April 24th, 2000 - The latest issue of the Japanese Weekly Famitsu reveals a little information on Final Fantasy IX's 'gameplay system' (such as abilities and items, etc). They certainly meant it when they said they are returning to Final Fantasy's roots!

Abilities are an integral part of the game, and using the four equipment slots of Weapon, Shield, Armor and Accessory, they will be able to unleash them. Each of the eight characters have their own unique specialty, and only by equipping items, such as weapons and armor, will they be able to use them. The same item will bring out different abilities depending on the character.

VIVI in battle about to unleash an attack...	...we wonder what sort of personality the player has given him...?

The ability associated with a particular item is lost, however, when the item is unequipped from the character. However, if the item has been equipped for a certain length of time, the ability will become a part of the character and they will be able to use the ability without it being equipped.

Players will now have to balance the power of the weapon with the special abilities it brings to certain characters. Indeed, Ito-san commented that there will be scenes where players will have to make a decision on which item to take - the outcome of which effects the characters 'personality' in battle:

Ito: "...The battle system will be like that [making a choice], and it will show the personality of the player. Such as: "So you're a use-and-discard type, huh?" or "I'm a learn-an-ability type."...and that may be a clue to what it's going to be like, by the way...."