For those of you who who can't seem to get Final Fantasy XII's battle music out of your head, there may soon be something else to hum along to as FFXII composer Hitoshi Sakimoto is looking to bring his musical style to a wider audience, including games produced outside of Japan.

Helping him in this will be Four Bars Intertainment, which also represents other game composers such as Jason Hayes (World of Warcraft), Inon Zur (Fallout 3, Crysis), and Jack Wall (Myst series). No games have been announced yet, though we doubt Sakimoto will lack for projects to fill his free time. Over the past two decades the workaholic composer has added more than 150 projects to his credit, including such titles as Vanillaware's GrimGrimoire and Odin Sphere, shooters Gradius V and Radiant Silvergun, plus a handful of anime releases as well -- many of which we've given our own spin while humming along to in the shower.

Square Enix announced today an enhanced version of Final Fantasy XII, subtitled International Zodiac Job System (no, really), due out in Japan August 9.

According to Game|Life's Chris Kohler, who obtained a media kit for the title, enhancements to the game include:

• 12 new license boards for each character, tuned to specific jobs in the FF universe (e.g., Monk, Red Mage)
• A presentation based on the US release (English voices, 16:9 widescreen)
• A "bonus DVD based on the US version."

Much like Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix and FF X-2: International Edition, IGN suspects International Zodiac Job System will remain Japan only -- though, with English voices, it could be a viable import for those with even rudimentary knowledge of Japanese language.

Square Enix figured a little dose of Patrick Stewart would help generate sales of Final Fantasy XII in Europe and Australia, so the publisher signed up the ever-bold(-ly exploring) voice for the game's ad campaign, which begins next week. Stewart does not provide actual in-game voice-work for FFXII, but he did win Spike TV's 'Best Performance by a Human (male)' for his work in The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Stewart's voice has also been cast in the upcoming TMNT film; out next month.

Final Fantasy XII will launch in Europe and Australia on February 23; the ads begin rolling on February 19.

Though the extra cost to paint an industrial-strength sticker is probably minimal, it's not like Nintendo needs any help selling the consoles in Japan. A release outside of Japan is very unlikely for the limited edition console, so those desperate for a unit will have to import. However, we have a better suggestion: wait for someone to post a high-resolution image and then make your own sticker to put on that DS Lite (or DS Phat) you're already using.

It's about bloody time news now, with Square Enix announcing the official release date for Final Fantasy XII in PAL territories. Arriving on February 23rd (that's 2007), role-playing fans in Europe are the last to receive a game rife with political intrigue, androgynous street urchins and bunny-eared vixens. We think that might actually be the description on the back of the box.

There's no mention of a fancy collector's edition, but rumor has it that the game itself is well worth the asking price. Particularly impatient gamers would do well to pick up Okami in the meantime -- it's finally out in Europe on February 9th.

Circuit City is selling Final Fantasy XII for $37.99 USD starting this Tuesday, a full $12 less than any of the major U.S. electronic retail stores. Yeah, we're surprised by it as well. Not only does today's Circuit City flyer in your local newspaper have the price listed at $37.99, but the online price is listed as $37.99. It's as real as it gets. Of course, this means nothing to those lucky people that caught CompUSA breaking street date.

We've even contacted a few Circuit City stores and, just like other retailers, they say their copies are currently sitting in the warehouse ready for distribution -- but they aren't breaking street date. So, Circuit City has the copies, they are $12 less than anybody else and are ready to pick up first thing when the store opens on Tuesday. Come on, not to be completely jaded, but what's the catch?

A call has been placed to Circuit City PR to find out if there is something we are missing and why they are selling the game for such an amazing price. The only thing that doesn't jive is that the flyer says Tuesday, but online says Thursday as release.

Excited about the unrelenting Final Fantasy tide washing over you once again this month? In North America, we'll be treated to the twelfth installment of one of console gaming's most venerable franchises on the 30th of this month and -- like with any Final Fantasy game -- there are some necessities. First, we'll see cosplayers dressed as their favorite androgynous characters , and then the music will permeate our brains.

The fine folks at AOL Radio (full disclosure: AOL is our corporate overlord) let us know that they're spinning the "Selections from Final Fantasy XII" CD -- available for pre-order on Amazon -- on their recently relaunched Final Fantasy Radio channel. Not many game soundtracks get released outside of Japan, so ToFu Records should be commended.

PC users can follow this link to have a listen. Mac users need to download a program (.dmg file) and use their AIM or AOL screen name to enjoy (see pic above).

See also:
Joystiq at NYC's Final Fantasy Day festivities
Happy Final Fantasy music day

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.

For those dreaming of the gorgeous gun ballet glimpsed in Final Fantasy XIII, it may come as a rude awakening when we loudly exclaim, "Hang on, we haven't even gotten number 12 yet!"  Thankfully, Square Enix has answered our call by officially announcing the North American release date for their next inevitably epic RPG. Final Fantasy XII will be in stores this Halloween, 31 October 2006. If ever there was a good reason for Sephiroth and Rikku cosplayers to head out into public and purchase the game in full fantasy garb, this is it.

Not to be left behind on the platform as the Collector's Edition trend train heads off, the game will be arriving in two distinct versions. The vanilla package will retail for $49.99, whereas the Collector's Edition, laced with interviews, series featurettes, trailers, art galleries and ancient evils, will be available at Gamestop and EB Games exclusively for $59.99. Depending on how fond you are of the non-final franchise, that's either a trick or a treat.

[Image: Advent Children.net]

Are you in Chicago tonight for the big PLAY! concert tomorrow, but weren't willing to shell out $125 for the VIP meet-and-greet at the event? Well, you might be in luck (even if you're not attending), as a few famous folks from the concert will be on hand to sign autographs in Chicago proper for free tonight.

From 7 to 9 PM (presumably Central time) at the Tower Records store on 2301 N. Clark St., Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu, bilingual songstress Angela Aki (who wrote and sang the theme song for FFXII), and Principal Conductor and Music Director of PLAY! Arnie Roth will be signing autographs to promote the world-tour premiere of 'PLAY! A Video Game Symphony' and the CD for More Friends - Music from FINAL FANTASY.

While this blogger is sadly occupied with prior engagements tonight, gamers in the area are more than welcome to mob that Tower Records and cause the store's employees much consternation and bewilderment. If you don't have any imported CDs to sign, however, don't fret: the store's web site claims to have "some awesome Japanese imports available for you to purchase and have autographed at the event." Not only that, Angela Aki will be performing live as well. Score! Anybody wanna tell us how this evening turns out when it's all sung and done?

[Via The Daily Northwestern; image culled from Angela Aki's blog, Nobuo Uematsu's Squenix profile, and Arnie Roth's 2005 interview with IGN]

See also:

• Official page for Tower Clark Street (with details on the signing)
• Ticketmaster site for the PLAY! concert debut tomorrow
• Sonic and Chrono composers to join PLAY! in Chicago