{
  "id": 1181124,
  "title": "Disney, Square Enix preview 'Kingdom Hearts 4' video game at fan convention",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/disney-square-enix-preview-kingdom-hearts-4-video-game-at-fan",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-16T03:07:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/disney-square-enix-preview-kingdom-hearts-4-video-game-fan-convention-6322006"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Anaheim, California - Disney and Square Enix unveiled Kingdom Hearts 4 at a fan convention, commemorating the franchise's 25th anniversary. The action role-playing game, set to release in 2027, merges characters and worlds from Square Enix's Final Fantasy series and Disney films. Sora, a teenage protagonist, is trapped in Quadratum, a Tokyo-like business hub, following events from the third game. Kingdom Hearts 4 will debut on the four-minute trailer, showcasing a new world inspired by Pixar's Coco. The panel featured surprise guest Tetsuya Nomura, the franchise's creator, who aimed to include Disney titles that create strong gameplay synergies. The game features a new Paper Mickey Mouse world and a significant role for Maleficent, the villain from Sleeping Beauty.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Disney and Square Enix preview Kingdom Hearts 4 at fan convention",
    "25th anniversary marked with new action role-playing game",
    "Tetsuya Nomura reveals Paper Mickey Mouse world and Maleficent's role"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The unveiling of Kingdom Hearts 4 at a fan convention underscores Disney and Square Enix's effort to revitalize the franchise by blending familiar worlds and characters to attract both longtime fans and new players.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Business",
        "title": "Disney, Square Enix preview 'Kingdom Hearts 4' video game at fan convention",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/disney-square-enix-preview-kingdom-hearts-4-video-game-at-fan-1184181",
        "published": "2026-08-16T03:07:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}