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[Kagari]

EDIT: Yeah, looks like button switching was there but it still has semblance of Tabata's one button system.

No it didn't and Verendus even mentioned it used to be there.

 

[HeelPower]

No, I think you're mistaken.

fair enough $:

 

[Kssio_Aug]

No it didn't and Verendus even mentioned it used to be there.

So the original concept was more or less what Tabata is applying today (at least regarding the weapon system), but Nomura once tried to change it to manual... certainly it wasnt working as expected or it was damaging other aspects of the gameplay, then Tabata decided to return to the original concept.

I was already pretty confident about the gameplay, but now I'm even more. Giving that, Tabata mostly certainly did came back to the original concept for the best.

 

[wmlk]

No it didn't and Verendus even mentioned it used to be there.

I meant that it had button switching at E3 2013.

I just want to see of the scenes from 2006 to 2013 recreated. Really liked the tone from back then. I'm being optimistic and hoping it's the same now since both Tabata and Nomura were involved until now.

 

[GorillaJu]

This monster looks really familiar. Like I've seen a sprite form of it before. Wonder what monster it is.

 

[benzy]

A recap of Nomura's comments in 2013 on the battle system.

-Some fans have been curious about the bottom-left part of the screen that appears to indicate a variety of weapons. According to Nomura, it was originally set in a way where weapons would automatically switch according to the combo structures. This has since then been changed, allowing players to have the option to select their own weapons at all times. In regards to other commands and gauges, Nomura will be revealing more in the near future.

http://www.siliconera.com/2013/06/2...sy-xv-and-kingdom-hearts/#yfVOr5DuiR8wUyeu.99

-There were a lot of things I wanted to do and present so they became my main concern. I wanted to make everything as seamless as possible, thus it was necessary to put all of the action into the [hardware's] memory. All of the character data is persistent. As the player fights a vast amount of diverse enemies on a huge map, it puts considerable load on the memory. Thus, I had to make the choice to switch to next-gen at all costs.

-I wanted to make an action-based Final Fantasy game. I toyed with the idea of switching to a first-person point of view and making Noctis the only playable character, and even getting rid of the UI completely. But that would have eliminated any resemblance it had to a Final Fantasy game.

-A Final Fantasy game has battles with numerical values (damage counters, as in Final Fantasy XIII and previous games, we assume). Damage is displayed in numerical values and the player has to manage HP and three playable characters, whom he can switch between freely. There is plenty of co-operation and the player will be aware of the activity of characters outside the party. (It seems that all five characters fight and travel together, but the party is limited to three participants.)

-Thanks to next-gen hardware, I could include destruction, warping to high altitudes, and map changing.

-The starting point is the Kingdom Hearts series’ simple and exhilarating action feeling. It’s not difficult. Most things can be performed intuitively. I am also considering each difficulty level’s specific operation procedures. Companions support the player with co-operative attacks and respond to situations with autonomous actions. The battles will be varied.

-In Final Fantasy XV, it is possible to free-run towards monsters outside the map, as well as ride on monsters and aim at specific parts of their bodies.

-There will be flashy situations and boss battles like the Leviathan battle [shown briefly in the trailer], in which it is causing a water tornado and the player is jumping between collapsing buildings.

-The feeling of speed is importing during battle. The player can freely control the character’s movements, but spectators (people watching, not playing) might lose track of what’s going on.

-I’m having some trouble with the [game's] motion. It’s simple to make it realistic, but there are still issues occurring. I’m constantly rebalancing the game so it looks realistic and plays well.

http://gematsu.com/2013/06/final-fantasy-xv-staff-characters-development-detailed

What is most interesting is this:

-The starting point is the Kingdom Hearts series’ simple and exhilarating action feeling. It’s not difficult. Most things can be performed intuitively. I am also considering each difficulty level’s specific operation procedures. Companions support the player with co-operative attacks and respond to situations with autonomous actions. The battles will be varied.

I wonder if Tabata will take on a similar plan.

 

[jett]

interesting, nomura already said weapon switching would be automatic in 2011

http://andriasang.com/comtqu/nomura_ffxvxiii_famitsu/

Half of NeoGAF on sudoku watch. Mass sudoku for all.

 

[orochi91]

Half of NeoGAF on sudoku watch. Mass sudoku for all.

Seppuku ftw.

