Before Becoming Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy Versus XIII Was Announced Exactly Nine Years Ago

Before Becoming Final Fantasy XV, Final Fantasy Versus XIII Was Announced Exactly Nine Years Ago

Giuseppe Nelva May 8, 2015 2:04 AM EST

Exactly nine years ago, at a press conference at E3 2006, Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Versus XIII exclusively for PS3. Then several period of limbo mixed with sporadic appearances followed, and a few new outlets even mistakenly announced its cancellation, citing “sources” that obviously weren’t that well informed, if they ever existed.

Yet, at E3 2013, Square Enix finally announced that the game had been renamed to Final Fantasy XV, and re-purposed for release on PS4 and Xbox One.

Since that conference on May 8th, 2006, several anniversaries followed, but this one is special. Fors the first time in nine years, at least a small portion of the game is finally running on our consoles. After the original Director Tetsuya Nomura stepped down in favor of Hajime Tabata, Episode Duscae finally gives us a real, tangible, glimpse on the game that isn’t just a trailer or a video.

We don’t know if Final Fantasy XV will manage to live up to nine years (which will probably become ten by when it’ll release) of pure rollercoaster between hype and disappointment, but Epiosode Duscae is definitely solid, rekindling hopes that seemed long lost.

In order to celebrate this special anniversary, let’s reminisce a bit. Below you can read the original press release that announced the game, nine years ago.

FINAL FANTASY Versus XIII for PlayStation 3 system

Harmony is realized in this alternate tale of FINAL FANTASY XIII Not a merely a sequel, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters. This title will appear alongside FINAL FANTASY XIII on the PlayStation 3 system. When coupled with FINAL FANTASY XIII, FINAL FANTASY Versus XIII completes the core of the FABULA NOVA CRYSTALLIS Project. *This title is not yet concept approved by Sony Computer Entertainment America Key Development Staff Director & Character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (FINAL FANTASY V~VIII, FINAL FANTASY X, FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN, KINGDOM HEARTS)

Movie director: Takeshi Nozue (FINAL FANTASY IX, FINAL FANTASY X, FINAL FANTASY VII ADVENT CHILDREN, KINGDOM HEARTS)

Composer: Yoko Shimomura (LEGEND OF MANA, Parasite EVE, KINGDOM HEARTS)

Producer: Shinji Hashimoto

And to top it off, here’s the original trailer, courtesy of YouTube user LeonRevil.