PS3 Informer

Final Fantasy XIV MMO to be Available in China

The Chinese government has a bit of a love/hate relationship with multiplayer online games, but apparently it is prepared to make an exception for Final Fantasy XIV. Previously, the restrictive Chinese authorities closed cybercafes, implemented an anti-addiction system that cut players off after three hours, and even banned all online games featuring 'gangs'. Any online games that "advocate obscenity, gambling, or violence," and "undermine morality and Chinese traditional culture," are banned from China, according to the official Xinhua news agency. But apparently, the fantasy setting of Square Enix's upcoming MMO does not offend the censures. They are probably rather pleased at all of the money that the game is expected to bring in to an economy that is rapidly embracing digital entertainment.

Shanda Games and Square Enix have announced a strategic partnership that will enable Shanda to publish and operate the game in the Chinese territory. The partnership starts with an exclusive license in mainland China to release Final Fantasy XIV. Interestingly, his will be the first official release of a Final Fantasy franchise title in mainland China.

Square Enix Group has identified globalization as one of its key growth areas and has been aggressively publishing content in Japan, North America and Europe. The partnership with Shanda Games will strengthen Square Enix Group's global business development with a focus on the difficult-to-crack but potentially profitable Chinese market.

"We are excited to have Square Enix as a partner and I look forward to leveraging our capabilities and synergies for the benefit of both companies," said Mr. Alan Tan, Chairman and CEO of Shanda Games. "Our in-house game development team is well-qualified to assist in the localization of Final Fantasy XIV to the China market, while our strong sales and marketing capabilities and extensive game operation platform can provide access to the broad audience of Chinese gamers."

Final Fantasy XIV in mainland China will be operated from servers separate from those servers for the Japanese, North American and European markets.

And lo, the weary gang party of travelers faced toward the east, and the dawn of a new adventure.