 

[Squire]

I've mentioned this before, but I keep watching the TGS trailer over and over and over again, and I'm still very impressed by the animations. That part with Noctis running through the red mist field, the running animation is superb! Something that I would expect from a Naughty Dog game.

I love the part where Gladio swings his sword and Noct does a backsteo and turns his face away. Looks so natural.

 

[Verendus]

So the original concept was more or less what Tabata is applying today (at least regarding the weapon system), but Nomura once tried to change it to manual... certainly it wasnt working as expected or it was damaging other aspects of the gameplay, then Tabata decided to return to the original concept.

I was already pretty confident about the gameplay, but now I'm even more. Giving that, Tabata mostly certainly did came back to the original concept for the best.

I genuinely think something is amiss with their comments of their development timeline, and Nomura's departure. I don't doubt that Tabata was brought on in 2012 since there is no reason to, but I do doubt the part where it's seemingly implied that he came on board in 2012 and at that point, he was sitting down with Nomura and pretty much taking over, whilst Nomura began to take a backseat.

I'm sure I'll have more clarity in a few months, but I don't really buy that Nomura was always intended to leave this project. I was impressed when I heard he's only focusing on KH3, since I thought SE actually managed their resources from 2012 and were prioritising, and that would mean this was somewhat of long-term and well thought out plan. But that doesn't fit in some public comments from Nomura last year as well as other things in private. It's also probably giving them too much credit. I feel that call was likely made this year at some point, or late last year at best, and certainly not planned in 2012 or even when they re-introduced the project last year. Their actions would make no sense if that was the case. The decision has to have been made after that point. It would also fit in with the fact that Nomura was intending on showing off more of the game after E3 2013 (and I know he had the material for it if I was able to see what I did when I did), but couldn't because SE made such a significant call.

My assumption is that they pretty much forced him off the project and told him to go do Kingdom Hearts 3 because that needs to speed up, and/or because it was having problems without his complete focus on it.

The changes now seem to be Tabata making the game more of his own thing, since that's about the only stuff he'd realistically be able to change and leave an imprint with, as all of the other significant stuff is basically the same (world, story, concept etc.). They'd have to delay the game again if he wanted to make any further significant changes.

 

[wmlk]

I genuinely think something is amiss with their comments of their development timeline, and Nomura's departure. I don't doubt that Tabata was brought on in 2012 since there is no reason to, but I do doubt the part where it's seemingly implied that he came on board in 2012 and at that point, he was sitting down with Nomura and pretty much taking over, whilst Nomura began to take a backseat.

I'm sure I'll have more clarity in a few months, but I don't really buy that Nomura was always intended to leave this project. I was impressed when I heard he's only focusing on KH3, since I thought SE actually managed their resources from 2012 and were prioritising, and that would mean this was somewhat of long-term and well thought out plan. But that doesn't fit in some public comments from Nomura last year as well as other things in private. It's also probably giving them too much credit. I feel that call was likely made this year at some point, or late last year at best, and certainly not planned in 2012 or even when they re-introduced the project last year. Their actions would make no sense if that was the case. The decision has to have been made after that point. It would also fit in with the fact that Nomura was intending on showing off more of the game after E3 2013 (and I know he had the material for it if I was able to see what I did when I did), but couldn't because SE made such a significant call.

My assumption is that they pretty much forced him off the project and told him to go do Kingdom Hearts 3 because that needs to speed up, and/or because it was having problems without his complete focus on it.

The changes now seem to be Tabata making the game more of his own thing, since that's about the only stuff he'd realistically be able to change and leave an imprint with, as all of the other significant stuff is basically the same (world, story, concept etc.). They'd have to delay the game again if he wanted to make any significant changes.

If they change the tone at all to something else I'll be incensed. I love the road trip idea at the beginning of the game, and it turning into the trailers we saw from 2006 to 2013 later on.

Any idea how the tone of the story is compared to 2006-2013?

 

[Verendus]

If they change the tone at all to something else I'll be incensed. I love the road trip idea at the beginning of the game, and it turning into the trailers we saw from 2006 to 2013 later on.

Any idea how the tone of the story is compared to 2006-2013?

I don't know that kind of detail, nor would I be able to find out. I wouldn't want to know either to be honest. But SE (or was it Tabata in one of his interviews?) has pretty much said the story is the same.

 

[wmlk]

I don't know that kind of detail, nor would I be able to find out. I wouldn't want to know either to be honest. But SE has pretty much said the story is the same.

