife conference, which starts tomorrow. The trailer, shown to great excitement amongst fans, featured great visuals (as expected) and some truly impressive voice acting. For those of you that have HDTVs, you'll be glad to know that the US version has been enhanced with new anamorphic widescreen (16:9) functionality.
Check out a shaky-cam version of the trailer, and some pics from the event after the break.
Times Square tourists were assaulted by rabid fans, hungry for some free poster action. The guy on the right grimaces, thinking up of new erotic fanfics he can write about his not-so-secret love, Fran.
The media was assaulted by the Judge when we questioned Vaan's sexuality.
Final Fantasy XII hits stores on Halloween, to the great satisfaction of cosplayers throughout the country.
OMG? Is Al Roker dressed up as a Black Mage???
A representative from the Mayor's office declared today the official Final Fantasy Day...
Producer Akitoshi Kawazu then unleashed a swarm of giant Chocobos to eat us all.
A Q&A session followed. This fan is most likely asking for Sora and Riku to hook up in the next Kingdom Hearts game. (Wait, they haven't already?)
Insert your own hilarious caption here! No, we're serious. Make the funniest caption, and you'll get a Large Final Fantasy XII t-shirt. (US residents only, thanks.)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Toneman @ Oct 11th 2006 5:27PM
I'm sure by now, most of the people that want FFXII have it. Hell, I don't even want it and I have it. Good job Squeenix!
CitizenGeek @ Oct 11th 2006 5:28PM
YAY for FF! BIG disappointment that it won't be here (dans l'Europe) till February......
aZn_1080p @ Oct 11th 2006 5:31PM
Awesome! Other game makers take note - this is how you make a REAL Rpg, not some boring 'wander around and kill board to pick up coins' junk with pooor story and bad character design. I can't wait to see the new badassery SQEnix has in store for us now that they have access to the power of Cell and Blu-Ray!
Caleb @ Oct 11th 2006 5:38PM
It's official, now you can control two homesexual male chacters in FFXII.
ZR @ Oct 11th 2006 5:51PM
How about: "Jonathan was never popular due to his Final Fantasy addiction, but on this day he would finally be the prettiest girl at the dance."
Seriously, is that a guy in the last photo?
s256 @ Oct 11th 2006 6:00PM
You mean the guy cosplaying as Balthier? Yes.
FFXII has fantastic voice acting compared to X. They may take some things out of context occasionally.. rarely, actually.. but other than that, Sqaure Enix actually chose voice talent.
s256 @ Oct 11th 2006 6:01PM
You mean the guy cosplaying as Balthier? Yes.
FFXII has fantastic voice acting compared to X. They may take some things out of context occasionally.. rarely, actually.. but other than that, Sqaure Enix actually chose voice TALENT.
carg0 @ Oct 11th 2006 6:25PM
I'll never be able to get over just how bad those FF costumes look on real people.
Yikes!
Patrick @ Oct 11th 2006 8:19PM
"The Final Fantasy themed wedding was going well until a white tiger jumped on stage and tried to eat the groom. Sources say the tiger was confused by the ruffled shirt and fabulous gold vest."
Fisher @ Oct 11th 2006 6:31PM
Dear Mr. aZn_1080p,
Indeed! I am incredibley tired of the vertitable flood of games where I "wander around and kill board to pick up coins." Why? Why do videogame companies insist on endlessly adding in boards to kill? WHY? I'm tired of it. I want a little creativity and imagination.
-Fisher-
rockintom99 @ Oct 11th 2006 7:03PM
...Do you even *play* Final Fantasy XII? The only parts you played in the other ones where wandering around and battling, but you dont even do that in this one!
...Yet I am still going to buy it. Damn it.
Rabish12 @ Oct 11th 2006 7:25PM
"Awesome! Other game makers take note - this is how you make a REAL Rpg, not some boring 'wander around and kill board to pick up coins' junk with pooor story and bad character design."
