2nd day just ended for Gamescom, what is the reaction to the event.
Y: I felt that people in Germany are very energetic. They enjoy it directly so the medias response is very well and its really fun taking part. We also have been nominated for best PC Game, even though its only nominate it makes me happy (laugh)
FFXIV have done live demo in the previous Gamescom but is there a particular reason behind this?
Y: There isnt anything particular with Gamescom but thinking of PC game market we cant leave out the German market and also is most popular area in Europe so if we cant get here we cant put much cost into Europe region. We have to think about the profit. I want everyone around the world to play and there are many fans of Final Fantasy series in Germany. I was wondering why FFXIV wasnt stuck in Germany.
Are you talking about the current Final Fantasy XIV?
Y: Yes. Really in Germany there isnt much stores where you can use credit cards and possession of credit card it self is low. Of course this is comparing with other regions, so I have learned that we have to make other schemes aside from credit card billing. There are lots of MMO fans.
So in that, the response was good?
Y: Yes, Earlier people from FFXIV Linkshell came over and they were looking from far but once our eyes met they asked to take pictures. It will be something to remember.
This time, you finally showed the live demo. About how much of the graphics is complete?
Y: I would think about 90%. Remaining is the fur shader and water. Im not satisfied with the water yet. For the fur shader moogles hair and player characters hair will look much better.
What will change for the water?
Y: Regarding water, we applied the water shader but I think the way the shader is places is dirty. Currently in Tokyos office it should already be a different water shader which is one step ahead.
Currently it still looks CG-ish and patterns, will those change?
Y: At E3 Nakamura-san stated the Atmosphere feeling is crazy (good way) but I believe for water that feeling isnt there yet. There are methods of giving a effect of light reflecting so it depends on how to blend those in. There are water which are natural and photo realistic. Other than that the lighting within the buildings or dungeon is the part Im not satisfied. From Japan Im receiving brand new screenshots so Im giving instructions as I check here in Germany.
Regarding water, will there be waves at the ocean, have different appearance at rivers?
Y: Of course we are working on the ones that will be needed, we also have a water fall. The river is working but its not wavy.
For the waves is it being displayed through physical simulation?
Y: No, for that part its low tech and we are using patterns. To make it run on many PCs with different specs we have to cut out on the parts we can (laugh). The goal is to blend in low tech and high tech carefully to create a more natural photo realistic scenery than current Final Fantasy XIV
Regarding lighting within buildings, is it where you can apply ambient light even in dark area to show the shadow?
Y: yes, currently its perfect with directional light meaning the direct light from the environment but when this is combined with All direction lighting the representation of the inner structure is still lacking so were working on that part. That is the reason we havent released any screenshots of inside buildings.
Limit break trailer still had the CG feel but when its complete would it feel more realistic like the current forest field? When would this be complete?
Y: By end of August, the reason I can say this is because I already saw the newest screenshot and can see the implementation (laugh)
There wasnt much information regarding the PS3 version, whats the reason behind why nothing was announced this time and when do you suspect the release?
Y: We are optimizing right now. The PC graphics you saw this time on the Core i5 Notebook PC is the PS3 versions standard. The memory size is overwhelmingly different so for that part we have to make some reductions there. We have set the PC versions max quality so remaining is the memory.
When comparing to PC the memory is really low. How will you lower the texture resolution or add in fakes?
Y: Memory is low for sure. We will lower the textures resolution but will make it blended in and will change the LoD (Level of Detail). For LoD its completely in so in Core i5 notebook demo there were lots of LoD but its to a point you wont notice so for PS3 Im thinking it won't change much as well. We would like to show it along with PS3s UI at around end of September.
By saying PS3s UI does it look different from the Windows version UI that was shown this time?
Y: Yes, In PS3 you cant choose mouse+keyboard mode so the memory distribution is completely different.
I see, so the one were seeing now is Mouse+Keyboard UI?
Y: Yes, there is also something called gamepad mode and PS3 will be for that. For PC you can also choose the gamepad mode.
What kind of display does gamepad mode have?
Y: The hot bar is completely different, also were calling it cross hot bar but if you can imagine from that. Please wait little bit more for this one. For gamepad mode it will be completely new from current version. This is the part where I was making final checks right before I left to Germany.
Could you please explain the basic goals for Mouse+Keyboard mode and gamepad mode?
