Square-Enix sends word that three "battle area" add-ons are in development for its MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI, for concurrent release beginning "early in the summer of 2010."

"This content will introduce new stages for epic combat, providing high-level players with new equipment to collect and challenging monsters to battle," according to the press release.

The first add-on, titled "Vision of Abyssea" will be the first available, priced at $9.99 and available on all three platforms: PC, PlayStation 2, and Xbox 360. The two additional add-ons, "Scars of Abyssea" and "Heroes of Abyssea", will be released throughout 2010.

Players will need Final Fantasy XI: Rise of Zilart and Final Fantasy XI: Wings of the Goddess to access this new content. With Final Fantasy XIV, the second MMORPG from Square-Enix, it is nice to see continued support for XI. Of course, whether or not this will continue after XIV hits PC and PlayStation 3 later this year remains to be seen.