If you’re a fan of the music in Final Fantasy X, SaGa Frontier 2 or any Final Fantasy XIII title, you’re more than likely familiar with composer Masashi Hamauzu‘s impressionist style. A departure from Nobuo Uematsu’s melodic (almost songwriting) approach to composing for Final Fantasy, Hamauzu employs the piano and strings to great efficacy — evoking ambient joy, tension, or adventure in the games’ locales. Mina, seen performing in the video above, has a voice that permeates Final Fantasy XIII’s soundtrack in songs such as “Will to Fight“.
Their collaborative, IMERUAT, brings other Square Enix talent into the fold such as composer/arranger Mitsuto Suzuki — also known for his work on the Final Fantasy XIII series and The 3rd Birthday. The music video we feature today called “Giant” is from their first music video DVD out on April 24th. No doubt fans of Final Fantasy XIII will be able to see the musical similarities.
For more information on IMERUAT, you can click here. If you want to sample more of IMERAUT’s “Black Ocean” (which includes “Giant”), it’s available here at Wayô Records. You can also purchase the album here.
Bravely Default will be coming to the Nintendo 3DS in 2014 according to the latest Nintendo Direct. Nintendo will be working with Square Enix to publish the game, similar to their relationship with the Dragon Quest series localizations. Bravely Default: Flying Fairy features a classic Final Fantasy job system, with four endearing protagonists and an unforgettable soundtrack. European fans will get the game some time in 2013.
You can watch today’s announcement in Nintendo Direct by clicking here.
No doubt if you caught the aptly-named Letter from the Producer Live VI, you would have seen Magitek armor units marching across the wastes of (what I assume is) Coerthas to the tune of “Terra’s Theme”. The tease that came at the beginning of the live letter with Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn producer Naoki Yoshida. The MMO reboot isn’t limited to Final Fantasy VI references, but will feature a Crystal Tower (Final Fantasy III) raid, a Gold Saucer (Final Fantasy VII) attraction some time after launch.
The pantheon of Final Fantasy summons also return as Primals, and we’ll be expecting to see more of their bestial faces pop up in the future. While Ifrit and Garuda were introduced in instanced fights in Version 1.0, expect to see the likes of Shiva, Odin, and more. Even classic Final Fantasy bosses like Gilgamesh are due for a cameo.
For those of you who enjoy the nostalgic references to the series past in A Realm Reborn, what cameos or features would you love to see and why? Does the inclusion of too many nostalgic references drown out the game’s identity as a new Final Fantasy? Leave us your thoughts in a comment below!
Good morning, early birds! Today is the date for Letter From the Producer Live numero seis. Expect an appearance from Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn director/producer Naoki “Yoshi-P” Yoshida and community manager Toshio “Molbol” Murouchi, as they update us on the status of the game as well as details about the ongoing beta testing. Of course, there’s always a few new reveals for the game’s content — so please look forward to it!
If you’ll be up early this morning or are staying up through the night, you can catch up on the Live Letters by clicking here.
The stream is scheduled to begin at 4:00am Pacific, and you can submit questions to the team by tweeting them here. When the YouTube stream becomes available we will embed it in this post.
We will also be providing translations of the questions answered in the stream in this post, so make sure to check back as the show progresses. After the show concludes, we’ll rehost the live letter when it’s first available.
Q1: What kind of bonuses will players receive by utilizing housing?
A1: By setting up items known as towers at your house, you and your free company members can receive bonuses to things like EXP, the rate in which you acquire gil, and other benefits.
Q2: Will you be able to buy and sell the rights to the land for housing in your bazaar?
A2: Yes. You will also be able to trade them.
Q3: Is it possible to have multiple houses? For example, your main residence is located in Limsa Lominsa, but you have a vacation home in Gridania or Ul’dah.
A3: It really depends on multiple factors, like lag and such, but as long as there are no problems we would like to make it possible to possess multiple houses.
Q4: Could you show us an image of an arcanist or summoner using their skills? (Just a peek!)
A4: We’re planning to release new information right before the start of Beta Test phase 3, so please wait until then.
Q5: In the previous Letter from the Producer Live you mentioned that summoner would make it in time for launch, but will it be possible to play as an arcanist in the open Beta Test?
A5: I don’t believe it will be ready in time for Open Beta; however, we would like to introduce them with a video.
Q6: Are you planning to implement great swords?
A6: We would like to introduce great swords when we implement a new class or job.
Q7: Compared to primal weapons and relic weapons, how strong are you planning to make the weapons from Crystal Tower and the Great Labyrinth of Bahamut?
