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Intel(R) and Square Enix Work Together to Improve The Gaming Experience on PCs and Mobile Devices

Posted on: Tuesday, 28 October 2003, 06:00 CST

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Intel(R) Corporation and Square Enix Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese game developer and publisher, today announced they will work together to improve online and offline gaming experiences on PCs, mobile phones and PDAs. The collaboration is intended to produce long-term benefits for gamers and other end users.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030403/SQUARELOGO )

Intel and Square Enix believe PCs, mobile phones and PDAs are becoming increasingly popular game platforms. Technologies such as Intel's Hyper-Threading Technology(1), which allows Pentium(R) 4 processor-based PCs to perform multiple complex tasks at the same time with greater responsiveness, and software tools that allow easier cross-platform development further enable this trend. Intel software technologies help PC applications run on Intel XScale(R) technology-based handhelds or Intel Xeon(TM)-based servers. Square Enix develops some of the world's most popular and advanced games that will be designed to fully utilize Intel's processor and platform innovation.

"PC and handheld online gaming are exciting segments in the gaming community," said Bill Siu, vice-president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platform Group. "With the right software expertise, processor technologies like Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel graphics technology and Intel XScale with Wireless MMX, we can work together to develop new ways to enjoy the gaming experience on PCs and mobile devices."

"Square Enix looks forward to working with Intel over the long-term to the benefit of both companies and end-users," said Yoichi Wada, President of Square Enix. "We know that gamers are demanding and this proposed collaboration will allow both companies to create a new type of gaming experience that capitalizes on the recent advancements in video game and platform technology. We believe we can not only meet, but exceed the needs of an increasingly more sophisticated and growing interactive gaming market."

As part of this collaboration, Intel and Square Enix plan to discuss mutual product planning, development, and joint marketing opportunities. The two companies have already collaborated on improving the gaming experience of FINAL FANTASY(R) XI, the first cross-platform, cross-continent, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from Square Enix, on Intel Pentium 4 processor-based PCs. FINAL FANTASY XI, released in May 2002 in Japan, is one of the most popular online games. The game is available in North America starting today from Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.

About Intel

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom .

About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix) develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents including interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises -- FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 45 million units worldwide and DRAGON QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR(R) in North America) which has sold over 30 million units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ .

Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif., handles operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/ .

(C) 2003 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Title Design by Yoshitaka Amano. FINAL FANTASY, TETRA MASTER and VANA'DIEL are registered trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. SQUARE ENIX, PLAYONLINE, RISE OF THE ZILART and the PLAYONLINE logo are trademarks of Square Enix Co., Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(1) Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 processor supporting HTTechnology and a Hyper-Threading Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use. See http://www.intel.com/info/hyperthreading/ for more information including details on which processors support HT Technology.