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

By benbik
Posted Monday, September 29, 2003

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BUENA VISTA GAMES AND SQUARE ENIX TO CONTINUE THE 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.

About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix Europe Ltd.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises - FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR in Europe) which has sold over 30 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.co.jp.

Square Enix Europe Ltd., located in London, handles operations in Europe and other PAL territories including sales, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix Europe, Ltd. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix-europe.com.

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company's Consumer Products business unit that creates, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of PC and multi-platform video games worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Titles for Buena Vista Games fall under two publishing labels: Buena Vista Interactive, which focuses on high-profile multi-platform games based on creative content from the numerous businesses within The Walt Disney Company, and Disney Interactive, which markets and distributes the company's award-winning children's entertainment video games and learning software based on Disney properties.

© 2002 Disney. TarzanTM Owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and Used by Permission. Copyright © 2002 Edgar Rice Burroughs, Inc. and Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Developed by SQUARE ENIX. Characters from FINAL FANTASY video game series: © 1990, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. The SQUARESOFT logo is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX is a trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. FINAL FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo and the Game Boy Advance logos are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.