A7: The way we’ve set it up is so you can use the weapons you obtained through the primal battles to then challenge the Crystal Tower, and then use the weapons you obtain from Crystal Tower to challenge the Great Labyrinth of Bahamut. With that said, the weapons and armor would follow strength in that order. Since there are a lot of primal weapons, we are also creating armor.
Q8: Will you be eliminating open dungeons like Castrum Novum from 1.0 where you could enter without having to make a party?
A8: The things we are calling dungeons will all be instanced dungeons, but that doesn’t mean that all of the dungeons that existed in version 1.0 will be turned into instances. There will be things such as FATE that take place in them.
Q9: Are there any plans for us to be able to go to areas from FINAL FANTASY XIV 1.0 that we were unable to go to such as “Paglth’an?”
A9: There will be some locations you will be able to go to. In addition, even if it doesn’t make it in time for the launch, we’re thinking about adding these new areas in upcoming patches!
Q10: In regards to the weather in A Realm Reborn, what kind of weather will there be? Also, could you tell us any details about how the weather will affect the game?
A10: We’ve prepared sunny, cloudy, clear, rainy, and special weather for each region (for example sand storms and blizzards). We also plan on having weather largely affect fishing.
Q11: Can you show us the weather from a higher point-of-view?
A11: [Yoshida showed off a bit of the weather in-game]
Q12: Could you please tell us the difference between jobs and classes in A Realm Reborn?
A12: Compared to 1.0, we will be placing jobs above classes in terms of their ranking, however, classes will still remain better suited for times that you are leveling up solo, while jobs will be better suited for party content.
Q13: Are there any spots you would like us to pay attention to while in Limsa Lominsa?
A13: The open terraces, for instance. In addition, I would like everyone to enjoy the open atmosphere. It has a much different feel to it compared to the other main cities. We also made changes to the city so it’s easier to move from one location to another (including warp points).
Q14: How many instanced dungeons will there be at launch?
A14: Including the bigger ones, we will be implementing around 16-18 instanced dungeons.
Q15: Will there be a system that will forecast the weather?
A15: That’s something that would be nice to have so we’ll be sure to let the lead know!
Q16: In the previous broadcast, you mentioned that the materia system would be largely changing, but could you tell us some details on this?
A16: The equipment in A Realm Reborn will have sockets, and you will be able to place materia into these sockets without failure. We are calling any attempts to add further materia beyond the set number of sockets “forbidden,” (what we referred to as multiple melding) but if you fail at this in A Realm Reborn you will not lose your equipment. We will also be addressing this so imbalances do not arise with gear that has been melded with multiple materia in version 1.0. We will let you know further information as we move toward release.
Q17: Will we be able to enter instanced dungeons with our chocobo buddy?
A17: We would like everyone to challenge the dungeons with players at launch so you won’t be able to enter the dungeons with your chocobo buddy. However, we do have plans to release the restriction in stages. Please stay tuned!
Q18: You mentioned that there would be tank, caster, and other roles for the chocobo buddy system, but could you tell us some details about the system?
A18: Ultimately feature-wise, the player has the Armoury system and the chocobo’s level will match their master’s level. As the chocobo continues to grow you will be able to acquire points, which you can then use to obtain skills. If you obtain attack-related skills, you can gear more towards an attacker role, while if you focus more on healing skills, your chocobo will become a healer. It will be possible to change their role anytime you wish. One more thing… Up until now we have shown a bunch of different chocobo equipment, but we’d like you to choose what you equip based on how you want your chocobo to look. By setting parameters to chocobo armor, we felt everyone would be equipping the same armor, so we decided to get rid of stats for their armor completely. We’d like you to pick the armor you like the best.
Q19: What’s happened to the arcanist guild?
A19: [Showed the arcanist guild area on the stream]
Q20: Will we be able to craft furniture for housing?
A20: Yes, we have plans for you to be able to craft many, many items. Stay tuned!
Q21: Would you be able to provide us with more information on the ARR Collector’s Edition?
A21: The Collector’s Edition may come with some in-game items… Don’t worry, we do have plans to do something for the 1.0 players that have purchased the original Collector’s Edition!
Q22: Will there be changes to the relic weapon quest in A Realm Reborn? Also, if there are changes and we were in the middle of the quest in 1.0, will we be able to continue?
A22: We are planning to make some simple changes to the content, but your progress status will be saved and we’ll be making sure the efforts you made are not wasted.
