Via
Noisy Pixel
The official Square Enix blog recently posted a brief Q&A with various
Visions of Mana staff, answering fans’ questions.
In particular, the following staff participated:
- Mana Series Producer, Masaru Oyamada
- Director, Ryosuke Yoshida (NetEase Games OUKA STUDIOS)
- Director, Kenji Ozawa (NetEase Games OUKA STUDIOS)
- Sound Director, Yasuhiro Yamanaka
- Story Director, Taku Morise
- Designer Nohara Hayashi
One significant question asked what non-
Mana games inspired the developers of
Visions of Mana and whether any of the principal designers were born after the Super Famicom release of the original
Trials of Mana.
Interestingly, director Ozawa answered that the
Xenoblade series inspired the creation of
Visions of Mana’s vast world. He didn’t delve into this topic, but it’s neat to see how far
Xenoblade has come.
You can view the quoted question and response below:
What non-Mana games served as inspiration for the developers working on Visions of Mana? Were any of the principal designers born after the Super Famicom release of Seiken Densetsu 3 (the original Trials of Mana)? – @Elainevanepps on X
In terms for creating a vast world that is important for an RPG, the Xenoblade series was one source of inspiration.
Also, the animism-like values developed through being born and raised in Japan may have been the starting point for “a lively screen where elementals shape the nature and world”. I think that the idea was quickly accepted by members outside the story team too.
It’s true that some young members of the development team were born the same year as the launch of Seiken Densetsu 3!
Director, Kenji Ozawa (NetEase Games OUKA STUDIOS)
You can view the
full Square Enix blog post for additional questions and responses.
