Today on December 15, 2018, leaks surfaced from an illegal retail copy of Kingdom Hearts III. Video and screenshots of said retail copy have been posted online.
We found evidence that revealed that one man stole one or more copies (reportedly, at least 30) of the English version of Kingdom Hearts III for Xbox One. The man seems to have obtained the copies using connections he has with an employee of a company in charge of printing/packaging Kingdom Hearts III for Xbox One. He has since tried to sell his copies, uploading some very short game footage to prove the copies were legitimate. The seller claimed he has sold over ten copies.
Due to ethical and copyright issues, we will not report on any Kingdom Hearts III content coming from unofficial sources such as these leaked and illegally sold copies. We will not post any pictures, audio, video, or information that fit this criterion.
We will not share the name or location of the perpetrator, whom we have reported to Square Enix. We will not share information about the buyers or social media accounts posting leaks on our articles. You can, however, find tips and advice on avoiding spoilers on the #how-to-avoid-spoilers on our Discord server, including accounts you can mute/block/avoid.
UPDATE: Tetsuya Nomura has released a statement about the leak. You can read the statement here.
We have created a Kingdom Hearts III Spoilers subforum where fans can discuss these leaks without spoiling the game for others.
KH13.com's spoiler policy on Kingdom Hearts III allows discussion on publicly announced content (eg. trailers, interviews, promotional pictures, etc.); however, leaks are to be discussed in the Spoilers subforum only. Avatars, statuses, and thread titles must not contain spoilers. We may be revising our Kingdom Hearts III spoiler policy in the future, according to future content releases by Square Enix and Disney.
KH13.com’s Discord is to be absolutely spoiler-free. No discussion on the leaks is allowed, and any post suspected to be spreading these leaks will be removed at once.
We would also like to say to fans to please be extra careful on social media, especially comment sections. Thumbnails, titles, autoplay, recommended videos, and comments on Youtube can be especially dangerous for those that are trying to avoid spoilers.
We will be monitoring KH13.com and its Discord extensively to prevent and stop the spread of leaks.
We hope that fans understand our policy and respect the work done so far by the game's developing team by not trying to access the leaks nor divulging them where they aren't warranted.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Stay safe!
To visit the Kingdom Hearts III spoiler subforum, click here.
A 30 second Kingdom Hearts III commercial has aired in cinemas throughout Japan in anticipation for the games release on January 25 and on January 29 across the rest of the world. The commercial shows a compilation of clips from the opening movie, unseen footage from each of the worlds, and some gameplay. You can view the commercial below:
This commercial is scheduled to be released in TOHO cinemas in Japan from Saturday, December 21, before screening the Ralph Breaks the Internet movie.
Kingdom Hearts Director Tetsuya Nomura has also tweeted the following:
(Translations were provided by Goldpanner.)
As this is a commercial meant for Japanese audiences, it is doubtful that an English version will come out. However, Twitter user AitaiKimochi has translated the dialogue of the trailer! You can read it below.
You can watch a subbed version of the trailer below.
In addition to this video, Nomura has promised a Final Trailer for 2018 along with a 15-second video later this week before the start of Jump Festa 2019.
We have added a gallery of screenshots from this trailer! You can view them below.
Kingdom Hearts Director Tetsuya Nomura has released an official statement regarding the recent leak of Kingdom Hearts III copies that were being sold illegally. You can read his official statement below.
In addition to this statement, Nomura posted the following tweet (translated by Goldpanner) on the Japanese Twitter account for Kingdom Hearts. Translations have been provided by Goldpanner .
For more information about the recent leak and KH13's spoiler policy, you can check out our recent post here .
Thanks to photos of the Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro, the minimum file size for the game has been set at 50GB.
The Xbox Store previously had the file size for Kingdom Hearts III at 35.8GB but packshots of the limited edition Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro say that the game needs 50GB minimum.
Nomura had previously stated that one of the major concerns for Kingdom Hearts III is its high volume being met by capacity shortage.
What do you think of the size of Kingdom Hearts III? Let us know in the comments below!
Earlier today, a number of Kingdom Hearts III screenshots were released via the Square Enix Press Center. Their Japanese counterparts featured subtitles in the Japanese language, which we have translated and compiled here for your viewing pleasure!
These translations provide us with a small glimpse of certain plot elements in Kingdom Hearts III, such as:
Yen Sid talks about perfecting the power of awakening.
With Sora and Riku in their new outfits, Yen Sid instructs Sora to continue to get his power back, and Riku and the King to continue their search for Aqua.