Y: For Mouse+Keyboard mode its Global Standard. Basically when players from World of Warcraft and players from RIFT play Final Fantasy XIV they dont have to check the keybind to play.
Thats bold idea and some will have negative comments for this one. They would say why didnt you go with original.
Y: For this one I have a clear answer. I like FPS games and I play them a lot but no matter which game you play the key assign for fire is all same right? Having a original keybind doesnt make the game fun. In a MMORPG moving from one to another is hard so in a game which you lived in 3 years, 5 years and moving from one country, depending on environment you have to move to a completely new planet and the stress when moving from one to another is very high. If the UIs are same you wont feel as much stress. In order to succeed in an MMORPG I believe thats the minimum requirement. For mouse+keyboard movements there are standards and I believe changing it because its convenient isnt the way to go every time.
So for the mouse+keyboard UI you are using the standard layout correct?
Y: Yes, you will have option to switch to Final Fantasy XIVs original bindings as well but aside from the we are preparing default MMO keybind and that is based on World of Warcraft and RIFT.
At the stage event you mentioned you will have all the Primals and with current FFXIV there are lots of primals (summons) that isnt released yet. In what ways will they come out? Right now we fight them as a great opponent but can we have them as friends or call them out like FFXI.
Y: Basically they are enemy. When you view entire Eorzea you know that its located somewhere on planet Hyderin, and if you look at the press kit released this time you can see the mother crystal but the primals drain the ether energy from it, there are different types of savage tribes and by them wishing to summon the primals they are feeding off of planets energy. By calling the primals the planet itself will be destroyed and you are fighting to avoid that. And by pushing them back into their world you can summon them by borrowing some of their powers.
So in reborn Eorzea by defeating those primals you can use part of their power?
Y: There is a play style where you can play with the summons aside from the story and a content that will be updated constantly. We have something prepared for a new primal battle and for adventurers to obtain the summon it will be through that. For difficulty its not something after the current primal battles.
I see, so if you win these new primal battles?
Y: The entire free company will have the right for the summon. Everyone needs to charge the summoning gauge and summon it out. Its something like that.
In previous interviews it was stated that when you call the primal they deal great damage but is it to a point where you can defeat enemies such as raid bosses in one shot? Unlike FFXI where you can have the summon out entire time but more like a bomb in a shooting game, will it be used in that way?
Y: Yes. We will do it to a point where we went too far in a MMO. For me Final Fantasy is something like that, and the primals are that symbol.
In the Limit Break trailer Meteor came down at the end but something like that right?
Y: Yes, exactly like that.
Also FFVIIs Goldsaucer being released as a casino was a happy news for FF fans. Aside from that Crystal Tower and Magitch Armor, there are many catching keywords but could you please explain the current status for each.
Y: First off Crystal Tower is a raid dungeon. It will be a new type of dungeon which none of the players have tried in current version.
When saying Crystal Tower, the image is that it takes long. From my personal memory it was really long that I left my Famicoms power on while I went to school (laugh). How much of that will be reproduced?
Y: Yes (laugh) you couldnt warp out and stuff. We will have some parts we put in consideration but reason why we can talk about to Decide to warp back by wiping is because Final Fantasy was able to continue for 25 years. And there are generation of players who dont know that, they will say I cant understand why you cant save but to those people old fans like myself can say No its different I think for an MMO that is the good part where any age, race, players from the world can pay.
Is it like please keep in mind that its going to take longer than 3 hours
Y: Its not even 3 hours (laugh) I cant talk about the details but there are phases and when looking at it entirely it will take a long time. It wont be the end with just one and will be a content that will be updated to go higher and higher.
Sounds like another companies title Druagas Tower
Y: Yes (laugh) With updates it will go higher and higher so with this patch will be till here, next patch will be more... image is something like that.
I see, so the Crystal Tower itself is a large scale content. When will this be released?
Y: We are planning at the launch of FFXIV 2.0 There are many players at level 50 so for them I would like this to be the first goal.
Regarding Magitek Armor you mentioned the players can ride them but from current gmes image it doesnt feel like where Magitek Armors moving.
Y: For that part Im not really particular about. I think its alright for the Magitek Armors to be moving around the current fields, reason is because they are Imperials weapon. The machine came from Garlean Empires lands so it wont feel like it would blend with current world but its more fun being able to ride them and I think its alright to be able to ride them.
