Square Enix launches teaser countdown

During May and June, Konami gave much of the gaming press heartburn with a series of teaser timers leading up to the announcements of Metal Gear Rising, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. Today, Square Enix did something similar by launching a bare-bones teaser site bearing a clock counting down to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 5.

Other than the clock, not much else is on the Web site except a hand-drawn sketch of a rustic countryside that slowly appears on the crinkled pseudo-parchment background. A couple of cottages are nestled in this quaint picture, both overlooking a central cobblestone bridge that hangs over a small creek. The landscape is decorated with a variety of large, well-kept trees. A large number "4" is displayed prominently in the meadow to the right, under the timer. By turning up the volume, a faint majestic-sounding MIDI-tune can also be heard.

While the theme is unfamiliar, there are hints as to what the game might be. According to the Industrial Property Digital Library--Japan's answer to the US Patent and Trademark Office--Square Enix trademarked the title "Hikari no 4 Senshi" (4 Warriors of Light) this past April. In its description, items ranging from video game software to mobile phone straps and collectible trading cards could be covered by the trademark.

One theory is that the aforementioned "4 Warriors of Light" could be related to the original band of heroes in the first Final Fantasy, which was released in 1987 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Since then, the Final Fantasy series has gone on to sell more than 85 million units worldwide on a host of platforms. Most recently, the PlayStation Network reissue of Final Fantasy VII sold 100,000 copies in two weeks just this past month.