Someone wants to talk about "the book", so they're drinking tea while waiting for Sora.
Chip and Dale forgot to mention the location of a certain place to Sora when they called him.
Lea talks to Kairi about a friend he met only once a long time ago; he said this friend was strange.
Marluxia is referencing something that may cloud "their" pure light, possibly talking about the Seven Princesses.
Ienzo mentions that his intentions - possibly in helping Sora bring Roxas back - are simply academic. However, the language he uses is soft and friendly - this could imply that he does not really mean it, and he might be helping Sora for more positive and friendlier reasons.
Interestingly, Ienzo adds he is researching the heart just like when he did when he "was" a human (and not a Nobody); he seems to imply that he still is a Nobody, but he might simply be referring to his time as Ansem's Apprentice before turning into a Nobody. From a Famitsu interview with Tetsuya Nomura, we know that this Ienzo is "human".
Xehanort mentions opening the "lock" to the Keyblade War. (Note: The Japanese word for "lock" is the same as for "key".)
You can read the translations below. Translations have been provided by KH13 Staff Mio-chan, NihonScribe, and Solis; edits are courtesy of KH13 Discord Staff HaakonHawk.
Please note that the original Japanese text was translated as literally as possible by our staff.
Yen Sid: “You must at least perfect the power of awakening.”
Yen Sid: "The Organization seems to seek those who inherited the pure lights, which is to say, the New Seven Hearts."
Yen Sid: "On this, Sora must continue to get his powers back; as for Riku and the King, continue to focus your search on Aqua."
Chip/Dale: “Yeah, they said that they need to have a talk about the book, so they’re waiting for you while drinking some tea.”
Dale: "Anyway, message delivered, see ya."
Chip: "Uh- that reminds me, we didn't mention the location did we-"
Olaf: "I really want to meet Elsa soon. She seems like a very kind, compassionate, and overall good person."
Anna: "You know my sister?"
Anna: "Stop it, put us down now!"
Anna: "Leave that snowman alone."
Larxene: "I told you before, it's the New Seven Hearts."
Lea: "A long time ago, there was a friend I only met once... he was kind of a weird guy."
Marluxia: "That may cloud their pure light."
Ienzo: "I'm just a student simply trying to decipher the mysteries of the heart, just like [I did] when I was human." (Note: He uses a soft and friendly language, indicating that he might actually be helping Sora for a more positive and friendlier reason.)
Master Xehanort: "We will open the lock to the Keyblade War."
You can view and read about all the screenshots and renders released today in high definition here!
In commemoration of Mickey Mouse’s 90th anniversary and the release of Kingdom Hearts III, “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” will be returning September 20th, 2019, for another event at Disney World in Orlando, Florida!
The “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” movement was founded in 2012 by a fan known as Cutsceneaddict to be an annual, fan-hosted event for Kingdom Hearts fans at the Magic Kingdom with the dual purpose of being a fellowship day, as well as a movement to raise Disney’s awareness of the need to have Kingdom Hearts represented in the theme parks.
In 2013, the event had over 120 Kingdom Hearts cosplayers and fans in attendance—some of which flew to Orlando from as far away as Mexico and Colorado. This year the number of attendees is projected to exceed 300.
Helmed by the original “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” founder, Cutsceneaddict, this year’s event will include special guests from the Kingdom Hearts fandom community, a record-breaking Kingdom Hearts photoshoot in front of the Disney Castle, a park-wide scavenger hunt, photography contests, and more. Participating attendees will be able to win prizes ranging from Kingdom Hearts figurines to GameStop giftcards.
“This year, our theme is ‘Making Memories in Another’s Heart,’” commented Cutsceneaddict. “We even have a special event centered on this theme that will allow Kingdom Hearts cosplayers to bond with one another through once-in-a-lifetime experiences and make new friendships.”
The event runs in tandem with one of Disney’s annual Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party nights, the only time that Disney allows guests to cosplay in the parks. Attendees of the “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” event will also have the opportunity to enjoy the park’s fireworks show, parade, special character photo ops, and massive trick-or-treating fest.
Since its debut in 2013, “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” has gone on to inspire a similar event in Disneyland, California, called Disneyland of Departure (now the Keybearer's Alliance); and numerous Disney cast members and Square Enix staff have supported or attended these events, including Quinton Flynn (Axel), Paul St. Peter (Xemnas), Ray Chase (Master of Masters), Justin Cowden (Hayner), and Mat Kishimoto (Brand Manager for Kingdom Hearts at the time).
