Not a huge fan of Tabata saying 'an empty world is OK'. Was Nomura just lying when he said Versus had an open world? It sounds like the open world aspect was decided upon after the game became FF15.
It was open world ever since the Versus days.
Not a huge fan of Tabata saying 'an empty world is OK'. Was Nomura just lying when he said Versus had an open world? It sounds like the open world aspect was decided upon after the game became FF15.
It was open world ever since the Versus days.
Tabata:
Right as we merged together with Luminous Studio a few months after announcing FFXV at the 2013 E3. At that point in time, the engineers wouldn't listen and insisted, With Square Enix's current know-how, an open world is impossible.
Maybe one of the reasons Versus and FFXV was having development troubles was because they couldn't properly make an open world. It took restructuring internally to do it.So why were the SE engineers arguing against an open world after the FFXV announcement.
Tabata:
Yes, 50% of me hoped. My standpoint for the remaining 50% was, it's okay if it's an empty world. If we can complete it that's enough.
4Gamer:
Being able do think like that for a numbered FF title is shocking.
Tabata:
However, I think I made it clear to the whole team that the "technology" we use, and our level of "content completion" were separate. I wondered if there was a good example and after searching I found Shadow of the Colossus. After showing it, everyone seemed to understand. Of course, I'm not making fun of Shadow of the Colossus by any means. It's because I respect it that I'm using it as an example.
4Gamer:
It's a good example, which goes to show you can make many great games depending on how you make it, even if you don't stuff it full of content. Actually, Shadow of the Colossus had great reviews overseas as well.
Tabata:
You can get a sense of the world just by moving to a destination right? The staff validated the appeal of Shadow of the Colossus. Another example of a game you can experience the world is, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. If you compare it to games these days, it isn't exactly brimming with content. Even so, you become entranced just running around on a horse in a seamless world.
4Gamer:
At this point in time, is the completed from of FFXV the same as what you thought it would be when you started?
Tabata:
We were able to realize all the parts I thought were a must have.
I take it this means the game will be kinda empty? :/ Hope the sidequests will be meaty at least.
Tabata took over near the end of 2013. The movie wasn't happening under Nomura's direction.
I take it this means the game will be kinda empty? :/ Hope the sidequests will be meaty at least.
They've never tried to hide the fact that a part of the world is there just as a backdrop for travelling, to give the world a more realistic sense of scale and to make the road trip feel more road trip-y. So you'll have stretches of land that don't have a hidden dungeon or treasure chests every few feets and then you'll have places of interest that you can explore more closely at will and find more special content.After I read that, I'm mentally preparing myself for the possibility that FFXV's open world will be sparse.
Then again.. I guess most open worlds are.
I guess I don't mind it. That sounds realistic. It's not unlike the world maps of old, where most of it is empty space and monsters, just on a larger scale.They've never tried to hide the fact that a part of the world is there just as a backdrop for travelling, to give the world a more realistic sense of scale and to make the road trip feel more road trip-y. So you'll have stretches of land that don't have a hidden dungeon or treasure chests every few feets and then you'll have places of interest that you can explore more closely at will and find more special content.
I take it this means the game will be kinda empty? :/ Hope the sidequests will be meaty at least.
I guess I don't mind it. That sounds realistic. It's not unlike the world maps of old, where most of it is empty space and monsters, just on a larger scale.
Two assumptions.Why would you ever think that from that quote. Nomura leaving wasn't his choice but a company decision.
Nomura has trust in Tabata, he was the one to bring him in to direct Crisis Core after only doing phone games.
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Tabata:
If I hadn't said that the team couldn't have confidence and come together. By saying that, we were able to dynamically manage a seamless world, prepare an environment and the team could relax with the thought, Even if it sucks Tabata is responsible. However, in the end everyone said they didn't like how empty the field was.
Nozue:
They are really doing their best aren't they. (laughs)
Tabata:
I told them, I told you it's okay if it's empty. But they reply, But we don't like that! (Laughs)
--------
4Gamer:
They were getting down on themselves?
Tabata:
First, people look at the things they can't do right? They would say, If it's an open world quality will go down. Or, We won't have content for it. Thats why I continued to say, It's okay if quality drops, and, An empty world is okay.
4Gamer:
But, actually you had the hope, They can do it if they try. Didn't you?
Tabata:
Yes, 50% of me hoped. My standpoint for the remaining 50% was, it's okay if it's an empty world. If we can complete it that's enough.
4Gamer:
Being able do think like that for a numbered FF title is shocking.
Tabata:
However, I think I made it clear to the whole team that the "technology" we use, and our level of "content completion" were separate. I wondered if there was a good example and after searching I found Shadow of the Colossus. After showing it, everyone seemed to understand. Of course, I'm not making fun of Shadow of the Colossus by any means. It's because I respect it that I'm using it as an example.
4Gamer:
It's a good example, which goes to show you can make many great games depending on how you make it, even if you don't stuff it full of content. Actually, Shadow of the Colossus had great reviews overseas as well.
