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Final Fantasy VII is shipping early despite coronavirus pandemic. But there’s a catch

Producers have asked people not to spoil the video game

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
SHARE Final Fantasy VII is shipping early despite coronavirus pandemic. But there’s a catch
Visitors play Final Fantasy video game at the Paris games week in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. The Paris Games Week, or more commonly called “PGW” is the French show dedicated to video games and its derivatives. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Visitors play Final Fantasy video game at the Paris games week in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. The Paris Games Week, or more commonly called “PGW” is the French show dedicated to video games and its derivatives. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

AP

Final Fantasy VII will release its long-awaited remake a little early, something different than we’ve seen from other entertainment properties.

What’s going on:

  • Square Enix announced Monday that it will ship Final Fantasy VII early to players so that they can have it before the intended release date of April 10.
  • Final Fantasy VII producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Tetsuya Nomura said they hoped to ship the game far earlier than usual to Europe and Australia. The publisher will ship more copies to the rest of the world, including North America, later this week.
  • The statement reads: “We had some hard decisions to make during the final few weeks before launch due to disruption to distribution channels caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These unique circumstances have made it very difficult to align timing of our global shipping. Our highest priority is that all of you, including those who live in countries currently facing the biggest disruption, can play the game at launch.”
  • “If you get the game early, please think of others and don’t spoil it for them. We know there are potential spoilers that have been out there for over two decades as the original Final Fantasy 7 was released in 1997. But Final Fantasy 7 remake is a new game that still has many surprises for everyone. All our fans and players deserve to experience the game for themselves, and we ask for the support of our dedicated community around the world to ensure that.”

Why it matters

  • The COVID-19 illness continues to spread throughout the world, leading to delayed shipping from companies like Amazon, which made the decision to “temporarily prioritize household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into our fulfillment centers” over other products, according to Entertainment Weekly.
  • For example, Nintendo’s Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on March 20 but companies said the game was delayed, according to Entertainment Weekly.