“This is a climatic year for the Kingdom Hearts series,” Cutsceneaddict stated, “because the release of Kingdom Hearts III marks the peak of the franchise’s popularity. Many fans have anticipated this finale for over half their lives, and Disney is beginning to showcase more of the Kingdom Hearts series, such as the limited-edition Kingdom Hearts Pop-Up Experience at Disney Springs. The mission of this project has always been connection—to connect fans across the globe, and to connect these two Kingdoms [Kingdom Hearts and the Magic Kingdom] together. The revival of “PROJECT: Magic Kingdom Hearts” in 2019 is a culmination of all these aspects, which is why we’re calling this year’s event the ‘Final Mix.’ It will truly be an experience no fan will want to miss.”
Any Kingdom Hearts fans planning to attend are advised to register on the official website so that they can be counted in (and also included in doorprize giveaways and other activities).
For more information, visit the website at https://www.magickingdomhearts.com/, to register interest and follow the PROJECT on social media!
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ABOUT PROJECT: MAGIC KINGDOM HEARTS
“Magic Kingdom Hearts” is an annual fan-hosted event for Kingdom Hearts fans at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. Our vision is to join these two Kingdoms by connecting the hearts of a legion of fans. Come join us with your favorite Kingdom Hearts cosplay or T-shirt, meet other fans, and enjoy the adventure of a Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Halloween event night.
In addition to the Limited Edition PlayStation 4 Pro Bundle, GameStop has announced an online-exclusive Ultimate Fan Bundle. The bundle includes the Limited Edition PlayStation 4 Pro 1 TB console, a copy of Kingdom Hearts III, Funko Pop Kingdom Hearts Mystery Box , and a copy of Kingdom Hearts: The Story So Far. The bundle will cost $469.99 and will be available on January 29th, 2019. You can pre-order by clicking here.
The Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III Playstation PS4 Pro bundle has been announced for the United States, Canada, and Europe, and will be releasing on January 29, 2019!
The bundle includes a 1TB PS4 Pro System featuring a special design of Kingdom Hearts icons, a matching PS4 DualShock 4 controller, and access to exclusive digital Kingdom Hearts III content! The Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III PlayStation 4 Pro bundle will be available exclusively at GameStop in the U.S. for $399.99 USD and at EB Games in Canada for $499.99 CAD. Pre-orders start today, December 14th, 2018! Place your pre-order on PlayStation and at GameStop!
In the UK, you can also pre-order the Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III PlayStation 4 Pro at GAME.
See the gallery for the PS4 Pro bundle below!
Will you be pre-ordering the Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro Bundle? Let us know in the comments!
UPDATE [Dec 15]: PlayStation Australia have revealed that the Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro Bundle will also be coming to Australia! As the bundle is a GameStop exclusive in the United States and an EBGames exclusive in Canada, this might be coming to EBGames Australia.
UPDATE [Dec 16th]: The Limited Edition Kingdom Hearts III PS4 Pro Bundle will also be coming to New Zealand! Mighty Ape is accepting pre-orders for the bundle. The bundle will cost $754.00 and will be available on January 29th.
Square Enix has posted new screenshots from Kingdom Hearts III on their social media as well as updating their press site. These screenshots include new cutscenes from Arendalle as well as the Mysterious Tower. You can view them in the gallery below.
New renders have also been revealed. These include the characters from Frozen, Yen Sid, Chip and Dale, Jiminy Cricket, Lea, Ienzo, and Master Xehanort. You can check them out below.
Recently, Famitsu has written an article about the screenshots on their website. We will provide translations once they are complete.
It appears that Stitch will be returning to Kingdom Hearts III as a summon. We hope that we will be about to learn more information about him during Jump Festa.
The Kingdom Hearts III pop-up event at Disney Springs will be having it's grand opening tomorrow, December 14th, 2018. Pictures of the Kingdom Hearts III pop-up venue have already surfaced taken by Disney Cast Members, along with the Kingdom Hearts III Deluxe Edition on display at Disney Springs! See the tweet by Cory_Cee below showcasing the Kingdom Hearts III deluxe edition!
You can also watch a short video of the Disney Cast Member preview of the event below!
More photos of the venue can be seen in the gallery below!
UPDATE [Dec 14, 2018]: The event has officially begun! Check out the gallery below and featured updates to keep in touch with the promotional campaign at Disney Springs!
Updates
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