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Final Fantasy XV Release Date Set for September 30, Demo Available Now

Final Fantasy XV will come to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One worldwide September 30. Square Enix announced the date and revealed a new trailer at a special launch event in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Uncovered: Final Fantasy XV. The new trailer, called “Reclaim Your Throne,” included a new music from the game’s score, and a cover of “Stand by Me” recorded by Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine.

In addition the word Square Enix rolled out a number of tie-ins and pre-release media to check out between now and the game’s release.

PLATINUM DEMO - FINAL FANTASY XV Announcement Trailer

First, Square said that a free prequel demo for the game is now available on PS4 and Xbox One. The “Platinum Demo” puts players in control of Prince Noctis, the game’s hero, as a young man, while he learns how to fight and drive. Players who complete the demo will be able to download the Carbuncle summon, which appears in the demo, in the main game after completing the demo. Though it “offers a glimpse into the final game,” Square said, the demo is not a vertical slice from the game.

KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV- Official Teaser Trailer (2016)

Sony Pictures announced Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, a feature-length CG animated prequel to the game. The film, which will be released digitally before the game’s release, will star two Game of Thrones veterans — Sean Bean and Len Headey — and Breaking Bad‘s Aaron Paul.

BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV - Episode 1

In addition, Square Enix will release a series of anime short films called Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV, that showcases the distinct relationships between Noctis and his three friends. The first part of Brotherhood is currently available on YouTube, with the four more on track to come out before the game’s launch.

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For those interested in pre-ordering the game, Square also detailed what fans would get for putting money down in advance at the event. Players who pre-order the standard $60 game on PSN or the Xbox One store will receive the “Day One edition,” which comes with the Masamune weapon DLC, and either a Noctis avatar outfit and Carbuncle pet for Xbox One, or a FFXV-themed Dynamic theme for PS4. The $89.99 “Deluxe Edition” comes with a Steelbook case, a Blu-Ray disc copy of Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, and the Royal Raiment costume DLC. Finally, there is a $269.99 Ultimate Collector’s Edition, which includes everything from the deluxe edition, plus a hardcover art book, a Noctis action figure, in-game item packs, and Blu-Ray copies of the game’s soundtrack and the Brotherhood anime, which will feature a sixth episode not launching on YouTube before the game’s release.

The digital “Day One” pre-orders on PlayStation 4 and Xbox one are available now on PSN and the Xbox One Store.

Mike Epstein
Former Associate Editor, Gaming
Michael is a New York-based tech and culture reporter, and a graduate of Northwestwern University’s Medill School of…
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