Yeah, If I were to find that it had changed, I don't think I would be interested in this game anymore.

I'd still buy the game out of sheer obligation...

 

[benzy]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

 

[Haly]

Napoleonic Wars with airships and chocobos, please.

Please.

 

[HeelPower]

I remember Hashimoto clearly stated that developing KH3 and FFXV was very hard for square enix and that they would have to delay KH3.

I guess they realized this could really hurt KH3 and move Nomura over to KH3 only.

Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III not in simultaneous development, says Shinji Hashimoto

“At E3 this year we announced Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy XV,” he told IGN. “Both have Tetsuya Nomura as their director, so we can’t create these two big games at the same time.

It’s a difficult job, as we want each game to be perfect in terms of quality.”

Final Fantasy XV is in development at Square Enix in Tokyo, while Kingdom Hearts III is in development at Square Enix in Osaka.

Asked why Kingdom Hearts III was announced at E3 if it’s so far off, Hashimoto said the company wanted to address speculation about the long-awaited sequel.

“A lot of people have wondered for the last couple of years if Square Enix has actually been working on Kingdom Hearts III; that’s why we announced it at E3 this year,” he said. “But please, we need you all to understand that there’s a lot to do.”

source is IGN

 

[Scrooge McDuck]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

That sounds like Shadow Hearts, and I'd sacrifice Final Fantasy in a heartbeat for it.

 

[Skilletor]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

Sounds cool to me.

 

[BTM]

I read the title as Tablets and was legit shook.

 

[Stark]

Yeah, If I were to find that it had changed, I don't think I would be interested in this game anymore.

I'd still buy the game out of sheer obligation...

It seems Tabata is really behind the road trip idea/Nomura's story. So much so he pushes it in the game design for XV.

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

I think this sounds cool.

 

[Zoe]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

One of my friends actually did a pitch like that for our game design class :lol

It wasn't received well :lol

 

[Lifejumper]

It would be cool if they made a vid like KJP made, when development of rising was taken over by Platinum games.

 

[Verendus]

I remember Hashimoto clearly stated that developing KH3 and FFXV was very hard for square enix and that they would have to delay KH3.

I guess they realized this could really hurt KH3 and move Nomura over to KH3 only.




source

This is kind of what I mean.

Nomura gets a co-director on two huge projects he's mostly responsible for. One of which he's uncomfortable with being announced so early since he knows he has to finish FFXV first, before he can move on. And Kingdom Hearts 3 can't really happen without Nomura, and he's basically stated as much in the past I believe. It's his franchise too when you think about it.

FFXV, on the other hand, is past pre-production and the story, concept, ideas and everything are effectively done. The core vision is in place and most of the production is about the development aspect of it now and executing that vision, and putting in the hours to get it done, and cutting whatever may not work.

At some point, SE realises just how ridiculous it is giving one person so much work, and makes the call to move Nomura to focus on KH3, since FFXV has most of the foundation there and just needs someone capable to carry on and finish it. Whereas with KH3, the foundation isn't set yet, and they're still probably working on scenario, worlds, and other parts of the core vision.

Not to mention, the elephant in the room being FFXVI, and how far away that is. SE probably realises they need to hurry up and Nomura can't really wait another year (or even more depending on when they took him off FFXV) to start focusing on KH3 fully.

It seems Tabata is really behind the road trip idea/Nomura's story. So much so he pushes it in the game design for XV.



I think this sounds cool.

The road trip thing is from about three or four years before Tabata joined the project. I'm pretty sure Nomura referred to Versus XIII as a kind of "road movie" before FFXIII was even released. This is another one of those things that just makes me believe even further that Tabata is basically finishing the job. It's something that was part of the core design of it, and it's being pushed even now.

 

[Dark_castle]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

I beg to differ. It sounded like Shadow Hearts I and Covenant, both I held with very high regards. Awesome mix of setting and theme.

 

[MadNinjaZero]

Tabata's future game concepts sound terrible.

“Ultimately, I do want to create something based on real history—a Final Fantasy game based on real history, for example,” Tabata said to Siliconera recently. “For example; you’d have the American Civil war as a back drop, and then behind the scenes all of these Final Fantasy-type characters are utilizing their special abilities to fight. I really love that kind of setting. That’s the kind of game, I really, really want to make!”

http://www.siliconera.com/2014/09/2...or-aware-ageing-audience/#yJokhuDhhQbHrA84.99

Thinking of that as narrative scaffolding is, to me, very interesting. There is a lot to pull from there. However, if it were to be a direct historical fiction I'd probably not like it. I think/hope Tabata is leaning more toward the former.

