The Offical Final Fantasy Game Thread

[Havok83]

Which means it likely won't make its way over here till next year. I'm guessing early spring

 

[zenith16]

Square Enix Forms Final Fantasy Committee To Ensure The Quality Of Future FF Games. October 17, 2013 . 2:33pm

There was a time, not too long ago, when the Final Fantasy brand was a hallmark of quality. Recently, however, Square Enix have stamped Final Fantasy on a bunch of titles and not all of them live up to the same standard.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the Final Fantasy brand was a hallmark of quality. Recently, however, Square Enix have stamped Final Fantasy on a bunch of titles and not all of them live up to the same standard.

Final Fantasy fan site FF-Reunion reports Square Enix have formed a Final Fantasy committee to ensure the quality of games in the Final Fantasy series. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn director Naoki Yoshida, Final Fantasy XV co-director Hajime Tabata, Final Fantasy XIII director Motomu Toriyama, and Final Fantasy VI director Yoshinori Kitase are members of this four person party.

Yoshida is an interesting choice since he hasn’t worked with the series as much as the other team members, but the successful re-launch of Final Fantasy XIV probably earned him a seat. Aside from Yoshida, all of the other staff members are part of the 1st Production Department.

Tetsuya Nomura, who is co-directing Final Fantasy XV and is the director of the Kingdom Hearts series, is not part of the committee since his time is taken up by other projects. Takashi Tokita, designer of Final Fantasy IV and The 4 Heroes of Light, and Shinji Hashimoto who leads the 1st Production Department, are also notably absent from the list. Hiroyuki Ito, director of Final Fantasy XII and one of the designers on Final Fantasy Tactics isn’t on the team either, but that’s probably because he’s spearheading Guardian Cross and the zombie themed spinoff Deadman’s Cross.​

source:Siliconera

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[zenith16]

This is technically/ literally yeastier day's news putting it up anyway.
Final Fantasy X’s Original Idea And Other Reflections From Yoshinori Kitase. November 8, 2013 . 5:30pm

Yoshinori Kitase also explains why Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Reamster took so long to develop and why they chose to add a radio drama an epilogue to Final Fantasy X-2.

Listen to Yoshinori Kitase’s story this may be our last chance… before Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster comes out this winter. Siliconera spoke to the Final Fantasy producer about the development of the original games and adapting the titles for PlayStation 3 and Vita.

Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster feels like it had a long development cycle. What was the toughest part about updating the game for PS3 and Vita?

Yoshinori Kitase, Producer: The graphics, especially the VFX, were created utilizing the functionality specific to the PS2 hardware to the fullest; so even though the specs were PS3 quality, porting was difficult. We actually did partner with an outside developer to help produce this title, but the original development staff was involved with the approvals as well as revising part of the data when it came to the up-resing into HD.
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How did the story evolve during development? What was the original draft like and what changes were made to create the Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 we know today?

The early ideas started with a concept entitled “Seventeen,” and the theme of that story was that “a person would reach the end of life at 17 years of age.” That theme of “inevitable death” was carried over to become Yuna’s fate in Final Fantasy X.

The concept of Final Fantasy X-2 hasn’t changed since the beginning. It didn’t have the heaviness of the previous installment, but more of a cool and pop feel like “Charlie’s Angels.”



How did you come up with the idea for blitzball? Even though this was a mini-game, blitzball was fairly deep if you took the time to scout for players.

I wanted to incorporate a fictional sport sort of like the pod race in Star Wars Episode I. In addition to that, at the time, in 2000, the nation was getting excited about the World Cup championship game between Japan and South Korea, and so soccer became a basis of this game.

Before trophies were popular, Final Fantasy X had challenges that made players go out of their way like dodging lightning 200 times to get the Lulu’s Celestial Weapons. How did you come up with these extra goals for players and could you tell us about some of the trophies in Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster?

