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[wmlk]

Anyway, to add on to what I was saying earlier, the more I see of Nyx in the movie the more I think he's someone who can mesh in the game's aesthetic pretty well.

Just comparing Gladio to Nyx.

Spoiler

^This looks so good!!

Of course, there's a bit of a gap in detail and the the stylized nature of the game, but that can be adjusted. Regis for instance looks a bit different in the game compared to the movie. Nyx looked jarring to me after the initial reveal, but he's not so bad to me now.

 

[Falk]

I can live with Luna's kingsglaive design but Ideloas' is absolutely horrible. He doesn't look even remotely as sinister and badass as in the game and more like a sad old man.

vs.

He's not bad.

But I can't shake the feeling that whenever he appears onscreen he's about a second away from being legit shook by the sudden appearance of a guy in a red devil's costume.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

My "favorite" Japanese thing that never works in English is when characters just drift off mid-sentence (and always with a stupid look in their faces).

"Huh, that means...!"

...

...

...

Well, what does it mean?

I never saw the problem with this, it sounds natural to me. Maybe because I grew up with JRPGs? lol

 

[Death Penalty]

That would be horrible. It's different than FF X and XIII where at least we can just ignore their sequels because we have a conclusive story in their respective first games. We would buy FF XV knowing that in the end we would get a "To be continued...".

What's wrong with this? Some of my favorite games have had a continuing storyline over multiple titles. I think crushing down a gaming experience on the principle that that game should exist in one disc with potential sequels being afterthoughts is way worse than a multi-entry epic.

 

[Mifec]

I like how they gave Ravus the most serious look on his face but the most ridiculous outfit.

I'd agree, but that's not the full shot of Ardyn, in the full shot he has a wing extending past his arm. Looks so stupid.

 

[ryseing]

If you count the different uploads on official Sony and SE channels it's at around 4 million.

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=kingsglaive+trailer&sp=CAM%3D

Oh, and regarding the budget:

I'm willing to bet that number is just Sony's exposure and the actual budget was much higher. Often, studios don't finance films entirely themselves. They put a chunk in and cover the rest with things like international presales. That's why a film like Gods of Egypt can not be a total disaster for its respective studio. Lionsgate's exposure on it was something like $20 mil + advertising.

But who knows. Maybe they did manage to make this thing for $20 mil.

/film industry rant over

Yep, reading the link they only have US distribution.

 

[Koozek]

Heh, one "problem" I have with Japanese mocap is the over the top mannerisms that it usually entails, for one reason or another. Maybe it's just a Japanese thing. Or an anime thing. I believe MGSV employed only western mocap stunt actors for this reason, to make the acting more palatable to worldwide audiences. Not that it helped the story any...

I don't disagree. There's just a complete difference in culture at play.

Even voiceovers and expected mannerisms are wildly different. Ask virtually anyone who isn't used to the excessive (or not) grunts, groans and sighs and little sounds inherent to Japanese voices in anime (and games), for example, and how that awkwardly translates sometimes to English dubs because they try to ape that, resulting in a mishmash that doesn't quite sound Japanese (because it's not in Japanese) and doesn't sound quite naturally English, either.

My "favorite" Japanese thing that never works in English is when characters just drift off mid-sentence (and always with a stupid look in their faces).

"Huh, that means...!"

...

...

...

Well, what does it mean?

Oh, god, yes, this drives me batty, especially when it comes to young-ish female/male characters. For the ladies, Rikku, Vanille, and LR's Lumina are three of my most irritating examples. For the guys, Zack in Crisis Core, Prompto, and Gladio are really over exaggerated. Cindy's movement in FFXV is also bizarrely unnatural from what we've seen thus far, it's like she's perpetually posing, it's so frustrating. One of the reasons I love FFXII so much is that the characters behave, you know, like actual human beings! Even Vaan and Penelo are extremely understated in comparison to Prompto and Vanille. Look how Fran (who is running around with heels, boob armor, and a metal wedgie) is still framed and acted/animated in comparison to Cindy.