Are there different variations of the Magitek Armor? Can you replace parts to increase the movement speed?
Y: For this one the plans are coming in. The designer is really into it. For the mounts speed, making them faster will decrease the value of other mounts so I think its difficult to change the speed. I dont want to ride it but since its faster I will ride this, it ends up that way. I want everyone to ride different mounts so I dont plan on changing much on the speed. But would like to make changes to the looks.
Will everyone who wants to obtain the Magitek Armor ride them?
Y: I believe everyone would be able to. We are also aiming for release at same time as launch. Its close line right now. To obtain it you will need to clear a content and its something that comes out in the storyline.
Regarding Gold Saucer that was announced for the first time, you said that this will be a casino content but what can we expect from it? Would it be like Las Vegas where there are different types of games?
Y: Yes, Las Vegass image is right. Players can play poker between players, do roulets, and also will have original games. You can imagine it being something mae under Uldah where you have greed for wealth.
The BGM for Gold Saucer was memorable, Crystal Tower as well, will FF related content have reappearance of those BGM?
Y: Of course. Not much of current BGM will be left. We are aiming for music where old fans can feel that this is FF by arranging the crystal theme or arranging the level up music. We just put in the final Neil Van Darnus battle and for that there is an opera which we received comments on the forum that it reminded them of Sephiroth. That music is really popular on the forums and we also released a lyrics in Latin. This is the FF like feel so I am particular with the musics.
For Gold Saucer when is the release date? Would it be 6 month, year ahead from service start?
Y: I belive the span would be something like that. First I would like to put in PvP content and housing so it will be after that.
Aside from the 3 contents that was confirmed what other contents are being planned? Will you bring things from those that wasnt mentioned yet such as FFIV and FFII?
Y: We will be updating through patches but would like to do many things through expansions. For example if going to the sky I want to make it like FFXII, it will depend on the next material. We will first pull it off with Crystal Tower and another content I cant talk about yet.
Next regarding the story, you mentioned in Eorzea Reborn will have a new story as a new Final Fantasy series title. Could you please explain the story?
Y: There are 3 major parts, first being how to fight against the Garlean invasion. This is from the current version. I will make sure to settle this one. And will continue as a backbone. The fight against the empire is one of the major story. 2nd one is battle against the Primals. This is a problem not only for Eorzea but the entire planet and find out how to make the savage tribes not use them. This is also battle against the tribes.
So for the story with the savage tribes will have stories related to primals?
Y: Yes, there is a story behind each primals. Even in the current version other tribes are talking about Garuda. This will also be a long story. And the 3rd story starting reborn Final Fantasy XIV till the next expansion which talks about what was the 7th Umbral Era about?
The current world is in danger right now but would that mean that story would be process of inspecting the reasons behind that critical situation?
Y: Why did that much disaster occur, why is the world in this state, the 7th umbral era hasnt reached its finale yet. I cant speak much yet but there are parts that remain a mystery and will be followed up throughout the year until the expansion is released.
In the recent update the 12 gods existence has been brought up but how will this be related?
Y: They relate to primals, and 7th umbral era as well. Sharlean which have been studying the events of Hyderin will also be much more involved. And Final Fantasy XIV reborn will also relate to it. There will be new characters as well.
For the forest field we see a church that is related to the 12 gods, that also gives a new storys feel.
Y: Yes, the settings is that it existed from before but really I wanted to do marriage so I told them to build a church (laugh). The other day I received from players that they will be marrying and I wanted them to marry in Eorzea. I was saying this from early stages but at same time I have it blended in with the world environment/story.
For the 7th Umbral Era story, when will it end? Also when will the server stop?
Y: For the timing once we are to the point where we can announce the date will let you know. Please wait little bit more.
Doesnt seem too far away but will the current server stop when alpha test starts?
Y: I think thats a close line. Not all people will be able to participate in alpha test and alpha test itself is for server load testing.
So for alpha test not all current FFXIV players get to participate?
Y: This is basically server load test so its impossible for everyone. And its not for them to play but to actually participate in the testing. For playing, that will be from beta.
Yesterday at the group interview we talked about content finder and notification feature but could you please explain a bit more about these two new features?
Y: For Content Finder when you open the widget you can choose previously explored dungeon, content. If its a content requiring a party, you select the dungeon, your class, class you need or level restrictions, or categories such as Want to gain EXP and for example you can choose stuff like Japanese only from pulldown menu. When sending the request you can do whatever you want until the party is formed and once formed you will get an announcement so you press a button to teleport and start inside the dungeon. Basically thats what content finder is. You will be able to use it aside from dungeons for party contents.
