Director, Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Talking FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered with YOSHINORI KITASE // Meme Review
Subscribe: https://goo.gl/M5qJyN We sit down with FINAL FANTASY Legend YOSHINORI KITASE to talk about FINAL FANTASY ...
Transcript (89 segments)
T
Tom0:01
Wow, looks good.
K
Kabukin0:03
Can you see Squall's face? I saw it! (laughs) Cool!
T
Tom0:08
Let's watch it again.
K
Kabukin0:11
Oh!
T
Tom0:18
Hello everyone! I'm Tom.
K
Kabukin0:20
Kabukin here.
T
Tom0:21
We've arrived! Gamescom 2019!
K
Kabukin0:24
I'm really nervous again.
T
Tom0:26
Nervous again?
K
Kabukin0:27
I'm nervous. I've been in this situation several times, but I can't relax. Every time...
T
Tom0:34
Big guest.
K
Kabukin0:35
Yes!
T
Tom0:36
Let's introduce right away. This is Kitase-san. Please!
Y
Yoshinori Kitase0:39
Yes, nice to meet you!
K
Kabukin0:41
Already a regular on Edamame...
T
Tom0:43
How many times?
We have many things to ask, while you're busy... At E3, we talked a lot about FF7 Remake. Today, we'd like to talk about 'FFVIII Remastered', whose release date was announced.
Y
Yoshinori Kitase1:06
Thank you!
T
Tom1:07
Actually, we played it!
Y
Yoshinori Kitase1:09
Oh, really?
T
Tom1:09
Yes!
We immediately have many questions...
Y
Yoshinori Kitase1:13
That too, but the announcement that it's coming out immediately was surprising. Surprisingly, for users, it was like 'It's coming out already'... After announcing, only a few months have passed and it's like 'here you go'... Pre-orders have already started, so...
K
Kabukin1:29
It ended up being like closing words (laughs).
Y
Yoshinori Kitase1:31
That's how it is.
T
Tom1:33
Before, when we first asked various questions in Tokyo, at that time, we briefly talked about FFVIII. For this remaster, in order to let new generations enjoy VIII's story again, somehow... VIII's story has speed-up and other additional elements this time. What was the thinking behind that?
Y
Yoshinori Kitase1:59
Yes, well, VIII... at that time, for the series, after making VII, we had established many RPG conventions, but as game creators, we had a rebellious spirit to create something new. So, VIII had many innovative systems like the trigger system and salary system instead of earning money from monsters. Because of that, it was too novel 20 years ago, and the old common sense didn't apply, making it difficult to play. Now, with the remaster and accumulated guide information online, we hope that even those who found it difficult back then can play easily.
T
Tom3:47
But, it feels like cheating... Is it really okay like this?
Y
Yoshinori Kitase3:55
The remaster series has others besides VIII. Popular cheat... can I call it cheat? So, an assist system for battles was created. It's much more playable than 20 years ago. You can play at triple speed, turn off encounters. Turn off encounters is a debug feature in development.
K
Kabukin4:18
Oh, I see.
Y
Yoshinori Kitase4:20
Well, in a sense, it's official now. Also, battle enhancements like always being able to use special moves are available.
K
Kabukin4:31
We were excited about that the whole time. Yesterday, we were both timing it... This time, many might enjoy the story by speeding up. Above all, the graphics were amazing. Like this.
Y
Yoshinori Kitase4:50
Yes. We were both looking at Squall facing this way... It exceeded our expectations... felt like a brush-up. This time, almost... yes. Actually, initially, even without enhancing graphics, since FFVIII isn't easily playable on current hardware, we started with just porting it to current-gen consoles. But player environments have changed over 20 years, with HD monitors, so a direct port was difficult. So, we decided to update the graphics, especially characters. Backgrounds and cutscenes are fine, but characters, due to PS1 limitations, looked rough on modern monitors. Fortunately, the original character model staff were still with the company, so they did the update with quality guaranteed.
T
Tom6:27
Fantastic. We only played for 10 minutes, so we want to see more. There's a community topic about Squall's face being rough despite being called handsome. That image has been used for 20 years.
Y
Yoshinori Kitase6:59
That's getting its revenge after 20 years.
K
Kabukin7:02
That went viral. That image is circulating again. We won't let it be used as a punchline.
T
Tom7:13
I didn't expect to hear that story. The graphics are prettier and there are additions, but is the story unchanged?
Y
Yoshinori Kitase7:23
Yes, it's unchanged. I directed VIII, focusing on the story and events, so I want people to see the story as it was. Please play without triple speed during events or cutscenes.
T
Tom7:54
So, triple speed during movement, but not for battles? That's forbidden?
Y
Yoshinori Kitase8:04
Forbidden!
T
Tom8:05
Finally, please give a message to fans.
Y
Yoshinori Kitase8:09
I'm producing FF7 Remake, but 'FFVIII Remastered' releases on September 3rd. Please enjoy this masterpiece after 20 years. Thank you!
T
Tom8:31
Ready?
K
Kabukin8:32
Of course!
T
Tom8:33
We'll play 'FFVIII Remastered' on Nintendo Switch!
K
Kabukin8:36
Look at this graphic! It's so beautiful!
T
Tom8:41
Wow, looks good.
K
Kabukin8:43
Can you see Squall's face?
T
Tom8:44
I saw it! (laughs) Cool!
K
Kabukin8:48
Let's watch it again.
T
Tom8:51
Oh!
K
Kabukin8:55
Yes, he is handsome.
T
Tom8:59
Let's try a summon or magic.
K
Kabukin9:03
Oh! Diamond Dust!
T
Tom9:07
It's Shiva's move.
K
Kabukin9:13
Yay! Nice!
T
Tom9:27
Speed up!
K
Kabukin9:40
Oh!
T
Tom9:42
Looks good!
K
Kabukin9:47
This movie scene, no matter when you see it, it's impressive.
T
Tom10:00
I didn't know where to press!
K
Kabukin10:05
Get it together!
T
Tom10:06
I really didn't know!
K
Kabukin10:11
Will you try?
T
Tom10:13
Go ahead and try.
K
Kabukin10:15
I don't know which button...
T
Tom10:20
See?
K
Kabukin10:21
I give up!
T
Tom10:33
Yay! Yes!
K
Kabukin10:43
Let's try triple speed.
T
Tom10:52
Yes! Perfect!
K
Kabukin10:56
It looks like a completely different game.
T
Tom10:58
But it's convenient when you don't have time.
K
Kabukin11:04
That was wonderful!
T
Tom11:06
The graphics...
K
Kabukin11:08
Some might think it's just minor improvements, but it's overwhelming.
T
Tom11:13
Exceeded expectations! Squall's face is clearly visible!
K
Kabukin11:19
And it releases next week!
T
Tom11:22
Hard to believe it's already on September 3rd.
K
Kabukin11:28
The graphics excitement hasn't faded!
T
Tom11:30
Can't wait!
K
Kabukin11:31
Plus, new triple speed mode and battle enhancements like always-usable special moves, full of fun additions.
T
Tom11:46
Looking forward to the release.
K
Kabukin11:48
Definitely buying!
T
Tom11:50
Easy to play on Nintendo Switch too!
K
Kabukin11:53
So, that's the introduction of 'FFVIII Remastered'!
T
Tom11:55
Like and subscribe!
K
Kabukin12:03
Edamame Arcade Channel!
T
Tom12:06
Subscribe please!