To keep relevant to the Kingsglaive discussion, I have been really enjoying the more understated acting from the characters - well, sans Ardyn of course, ha. I've rewatched the scene from the trailers with the guard and Nyx quite a few times, and it's such such a great synergy between acting and tech. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Luna in the actual film, too.

Absolutely agreeing. FFXV has surprisingly subtle, natural animation at parts, but then you have some random animations in-gameplay with overexaggerated Anime mannerisms that look so off. It would be like Western mo-cap actors/actresses playing like in classic theatre or musicals with overacted gestures and facial expressions in Uncharted or The Last of Us (well...).

The recent FFXV cinematics from GameSpot had some of those awkward moments you mentioned, Falk. Like Noctis saying "No. Wait. Hold on." in such an unnatural way when he reacts to Gladio's reading the news about the invasion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJDAJ35F3D0?t=2m45s

The story that Vanille's English VA told about the recording process of the awkward squeaks and moans was hilarious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsSY4svjABA?t=2m40s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsSY4svjABA?t=3m42s

Though, she says it was a deliberate choice to make her sound Japanese-y and annoyingly up-beat there would've been better ways to achieve that without those ridiculous sounds.


It's sad that SE never reached FFXII's level of acting again.

 

[Koozek]

@Nova_Crystallis:

"Making of Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV" live stream starting in about 8 hours from now: http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv268691988​

 

[qualitydisc]

Square Enix US site now taking preorders for the Kingsglaive soundtrack (imported from JP)
https://store.na.square-enix.com/product/413336/kingsglaive-final-fantasy-xv-original-soundtrack-cd

 

[Famassu]

You expected that we would get a good video game movie from Versus XIII/XV after all the development hell it went through for a decade?

The kind of delays in production Versus XIII suffered from for years isn't the same thing as "hugely problematic development that can't lead to anything but a clusterfuck" development hell. Whatever changes have been done to the story have more to do with typical iteration that all games go through & limitations that come with a project going from initial vague plans/ideas (with limitless possibilities) to having to make those plans/ideas into actual reality (some things sound good on paper but turn out not to work all that well when trying to execute it, budget restraints etc.).

The reasons why Versus XIII/XV has taken this long don't have too much to do with Versus XIII itself somehow being a total disaster and very much to do with the fact that they just couldn't get around to the full development of Versus XIII until mid-2011 (because Versus was always planned to be the big project they'd focus on AFTER Final Fantasy XIII & XIV) and then the eventual move to PS4 & Xbone + the reboot of the project at that time. What you see with FFXV now is the result of about 4 years of development, not 10. Even if some of the groundwork with the aesthetic direction, lore, characters etc. was done with Versus XIII, that's really not all that long of a time to take with a huge game like FFXV.

What's wrong with this? Some of my favorite games have had a continuing storyline over multiple titles. I think crushing down a gaming experience on the principle that that game should exist in one disc with potential sequels being afterthoughts is way worse than a multi-entry epic.

Well, in case of FFXV, I can see it being problematic for a few reasons...

1) mainline FFs are expected to have a beginning, a middle and a proper end within a single game. They can go a bit crazier with spin-offs (Compilation of FF) and possible sequels (XIII-2/LR), so long as the first game isn't too sequel bait-y, but from the initial mainline FF release people expect a one & done kind of deal, even if the lore & world still has a lot of room for extra stories. To suddenly move into a direction where you only get a part of a single story would understandably annoy people who aren't liking this somewhat modern fad of everything being a trilogy or something.

2) FFVsXIII/FFXV has been a long time coming. People don't want to be in a situation where FFXV is finally actually released and then realizing that what they are getting is actually only 1/3rd of the whole story or something and they'll have to wait for another 4-6 years to get the conclusion for.

