LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("Square Enix U.S.A."), the publisher of Square Enix(TM) products in North America, announced today that FINAL FANTASY(R) XI for Windows(R), the first online title in the world-renowned series, will begin shipping to North American retailers on October 28. FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows(R) will include the "Rise of the Zilart(TM)" expansion pack and other applications on five CD-ROM discs and carries a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD).

FINAL FANTASY XI subscribers will receive their first 30 days of access without charge. Aside from Internet service provider access charges, the free trial period will begin on the date players create their first "Content ID" or character. Any additional "Content IDs" purchased are also available without charge until the end of the free trial period. After 30 days, players can continue to play FINAL FANTASY XI by paying a monthly fee of $12.95 (USD) for one FINAL FANTASY XI character, and can create up to 15 additional characters for an additional charge of $1.00 (USD) per character, per month. Tetra Master(R), the online version of the wildly popular and addictive mini-game from FINAL FANTASY IX, will also be included in the package and will be available for $1.00 (USD) per month. Payment for monthly access charges must be made by credit card only (restrictions apply).