Q23: During the previous Producer Letter Live, you showed us artwork for the upcoming PvP gear and some of the artwork had the open face. Will we be able lift the visor for the warrior artifact helmet or put on the hood up for the white mage artifact armor?
A23: You will be able to lift the visor for the warrior helmet, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to put on the hood for the white mage armor.
Q24: Will it be possible to customize or add color to magitek armor?
A24: We are creating them so that they can be customized and colored. We are also thinking about implementing content involving playing with both chocobos and magitek.
Q25: Will we be able to listen to the music that we heard at the start of of the show when you showed the magitek armor in-game?
A25: Generally, the in-game music is created based on the scene. However, with this particular music, Music Director Soken went all out and created it strictly from the images that were released on the blog. Soken mentioned that he has no regrets creating the music! Since the music wasn’t something that we requested, we’ll try to use it if we can find a good fit for it.
Q26: Can the duty finder be used for 4v4 or 8v8 PvP colosseum and other content?
A26: There will be a matching system that can be used.
Q27: How will the primal fights change in ARR?
A27: They will be basically be the same as the fights in version 1.0. However, we will be making some minor tweaks based on the new battle system and the primals will have a larger role in the main scenario.
Q28: Do you plan on adding any random elements to dungeons, such as where monsters and treasure chests spawn, paths, and puzzles?
A28: Currently we are not planning on this, but I don’t believe it is out of the question.
Q29: You have shown us many rewards that we will be able to obtain in ARR. How will crafted gear impact the game?
A29: In ARR, every gear is assigned with an item level. These item levels are also tied with the difficulty of each instanced dungeon. For example, let’s say you challenge a higher-level instanced dungeon without meeting the item level requirement. Players will be able to able to fill the missing item level via crafted items. Also, players will be able to unlock new crafting recipes by completing content. We’ll make sure the crafters will be able to shine in many aspects of the game!
Q30: Will it be possible to watch PvP as a spectator without actually participating?
A30: We are planning to have it so you can view the camera of the players PvPing, but we’re just barely progressing with this, so we will be looking into this as a feature to be released in the future. On a separate note, in order to record in-game content and upload it, we need copyright permission. However, considering the current trends, gameplay videos are quite popular, and we were able to clear all the authority issues with the cooperation of all the related individuals including the songs and voices. Of course, materials cannot be used if they are not A Realm Reborn-related, and when it comes to A Realm Reborn materials, they cannot be used just any way. However, after launch, we’d like to aim at allowing you to have fun and make official gameplay videos. We will be sure to inform you all of details moving forward.
*Since there is a NDA in place, this will not be possible during the Beta Test.
Q31: Will we be able to change the appearance of our characters during the beta phase? Or is this something we can only do at the launch of ARR?
A31: The one-time appearance change will be available only for the launch of ARR.
Q32: When are you planning to switch the Lodestone to the ARR version?
A32: We will most likely switch over to the ARR version some time between phase 3 to phase 4 of the Beta Test.
Q33: What’s the status of Legacy players wishing to add their names to credits?
A33: We will be releasing the sign-up page next week so please stay tuned!
Q34: How much of an impact will the selected guardian have on our characters? Will it be minimal similar to 1.0?
A34: Yes, the impact will be very minimal.
Q35: Could you provide more details on how we will be able to move items between characters on the same account?
A35: While you will be able to move items between different characters on the same account, the feature will be unavailable at the launch of ARR. We will monitor the situation and release the feature once we feel that it’s okay to release.
Q36: Will trains, boats, and airships run on a set schedule? Also, will we be able to see Eorzea from the sky when we ride on airships?
A36: It will basically be the same as it was in 1.0, so unfortunately it will not be possible to view Eorzea from the air.
Q37: Will there be a feature where we can try on equipment?
A37: We are planning for this; however, it will not make it in time for launch, so it will be some time after.
Q38: Since we will be able to change our genders with the launch of ARR, are there any plans for us to be able to exchange the “fire resistant” gear based on the new gender?
A38: We’re currently looking into how we would like to address this.
Q39: Do you plan on making a guild finder (LS finder) type of feature where you can search for an LS that fits your goals?
A39: The feature you are asking has already been implemented on the Lodestone, so we would first like you to utilize that.
Q40: Will you be implementing a feature where you can directly research monsters and item stats from in-game?
A40: No. However, we are looking into a smart phone app, so we’d like you to research it from that.
Q41: In 1.0, the battle music changed based on what area you were in. Are there any plans to do something similar in ARR?
