Square Enix has opened the newly revamped official website for its PlayStation 2 RPG Final Fantasy XII. The update revealed several new bits of information on the often delayed 12th main series installment of the company's flagship series.

While the game's soundtrack is composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, the main theme has been created by both Sakimoto and world-renowed artist Tarou Hakase. The song was not only produced, composed and arranged by Hakase, he also performed it on his violin. The resulting symphonic poem is titled "Kibou" (hope). The maxi single as well as a special package containing both the single and DVD featuring a Final Fantasy XII trailer and a Tarou Hakase promotion movie will go on sale in Japan on March 1st. They will carry the catalogue numbers HUCD-10015 and HUCD-10014/B, respectively. The standard maxi single will retail for 1,000 yen ($8.36 USD), while the special package will cost 1,600 yen ($13.38 USD).

With Larsa and Vayne, two new characters have also been revealed. The 27-year old Vayne Carudas Solidor is the son of Gramis, the 11th emperor of Arcadia and heir to the throne. While Gramis has four children among whom Vayne is only the third, his two elder brothers died in battle. Their deaths however are said to have happened in connection with the cover up of a conspiracy. Larsa is the 12-year old fourth son of Gramis and Vayne's younger brother. He is second in line to succeed Gramis as emperor and tries hard to gain the respect of his father and older brother.

Final Fantasy XII will be released in Japan on March 16th for 8,562 yen ($71.61 USD).

• Official Final Fantasy XI Website