At The Final Fantasy XI Launch Event
- March 25, 2004 09:19 AM PST
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Final Fantasy fans line up in costume to try out the new PlayStation 2 MMORPG.
Square Enix held a Final Fantasy XI launch event at the Sony Metreon in San Francisco, allowing fans to get the game at midnight. A line of about 40 people formed an hour before the show, with a number of people showing up in cosplay (costume play) outfits of their favorite Final Fantasy characters (Squall was a favorite, probably since he's the least metrosexual). Aside from the quintessential verbose geeks faithfully following the look of the Simpsons Comic Guy, nonchalant passerbys and casual gamers also showed up to the event, undoubtedly lured by the glow and glitz of all the booths and props (mostly trees) that Sony set up.The event was relatively subdued, with no DJ's pumping generic trance music, or omnious muffled blurs of event hosts. Numerous kiosks were set up, allowing people to play a short segment of the game, exploring the outside world of Vandiel. Prizes were offered to those who managed to beat the bosses in the game, and a costume contest was held for the cosplayers.
Many at the event didn't intend to purchase the game when the clock struck twelve. Richie Cabling (20), who lined up at 4pm (but still had a couple of people ahead of him), thought "the game is gonna be big" and give "Everyquest a run for its money," but was still cautious of jumping into the game. "I'm interested in how it turns out, but I'm not buying anything tonight," he said.
Others just wanted to wear their cosplay suits. "I don't even have a TV, or PlayStation 2, so I'm not buying it," said Gina Grosso (22), who was decked out in a Squall outfit. When asked why she dressed like a Final Fantasy character, she resolutely responded by saying, "Squall copied me. I'm not a serious Final Fantasy fan, but I'm hardcore about cosplay."
Her friend who designed the suit was at the event dressed as Vincent, and had a more eccentric story to tell behind her cosplay. "I have empathy for Vincent because we've been through similar situations," said Jenny Jacobvitz (23), a costume designer. "I've been chained in a building by my family friend doctor, who put a whole bunch of drugs into me. My real doctor broke me out from the place," she said. "I lost six years of my life."
