Editing Final Fantasy VIII (section)

===Setting and characters===
{{Main|Characters of Final Fantasy VIII}}
Most of ''Final Fantasy VIII'' is set on an unnamed fantasy world. The setting is highly European in design and features a blend of modern and futuristic locales. The planet contains five major landmasses, with Esthar, the largest, covering most of the eastern portion of the map.<ref name="FF8World">{{cite web|url=http://na.square-enix.com/games/ff8/world.html |title=Final Fantasy VIII&nbsp;– World |publisher=[[Square Enix]] |access-date=2007-03-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308142226/http://na.square-enix.com/games/ff8/world.html |archive-date=March 8, 2007}}</ref> Galbadia, the second-largest continent, lies to the west,<ref name="FF8World"/> and contains many of the game's locations. The northernmost landmass is Trabia, an Arctic region. Positioned roughly in the middle of the world map lies Balamb, the smallest continent,<ref name="FF8World"/> the island on which the game begins. The remaining landmass is small and mostly desolate, riddled with rough, rocky terrain caused by the impact of a "Lunar Cry", an event where monsters from the moon fall to the planet.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VIII |developer=Square Co. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1999-09-09 |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Centra Civilization''' - A civilization in Centra 4000 years ago. These Centra people emigrated to other continents and founded the Dollet Empire to the west and Esthar to the east. Centra was destroyed 80 years ago by the Lunar Cry.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | year=1999 | editor=Studio BentStuff | title=Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania | page=40 | publisher=DigiCube/Square Enix | language=ja | isbn=4-925075-49-7}}</ref> The southernmost landmass includes an [[archipelago]] of broken sections of land that have drifted apart. Islands and marine structures flesh out the game world, and a handful of off-world locations round out the playable areas.

The six main protagonists of ''Final Fantasy VIII'' are: [[Squall Leonhart]], a loner who avoids vulnerability by focusing on his duty; [[Rinoa Heartilly]], an outspoken and passionate young woman who follows her heart; [[Quistis Trepe]], an instructor with a serious, patient attitude; [[Zell Dincht]], an energetic [[martial arts|martial artist]] with a fondness for hot dogs;<ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VIII |developer=Square Co. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1999-09-09 |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Scan description: Zell Dincht''' - Loves the hot dogs sold in the Garden cafeteria. Uses close combat fighting skills to defeat enemies with punches and kicks.}}</ref> [[Selphie Tilmitt]], a cheerful girl who loves trains and pilots the airship ''Ragnarok''; and [[Irvine Kinneas]], a charismatic and promiscuous marksman.<ref name="guidecite"/><ref>{{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy VIII |developer=Square Co. |publisher=Square Electronic Arts |date=1999-09-09 |platform=PlayStation|quote='''Scan description: Ivrine Kinneas''' - An expert marksman. Can use specialized bullets to attack enemies. Doesn't perform very well under pressure.}}</ref> All but Rinoa are members of "SeeD", an elite military force based out of futuristic installations called Gardens. Temporarily playable characters include [[Laguna Loire]], [[Kiros Seagill]], and [[Ward Zabac]], who appear in "flashback" sequences; SeeD cadet-turned-antagonist [[Seifer Almasy]]; and sorceress [[Edea Kramer]]. The main antagonist is [[Ultimecia]], a sorceress from the future who wishes to compress time.