In Final Fantasy X, we depicted the journey north from the village of Besaid to Zanarkand with no side-tracking, instead of a world in which the player can freely explore. And so, in order to broaden the range of what the players can enjoy as a game, we incorporated many mini-games. There were close to 10 people handling this, and I had left it up to their imagination to come up with ideas. In terms of Trophies, please look forward to additional information coming in the future.
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Kazushige Nojima made a new audio drama for Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster. Why did you set the story two years after events in Final Fantasy X-2 and why did you pick the radio drama format, which is popular in Japan but not well known in the West?

This drama wasn’t meant to clearly depict a particular event, but more to hint at their lives after the events of the game.

We didn’t want a particular image to be set in stone by presenting clear visuals, and that’s why we chose to have only audio, so that there would be room for the fans to imagine what’s going on. You will be able to get a glimpse of what happened to Yuna and her friends after the events of Final Fantasy X-2 in the audio drama.​

source:Siliconera

 

[Havok83]

Good and bad news. Good news is the game finally as a NA release date. Bad news is that it comes out around the time Infamous does

Square Enix announced Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster will be available in North America on March 18, 2014 for PlayStation 3. Just like Japan, that’s a month after Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII’s release.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster will cost $39.99 and pre-orders will be upgraded to a limited edition which has special cover artwork and a concept art book. Both remastered games are the International versions with extra content like Final Fantasy X’s Eternal Calm storyline and The Last Mission for Final Fantasy X-2.

While Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster will be released on Vita, this information is just for the PS3 version. Square Enix says details about the Vita version will be announced later on.

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/11/18/final-fantasy-xx-2-hd-remaster-comes-north-america-march/

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

I know what I'm buying.

 

[Havok83]

the cover looks amazing


Final Fantasy X | X-2 Remaster, 02 by PlayStation.Blog, on Flickr

 

[Nathan]

Dissidia And Theatrhythm Were Made To Introduce Final Fantasy To A New Generation Of Fans

In an interview with Japanese magazines this week, Square Enix producer Ichiro Hazama, known for his work on the Dissidia and Kingdom Hearts series, along with The World Ends with You, shares his thoughts on wanting to make a new Dissidia, and to also do a special something for Chrono Trigger’s 20th anniversary.

“I want to make a new Dissidia, and we intend to do so. The people who’ve worked on the previous titles have also stated their desire to make a new one, too,” says Hazama.

“When you ask kids in their teens about their favorite Final Fantasy titles, Final Fantasy Type-0 and Dissidia are more popular than the main-numbered series,” shares the producer, while mentioning that there are many who were still children when they first experienced playing Dissidia Final Fantasy.

During the interview, Hazama also mentions his talks with Yoshinori Kitase who revealed that the Dissidia series and Theatrhythm Final Fantasy were both key titles, responsible for introducing the series to a new generations of fans from elementary and middle school ages.

Additionally, the hit SNES title, Chrono Trigger, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in a little over a year. For the occasion, Hazama states his desire to connect Chrono Trigger’s original story writer, Yuji Horii (also known as the father of the Dragon Quest series,) with former Squaresoft producer and director Hironobu Sakaguchi, to create the “ultimate dot-art” game. However, he states that the hurdles are high and might be difficult to do.

Source


Bring Dissidia to consoles! Do it! Do it! Do it!

 

[X Knight]

the cover looks amazing


Final Fantasy X | X-2 Remaster, 02 by PlayStation.Blog, on Flickr

Yuna!!!

glad there's a release date!!

 

[DigificWriter]

So glad we have a finalized release date. Replaying the awesomeness that is FFX and experiencing FFX-2 for the first time in HD will probably occupy most of my free time coke the spring and summer, and I can't wait.

 

[Tron Bonne]

You're going to play this game on cocaine, or are you just going to be drinking a lot of soda?

 

[KevanG]

Who says it can't be a steady mix?

 

[Havok83]

here's the cover for the standard edition. I think I prefer the LE

Now that this has a firm date, I think I will go ahead and preorder it on Amazon

 

[DigificWriter]

You're going to play this game on cocaine, or are you just going to be drinking a lot of soda?

That should've been "come". Stupid mobile device autocorrect

 

[MagnarTheGreat]

Is the Limited Edition box bigger than the standard Blu-ray case size? I friggin hate it when they do that.

