Square Enix, the developer and publisher best known for creating the Final Fantasy series, just pulled a prank on the whole community.
For the franchise’s 35th anniversary in March of this year, the publisher released Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin as an alternate prequel to the original Final Fantasy game on the NES. A few hours ago, it was announced that there are three free DLCs planned for the game expanding on the story.
The first of which, Trials of the Dragon King, will drop on July 20. It includes new jobs, weapons and accessories, as well as areas, stories, and challenges. The next two upcoming DLCs are called Wanderer of the Rift and Different Future.
Square Enix immediately uploaded a teaser trailer for the first of the DLCs to the official Final Fantasy YouTube channel, which has already gained over 30,000 views. It also updated its official website with a section specifically for the Trials of the Dragon King.
However, fans who clicked on the ‘Watch Trailer’ link were not met with new information about the upcoming expansion. Instead, they were met with one of the internet’s oldest memes: crooner Rick Astley’s smiling face and dulcet tones.
Fortunately – or unfortunately – the link has now been replaced with the actual teaser trailer. However, some people were able to post their experience of falling for a 15 year old internet prank pulled off by one of the world’s largest gaming companies.
Square Enix has made no reference to doing this on neither the official Square Enix, Final Fantasy, nor Stranger of Paradise Twitter pages, although they have all been updated with the teaser trailer. Most likely, this was a PR stunt aimed at getting people to spread the word of the new Final Fantasy DLC.
While the trick didn’t let people see the trailer itself, it certainly spread awareness that there is upcoming DLC for the latest Final Fantasy release. Just a few days after Nintendo showed off its spectacular partner showcase, it’s a good way of getting eyes back on the famous RPG series.
Written by Georgina Young on behalf of GLHF.
