[26/01] What Kitase Keeps in Mind When Making a New Final Fantasy Title

[Linnaete]

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With Final Fantasy XIII-2 complete, Square Enix’s 1st Production team should be drafting ideas for the next game in the series. Speaking with Square Enix Members, producer Yoshinori Kitase shed some light on how the team creates a new numbered Final Fantasy game.

"There are two things that I and the development team keep in mind when developing a new title, one aspect is the story, because Final Fantasy is about a fantasy story, we want it to be understood and received by anyone no matter where they live, who they are, where they’re from, just a story that they can get the same emotions as anyone across the world, that’s one aspect we always try to keep in mind."

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"And the second point is the overall visuals, and the way the game feels, with the platforms continuously evolving and graphics becoming photo realistic, instead of going in that direction, we wanted to keep that distinct Final Fantasy feel, and there’s a little more freedom to move around in that, if you make it too real it might feel a little too dark and too serious, by keeping it in a fantasy environment there’s more freedom we can keep that distinctive feel and experience to all the games."
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Another interesting tidbit from the interview is Motomu Toriyama, director of Final Fantasy XIII-2, mentioned he has never been to Las Vegas and he’ll draw inspiration from the sights in Sin City for his next game. That’s interesting because Final Fantasy XIII-2 feels like it has a bit of Vegas in it. Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a casino called Serendipity with gaudy lights, noisy slot machines, and chocobo racing to bet on.

Source: Siliconera

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Well, that pretty much confirms my suspicions. No wonder we got FFXIII. And FFXIII-2 seems unlikely to have changed his direction either. If these two are already planning for their next project, I hope it isn't FFXV, else I will have to reach for a panic button.

 

[C i d]

With Final Fantasy XIII-2 complete, Square Enix’s 1st Production team should be drafting ideas for the next game in the series. Speaking with Square Enix Members, producer Yoshinori Kitase shed some light on how the team creates a new numbered Final Fantasy game.

"There are two things that I and the development team keep in mind when developing a new title, one aspect is the story, because Final Fantasy is about a fantasy story, we want it to be understood and received by anyone no matter where they live, who they are, where they’re from, just a story that they can get the same emotions as anyone across the world, that’s one aspect we always try to keep in mind."
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I have to admit I seriously don't see this happening. I may like XIII's story but it's painfully obvious many people find XIII's story bad and very hard to understand. Some of these opinions may be perceived or biased, but it doesn't change the fact that SE has not fulfilled these aspect they are talking about. Not totally their fault, but it's really saddening...​

 

[Linnaete]

^ Oh, I can't argue with that. I know one of the complaints was the poor handling of exposition and how the game hurls the uninformed player straight into the middle of a conflict while tossing alien jargon around at you, and then there's the potentially baffling ending.

Oh, and in case anyone comments about FFXII having a rubbish story etc, that wasn't a Kitase game, more of a Matsuno project. Matsuno takes another direction entirely if I recall correctly. He sculpts the gameplay first and works the story around it, which is what Sakaguchi over at Mistwalker also does.

There's no problem if you wish to be meticulous with how you want the visual style of your game to look, but he has openly admitted that visuals is one of his main priorities, particularly if "photo realistic". FFXIII-2 has been a partial demonstration of how you can allow the visuals to slightly drop and for other elements to take more of a centre field, but that sequel alone isn't going to change the attitudes of Kitase and Toriyama. =/

 

[Hatifnatten]

Just don't sell it fucking americans. Start with that.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Final Fantasy XIII didn't really have a story that was difficult to understand, certainly until the end anyway, it was more the fact that you had to sift through page after page of WRITING in the datalog which you shouldn't really have to do if the story has been told well. Fair enough they could have take the Uncharted 3 route and left some aspects deliberately for interpretation but it was just poorly told.

Visuals shouldn't be the second thing they think of either, there are far more important aspects. That said, visuals shouldn't be a thought at all, it's 2012, it should be taken for granted that developers are going to have GOOD graphics at least.

Just don't sell it fucking americans. Start with that.

Yeah, that must be it. You come out with something more nonsensical and moronic every time you post.

 

[Shaissa]

Just don't sell it fucking americans. Start with that.

Don't sell it to the place that buys the most amount of video games? Yeah remind me never to go to you for business advice...


back on topic...
But Is this really a secret? don't most game companies try to make a story that makes sense and controls that feel good? I mean its no secret... and as far ast he next FF game... We still need Versus after all

 

[Ohri-Jin]

"And the second point is the overall visuals, and the way the game feels, with the platforms continuously evolving and graphics becoming photo realistic, instead of going in that direction, we wanted to keep that distinct Final Fantasy feel, and there’s a little more freedom to move around in that, if you make it too real it might feel a little too dark and too serious, by keeping it in a fantasy environment there’s more freedom we can keep that distinctive feel and experience to all the games."
​

Another interesting tidbit from the interview is Motomu Toriyama, director of Final Fantasy XIII-2, mentioned he has never been to Las Vegas and he’ll draw inspiration from the sights in Sin City for his next game. That’s interesting because Final Fantasy XIII-2 feels like it has a bit of Vegas in it. Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a casino called Serendipity with gaudy lights, noisy slot machines, and chocobo racing to bet on.

Source: Siliconera

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Graphics becoming photo realistic. He is actually saying he wants to go the opposite direction, however why did FFXIII feel like its graphics was the main thing to admire? It seems he is contradicting himself or he's straight up lying.

