Heroes of Ruin Announced

Square Enix has just announced Heroes of Ruin, a new cooperative and social-heavy action RPG that they’ll be bringing to the Nintendo 3DS platform early next year.  Character development and loot acquisition is mentioned in the press release, though we’ll likely learn much more when E3 kicks off next month:

Square Enix announces Heroes of Ruin for Nintendo 3DS

A brand new adventure featuring a line-up of unlikely heroes and deep social functionality

London  (31 May, 2011) Square Enix London Studios, part of Square Enix Europe, today announces HEROES OF RUIN, a brand new adventure featuring four unlikely heroes brought together to form a fearsome alliance. Custom-built for Nintendo 3DSâ„¢, with support for online play and a wealth of social gaming features, players will find a new experience awaits them every day.

(With HEROES OF RUIN we wanted to take the game experience beyond the confines of the console’s two screens,) said Lee Singleton, General Manager, Square Enix London Studios. (Nintendo 3DS’ online and social features allow us to do so much more than multiplayer, using both StreetPassâ„¢ and SpotPassâ„¢ to give players innovative ways of enhancing their experience.)

HEROES OF RUIN uses StreetPass to create an inventive in-game ‘˜Traders’ Network’ where players can buy and sell rare and powerful items picked up in battle. With an ever-changing inventory updated from each player passed in public, character strengths and abilities can be greatly enhanced through accessing items from other players’ games. Outside of the game, HEROES OF RUIN makes use of SpotPass to reward players with rare one-off items or unique challenges through local wi-fi hotspots. The official HEROES OF RUIN community website will reward players further with daily challenges and quests available to complete in-game. With social media functionality, the site will also give players a platform to meet other gamers, swap ideas and items and team-up in-game.

HEROES OF RUIN challenges players to carve their own adventure, joining forces with other heroes through seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op multiplayer or venturing forth alone. Players will enter an ever-changing world where danger waits around every corner. Heroes can explore and fight through wild, varied and dynamic environments, discovering new layouts and routes each time they play. Packed with strange and deadly creatures, these dangerous lands will stretch players’ combat and tactical skills as they enhance their character, collecting loot, weapons and armour to empower them on their quest.

HEROES OF RUIN will be playable at E3 on the Square Enix stand (South Hall, Booth 1647) and will be available in early 2012 for Nintendo 3DS. The game is not yet rated. For more information and updates, join the HEROES OF RUIN community at www.HeroesOfRuin.com.

About Square Enix London Studios
Square Enix London Studios is part of Square Enix Europe, sitting within Square Enix’ European head office in Wimbledon, South West London. The studio is focussed on bringing to market games from some of the world’s most successful and talented independent development teams. Previous games include award-winning titles such as BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM with Rocksteady Studios and JUST CAUSE 2 with Avalanche Studios.

About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactiveâ„¢, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 58 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/.