 

[Havok83]

Is the Limited Edition box bigger than the standard Blu-ray case size? I friggin hate it when they do that.

Considering it will also house an artbook, it will have to be bigger. Im guessing the package will be a slipcover with a regular BR case and artbook inside

 

[zenith16]

Square Enix President Talks Future Plans For Smartphone And Console Games . December 12, 2013 . 5:31pm

Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda discusses the company’s plans with regard to console and smartphone game development.

This year has been quite an eventful one for Square Enix, ranging from getting a new CEO,to the successful launch of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, and finally revealing more on anticipated titles such as Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III. Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda recently talked about future plans in an interview with Famitsu magazine.

Matsuda previously spoke of Square’s intent to develop more smartphone titles. Now that the publisher will soon be releasing ports of Dragon Quest I – VIII for smartphones, Famitsu asks Matsuda to share his plans and strategy behind the recent move.

“Smartphones aren’t mainly used to exclusively play games, but there are many who enjoy them [on those devices],” replies Matsuda. “The Dragon Quest series are games that can easily be enjoyed by just about anyone, so we’d like to do just that, and have as many people as possible play it. With that in mind, I believe that it’s only natural to expand towards smartphones. Again, smartphone capabilities have increased, so they no longer have any problems playing games from those series, and we’ve also decided to expand now that these devices are booming.”

We’ve seen how impressive these titles look on mobile devices, such as Dragon Quest VIII, along with its one-handed control scheme. Famitsu asks if we might be seeing other series and games ported or remade for smartphone.


“Of course, I believe that it’s important to release our content for smartphones as they continue spreading [in popularity],” responds Matsuda. “Not just ports of games, but for example, the Final Fantasy series has Final Fantasy Agito in development for smartphones. For other franchises, too, we’re thinking about working on past titles and new ones [for phones].”

“Also, not just limited to smartphones, but we’re putting consideration into the type of games and their target audience, as we decide on the platform,” Matsuda continues. “Again, I feel that we also need to add more original titles for smartphones. Similar to Kaku-san-sei Million Arthur, if it becomes a hit on smartphones, then there’s a chance we may also release it for consoles, too.”

While it may seem like Square Enix have their hands full with smartphone titles, Matsuda also talks about how they will be releasing games for various platforms, from next generation consoles in PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, to handheld and PC, including titles that utilize cloud services, as a way to further expand their portfolio. Above all, he says that their most important focus will making games with Square Enix’s characteristics.

Famitsu points out that earlier this year, Square Enix had stated that their domestic development studios will be increasing their development in smartphone titles, so they ask Matsuda what will be happening to the many titles Square Enix offers, that have captured the hearts of fans through their beautiful graphics and strong storytelling elements.


“Domestic development will not be completely devoted to just smartphone devices,” emphasizes Matsuda. “For high-end devices such as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, we will continue focusing on them with our “flagship” titles. We’ve already announced Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III, which our domestic studios are working on, and our foreign studios are working on a sequel for Tomb Raider.”

“I believe that such story-driven single player games are written in Square Enix’s DNA,” continues Matsuda. “On the other hand, for example, if we make a sandbox-style game, I believe we’d make it into something with an online feature.”

“However, even if the game is one that focuses on its storytelling, it won’t simply just end with us selling the package and leaving it, as I’d like to continue challenging [the market] with a new business model. The business of simply selling a single item package, has become very rough, so I believe that more ingenuity and innovation is required, now more than ever.”​

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source:Siliconera

 

[Havok83]

Easily my most anticipated PS3 release of 2014

Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Collector’s Edition Detailed, Vita Release Date

When we announced the Limited Edition of Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster, we got a lot of questions about the Vita version. We promised we’d share the details with you when we had them, and now we do. So let’s open this up with some good news. The game will be coming to PS Vita on March 18th alongside the PS3 version. It will support cross save functionality, and will retail for $39.99!

The combo pack will also be available as a download on PlayStation Store. If you prefer a physical copy, you can buy Final Fantasy X at retail, which will include a voucher to download Final Fantasy X-2 from the PlayStation Store.
And we have even MORE news. Coming exclusively to the Square Enix Online Store, we’re happy to announce the Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster Collector’s Edition for PS3. This is the definitive edition of the game for those of you who, like me, loved every minute of the original, and made costumes of all the characters for your friends so they could wear them… once.