Tabata:
You can get a sense of the world just by moving to a destination right? The staff validated the appeal of Shadow of the Colossus. Another example of a game you can experience the world is, The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. If you compare it to games these days, it isn't exactly brimming with content. Even so, you become entranced just running around on a horse in a seamless world.
It's not so much that they "thought they suck" so much as it sounds like a complete lack of confidence in themselves as developers to accomplish what other developers had.No wonder SE was such a mess. They even say here that they thought they suck. A studio from mostly Polish background has better "know how" than Japan developers which were making games since 80s. Crazy.
It's not so much that they "thought they suck" so much as it sounds like a complete lack of confidence in themselves as developers to accomplish what other developers had.
The PS3 era really was a disaster for them. Before that, I felt FFXII was more impressive and futuristic than say Oblivion which was on next gen systems at the time.
1. Toriyama. His vision of how FF should be damaged the series massively. It was total short sightedness from them for failing to see how forward FFXII was. They should have carried that over as a template.
2. Tech. The PS3 was an absolute nightmare to develop for and their game engine was incompetent. Both PS3 and 360 were also too weak. Developers overestimated what could be achieved on them, such as VersusXIII. The same also applies to the current gen of consoles, although we see limitations mainly impacting graphics, IQ and performance instead of features.
3. Infrastructure. Many devs (especially JP devs) underestimated the resources leap needed for last gen development. More man power was needed, new technology was needed and that meant an increase in budgets was needed.
FFXIII sold incredibly well for being a very disappointing game. The fan Base was still strong and alive back in 2010. If the game was better the series would undoubtedly be prosperous right now. Ultimately, the 3 things above are what caused the brand to be mismanaged so badly.
Although, I will admit to not factoring FFVIIR into my thought equation. That is a great appeaser, even if Nomura was taken off of his passion project. Or maybe it wasn't his passion anymore, thats another assumption.
But there will be hunts in FFXV, though.I don't exactly mind that there isn't going to be something to see every 3 seconds. That'll probably get tiring. After playing SO5, I'm incredibly happy that there's fast travel between camp sites, IIRC you can save your game at any point, there's Chocobos, the car, plus an airship... it'll be fine. Plus there's apparently going to be quite a few optional caves/dungeons, which I'm excited for. I'll take those any day over hunts/fetch quests.
Kingsglaive started development in 2013, btw, when Nomura was still the director.
Well, "the core" hasn't changed, and whoever followed Versus knows that since 2006-2008 and also every time Tabata was asked about Stella before they officially revealed Luna he said he couldn't comment about the story and characters and would do so at a later time, so technically he wasn't lying.
It's still about the bros' road-trip to reclaim Noctis' throne (where the crystal resides in), taken by Niflheim.
But whatever, we could argue forever about whether he was willingly lying to deceive Versus fans, because why wouldn't he, or they just decided to find the right time to address all general changes at once and explain the reasoning behind it, like condensing Nomura's multi-title saga into one single, cohesive game and not wanting to mess too much with Nomura's original character that some felt attached to already, instead creating a new character, which they did in the ATR in 2015 with Nojima's approval also. I don't care about the changes as long as they felt they were for the better of FFXV. We don't even remotely know what Versus Stella would've been like at that point and everything Tabata said about the decision to create Luna implies that Stella's role was not big enough (as said in this interview). We'll probably never know, though I hope they disclose it fully in some future Making Of or Ultimania.
So, you choose whatever narrative you like the most. I choose the one where I trust a team of highly passionate and hard-working people, who obviously spent a lot of time and thoughts on these decisions during the development.
Tabata:
Yes, 50% of me hoped. My standpoint for the remaining 50% was, it's okay if it's an empty world. If we can complete it that's enough.
Tabata:
Up to now, we chose one platform, and spent many years specializing in developmental techniques that were the most effective. When the next generation of platforms comes out, we go through a cycle, once again, of trying to find effective new development techniques.
However, the GPU that is installed in machines consumers use are fundamentally PC technology that was implemented many years prior. If that's the case, if we make pre-rendered videos that encompass thoughts, and continue to implement methods of real time rendering for current, high-end PC GPUs, the pain of searching for developmental techniques when platforms change generations, goes away.
4Gamer:
I see. That seems to be the reason why foreign developers who worked on PC games for many years, rose to power for consumer games in years following 2000.
Tabata:
That's right. If we are talking about development techniques, studios that have independently stayed in the game for a long time are strong. For example, in the case of Grand Theft Auto, the team consists of mostly the same members, works to improve their development techniques and accumulates new skills and know-hows as a team.
Conversely, at enterprises such as Square Enix, teams dissolve when a project is finished and the staff gets involved with various other projects. This style makes it difficult to always have the newest skills and improve development techniques.
4Gamer:
Producer Hideo Kojima from Kojima Productions made a principle statement, If you don't have the approach of always having the newest techniques, you'll get left behind and never be able to catch up. Is this the same as the two things you mentioned?