Correction: You make a real RPG by actually allowing the player to roleplay rather than holding their hand and forcing them to basically watch the game like a movie (which is what nearly every "RPG" made by Square, Enix, and Square-Enix is like).
Not that there's anything wrong with a game like that, but saying that it's "how you make a REAL Rpg" is like saying that Madden is how you make a real strategy game.
PyrosNine @ Oct 11th 2006 9:52PM
Character descriptions in order from right to left:
(???) Princess in Dress: Not even a FF fan, but ever so happy to be here and dressed up, if in a silly dress.
(Ashe) Heroine in Sexy Heroine Outfit(tm): An avid FF fan, who made the costume with little forethought and now just realized she makes the outfit look terrible. She's irate at herself, and the two rubes beside her. Other fans present mistake this for just trying to be "in character".
Guy in Balthier costume: Feels fab-U-lous! But has noticed the chick in the Ashe costume is ruining his mojo, and watching her out of the corner of his eye, patiently waits for an opportunity to use the weapon he's holding over his shoulder.
Akihiko Yoshida:(Off camera) Cries like a three year old girl at the visual defecation of his creations. In between eye-bleeds and gasping sobs, sips down some wine an alcholic fan smuggled in.
n42 @ Oct 13th 2006 2:38PM
Speaking of DigitalLife i will be going this saturday. Cant wait to play FFXII and the other great games.
ryro @ Oct 11th 2006 8:39PM
Square didn't premiere the game, my friend did, a week ago, in his living room, on his PS2, as did about 50,000 other people who have access to a net connection.
Feep @ Oct 11th 2006 8:53PM
"Sweet...she's wearing hotpants, and even SHORTER hotpants above those."
Carmine @ Oct 11th 2006 9:55PM
"The wily hunter could not hide his smirk during the opening festivities. He so loved the first day of Wabbit Season."
tylerwillis @ Jan 14th 2007 6:07PM
***Correction Notice***
The New York Times apologizes for a most grievous error in last Sunday's Culture section. The above photograph was erroneously identified as a recreation of the Djiboutian Royal Ascension by the Citizens for Really Creative History and Have Too Much Time on Their Hands. Research indicates that Djibouti is, in fact, a Republic, and that the photographer was attempting to cover up his own shame in accidentally submitting a personal photograph with his work assignments. Naturally, said photographer has been sacked by llamas.
The event in question seems to be some sort of videogame party. As we at the New York Times are responsible adults who do not Satan worship or engage in murder simulators, we fortunately have no further knowledge.
Apologies for any confusion.
***End Correction Notice***
ecidonex @ Oct 11th 2006 10:25PM
I've never played Final Fantasy VII. Is it good or something?
Joe A. @ Oct 11th 2006 10:21PM
I used to work with the guy in the Balthier costume! He's pretty cool and his girlfriend's hot.
McBeaver @ Oct 11th 2006 10:33PM
My caption: "Who Farted?"
McBeaver @ Oct 11th 2006 10:35PM
"Is that midget bread in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"
McBeaver @ Oct 11th 2006 10:48PM
"Is that a Celestial Mirror in your pocket, because I can see myself in your Snow Muffler"
kareno @ Oct 11th 2006 11:03PM
ditto ecidonex.
Girl: Why the hell is my husband dressed like a gay pilgrim?
Guy: Hah ha! I challenge you all to a duel! *turns into Raphael from Soul Calibur*
Princess: I'm the prettiest girl at the ball.
kareno @ Oct 11th 2006 11:07PM
Official Final Fantasy Day? I think today was also National Coming Out Day. Coincidence? I think not.
Daniel @ Oct 11th 2006 11:21PM
My Caption: LEFT:"Heheheheh...I'm the hottest tranny here!" MIDDLE: "OK...who is first...I don't have all day and I have other clients." RIGHT: "Anybody so much as looks or talks to my hoes the wrong way gets a bullet to the crotch with my tiny little pellet gun."