For the notification feature for example say you Mr. Nakamura went back to Japan and when you logged in after some time you might be like What was I doing before I left? at that time it will display the 10 subjects in the widget for stuff you can do. For new contents it will show New and depending on current area, class it will display optimal content. Its vertical list UI and if its in the way you can move it around or you can close it or also set it so it doesnt update, or can update after changing zones.
For the notification feature by clicking the content in the list can you teleport to the entrance of that content?
Y: In future its highly possible thats how it will be but at present time its not made to do that much. If its quest it will open up the map and displays the location and stuff like that. This will also be implemented at launch.
The PvP system you are committed to release, is it related to the storyline of Garlean empire? Could you please explain the timing PvP systems scale and release timing?
Y: There is no direct connection. There is an episode to explain the reason why that place is battle ground but for for PvP I have been saying that it wont be something forced to players. I really dont like to make players who dont want to do it to participate.
For PvP there are Arena style where you fight inside a colosseum where you fight a monster which you get to see and start with Ready Go! style its like Tenkaichi Butoukai as an image (Dragon Ball for those who dont know ) The other one is a large scale PvP where there is a specific map and you try to take over the castle. We will release from the colosseum, and planning a 4vs4 and 8vs8 as base. For the large scale one with the map it will require minimum of 8vs8vs8 - 3 team battle. From game play experience and development until now I believe its fun to have this type of battle. I talked to the game designer from Warhammer Online yesterday and we were talking about why they didnt make the battle with 3 teams, they wanted to do something different from Dark Age of Camelot and wanted to do the 3 team. We left off saying once FFXIV is reborn lets challenge each other in PvP (Laugh)
For the large scale PvP what scale are you imagening?
Y: As much players possible, I want to make it so its as much people that gathers. In any MMO this can be said the same. Basically its unlimited. To a point it doesnt crash the server. Also I lead a raid in another MMORPGs PvP Raid and because I gathered too many people it crashed the server. If I look back now I really want to apologize for what I have done but it was a good memory (laugh)
In the joint interview, you stated for the alpha test you want to get people at Gridania, for what reason did you choose Gridania?
Y: Its alpha test so were not releasing the entire game. Gridania will be the most memorable place with the most changes. I want to do alpha test here. Planning to expand to other areas gradually but I can say Gridania will leave the most impression of Final Fantasy XIV reborn.
Currently the worst image we got was the Black Shroud where we received voices such as this isnt even a forest, makes us depressed so dont do it!..... so this time we are particularly into the trees and how the forest is expressed. For processing its also the heaviest area so I would like to test here.
Also for the forest fields trees are they procedural and being built automatically or they manually built?
Y: Its both mixed. Its hybrid but I believe you won't be able to see the pattern. For other regions the grass is basically the same.
For areas Im concerned about zoning and processing to switch areas. How is it going to be?
Y: It wont be different from Final Fantasy XI. When you go to the next area it will change drastically, something like that.
So the current existing areas will be broken up into sections?
Y: yes; for example for the Forest region I think it will be about 4-5 sections. However right now we are only showing beautiful areas but there are places that would make you think Why is this place like this This is right outside of Gridania so when you think youre walking in a beautiful place you will end up in a place thats totally different.
Do you mean like the latest screenshot you released with Ishgards fort being destroyed, why did this happen?
Y: Not sure if it was how I wrote being bad but it was taken in wrong and its not actually entire Ishgard being destroyed. Only Ishgards Fort is destoryed, the main country isnt destoryed. I heard from NA players that They thought they can go but was destoryed but I had it posted so its not that way. You will able to go there. These parts we need to recover. I believe that is also the duty of Final Fantasy XIV reborn.
Is there anything you can talk about beta test at current timing?
Y: Right now it depends on how alpha is completed. So I dont plan on giving specific date. First receive feedbacks and fix what can be fixed then move onto the next step. Cant say alpha in fall, and beta during winter. Its OK to expect both alpha and beta within this year but beta will depend on alpha and as soon as possible.
Also for the release schedule I dont plan on rushing, previously FFXIV launch test was really bad impression for all players and there are many people worried. I would like to start at state where its flawless.