A41: In ARR, each area is tied to a certain musical instrument. While the battle music will be the same, it will have a different feel to it because of the different musical instruments it will be played on.
Q42: For Beta Test phase 3 you’ll be introducing PS3, as well as Ul’dah and Limsa Lominsa, but are there other elements that will be added?
A42: We are planning to add free companies, guildhests, expanding FATE, early stages of the main story, and more dungeons.
Q43: Could you tell us any new information about the specs for the Armoury (Referred to as the “Armoury Board” previously)?
A43: I thought about if there was anything I could tell you, but basically I had to decide between ease of understanding and convenience, and since I decided on convenience the explanation is going to get quite difficult. To give you a simple idea, it’s like a single macro switch. We’d like you all to try it out in Beta Test phase 3, so please be sure to try it out.
Q44: Are there any plans to implement open world content other than FATE?
A44: While FATE will be the only open world content, there are plenty of aspects of FATE that we have not released. Please stay tuned!
Q45: Could you show us any other limit breaks other than the meteor?
A45: While the limit break system will be available from phase 3 of the Beta Test, we’re currently working on a FF-like trailer to highlight the limit break system. Please stay tuned!
Q46: Could you show us how Coerthas and Mor Dhona look in ARR?
A46: Both Coerthas and Mor Dhona will be high-level areas in ARR. You will be able to feel the destruction of the Seventh Umbral Era and the presence of the empire. In addition, the weather will change drastically as you get closer to Ishgard. You will also be able to find dragons within the dungeons. We are planning to release a trailer in the future so please stay tuned!
Q47: It was mentioned before that we could design linkshell and free company crests by putting together different segments, but can you show us what kind of options there will be?
A47: [Showed an image of the various crests]
Recently announced in Japan, Final Fantasy V iOS will soon be making its way to your iOS-powered phone — likely within the next 24 hours. While no official announcement is up yet, touchgameplay revealed a 30-minute video of gameplay starting from the title screen.
You can view the video by expanding the article below.
The game features remastered visuals and an interface conducive to touch-based navigation and selection. Portraits have also been redone, based on artwork by Yoshitaka Amano. Additions from Final Fantasy V Advance will also be included, like the Gladiator, Cannoneer, Oracle and Necromancer jobs. Enuo, an optional boss designed by the game’s original monster designer Tetsuya Nomura, will also be included. The game will also have achievement support through Game Center.
Update: Final Fantasy V iOS will cost $15.99 and is available now on iTunes. An Android version is planned, but will release “some time after summer”.
The city-state of Ul’dah, a sultanate set in the arid south of Aldenard, is one of three major hubs you’ll visit in your adventures in Eorzea. The city itself is bustling and brimming with culture, and Emerald Avenue was the place to be for players of Version 1.0. Today, composer Masayoshi Soken uploaded a sample of the city’s music, as well as the themes you’ll hear as you adventure through Thanalan to its north.
Music in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be a bit different than Version 1.0 or Final Fantasy XI. Aside from city-states where songs repeat ad infinitum, the music will “filter in” as you come across places of interest to immerse you in the world. The team is also planning a wide arrangement of ambient sounds to add even more life to the sights you’ll see and the places you’ll go.
Releasing on Windows PC and Xbox 360 today, Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin is the fifth expansion to Square Enix’s decade-long MMORPG saga. Take to the wilds of Ulbuka as a Geomancer or Rune Fencer, two brand-new jobs. Colonize Ulbuka by setting out from Adoulin to take on the various reive challenges to further your fellow pioneers’ progress.
Service for the expansion pack is scheduled to begin on the evening of March 27th, 2013 Pacific Time.
For those of you looking to buy the Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection -Seekers Edition- on Steam, which includes Seekers of Adoulin, the team updated the official site to say that it may not be available right away at launch. They are working quickly to bring the collection to Steam for fans to purchase as soon as possible. For developments, I recommend following the game’s official English twitter here.
To freshen up on the latest release information, refer to the links below or hit up our “Final Fantasy XI” section in our Coverage column to the right.
Will you be spending some quality time with Seekers of Adoulin this week? What are you most looking forward to playing in the new expansion? Leave us a comment with your thoughts below!