Elecray7k @ Oct 12th 2006 12:36AM
Caption: The man next to me looked at these three and said, "Either they've somehow come to our world from an evil-gay-victorian parallel dimension of little taste, or that Project Runway freakshow is back in town." He paused. "Or maybe it's just all Dame Edna's fault."
kento @ Oct 13th 2006 11:19AM
very good pics for the FFXII event only matter of days left !!
ClaudeLv250 @ Oct 12th 2006 1:49AM
I don't normally care about voice acting in video games, but I'm thoroughly impressed by what little was in this trailer. Now I want to hear all the major characters.
Starsmore @ Oct 12th 2006 1:56AM
The closest this guy will get to a girl, and he's still checking out that Sora cosplayer. Of course, someone forgot to point out that the cosplayer is really a girl.
Kunoichi @ Oct 12th 2006 2:39AM
Oh dear.
Those of you who go all "OMG, I/my friend/whoever already played the game, we're so l33t" totally piss me of. -.- It's nothing to be proud of, damnit! But I guess that's something you just don't want and *can't* understand. *sighs*
prequarius @ Oct 12th 2006 7:32AM
caption for last picture:
A (really) bad musical of Princess Diana and Prince Charles goes into production today with Right Said Fred's song, "I'm too sexy" playing in the opening sequence. Long live the queen!
SuedeGopher @ Oct 12th 2006 10:30AM
Thinking bubbles over the pair on the right (same thought) "Always the bridesmaid, never the bride"
Chris Falcon @ Oct 12th 2006 12:13PM
"Those bitches didn't count on THIS bitch coming to the party"
Adam Niese @ Oct 12th 2006 5:22PM
Caption:
The Uncanney Valley strikes again.
J Empire @ Oct 12th 2006 1:19PM
"Square-Enix makes games for everyone, whether they're men, women, or whatever that one in the middle is."
Kyo @ Oct 12th 2006 2:29PM
Hey! That's my friend there in the middle of the last picture. Her name is Mallory, and she won a FFXII cosplay contest, then was sponsored by square to come to NY.
Damn sweet! Thanks Joystiq!
spyrie @ Oct 12th 2006 2:54PM
"Hey, Kevin?"
"Yes ma'am?"
"Does that gun thingy you're holding actually work?"
"Uh... I think so. Why?"
"Please shoot that guy dressed like Pikachu before he tries to hump my leg again."
Ted @ Oct 12th 2006 5:20PM
How about this? "Ex-congression pages to testify about Foley's final fantasies..."
Marion @ Oct 12th 2006 6:05PM
"In other news, Square-Enix reaffirms it policy to only deal with computer generated characters. Introducing the new live action cast, it seemed anyone who appreciated the cosutmes spent more time with CG anyway."
Also, as a woman who plays videogames, I am disapointed at the normal sized boobs on both women. Play big or go home.
Marion @ Oct 16th 2006 2:36PM
Ah! To clarify, I mean 'Hired Booth-babes there for atmosphere' should have big breasts. Gosh, I hope I didn't offend anyone. I missed the comment where the cosplayers were contest winners...
'Course, I still think it's a bit dorky.
mallory @ Oct 13th 2006 1:45PM
I'm the Ashe cosplayer in the middle, and just to let people know: we we'ren't hired or anything, we won a national cosplay contest hosted by square enix and they flew us to new york to wer our costumes on final fantasy XII day. The other two cosplayers are very nice and talented people, and being there was a great experience
Scott @ Oct 13th 2006 4:52PM
I'm the guy cosplaying Balthier. It's funny to read captions about yourself, keep em coming. I couldn't do this kinda thing without a sense of humor.
