Kingdom Hearts II

BUENA VISTA GAMES AND SQUARE ENIX TO CONTINUETHE SUCCESSFUL KINGDOM HEARTS SAGA WITH TWO SEQUELS

**"KINGDOM HEARTS - CHAIN OF MEMORIES -" and "KINGDOM HEARTS II" Currently In Development

London, September 26, 2003** - Buena Vista Games and Square Enix Co., Ltd. announced today that they are to join forces again to develop two sequel titles to KINGDOM HEARTS, which was released worldwide in 2002 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The sequels include KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- for Game Boy®Advance and KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2.

KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- is to be developed for the Game Boy Advance, making it the first KINGDOM HEARTS title to appear on a handheld console. It will feature Sora, Donald, Goofy as well as other Disney characters and worlds. KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- is set to bring a whole new gaming experience by implementing elements never seen before on the Game Boy Advance. The title is scheduled for release in Japan in 2004, followed by North America and Europe.

KINGDOM HEARTS II will be developed for the PlayStation 2 and the story will pick up where it ended in the original KINGDOM HEARTS. Fans will see the return of Sora, Kairi and Riku along with many Disney characters and worlds. Release details are yet to be announced for Japan, North America and Europe.

"We are extremely proud of the success of KINGDOM HEARTS and could not wait for this day to announce the two new titles," said Tetsuya Nomura, director and main character designer, KINGDOM HEARTS series. "Our development team is very enthusiastic about creating a new chapter in KINGDOM HEARTS history and determined to deliver an even more unique and exciting gaming experience that will appeal to the global marketplace."

"Buena Vista Games is thrilled to be collaborating with Square Enix once again and continue the KINGDOM HEARTS journey," said Graham Hopper, senior vice president, Buena Vista Games. "Like KINGDOM HEARTS, the sequels will breathe new life into Disney's most beloved properties and give fans the chance to experience them in new ways."

KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- for Game Boy Advance and KINGDOM HEARTS II for the PlayStation 2 will be developed under the direction of director and main character designer Tetsuya Nomura, and produced by Shinji Hashimoto and co-producer Yoshinori Kitase.

First launched in Japan in March 2002, KINGDOM HEARTS has now sold 3.3 million units worldwide, with over 1.3 million units sold in Japan and 2 million units in North America and Europe combined. KINGDOM HEARTS has now joined Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Platinum range.

A truly groundbreaking action role-playing game, KINGDOM HEARTS was the first joint project between Square Enix and Buena Vista Games. Featuring more than 100 Disney characters, it also introduced new Disney characters - Sora, Riku, Kairi and the Heartless - designed by Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura, director and character designer of KINGDOM HEARTS. A hit title in Europe, KINGDOM HEARTS was extremely well received by hardcore and mainstream gamers, as well as media critics. It garnered much praise and won several Editors' awards within the gaming community. Featuring an all-star voice cast, added features to the PAL version such as additional bosses, KINGDOM HEARTS delivered a very fresh and unique gaming experience. KINGDOM HEARTS -CHAIN OF MEMORIES- and KINGDOM HEARTS II are set to bring another perfect blend of animation, design and story-telling to both Disney and Square Enix fans alike.

Source:

Press release (26th September 2003)

KINGDOM HEARTS II

Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Publisher: Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.

Format: PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system (PS2)

Genre: Role-Playing Game

ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)

Ship Date: TBD

KINGDOM HEARTS II follows Sora, Donald, and Goofy on their continuing quest. Sora is looking for his lost friends Kairi and Riku, while Donald and Goofy are searching for their missing king

It has been a year since the events of KINGDOM HEARTS. Sora and friends are joined by a vibrant new cast of characters, including the king himself! Together, they will encounter countless dangers in worlds both familiar and brand-new. It seems the Heartless, or at least some form of them, still exist. A new villain also awaits, hidden by a mask. Is it someone familiar or a new opponent to be confronted? This mystery and others will be solved as the story unfolds in a grand adventure.

KINGDOM HEARTS has sold over 4 million units worldwide and continues to gain popularity with gamers and fans of both DISNEY and SQUARE ENIX across the planet. KINGDOM HEARTS captured the imaginations of gamers young and old, combining classic DISNEY properties with SQUARE ENIX's renowned style, and presenting characters and worlds brought to life by an all-star voice cast. Fans will revisit this beloved story and come to care for a new troupe of characters in KINGDOM HEARTS II.

Tetsuya Nomura reprises his role as Director and Main Character Designer in KINGDOM HEARTS II, seamlessly weaving two creative worlds into a universe brimming with imagination. Nomura is also the creator of many unique characters in the FINAL FANTASY canon, including characters from FINAL FANTASY VII, VIII, X, and X-2. Joining him is Yuichi Kanemori as Battle Director. His battle system for KINGDOM HEARTS was designed for players of all skill levels, wedding a simple and intuitive interface to challenging and entertaining gameplay. Kazushige Nojima acts as Scenario Director, spinning together the many emotional twists and turns of KINGDOM HEARTS II. Nojima is also known for this work on the landmark PlayStation titles FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY VIII.

Source:

Press release (14th May 2005)

The KINGDOM HEARTS series has sold over 7.5 million units worldwide and continues to gain popularity. KINGDOM HEARTS captured the imaginations of gamers young and old, combining classic DISNEY properties with SQUARE ENIX’s renowned style, and presenting characters and worlds brought to life by an all-star voice cast. Fans will revisit this beloved story and come to care for a new troupe of characters in KINGDOM HEARTS II.

Source:

www.us.playstation.com

The sequel to Square Enix and Disney's ultimate crossover RPG reunites the unlikely
heroic trio for another epic battle against the forces of evil.

Kingdom Hearts II continues the fantastical adventures of Sora, Donald, and Goofy as they
continue their quest to rescue King Mickey and their friends across the expansive Disney
and Square Enix universe.

A year has passed since the events in handheld-only title Kingdom Hearts: Chain of
Memories; the evil Hades is still up to his villainous ways, and legendary female warrior
Mulan is in dire need of assistance - and that's only the start of our heroic trio's troubles!

They'll be helped by a cast of new characters, including the elusive King Mickey, who will
help them battle against the many unknown dangers that await them on their grand
adventure.

• Sora, Donald, Goofy and a cast of brand-new and familiar faces from the Disney and
  Square Enix universe star in an epic new Kingdom Hearts adventure
• Features the voices of top Hollywood talent, including Haley Joel Osment and James
  Woods

Source:

uk.playstation.com