 

[wmlk]

Nomura sounded somewhat disgruntled that he was put off of FFXV.

 

[Verendus]

Nomura sounded somewhat disgruntled that he was put off of FFXV.

There's an interview with him since this announcement?

 

[wmlk]

There's an interview with him since this announcement?

It's a one-liner from a KH2.5 interview, but here it is.

Speaks volumes, IMO.

 

[Verendus]

It's a one-liner from a KH2.5 interview, but here it is.

Speaks volumes, IMO.

Google?

 

[Kagari]

Nomura worked on multiple projects at once during the last generation. I don't see how XV/KH would have been any different.

 

[wmlk]

Google?

Hahaha, I changed it. Try it again.

 

[Nightengale]

If Tabata creates a FF sub-brand that's a spiritual successor to Shadow Hearts, he easily gets my money.

 

[wmlk]

The site isn't loading for the time being.

https://twitter.com/Nova_Crystallis/status/514862093695062016

'Nomura on his departure from FFXV: "It was the company's decision, I can't say anything more than that." (@aibo_ac7)'

 

[Nightengale]

Nomura worked on multiple projects at once during the last generation. I don't see how XV/KH would have been any different.

In the director's chair,he has really only juggled 2 at a time,which are the KH games and Versus.

As a creative producer and designer, then yeah, a lot of projects.

 

[Verendus]

Nomura worked on multiple projects at once during the last generation. I don't see how XV/KH would have been any different.

I'm assuming they're moving him so he gets KH3 done as soon as he can. If not, it would make even less sense to move him mid-development. This is a project he's pretty much created and been involved in for over half a decade. Moving him off the project like this without somewhat of a sensible reason would be insane. They've basically forced him off. And I don't think managing two big budget titles is the same as the handheld titles he's been doing. One title alone takes an incredible amount of work, and the Director is the most sigifnicant part of it all. He's basically responsible for two of them.

If it's not because they want him focused entirely on KH3, then what could be the reason? Except that he was screwing things up with FFXV, but then I would've thought they had a solid six years before to make that judgment off.

Edit:

The site isn't loading for the time being.

https://twitter.com/Nova_Crystallis/status/514862093695062016

'Nomura on his departure from FFXV: "It was the company's decision, I can't say anything more than that." (@aibo_ac7)'

Yeah, this doesn't sound positive exactly.

 

[Kagari]

I'm assuming they're moving him so he gets KH3 done as soon as he can. If not, it would make even less sense to move him mid-development. This is a project he's pretty much created and been involved in for over half a decade. Moving him off the project like this without somewhat of a sensible reason would be insane. They've basically forced him off. And I don't think managing two big budget titles is the same as the handheld titles he's been doing. One title takes an incredible amount of work, and the Director is the most sigifnicant part of it all.

If it's not because they want him focused entirely on KH3, then what could be the reason? Except that he was screwing things up with FFXV, but then I would've thought they had a solid six years before to make that judgment off.

The whole thing is sketchy to me. I think there was a lot more going on in the background like possible budget cuts, ultimatums from Matsuda etc. and Nomura likely didn't agree with it. That or it became a repeat of Matsuno (FFXII) where they kept changing shit in his game and that became disagreeable also.

On KH3 it sounds like that game is super far off now. Nomura just admitted they are having technical problems so he's off working on the scenario and picking out worlds and costume design stuff.

 

[benzy]

That sounds like Shadow Hearts, and I'd sacrifice Final Fantasy in a heartbeat for it.

That was actually really well designed, but in my mind all I can picture from SquareEnix are actual FF characters fighting alongside Lincoln.

Sounds cool to me.

I think this sounds cool.

One of my friends actually did a pitch like that for our game design class :lol

It wasn't received well :lol

 

[leadbelly]

I remember Hashimoto clearly stated that developing KH3 and FFXV was very hard for square enix and that they would have to delay KH3.

I guess they realized this could really hurt KH3 and move Nomura over to KH3 only.




source is IGN

“But please, we need you all to understand that there’s a lot to do.”

Please understand!