Although I don't think I've ever worked with anyone named Joe, he's right, my girlfriend is hot. You'd be surprised how chicks dig a guy who's not afraid to break out leather pants and rainbow rings every once in awhile...There's some advice to all you basement dwellers who are knocking us. ;)
Jennifer @ Oct 13th 2006 5:20PM
Ohohoho the jealousy is strong with this thread. But if it makes you feel better, rage on, while the rest of the world, y'know, moves on. :)
P.S. I lolled. :D
Jeffrey Von Goethe Fotunebras McIntrye @ Oct 13th 2006 7:07PM
Damn, looks like the gaming cummunity went for either shallow intellectualisms and clamorous mistakes of any slight analytical ability (all a farse to beguile onlookers of the fact that their japan/square fanboys/puritans) or they tried the EVER so damn clever humor attempt at tits and trannies. Fantasy-Fantastic! I know it must put hair on the chest for fanboys hoping to fanmen to knock down a picture a peg, but sweet Jew-blaming JESUS I can't take this. I have no idea what embittered you sons of bitches, or what notion endowed your low-down fucking septic hearts with righteous indignation to take such low, stupid blows to innocent gamers who (apparently) are much more productive than you. Oh praise thee, arm-chair analysts, unite under the ever currents of feuding and strife to point with derision at the mirror! They are you, but they look good, they did something, and by god damn working instead of becoming esconced in this pift and dribble they got their god damned just reward! I swear to the gods that I have never been so sickened by a group of assholes before. It's like a damned mentally handicapped ho-down. I myself am a misanthropic, and angry person by nature, but I'm going to stand for my friend against all this shit-headed god-rotten word-vomit. Her name is Mallory Victoria, the wonderkind individual in the Ashe costume. She's been called a whore, a hermaphodite, an E3 babe with inadequete breasts, an artist that is an insult to artists, a person with little to-do; ALL IN ONE GOD DAMNED POST!! If bitter bitches want to antagonize my friend's worth-while efforts, than I can be the most furious, hateful, downright mean bastard you'll ever meet. I'm no better than any, but I'll be damned if this witless bunch of cretons, that are high off the fumes of their own ass, will say that to her. You type with your withered lexicons, turgid hubris, and tote your wet-behind-the-ears experience with women (because if you can't recognize a good looking lady, it must because you're no lady-killer). COWARDS! You wouldn't have the cojones to say that to her face, you're so called wit would be castrated the moment she would confront you. And you'd stand there a eunic to her sure footed stance of what she does. And a short ode to the omnipotent dick that clevery "deduced" certain traits of mallory like "she makes the costume look bad" and "hard-core fan with little forthought;" allow me to tear you from your shrine praising the clothing of CG characters and spit in your eyes. You don't know a single iota in your fucking afunctional cerbural cortex of who she is, or any of them for that matter. She is a perversly talented individual who won a national contest from a costume she made practically from scratch. Not only that, it's not even her best work. The Ashe costume is a hold-over from one she made years ago that was retrofitted and modified betwixt working and attending art school; and she WON. A seamstress that can recreate something that was previously only rendered in a couple of SCREEN SHOTS accurately and make it look good is nothing to scoff at. *breathes deeply* Makes feel like I'm having a brain annuerism. I guess the epinephrene is thinning out in my brain. I'll just calmly spell out the truth: Many of you made fun of my friend, I've never met any of you, but if i did ever meet you I wouldn't have any reservation to making sure you never type with both hand ever again. Mallory, I'm sorry I lead you to this site. I forgot it was a blog, therefor has a decrepit comments section. I know you'll just take it in stride, you always do. I am sorry again. Honestly and truly - Jeff
Sharron @ Oct 14th 2006 1:22PM
Wow guys, this sounds like a pity party for all you guys who didn't get picked to be one of those three. Haha get over yourselves.
Janapi @ Oct 14th 2006 12:35PM
Coming soon to a theatre near you: "Indiana Jones and the Search for Liberaci's Lost Wardrobe."
flyers241 @ Oct 16th 2006 1:48PM
"Announcer: And here are the three finalists in the Liberace look-alike contest!"
Jen @ Oct 16th 2006 8:18PM
"The New Final Fantasy Collection - Dress to impress, not for defense."
(I don't know why everyone's trying to compare them to Liberace. They would each need about a thousand pounds more glitter, gems, and satin. They're not even to Elton John glitz level yet. o_o; )