Google Seeks Delay on Data-Sharing Order as It Appeals Landmark Antitrust Ruling 
Memory Chip Shortage Drives Higher Gadget Prices and Weakens Global Tech Demand 
Global DRAM Chip Shortage Puts Automakers Under New Cost and Supply Pressure 
OpenAI Launches Stargate Community Plan to Offset Energy Costs and Support Local Power Infrastructure 
Elon Musk Shares Bold Vision for AI, Robots, and Space at Davos 
Microsoft Restores Microsoft 365 Services After Widespread Outage 
South Korea Seeks Favorable U.S. Tariff Terms on Memory Chip Imports 
SoftBank Shares Surge as AI Optimism Lifts Asian Tech Stocks 
U.S. Lawmakers Demand Scrutiny of TikTok-ByteDance Deal Amid National Security Concerns 
China Halts Shipments of Nvidia H200 AI Chips, Forcing Suppliers to Pause Production 
South Korea Sees Limited Impact From New U.S. Tariffs on Advanced AI Chips 
Apple Stock Jumps as Company Prepares Major Siri AI Chatbot Upgrade 
Intel Stock Slides Despite Earnings Beat as Weak Q1 Outlook Raises Concerns 
Ericsson Plans SEK 25 Billion Shareholder Returns as Margins Improve Despite Flat Network Market 
Baidu Shares Surge After Official Launch of Advanced Ernie 5.0 AI Model 
TikTok Expands AI Age-Detection Technology Across Europe Amid Rising Regulatory Pressure 
When it comes to epic Japanese role-playing games, the “Final Fantasy” franchise has been setting the bar since the first one came out. However, as the years wore on, it became clear that the massive budgets being funneled into the titles were focused too much on photorealistic graphics, which turned off some players. As such, “Square Enix” is touching on its roots in some fashion with “Final Fantasy XV: A King’s Tale,” which features 16-bit graphics, and “World Of Final Fantasy,” which is a game full of chibi characters.
When “World Of Final Fantasy” was announced at E3 last year, it generated a lot of buzz because of the focus on cute, almost child-like art style. This was intended to reel in younger players of the current generation, who have been alienated by the intense graphics that came with the games after “FFXIII.” According to Gamespot, “Square” is now sweetening the deal with a collector’s edition.
The package will come with a price tag of $120 and is only available for purchase on Square Enix Online Store. As part of the edition, buyers will get a physical copy of the game, an art book that offers 80 pages of in-game artwork, and the title’s OST. Finally, it will come with mini figures of “Cloud Strife,” “Squall Leonheart” and “Lightning.”
Then we have “Final Fantasy XV: A King’s Tale,” which is part of the universe that “Square” is building for its upcoming AAA title. The company is really digging deep for its fifteenth installment of the franchise, with so many promotional materials flooding in, including a mobile game and a CG movie.
The 16-bit spin-off is basically a prequel to the main game, featuring a younger version of “King Regis,” the title character in the movie “Kingsglaive.” The game is also essentially a bed-time story that “Regis” is telling his son, “Noctis.” “Noctis” is, of course, the main character in “FFXV.”
Even though “A King’s Tale” has a retro look, Polygon reports that it offers combat mechanics that modern gamers would be familiar with. Offering magic, summons and of course, companions, traditional “Final Fantasy” tropes still apply.
The game is only available for pre-order via Gamestop in the U.S., according to its website, and only through EBGames in Canada. The game will launch on Sept. 30, along with the main game.
