August 31st, 2000 - Square and Final Fantasy related news has slowly filtering through from all corners of the world, and Final Fantasy: Worlds Apart is here to provide the details!

Final Fantasy Musical Tribute CD
A Final Fantasy tribute CD performed by 'The Hollywood Symphony Orchestra' is to be released in North America, much to the delight of Nobou Uematsu fans. The compact disc, entitled 'The Best Of Final Fantasy 1994-1999 - A Musical Tribute', will feature the best tracks from Final Fantasy VI, VII and VIII:

1 - Opening Theme - Final Fantasy VI
2 - Tine (Terra's Theme) - Final Fantasy VI
3 - New Continent - Final Fantasy VI
4 - Prelude - Final Fantasy VII
5 - Main Theme - Final Fantasy VII
6 - Cosmo Canyon - Final Fantasy VII
7 - Shinra Army Wages A Full-Scale Attack - Final Fantasy VII
8 - Libari Fatali - Final Fantasy VIII
9 - My Mind - Final Fantasy VIII
10 - The Spy - Final Fantasy VIII
11 - Mods De Chocobo - Final Fantasy VIII

North Americans will now be able to enjoy Final Fantasy VIII at a lower price.

Final Fantasy VIII Becomes A 'Greatest Hit'
In a move to maximise sales before the release of the colossus Final Fantasy IX this coming winter, SquareSoft have made Final Fantasy VIII a 'Greatest Hit' in North America. This basically means that, because of sales surpassing one million units, the game will be available for a much cheaper price of 19.95 U.S. Dollars.

In Europe, there are no plans as of yet to bring Final Fantasy VIII out on the equivalent 'Platinum' range.

No Official Guides For Western Final Fantasy IX
According to American gaming magazine Electronic Gaming Monthly, Square seem to have decided not to allow the publication of any official guides to Final Fantasy IX by either Brady Games or Versus.

In Japan, Square even said to magazine publications that they would prefer for Final Fantasy IX to have no guides or hints published under the guise that they 'would like the player to enjoy Final Fantasy IX without the use of guides'. The real reason for their global decision in not allowing guides is, however, is to lay the foundations for Square themselves to provide online help through PlayOnline.com, eventually leading to in-built help for Final Fantasy X by making use of the PlayStation2's broadband capabilities.

Will you be able to play Final Fantasy X or XI on this machine...?

Square Attends Gamecube Unveiling
As many of you will undoubtedly know, Nintendo revealed its much anticipated follow-up to the Nintendo 64 - called the Gamecube - at Spaceworld 2000. Square was in attendance at the unveiling, suggesting that early rumours about their interest in the new machine for the online Final Fantasy XI (and maybe even Final Fantasy X), are indeed true to some extent.

Square Support New WonderSwan
Bandai's new colour handheld in development, the successor to the surprisingly successful WonderSwan, has gained the all-important support of Square, who have pledged to port Final Fantasy I to the system, and most likely Final Fantasy II and III.

Final Fantasy: The Movie Exceeds Budget
Production of the Final Fantasy Movie has gone on relentless - but costs have exceeded those anticipated by Square. Previously estimated to run up a budget of around $70 million, the actual figure is more around the $115 million mark, with rumours even suggesting that they could surpass $200 million.