KINGDOM HEARTS is the
first joint project between SQUARE and DISNEY
INTERACTIVE. This action role-playing game combines
classic DISNEY characters and worlds with newly
introduced characters and environments created in the
renowned SQUARE style. The new DISNEY characters making
their debut in KINGDOM HEARTS are developed by Tetsuya
Nomura, best known for his creations in the breakthrough
titles FINAL FANTASY®VII, VIII and X. From a
production team of more than 100 of SQUARE and
DISNEY’s most creative talent, KINGDOM HEARTS fully
exploits the technological possibilities of the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system
in an epic tale of adventure, heroism and, ultimately,
the sacrifice of what is held dearest for the greater
good.
KINGDOM HEARTS is the
story of Sora, a 14-year-old boy whose world is shattered
when a violent storm hits his island-paradise home, and
he is separated from his two closest friends, Riku, a
15-year-old boy, and Kairi, a 14-year-old girl. The storm
scatters the three to different and unknown worlds. Sora,
while searching for his friends in a strange and
mysterious land, meets Court Wizard Donald and Captain
Goofy, protectors of the Disney Castle, who are on a
mission to find King Mickey. The three learn of ominous
creatures known as the Heartless – beings without
hearts derived from an unknown dimension and, as it turns
out, the ones responsible for the devastating storm. And
while the Heartless invade and destroy many worlds, the
Disney villains collaborate behind the scenes to realize
their devious intentions. Upon discovering the link
between the Heartless, the storm and the disappearance of
the King, Sora, Donald and Goofy join forces to recover
Sora’s friends, return the King to his rightful
position and save the universe from the Heartless.
In KINGDOM HEARTS, each
world contains a special Keyhole. The Heartless,
originating from the power of darkness, enter through the
Keyhole to invade the various worlds. Sora and company
must defeat the Heartless Boss and lock the Keyhole with
the powerful magic of the Keyblade to stop the flow of
Heartless into the world.
· Four new
DISNEY main characters make their debut in
KINGDOM HEARTS: Sora, Riku, Kairi and the
Heartless.
· For the first
time, multiple DISNEY characters and worlds
coexist in one interactive product.
· More than 100
DISNEY characters appear in the game, including
Jafar from Disney’s Aladdin, Clayton from
Disney’s Tarzan™, Hades from Hercules,
The Queen of Hearts from Disney’s Alice in
Wonderland, and Jack Skellington from Tim
Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas, among
others.
· Classic DISNEY
characters will appear in fresh new ways in
KINGDOM HEARTS. These include new costumes and
the characters’ ability to morph into
different forms as they take on characteristics
of the diverse worlds they visit.
· Disney
characters engage in action sequences using
movements and behaviors true to their film
personas – so Peter Pan flies, Tarzan climbs
and Ariel swims, to name a few examples.
• Cloud from
FINAL FANTASY VII, Selphie from FINAL FANTASY VIII,
and Tidus and Wakka from FINAL
FANTASY X make guest
appearances in KINGDOM HEARTS, along with other familiar
FINAL FANTASY characters.
• Mouth
movements will be recreated for the North
American release. KINGDOM HEARTS is the first
SQUARE title to feature the reconstruction of
facial motion to compliment the English
voice-overs.
· Magic can aid
in battle through the use of elemental attacks
and summon spells. Examples of elemental attacks
include fire, to blow a single enemy, and
lightning to damage several enemies. Several
DISNEY characters, such as Mushu from
Disney’s Mulan and Simba from Disney’s
The Lion King, will be accessible to Sora as a
summons attack.
· Players can
control the camera, allowing Sora to view his
surroundings through a first-person perspective.
• Battles take place
directly on the field map, eliminating the need for
random battles.
· Characters are endowed
with numerous motions such as climbing, flying, swimming
and the ability to pick up items that can be utilized in
battle or stacked so other areas can be accessed.
Characters will also react differently to various
locations and situations; for example, the width of a
tree will determine how Sora will climb it.
NEW DISNEY MAIN
CHARACTERS
Sora, age 14
As a teenager he has his
share of concerns, but overall, he manages to keep an
upbeat attitude. He seems too simple-minded at times, but
he has a strong sense of justice.
Riku, age 15
Riku is Sora’s best
friend. He may seem cool and collected for his age, but
he is far from the quiet type. Always curious about the
unknown, he begins to question the small, closed world in
which he lives.
Kairi, age 14
Kairi moved to Sora and
Riku’s island a few years ago. She may appear gentle
and fragile, but she possesses a strong and unyielding
will.
The Heartless
The Heartless, beings
without hearts, appeared out of nowhere. Their origin and
purpose are shrouded in mystery. The Heartless cast the
world into darkness, stealing away people’s hearts.
They assault Sora and his world without mercy. The
Heartless appear in numerous forms and their attacks and
motions vary based on their attributes.
CLASSIC DISNEY
CHARACTERS
Minnie Mouse
Queen of Disney Castle.
She takes charge of Disney Castle during the king’s
absence. Entrusting Donald and Goofy with the king’s
mission, she awaits their safe return.
Daisy Duck
An aristocrat who resides
at the castle. She kindly encourages Donald and Goofy
before their journey, and like the queen, prays for their
safety—especially Donald’s.
Pluto
The king’s pet dog.
Extremely loyal to the king.
Donald Duck
Court wizard and loyal
servant to the king. He embarks on a journey to carry out
the missing king’s orders. Feisty, impatient
character whose antics are a real highlight of the game.