3) this is somewhat connected to the previous point, but anyhoo, people have been seeing FFXIII, FFXIV & FFXV in some form since 2006 and now want something different instead of still seeing more of FFXV's world for a few more years. They understandably would be interested in finally moving past the initial Fabula Nova Crystalis era FFs and see something completely new. As interesting as I personally find FFXVs contemporary direction, I can't really deny that there's some excitement in finally seeing what waits beyond Fabula Nova Crystalis era FF that we've been seeing for over a decade now. What will they do with FFXVI? The first FFXVI trailer could be hype as hell (though I'll personally be extremely disappointed if it's just some FFXIV type traditional-ish fantasy setting, unless there's a neat twist or it's more like Matsuno's games)

4) even when potential sequels/prequels/spin-offs were in the cards for FFXV (i.e. the whole "Versus Epic"), they've maintained the position that FFXV itself would tell a complete story with a proper conclusion, only with room in FFXV's world for possible sequels. They'd be betraying that promise if FFXV was suddenly just the first part.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

 

[birthbysleep]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

Might be in the minority here, but other than Ravus and Luna, Ardyn was one of my favorite designed characters in Kingsglaive. Also his character is pretty interesting, you're never really sure what his intentions are, whose side he is really on, etc, it keeps you guessing.

 

[FlutterPuffs]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

:| In what way

 

[Garrett Hawke]

:| In what way

Just the way he stands, holds himself, speaks in riddles, the sort of forced "cool" Japanese aesthetic. It's hard for me to articulate but he's like the equivalent of those Facebook profile pics where people are wearing their fedoras and trench coats and holding a staff.

Might be in the minority here, but other than Ravus and Luna, Ardyn was one of my favorite designed characters in Kingsglaive. Also his character is pretty interesting, you're never really sure what his intentions are, whose side he is really on, etc, it keeps you guessing.

Haven't seen Kingslaive yet so am mostly going off shown FFXV footage and his brief clip in the trailer, and I'm sure he might play an interesting role, but I just don't like the characterisation tbh.

 

[rayman1900]

What you see with FFXV now is the result of about 4 years of development, not 10.

You say that and I'm glad you did, because the more you say it the more people will know, but some fans, even knowing that, will still say 10 just to add drama or weight on their arguments on why certain feature is missing/changed... That is kind of depressing.

 

[Mifec]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

What mannerisms do you not like? The clothes are horrible I agree and the voice acting in the trailer is laughably bad.

 

[artsi]

You say that and I'm glad you did, because the more you say it the more people will know, but some fans, even knowing that, will still say 10 just to add drama or weight on their arguments on why certain feature is missing/changed... That is kind of depressing.

Yeah. The project was in development (management) hell for 6 years before they could start the actual game production, it doesn't mean they struggled with tech or something for the 10 years.

The game itself has went through a normal 4 year development cycle, and that's on a new in-house engine that was developed simultaneously, so it doesn't sound too bad.

 

[ScherzoPrime]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

He IS wearing a Fedora after all.

 

[Koozek]

@Nova_Crystallis:

"Making of Kingsglaive: FFXV" is now live on Niconico.​

http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv268691988

 

[artsi]

@Nova_Crystallis:

"Making of Kingsglaive: FFXV" is now live on Niconico.​

http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv268691988

Watching it now, looks like ATR format except Nozue is there.

 

[Masked Man]

I still hate Ardyn's design and mannerisms and ugh

it's not even about "anime aesthetics offending my western sensibilities" or whatever people tend to bring up when people criticise the character designs, it's that he seems to embody the worst kind of neckbeardy m'lady anime tropes. so quirky

His mannerisms in Kingsglaive are much more subdued than what we've seen of FFXV thus far, though—Western mocap vs Japanese mocap, no doubt.

I can live with Luna's kingsglaive design but Ideloas' is absolutely horrible. He doesn't look even remotely as sinister and badass as in the game and more like a sad old man.

Wait until you see the film, then let us know if you still feel the same way.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

Ardyn is what fedorabeards want to look like.

 

[artsi]

Some Kingsglaive concept art.

 

[Koozek]

Nyx prototype:

Drautos:

Source: livetweets by @MoogleKupoCake.

 

[DukeLongfellow]

I think we can be sure that the art direction for a future FFXVI will seek to adopt a Kingsglaive/Agni's Philosophy direction. The reception has been too good not to.

 

[Setsu00]

Nyx prototype:

Source: livetweets by @MoogleKupoCake.

