"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
This page is a summary of FAQ section that was once temporarily placed due to hundreds of inquiries arising from unexpected media coverages of Jan/18/2005 about Soraya's leaving Xenosaga series. Answers were offered only for the purpose of clearing so many misunderstandings. Soraya and this site have no intention of announcing the answers loudly.
1. Soraya noted "Soraya has quit this series. No questions please." in very small fonts on her job history page in this site January 1st, 2005. She used the word "quit" for "to depart from", but not for "to abandon". It was simply her current job status.
2. January 19, 2005 morning (JST), Soraya received some threatening E-mails from upset people. Mails accused Soraya as if she were the traitor, deserter deserved to die.
3. Soraya wondered how the situation suddenly happend. An E-mail from North America has kindly let her know that several game-news sites reported her leaving. Some of those sites brought somewhat misleading views, without any confirmation of the facts.
4. Soraya decided to give answers to most frequently questions. The following are the summary of answers.
Leaving was not Soraya's decision. Soraya was told goodbye same as in the case of other Episode I artists including Mr. Yasunori Mitsuda, Mr. Kunihiko Tanaka, and the Mr. you-know-who. (Please do not ask Soraya who he is.)
Soraya is a freelance artist.
There was no particular reason behind the displacement of old artists. The new director of Xenosaga II/III just wants the saga all new.
The official advertisement says the new saga will have new sounds, new designs (as seen in Epsode II) and more easier story to read (as seen in the disc 2 of the Episode II).
Soraya and Tetsuya Takahashi were marginally involved in the Episode II by contributing the first version of the script. (It was not a plot outline but a complete script including actual characters' lines.)
Soraya's last contribution to the saga was the first version of the script for the Episode II and rewrites of The Pied Piper. (The game for Vodafone sold in Japan 2004)
The shortened/adapted script of the Episode II is by Monolithsoft.
You can see Soraya's mark she left to the Episode II in:
The conversation between Juli and Ziggy
Momo Encephalon (In first version, It was not Juli's idea of destroying Momo's memory, but a subcommitteeman's. Juli hesitated.)
The story about U.R.T.V. (with the exception of the chapters after Momo Encephalon and young Albedo's verbal abuse/violent acts against Sakura. They were added by Monolithsoft.)
Albedo's short speech about the higher dimension. (His last words "You look like you lost your sweetheart ... anyway I hate you both" were added by Monolithsoft.)
Soraya doesn't know what the story of the Episode III will be like. The new writer of the Episode III will write a new story in his style. (The chapters after Momo Encephalon and Disc 2 are his style.)
The new team has the right to change or ignore Takahashi's plot outline.
Soraya and Takahashi have been willing to help the new team if requested.
Soraya can not comment on Takahashi's current status.
Soraya wrote approximately half of of the script for the Episode I. She is responsible for:
Ziggy and his family, Voyager, Momo, Mizrahis, Godwins, Yuriev, U.R.T.V.s, and the part of Shion during her stay in Durandal and the Kookai Foundation
Soraya is not an expensive artist.
Soraya has created no delay.
The parent company is not responsible to the changeover.
The Episode II had the same amount of budget as the Episode I.
The first version of the script by Soraya and Takahashi was not religiously or politically sensitive. It had just harmless chapters like:
Ziggy's past history (as seen in The Pied Piper)
U.R.T.V.'s past history (as seen in the Episode II)
Shion's past history with Febronia (removed)
Jr's rapid growing (removed)
Both juvenile and grown-up Jr. switching available in the battle (removed)
The ghost of the old Miltia (removed)
The death of Sakura (removed)
Brief reunion with grown-up Citrine (removed)
Gaignun vs Zohar emulators (removed)
Jr.'s transformation/overdrive (removed)
Jr. & Albedo vs U-DO vs KOS-MOS 3rd armament (removed)
Shion's spiritual seeking/witnessing/awakening (removed)
The truth about KOS-MOS (removed)
Conversation between chaos and the red cloak man (removed)
Conversation between Nephilim and the boy with the blocks (removed)
An antimatter annihilation of Albedo (removed)
Removed chapter/events were rejected/deleted subjects. It's highly unlikely to be shown in the future Episode.
Soraya has no intention of playing for attention. No one has to pay attention to this.
Soraya has no option to come back. And she knows well the saga no longer needs Saga.
A message from Soraya
Thank you all who sent us heartwarming messages. I loved the Xeno universe and its wonderful fan base, that's what I'll miss the most. Forget about good old days and enjoy whole new saga.
Best wishes.
