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Computer game fans descend on London for Final Fantasy release
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Editor9 Mar 2010
Thousands of UK gamers - many dressed as wizards and warriors - are expected in London for the European launch of Final Fantasy XIII today.
Fans at HMV's Oxford Street store will be the first to get their hands on the latest instalment in the long-running, Japanese role-playing game franchise, which has sold over 92 million copies worldwide.
Developed and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles, the latest chapter promises improved graphics and a reworked battle system for complex chains of attacks.
The first 50 gamers to run the risk of ridicule on the Tube and attend the launch in costume will win a free Final Fantasy XIII soundtrack - which includes Leona Lewis's song My Hands from her second album Echo.
DJ and TV presenter Alex Zane will host the event and Yoshinori Kitase, Final Fantasy's producer, is flying in from Japan to sign copies and meet the series' dedicated fans.
Demand is expected to be high. In the first 24 hours after its Japanese launch, Final Fantasy XIII had clocked up more than a million sales.
Game launches are beginning to attract the profile previously reserved for film premieres. Last year Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 sold nearly five copies worldwide on its opening day, making it the biggest entertainment launch in history.