Surprise, surprise, but I prefer the Nomura-ish prototype Nyx. That picture might actually be useful for that FF art direction discussion thread.

 

[artsi]

Insomnia.

 

[Setsu00]

Insomnia.

It's interesting to hear that Insomnia's westernized design is seemingly actually the result of Japanese fans complaining about the city's similiarity to Tokyo. According to one of the art directors, the goal was to create something that would feel distinct for Western and Japanese audiences.

 

[Mifec]

Nyx prototype:

Source: livetweets by @MoogleKupoCake.

The second pic there looks exactly like Drautos.

 

[Setsu00]

The second pic there looks exactly like Drautos.

That's because that is Drautos according to Nozue.

 

[ScherzoPrime]

Ardyn is what fedorabeards want to look like.

He lacks the punisher shirt though.

 

[Kazuhira]

Damn,nyx looking great in that pic.
He could pass for noctis' big brother if you ask me.

 

[Mifec]

That's because that is Drautos according to Nozue.

Yeah that's why I commented on it, it's sloted in a post where the only comment is: Nyx prototype. People can get confused.

 

[wmlk]

It's interesting to hear that Insomnia's westernized design is seemingly actually the result of Japanese fans complaining about the city's similiarity to Tokyo. According to one of the art directors, the goal was to create something that would feel distinct for Western and Japanese audiences.

I like this much better simply because it compliments the all-black theme very well. I didn't get that feeling from the older version.

 

[artsi]

Some additional environment art.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

I think we can be sure that the art direction for a future FFXVI will seek to adopt a Kingsglaive/Agni's Philosophy direction. The reception has been too good not to.

I still prefer the final versions seen in the film, but I wouldn't mind if FFXVI has an artstyle similar to this concept art. It's probably a necessity if they want good lipsync actually.

 

[Ydelnae]

Insomnia is now giving me a weird London/Tokyo vibe. Some of those streets look like sci fi Oxford Circus while I can still see the Japanese vibe on them.

 

[NynyXIV]

Is it just me, or does Regis look like Bill Nighy?

 

[artsi]

Insomnia is now giving me a weird London/Tokyo vibe. Some of those streets look like sci fi Oxford Circus while I can still see the Japanese vibe on them.

I haven't been able to listen that closely, but I think they mentioned using a foreign (western) artist to make the environments not feel too Japanese (like Setsu said).

 

[Koozek]

Surprise, surprise, but I prefer the Nomura-ish prototype Nyx. That picture might actually be useful for that FF art direction discussion thread.

Huh, Nomura-ish? Which one?

The second pic there looks exactly like Drautos.

Oh right, it is. I just copied it from the tweet which said Nyx prototype.

I think we can be sure that the art direction for a future FFXVI will seek to adopt a Kingsglaive/Agni's Philosophy direction. The reception has been too good not to.

I really hope it does.

 

[Philippo]

Man i wish i could live in Insomnia.

 

[wmlk]

Now it stings even more that we can't explore Insomnia in the game.

 

[Setsu00]

Huh, Nomura-ish? Which one?

His prototype, the one that you posted. That Nyx looks a lot more like FF to me, most notably due to the fact that his hair doesn't feel off to me.

 

[Koozek]

https://twitter.com/MoogleKupoCake/

 

[wmlk]

Who designed Nyx? Ferrari?

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Man i wish i could live in Insomnia.

Hey don't complain, aren't you living in Altissia?

 

[Ydelnae]

They used Insomnia concept art as backgrounds for Brotherhood lmao

 

[Setsu00]

Who designed Nyx? Ferrari?

They didn't reveal that, I believe. The concept art they've shown looked like it was made by the same guy who also designed Agni, however. If it was the Agni guy, then it should be Akira Iwata.

 

[Koozek]

His prototype, the one that you posted. That Nyx looks a lot more like FF to me, most notably due to the fact that his hair doesn't feel off to me.

I don't see it. That's, like, the antithesis of a Nomura design.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

https://twitter.com/MoogleKupoCake/

Crowe's hair an updated/inspired version of Agni from Agni's Philosophy.

She must not be forgotten (tm)