 

[Frumix]

#dead

 

[Verendus]

The whole thing is sketchy to me. I think there was a lot more going on in the background like possible budget cuts, ultimatums from Matsuda etc. and Nomura likely didn't agree with it. That or it became a repeat of Matsuno (FFXII) where they kept changing shit in his game and that became disagreeable also.

On KH3 it sounds like that game is super far off now. Nomura just admitted they are having technical problems so he's off working on the scenario and picking out worlds and costume design stuff.

So you think it could be stemming from disagreements about the project or other interference? That'd be interesting. It also paints a far bleaker future (I understand that one comment of yours more now).

And at the bold, bloody hell. What does one even say to that? Luminous giving them issue now? I can only laugh.

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

If Tabata creates a FF sub-brand that's a spiritual successor to Shadow Hearts, he easily gets my money.

I suppose his "Type" series could hold endless possibilities. From what I recall, he said Type-1(and on) might not even be tied to the world of Type-0, and will continue in the same fashion as the mainline series(each installment is it's own contained world, with it's own story, characters and mythology).

 

[wmlk]

The whole thing is sketchy to me. I think there was a lot more going on in the background like possible budget cuts, ultimatums from Matsuda etc. and Nomura likely didn't agree with it. That or it became a repeat of Matsuno (FFXII) where they kept changing shit in his game and that became disagreeable also.

On KH3 it sounds like that game is super far off now. Nomura just admitted they are having technical problems so he's off working on the scenario and picking out worlds and costume design stuff.

 

[wmlk]

So you think it could be stemming from disagreements about the project or other interference? That'd be interesting. It also paints a far bleaker future (I understand that comment of yours more now).

And at the bold, bloody hell. What does one even say to that? Luminous giving them issue now? I can only laugh.

Someone needs to ask some hard-hitting questions to Hashimoto or something.

 

[Kagari]

So you think it could be stemming from disagreements about the project or other interference?

And at the bold, bloody hell. What does one even say to that? Luminous giving them issue now? I can only laugh.

I do. Versus/XV was supposed to be Nomura's pet project and now he's suddenly off it? There is definitely a bigger picture that's being shown behind the scenes.

And yeah, well we haven't exactly seen much of Luminous since the PS Meeting last year either... plus the CTO/guy in charge of said engine quit the company recently, so yeah.

 

[Verendus]

I do. Versus/XV was supposed to be Nomura's pet project and now he's suddenly off it? There is definitely a bigger picture that's being shown behind the scenes.

And yeah, well we haven't exactly seen much of Luminous since the PS Meeting last year either... plus the CTO/guy in charge of said engine quit the company recently, so yeah.

If there are things like that involved, that's the point where things will go really sour.

 

[benzy]

The site isn't loading for the time being.

https://twitter.com/Nova_Crystallis/status/514862093695062016

'Nomura on his departure from FFXV: "It was the company's decision, I can't say anything more than that." (@aibo_ac7)'

Damn. Really don't see him wanting to stay with the company after he finishes KHIII now.

 

[Sign]

Nomura sounded somewhat disgruntled that he was put off of FFXV.

Anyone would be.

SE fumbles their way through an entire generation in what can only be described as the longest amateur hour ever. And, when it is finally time for his project to get the spotlight they ask him to make some grand sacrifice and bow-out so he can save the company's ass again a couple of years down the line.

I could see it being hugely frustrating.

 

[NoctisVsStar]

Anyone would be.

SE fumbles their way through an entire generation in what can only be described as the longest amateur hour ever. And, when it is finally time for his project to get the spotlight they ask him to make some grand sacrifice and bow-out so he can save the company's ass again a couple of years down the line.

I could see it being hugely frustrating.

Man I feel for Nomura, some crazy shit must be happening behind the scenes ;/ when it was time for his project to get the spotlight with him at the helm SE was like nope tabata will step in for you now and back to the dungeon you go to work on KH3.

 

[Kagari]

If there are things like that involved, that's the point where things will go really sour.

It's funny because a lot of people thought they would be turning the corner with the development of Luminous so early on. It began in 2010 and in 2012 they had that tech demo but maybe the reality was that those things were too good to be true.

 

[Scrooge McDuck]

That was actually really well designed, but in my mind all I can picture from SquareEnix are actual FF characters fighting alongside Lincoln.

Pfffft.

Yea, it would be terrible if they don't tone down their usual flair.