So let’s talk about what you’ll be getting in this version. First of all, you get the full size, 40-page hardcover art book filled with the concept sketches, environment art, and characters that populate the world of Spira. The art is separated into two sections, one for each game. In the Final Fantasy X-2 section, we’ve even included a render of all three characters in every single one of their Dresspheres. It’s amazing to see how the art evolved into the final versions used in the game, and we’ve made sure to include some of the early art that would grow into the characters you know and love.

Secondly, that second disk you see in the image above is the Final Fantasy X HD Remaster original soundtrack (blu-ray music disc). This isn’t your everyday soundtrack — it’s actually more than six hours of music set to images from the game that you can hit play on and be taken on a visual journey through some of Final Fantasy X’s most memorable moments. If you’ve ever wanted to share your love for the game with someone special, this would be a great way to do it. Or you could play the game together, of course!

Finally, we’ve got five lithographs of art I know I would be proud to hang on my wall. You may recognize a few of these iconic scenes — Tidus and Yuna in the waters of Macalania Forest, Gunner Yuna’s striking pose — but the image of Tidus and Yuna embracing after all is said and done (I hope you know where you have to whistle) and the new CG render that appears as the Limited Edition box art are brand new visuals created specifically for the Remaster version. Which one do you think you’d frame?

And of course, you get the game too, in case there was any question.

Our goal with this Collector’s Edition was to give this game’s biggest fans something they could really cherish. I hope you enjoy the results!

The Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster Collector’s Edition will be available exclusively through the Square Enix online store for the PS3 on March 18, 2014 for $79.99. Supplies will be limited, so pre-order to reserve your copy.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013...lectors-edition-detailed-vita-release-date-2/

I really want that visual soundtrack. I wont be getting this CE, so I hope someone makes a rip of it online

Good news about the Vita version coming with a voucher to download X-2 bc originally they were going to be sold seperately

 

[Solidus]

Funny I just read that in Japan that FFXHD has sold more in it's life time of 2 weeks then all of the sales of Lighting Returns.

I hope that gives SE the massive hint most of us have been giving them for over a decade.

http://gearnuke.com/final-fantasy-x...returns-life-date-sales-japan-just-two-weeks/

 

[Iceman]

The beginning of FF XIII-2 seems to be a step up from XIII. Hope the rest of the game keeps it up.

 

[Nathan]

Even if it's a step up, I can't get myself to care for the rest of the series. If I haven't become invested in the world and characters in their debut game, I'm not going to care about them in the sequels.

 

[Havok83]

Even if it's a step up, I can't get myself to care for the rest of the series. If I haven't become invested in the world and characters in their debut game, I'm not going to care about them in the sequels.

IA. These aren't quick 8 hour games. They require a significant investment and FF XIII did nothing to make me want to return to that universe and follow the characters' story

 

[Iceman]

Even if it's a step up, I can't get myself to care for the rest of the series. If I haven't become invested in the world and characters in their debut game, I'm not going to care about them in the sequels.

FF XIII was a big disappointment and I'm in the same boat as you & Havok but I was playing just to finish some games and was very surprised that I liked it. There are new characters who are better and the ones that have reappeared also seem to be better. We'll see though. I'm still not that far into it.

I've got a really good feeling about XV in any case. I think it might be the 1st top quality FF in a long time.

 

[Solidus]

The most important thing they need to do is go back to I-X and look at the gameplay. Once they go back to their roots in terms of gameplay, that will be the biggest thing to get me back. The overall package matters as well, but what post X has really done is turn away from the genre it was. Though hopefully X for the Wii U satisfies me for the time being.

 

[Iceman]

I would have preferred them to keep the MMO games separate. It kind of takes away some focus for the series.

 

[Nathan]

I don't have a problem with the gameplay changes. I never had a problem with Final Fantasy being more action oriented. The problem was that they simply lost their focus on the story, and were too into creating giant spectacles and beautiful graphics.