13/12/22 - FINAL FANTASY FAN CARVES CHRISTMAS TREE
A FESTIVE SIGHT FOR SWORD EYES
TREE SCULPTOR AND FINAL FANTASY FAN CARVES CHRISTMAS TREE
IN HOMAGE TO HIS FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on December 13, 2022
Today, SQUARE ENIX® unveiled a one-of-a-kind tree carving of their legendary Buster Sword to mark the launch of the modern version of the cult classic CRISIS CORE™ –FINAL FANTASY® VII– REUNION, out now on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC.
Working in collaboration with Simon O’Rourke, a renowned UK based tree sculptor and self-confessed video game enthusiast, the striking design took 30 hours to create. This unique take on the franchise’s infamous Buster Sword, an acclaimed weapon from CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION, was created to celebrate the launch of the game and to mark the festive season.
For this stunning creation, Simon stripped off the outer layers of the tree with his collection of chainsaws of different shapes and sizes, simultaneously visualising the sculpture as he worked his way around it. Once the foundations of the Buster Sword design were finished, he then worked his way in to the finer details of the sword and handle using smaller tools, such as the grinder, drill, and rotary tool to finesse the final details.
Within the intricate woodwork of the sculpture, he used metal inserts to strengthen fragile areas and then delivered the finishing artwork using a chisel and smaller power tools, before staining and colouring to complete the Buster Sword Tree.
For the Buster Sword Tree, Simon lit the branches with LED lights, and he plans to have it on display, pride of place on his front lawn for the duration of December. The Blue Atlantic Cedar tree used for the sculpture was felled in a suburban area earlier in the year owing to a common place fungal disease.
Simon O’Rourke said, “I’ve been waiting in anticipation for months to showcase to the world my homage to the Buster Sword, and I hope the fans of the franchise will feel that I’ve done the video game justice! With the release of CRISIS CORE –FINALFANTASY VII– REUNION on December 13th, I thought I would surprise my family with a Christmas tree with a difference. I spoke to SQUARE ENIX and we collaborated to bring my vision of the tree to life.”
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC on December 13, 2022.
The game can be pre-ordered here: https://ffvii.square-enix-games.com/games/crisis-core
For further information, please contact:
Stripe Communications
T: 07887 556 513 or 07983 480587
E: alex.fraser@stripecommunications.com
Tom Goldberger
Square Enix UK
E: TomG@eu.square-enix.com
Read MoreTREE SCULPTOR AND FINAL FANTASY FAN CARVES CHRISTMAS TREE
IN HOMAGE TO HIS FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME FRANCHISE
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on December 13, 2022
Today, SQUARE ENIX® unveiled a one-of-a-kind tree carving of their legendary Buster Sword to mark the launch of the modern version of the cult classic CRISIS CORE™ –FINAL FANTASY® VII– REUNION, out now on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC.
Working in collaboration with Simon O’Rourke, a renowned UK based tree sculptor and self-confessed video game enthusiast, the striking design took 30 hours to create. This unique take on the franchise’s infamous Buster Sword, an acclaimed weapon from CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION, was created to celebrate the launch of the game and to mark the festive season.
For this stunning creation, Simon stripped off the outer layers of the tree with his collection of chainsaws of different shapes and sizes, simultaneously visualising the sculpture as he worked his way around it. Once the foundations of the Buster Sword design were finished, he then worked his way in to the finer details of the sword and handle using smaller tools, such as the grinder, drill, and rotary tool to finesse the final details.
Within the intricate woodwork of the sculpture, he used metal inserts to strengthen fragile areas and then delivered the finishing artwork using a chisel and smaller power tools, before staining and colouring to complete the Buster Sword Tree.
For the Buster Sword Tree, Simon lit the branches with LED lights, and he plans to have it on display, pride of place on his front lawn for the duration of December. The Blue Atlantic Cedar tree used for the sculpture was felled in a suburban area earlier in the year owing to a common place fungal disease.
Simon O’Rourke said, “I’ve been waiting in anticipation for months to showcase to the world my homage to the Buster Sword, and I hope the fans of the franchise will feel that I’ve done the video game justice! With the release of CRISIS CORE –FINALFANTASY VII– REUNION on December 13th, I thought I would surprise my family with a Christmas tree with a difference. I spoke to SQUARE ENIX and we collaborated to bring my vision of the tree to life.”
CRISIS CORE –FINAL FANTASY VII– REUNION launches on PlayStation®5 (PS5™) console, PlayStation®4 (PS4™) console, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, Nintendo Switch™ system, and PC on December 13, 2022.
The game can be pre-ordered here: https://ffvii.square-enix-games.com/games/crisis-core
For further information, please contact:
Stripe Communications
T: 07887 556 513 or 07983 480587
E: alex.fraser@stripecommunications.com
Tom Goldberger
Square Enix UK
E: TomG@eu.square-enix.com
CRISIS CORE™ – FINAL FANTASY® VII – REUNION, London, 13th December 2022
### Strictly Embargoed Until 11:00 on 13/12/2022 ###
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Ahead of the launch of new video game CRISIS CORE™ –FINAL FANTASY® VII– REUNION, set to go on sale on 13th December on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam), self-confessed Final Fantasy super fan and tree sculptor Simon O’Rourke from Wrexham, puts the finishing touches to his unique Christmas Tree. Simon spent over 30 hours carving the iconic ‘Buster Sword’ from the game into a previously felled Atlantic Blue Cedar Tree, which was sourced sustainably, to celebrate the launch of the new game out today.
