Final Fantasy IX is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the PlayStation console. Released in 2000, it is the ninth main installment in the Final Fantasy series. The game takes place in a fantasy world called Gaia and follows a young thief named Zidane Tribal who joins with others to defeat the evil Queen Brahne of Alexandria and the mysterious Kuja. The game was praised for its engaging story, character development, and return to the series' classic fantasy roots.