-  J a n u a r y   2 ,   2 0 0 2  -

P L A Y S T A T I O N   2

- Square has released new details on the PS2 Online RPG Final Fantasy XI. First the job system from FFIII and FFV are back! Initially you can select from 6 different jobs, and more jobs will become available as your job level increases. The 6 initial jobs are Warrior, Monk, White Mage, Black Mage, Red Mage and Thief.  When the enemy monster comes into sight, you can set the target to the monster and take actions. Auto Attack allows you to continuously attack the target, until you select the Combat Release command or defeated the enemy. After battles, all items will be stored in the "Booty Pool" (Party) or "Master Collection" (Alliance). You can set the distribution rules to automatically distribute the items among all party or alliance members.....

Click here for full details, movies and screen shots.

- Square announced that the PlayOnline membership will be free of charge, users will only need to pay the monthly fee to access the online games offered by PlayOnline, such as Final Fantasy XI and Tetra Master.

- Capcom announced that Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Chapter 5 for PlayStation 2 will have network support, up to 8 players can battle online over the internet, and of course the game can be played offline in single player mode. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Chapter 5 is scheduled for a spring release in Japan, for 6800 yen.

- From the Hong Kong PlayStation 2 Expo, Sony revealed that the next sequel to Gran Turismo will definitely have online play modes, variable weather and daytime effect during the races, and new courses in Hong Kong and China. Sony is expecting to release Gran Turismo 4 sometimes in mid-2003.

- Chun Soft announced that they are developing a brand new PlayStation 2 title. It is unconfirmed whether they are working on a new installment of the Mysterious Dungeons series or a new work of the sound novel adventure.

M U L T I

- Hudson / Red Company announced the development of their love simulation sequel of To the North: White Illumination, the game was one of the first love simulation available for Dreamcast in Japan.

- UNCONFIRMED: Capcom is developing a new sequel to their popular fighting game Vampire, now the game is temporary titled as Vampire Soldier, and it is scheduled for a summer release in arcade.

- Capcom announced their software lineup and special events for the 15th Next Generation World Hobby Fair in Japan, which will be hosted in Osaka on Jan 20, Tokyo on Jan 26, Nagoya on Feb 3 and Fukuokda on Feb 10. Notice that Capcom has confirmed a PlayStation port of of the fighting game Capcom Vs SNK Pro, and a new Rockman series for GBA called Rockman Zero.

• Software
• Capcom Vs SNK Pro (PlayStation)
• Rockman X6 (PlayStation)
• Rockman Zero (GBA)
• Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 (GBA)
• Hitsusi No Kimochi (GBA)
  
• Events
• The Making of Battle Network Rockman EXE 2
• Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 Special Data Download
• Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 Trading Card Distribution
• Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 Link Battle Tournament

- News Recap: Newsweek has chosen the producer of Metal Gear Solid 2 - Hideo Kojima as one of the 7 most influential people in United States. "Hideo Kojima: If Metal Gear Solid 2 were a movie, it would be D. W. Griffith's 'Intolerance'--profligate in its ambition, flawed in its genius. If Hideo Kojima were a novelist, he would be Jonathan Franzen. If he were a television producer, he’d be David Chase. And if he were a filmmaker, he would be Peter Jackson. Kojima once dreamed of doing all those things, but he became a videogame designer instead...."

G A M E C U B E

- Hudson announced that they will release their GameCube fighting game Bloody Roar Extreme in Japan in May, the game is based on the PS2 version of Bloody Roar 3, the GameCube port will have additional characters and special moves not found in the original.

- Planet GameCube reported that Nintendo has announced 3 new GameCube titles at the European Game World Exhibition, the games are Mario Party 4, Perfect Dark Zero and Mario Kart for GameCube.

H A N D H E L D

- UNCONFIRMED: Vivarium is planning to develop a GameBoy Advance sequel of their popular virtual pet game Seaman: Forbidden Pet, and the game may have linkup feature with a possible GameCube version.