Have you seen this intriguing individual? He refers to himself as an Inspector Extraordinaire and Gentlemanly Hero. No, I assure you it’s not yours truly, but a denizen of Eorzea. He’s wanted on innumerable counts of breaking-and-entering, identity theft, and disturbing the sound curfew with what we assume is a rigid calisthenics routine. Where in the seven hells does the noise come from!? It’s a wonder he hasn’t ruined that dapper getup after all this time…
This charlatan was last seen “investigating” the events surrounding the Seventh Umbral Era about five years ago, accompanied by a Miqo’te lass who is more than likely his partner in crime. Last seen near the Coffer & Coffin, it seems he’s been on the lam ever since. I questioned an adventurer sporting fashionable earrings about his current whereabouts, sure to press for the finest details, but all they could do was point a vapid stare into Dalamud’s fire.
No doubt he has won over new conspirators in the five years that have elapsed. What do people find so compelling about an inspector who can’t even find his own eyebrows!? Others I’ve questions have pointed out that we look as if we brothers! The nerve! We look nothing alike!
Should you find yourself wandering through the wilds of Eorzea or drowning yourself in liquor and company in Ul’dah, know that a respectable cut of gil awaits you for any information regarding his whereabouts. A little blue bird told me he might be sending messages to his supporters here, but it warrants a further look. Until then, I remain in Gridania for the foreseeable future — until I’ve purged all the Woodsin from my bones for crushing a ladybug under my chocobo’s talon.
Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 will see new life on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, thanks to a new set of HD remasters that will make their way to North American shores this year. Re-releasing for the HD generation, these games will feature updated character models and assets, as well as the International content that remained Japan-exclusive until now.
The PlayStation 3 version will include both games on one Blu-ray disc, while the PlayStation Vita versions will be sold separately. Every version will support the trophy system on the PlayStation Network, so be prepared to hunker down and spend some quality time with each title.
For the debut announcement from producer Yoshinori Kitase, as well as some screenshots from the game, click here. For a look at the International content that will be included in these releases, check out my write-up here.
Now that you’ve seen the game in motion, albeit briefly, how does it stack up to the screenshots or the original version of the game? Will you be purchasing them for PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita (or both)? What features of an HD remastering do you think are essential?
Join Square Enix North America’s Matt “Bayohne” Hilton, Morten Haugaard, and David Yang for the PAX East Final Fantasy XI+XIV panel, scheduled to begin on the top of the hour. The subject will include Square Enix’s two upcoming MMOs, especially the Seekers of Adoulin launch next week and A Realm Reborn this year. The team will be debuting some new art from the game, so stay tuned for surprises!
Final Fantasy Series 25th Anniversary
- Morten Thor Haugaard takes the stage!
- The panel begins with a retrospective of the numbered Final Fantasy titles.
Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin
- Matt “Bayohne” Hilton takes the stage!
- A preface of Seekers of Adoulin, out next Tuesday.
- Matt outlines the Geomancer, a unit that relies on party buffs and debuffs through Geocolure and Indicolure spells.
- The Rune Fencer is next, a class that uses runes elemental resistances as a tool to tank for the party.
- The launch trailer for Seekers of Adoulin is shown. (You can watch the JP version here in the meantime.)
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
- Morten Haugaard takes the stage, thanking players for sticking with the game thusfar.
- A message from Yoshi-P is played live for the audience.
- Morten walks us through the story of A Realm Reborn.
- The three pillars of the story include the Primals, the Empire, and the Grand Companies. Beastmen summon the Primals (Eidolons) into Eorzea as they worship them as gods, but consume the planet’s aether (a kind of lifeforce tied to crystals) to do so. The Garlean Empire launches a ruthless invasion into Eorzea to put a stop to the beastmen. The Grand Companies (and Free Companies by extension) of Eorzea, of which the player character can ally, band together to fight the Empire. The story will revolve around the crystals as the “lifeblood” of the planet.
- The team is looking into incorporating many summons from the series as Primals in Final Fnatasy XIV.
- Morten explains the Armoury system, with different jobs like Warrior, White Mage, and Black Mage.
- The team shows off a new equipment set for a Disciple of Magic, and a chocobo(?) set of gear that looks hilarious.
- Airships and chocobos will be featured as a mode of transportation, the former will shuttle you between city-states.
- Chocobos will fight alongside you, and can be customized through their barding (armor). Chocobos will be able to tank, deal damage, or heal.
- Some Final Fantasy VII references (that are not hinted at yet) have yet to be revealed!
- Matt shows off the gamepad UI that will be implemented in beta phase 2, which will also work for the PS3 version.
- The benchmark trailer for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is shown. (You can watch that here.)
- Limit Breaks, a system where players can charge up a special meter in a party, will be fully revealed later.
Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD
- The trailer was censored on stream, but will go live on March 25th. More about the game here.