If you make it too real it might feel a little too dark and too serious!?
Sorry thats exactly what I want and need!
Enough with the childish kiddy unmanly bullshit games SE!

That is exactly what attracts me towards VERSUS.

Casino and the like? Is that all you can come up with?
Man SE lost it man. Originality is gone. They are too old for this generation.
SE should not go the cliche way and go American on us. SE should do the rest of the worlds myths. Like they have always done.

 

[Steve-O]

I think that using places you seen in video games is a pretty good idea... as a person doing a games design degree I find that alot of my ideas for things such as locations and characters are either inspired by the locations where I been and/or the people that I Met during my life. sooo using this kind of idea for a new FF Game or something wouldnt be such a bad idea, just never make FFX-2 again please

else I will have to reach for a panic button.

just don't hit the nuke button by mistake

 

[Bambi]

Final Fantasy XIII didn't really have a story that was difficult to understand, certainly until the end anyway, it was more the fact that you had to sift through page after page of WRITING in the datalog which you shouldn't really have to do if the story has been told well. Fair enough they could have take the Uncharted 3 route and left some aspects deliberately for interpretation but it was just poorly told.

Visuals shouldn't be the second thing they think of either, there are far more important aspects. That said, visuals shouldn't be a thought at all, it's 2012, it should be taken for granted that developers are going to have GOOD graphics at least.
.

this - there was nothing wrong with the story, i quite liked it, but it was just very lazy of them to expect to to read half of it, rather than tell it as youre progressing in the story line.

not that id want another Kalm flashback kinda gig... unless there was an option to skip it...

Agree with the graphics as well, id rather play a game half decent graphics with excellent game play than one that looks amazing and is about as deep as an egg cup

 

[Linnaete]

Just don't sell it fucking americans. Start with that.

That is a thought. Why should anyone in Japan bother to localise anything for America, and on that regard, the entire western world? I'm pretty sure that is definitely not what you want, unless you live in Japan or somewhere that regularly receives Japanese titles. And I'm pretty sure that this is what nobody would want, certainly Square-Enix because they will practically plummet to certain oblivion financially.

Your irrationally condescending and often offensive tone is also something I am developing major issues with. Kindly be civil when you post, or don't post at all. That goes to everyone else as well.

 

[Gabe]

I'm beginning to feel these almost senior citizens, the directors of Final Fantasy projects, are getting too much pressure from fans and stress, so they've been driven senile.

It's almost come to the day I simply don't want to keep interest in Final Fantasy anymore. It keeps looking even more hopeless every time I see a news update from Square. The DLC crap, and now they straight out said visuals are the second most important aspect, next to story. (I can totally see this), and the graphics of Final Fantasy XIII were absolutely stunning, can't deny it. But if you're making a sequel (XIII-2), don't DOWNGRADE the graphics, either.

If you hit a new high milestone with visuals, KEEP IT THERE or do better, especially if you're a pro game company. I blame that problem because of whoever's dumb idea it was to keep the 360 version of XIII-2 at 1 disc, which pretty much dragged the PS3 version down with it. The reason why XIII was so amazing is because it had so much beauty, HD videos and textures spread across 3 discs in the PS3 version, because the Xbox's outdated DVD format can't hold over 9-ishGB.

But if they're making an XV, keep Toriyama away from it. I'm pretty sure another director could do a better job. I don't want to see another XIII-2-type disappointment.

 

[Martel]

"There are two things that I and the development team keep in mind when developing a new title, one aspect is the story, because Final Fantasy is about a fantasy story, we want it to be understood and received by anyone no matter where they live, who they are, where they’re from, just a story that they can get the same emotions as anyone across the world, that’s one aspect we always try to keep in mind."

Well, they more than missed the mark with FFXIII, didn't they? Understanding FFXIII was a chore, and when a game becomes a chore, it's definetely time to stop playing.

"And the second point is the overall visuals, and the way the game feels, with the platforms continuously evolving and graphics becoming photo realistic, instead of going in that direction, we wanted to keep that distinct Final Fantasy feel, and there’s a little more freedom to move around in that, if you make it too real it might feel a little too dark and too serious, by keeping it in a fantasy environment there’s more freedom we can keep that distinctive feel and experience to all the games."

Are they ever going to realise that it's the gameplay that matters, and not how pretty something is? FFXIII was absolute proof that good graphics mean fuck all if you don't have the gameplay to back it up. In contrast, NieR, which would look more at home on the PS2, was superior to FFXIII in every possible aspect, because time and care had been put into the gameplay, as well as the story. The only thing you lose for not looking pretty is media acknowledgement and, when media scores lack any sort of objectivity whatsoever, I don't think this is really that big of a deal...or at least it wouldn't be, if developers got their fingers out of their arses and stopped caring so much about a secondary aspect of a video game.

Square Enix - and everyone else who thinks graphics are important, for that matter - should consider looking back. Waaaay back, right back to the days when 3D wasn't even around. What drew people to games? It wasn't the fact that they were more visually impressive, because everything looked more or less the same, it was the enchanting story and the gameplay that kept people playing. Gameplay was much simpler back then, but I've played a lot of classic RPGs with clunky and awkward systems; the original FF games are much better in that department. This leap from 2D to 3D really should not have changed that.

Square Enix are going to be absolutely screwed when graphics get as good as they're going to get and they have to start coming up with actual storylines and gameplay systems again, because they're going to have spent so long turning out sparkly shit that they're not going to have a clue how to go back to what they once were.