Tabata:
Yes. That's how I feel. You can't maintain your peak performance as a team. Furthermore, and this is nothing more than an assumption but, if a studio without much skill were to merge and integrate with Naughty Dog, a present top class developer, their overall performance would average out and it would be difficult to maintain quality like Uncharted.
4Gamer:
I'm digressing but, I feel like this connects to what Nozue was saying a moment ago about thoughts. Always setting a high aim.
Tabata:
That's right. I kept that in mind when making the FFXV team. If the end goal is firmly in place, even if your surroundings change the team will remain adamant. Everyone also gradually gets better at setting goals.
4Gamer:
By doing that you can progressively increase the peak performance of the whole team.
Tabata:
In regards to improving peak performance, as long as computers continue to evolve, we will have to make an effort. That's why, I think it's good to be aware of enhancing developmental power as a team. Now, we are working hard on FFXV but, there are a lot of distinguished, capable members. We also have an environment set up where we can make products like KINGSGLAIVE so I'd like to challenge making some new IP (intellectual property). Of course we'll also be working hard on main stream games like the numbered FF Series. At any rate, at present we still need to give it our all and complete FFXV.
What I still don't understand is why they weren't upfront with having replaced Stella with Luna from the very beginning. If they had used her Kingsglaive design in the actual game, then it would've been immediately apparent instead of being something that they felt the need to dance around, the one they decided to keep in the game itself basically being just Stella with a different hairstyle. The fact that there's consistency between the movie and the game with Regis' new design, yet they couldn't make up their minds with Luna, is one of the clumsiest things about this effort.This is not about choosing my preferred narrative. This is simply about pointing out the fact that - for whatever reason - Tabata and the XV team did lie about the changes they made to the game since Nomura left. Stella is not the only change and not the sole reason why I feel like Tabata isn't being sincere. The quote I presented you was from 2014, when they already knew that Kingsglaive would be made and just like Kagari clarified, this was not Nomura's decision. They knew they had significantly changed the story and still chose to pretend that only minor details were affected.
Kingsglaive may be based on the original intro for Versus XIII, but there's no denying that it's still a heavily modified version of that story as shown by the fact that at least one scene that previously featured Noctis and Stella was re-purposed into a meeting between Nyx and Luna. Nyx's entire existance makes no sense without Kingsglaive, which means they had to accomodate for his role in the overall story and that is a significant change.
Even if you disregard Kingsglaive, Luna is apparently different enough from Stella to warrant a different name as even the staff felt uncomfortable working with a modified Stella. It doesn't matter if Luna is a better character than Stella. If those changes worked out for them, then it's great, but Tabata should not complain about fans saying that he's arbitrarily changed Versus XIII when he hasn't been honest to begin with.
Some new famitsu scans are out. Ravus and Iris looks so good
I take it this means the game will be kinda empty? :/ Hope the sidequests will be meaty at least.
Perfect opportunity to fill it with the FFIX sidequest where you looked at a picture and had to find it in the world. Chocobo hot and cold was great
Some new famitsu scans are out. Ravus and Iris looks so good
Hmm, based on these scans it looks like they changed the weapon icons to more detailed ones.
I think we saw that Ravus one before but Iris is lookin goood.
What I still don't understand is why they weren't upfront with having replaced Stella with Luna from the very beginning. If they had used her Kingsglaive design in the actual game, then it would've been immediately apparent instead of being something that they felt the need to dance around, the one they decided to keep in the game itself basically being just Stella with a different hairstyle. The fact that there's consistency between the movie and the game with Regis' new design, yet they couldn't make up their minds with Luna, is one of the clumsiest things about this effort.
Ravus looks amazing
Nah. Way too obviously villain-y, almost comically so. Movie Ravus looks slicker and cooler.
Why didn't they match every FFXV character with the Kingsglaive design
Nah. Way too obviously villain-y, almost comically so. Movie Ravus looks slicker and cooler.
Why didn't they match every FFXV character with the Kingsglaive design
Why didn't they match every FFXV character with the Kingsglaive design
So they've removed his hood?
1. Toriyama. His vision of how FF should be damaged the series massively. It was total short sightedness from them for failing to see how forward FFXII was. They should have carried that over as a template.
2. Tech. The PS3 was an absolute nightmare to develop for and their game engine was incompetent. Both PS3 and 360 were also too weak. Developers overestimated what could be achieved on them, such as VersusXIII. The same also applies to the current gen of consoles, although we see limitations mainly impacting graphics, IQ and performance instead of features.
3. Infrastructure. Many devs (especially JP devs) underestimated the resources leap needed for last gen development. More man power was needed, new technology was needed and that meant an increase in budgets was needed.
FFXIII sold incredibly well for being a very disappointing game. The fan Base was still strong and alive back in 2010. If the game was better the series would undoubtedly be prosperous right now. Ultimately, the 3 things above are what caused the brand to be mismanaged so badly.
Because the game designs are better. Thank goodness they didn't match them with the movie ones.
Yeah, it's a matter of opinion but I like my FF games with a small animu touch, the movie designs are good for a movie.