Recently completing the PSP remake of Tactics Ogre, Square-Enix director Yasumi “Yazmat” Matsuno may be known to Final Fantasy fans for directing Final Fantasy Tactics and Final Fantasy XII prior to a hiatus. Japanese game journo site 4gamer recently posted a new interview with the creator of Ivalice, in which he divulges some of his personal influences and style, as well as commenting on some of the pressures of directing a mainline Final Fantasy title. NeoGAF member “FINALFANTASYDOG” provides some translations of the new interview, which you can read by following the link below.
Of interest is his comments about the production of Final Fantasy XII. He likens working on a mainline Final Fantasy title as development that is very “democratic” in the sense that many members of the development team pitch ideas to each other, and then a general group consensus moves certain design decisions forward. There was also a pressure to deliver a AAA title that will sell for millions, which is something that Matsuno had not previously undertaken. He cites that development at Quest (the studio he worked at before Square aquired them in 2002 and after he, Hiroshi Minagawa, and Akihiko Yoshida had left for Square) was more of a “kind dictatorship” implying that development on games had a strong top-down decision making structure that was less open to feedback from developers lower on the food chain.
■ Read 4gamer interview translations.
■ Read original article (Japanese).
In this episode, we’re treated to an interview with Final Fantasy XIV art director Akihiko Yoshida, who previously lent his talents to titles such as Final Fantasy XII, and Final Fantasy Tactics. Yoshida explains how he adapted from working on a standalone game to a game where he will have to dynamically add new art assets and content. He also explains that the design of Eorzea was made in a way that was realistic and to encourage adventuring. This included designs down to the smallest detail. You can watch for yourself below!