Goofy
Captain of the Royal
Knights, a soldier who despises weapons. Under the
king’s orders, he accompanies Donald on the quest to
find the key. Easygoing, innately clumsy character whose
endearing charm evokes smiles even in the worst of times.
DEVELOPMENT TEAM
PROFILES
TETSUYA NOMURA is
the Director and Character Designer for KINGDOM HEARTS.
Past credits include Character Designer for FINAL FANTASY
VII, VIII; Parasite Eve 1,2 and The Bouncer.
Nomura’s ability to create a wide range of
characters will be key in creating a world that is a
blend of Disney and Square’s classic styles. Deeply
involved in all aspects of the title, Nomura’s touch
will be apparent throughout KINGDOM HEARTS.
YOSHINORI KITASE
is the Co-Producer for KINGDOM HEARTS. Past credits
include Producer on FINAL FANTASY X, Project Planning on
FINAL FANTASY V, VI and Director for FINAL FANTASY VII,
VIII. His contribution as Director on FINAL FANTASY VII,
brought the series to a new level with its release for
the original PlayStation game console.
JUN AKIYAMA is the
Event Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. His past credits
include Event Planning for FINAL FANTASY VII, FINAL
FANTASY Tactics and Vagrant Story. He will ensure that
the events, which take place in KINGDOM HEARTS, will
maintain the player’s interest from beginning to
end.
TAKESHI ENDO is
the Stage Planning Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. His past
credits Stage Planning include FINAL FANTASY VII, VIII,
IX. Endo sets the pace of the game, deciding when certain
stages will occur, an important factor in Role Playing
Games (RPGs). His experience as Stage Planner on the
popular FINAL FANTASY series will keep KINGDOM HEARTS at
a pace players young and old will be able to appreciate.
AKIRA FUJII is the
Technical Art Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. His past
credits as Real-time Graphics Director include FINAL
FANTASY VII, VIII, IX and Parasite Eve. While the quality
of Full Motion Videos (FMVs) are important to a game,
even more important is what the player experiences during
gameplay. Fujii will be bringing to KINGDOM HEARTS the
high caliber of graphics that his past titles have been
known for by RPG fans around the world.
TATSUYA KANDO is
Animation Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. His past credits
involving Character Motion include FINAL FANTASY VII,
VIII, IX and Parasite Eve. Kando’s involvement in
the project ensures that characters will move in a
natural manner, helping to make the world in KINGDOM
HEARTS as believable as possible.
YUICHI KANEMORI is
the Battle Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. His past work
includes Battle Director for Parasite Eve 2. As Battle
Director for KINGDOM HEARTS, he is responsible for
creating battles, which will appeal to players of all
ages.
TOMOHIRO KAYANO is
the Character Model Director for KINGDOM HEARTS. Past
credits include Character and Monster modeling for FINAL
FANTASY VII, VIII, IX and Parasite Eve. As in his past
works, his detailed models will be a large factor in the
player’s connection to the characters in KINGDOM
HEARTS.
YOKO SHIMOMURA is
the Composer for KINGDOM HEARTS. Her past credits include
composing music for Front Mission, Parasite Eve and
Legend of Mana; three titles with completely different
styles. Her diverse range of styles will lend to the
creation of the epic music in KINGDOM HEARTS.
Corporate
Background
Established in 1986, Square
Co., Ltd. (Square) is the leading third party
developer and publisher of interactive entertainment
software primarily for the PlayStation® game
console (PS one) and PlayStation®2 computer
entertainment system, with annual sales of more than
$614* million and 900 employees worldwide. Based in
Japan, Square’s success was founded with the 1987
release of the first title in the acclaimed FINAL
FANTASY® role-playing game (RPG)
series. FINAL FANTASY X, released in 2001 for the
PlayStation 2, has exceeded sales of 4 million units
worldwide and has increased the life-to-date sales of the
series to 38 million units worldwide, making the FINAL
FANTASY franchise one of the best-selling series across
all platforms in the history of the interactive
entertainment industry.
Square’s corporate
heritage is based upon cutting-edge technology with
motion picture visual effects wizardry. In addition to
the FINAL FANTASY franchise, other series that have
achieved "million-seller" status include SaGa
Frontier®, Legend of MANATM,
Parasite Eve™ and Chrono Trigger®.
In 1989, Square formally
expanded into the North American market by establishing a
wholly owned subsidiary called Square Soft, Inc.
In 1998, Square joined forces with Electronic Arts
to establish two joint venture companies, one in Japan
and one in North America. Square Electronic Arts
L.L.C. (Square Electronic Arts) located in Los
Angeles has the exclusive publishing rights in North
America for all interactive entertainment titles
developed by Square. Square Soft, Inc. is the
majority shareholder in Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.
Square Soft and Square Electronic Arts are committed to
developing and marketing innovative titles using creative
techniques that will propel game play to new heights of
interactivity and realism.
In late 1998, Square
expanded its worldwide presence by establishing Square
Europe Ltd., located in London, England. Square
Europe has been granted publishing rights in Europe and
other PAL territories for interactive entertainment
titles developed by Square.
PlayOnline™,
a network entertainment and community service from Square
launched on May 16, 2002 in Japan along with FINAL
FANTASY XI. FINAL FANTASY XI is the first online
FINAL FANTASY title by Square.
Developer: Square Co.,
Ltd.
Publisher: Square
Electronic Arts L.L.C.
Format: PlayStation®2 computer
entertainment system
Genre: Action RPG
ESRB Rating:
"E" for Everyone
Ship Date: Fall 2002
(North America)
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