Kingdom Hearts 3 Ultimania - Yasue Interview Translated
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- Published on April 26, 2019 @ 05:07 pm
- Written by Sign
goldpanner has translated Co-Director Tai Yasue's interview from the KINGDOM HEARTS 3 Ultimania!
Q: When development began, what kinds of requests did you receive from director Tetsuya Nomura?
A: "I want you to make theme part attractions," and "I want to play LCD handheld games," and "I want to pilot robots in the Toy Story world," and the like. He had a lot of requests. Nomura often comes out with completely unexpected requests, but once we actually try making them, they fit perfectly into the world of KH and make the game all the more exciting. So, I put my faith in his vision and hit the ground running without second guessing.
Q: Did you find the simultaneous release of the the PS4 version, Xbox One version, and international versions tough?
A: The PS4 and Xbox One perform differently, plus top of the range models exist for both, so in order to bring out the best performance and quality on each machine, the programming and technical artist teams worked together to decide on specs and optimization. For the international version, once Disney had checked the translated scenario, English voice work needed to be recorded and English facial animations needed to be made. But since progress was simultaneous with the Japanese version, we only had a very short time to focus on it. It was stressful right up to the end. There were many passionate discussions about how to finish about ten hours of cutscenes without a drop in quality. We finished it just in time.
Q: Were there any elements from KH0.2 that you used in the production of KH3?
A: From KH0.2, we got feedback about the situation command implementation and the way the player characters actions connect. In KH3, we implemented several kinds of commands with time limits, such as the Form Changes and Grand Magic. The prototype of that system was something we trialled and worked on for KH0.2. Then, we also received feedback from some KH0.2 players who wanted us to improve Aqua's responsiveness. In practical terms, we made it easier to dodge after attacking or using Air Slide after jumping and other such chain moves by having a button to press to instantly move into the next action. We brought the feel of those controls to KH3. The action in the KH series is continuously evolving: the responsiveness of button presses get better with every new title.
Q: What was the hardest thing about your dealings with Disney and Pixar?
A: I think you can make something good much quicker if you can speak openly rather than sugarcoat your opinions. During development we had positive exchanges of opinion with Disney, but as both we and the creators on their side are very serious about our craft, sometimes we had different ways of thinking. Whenever this happened, I would take what we wanted to do and what we knew Disney thought was important, and I would go directly to them to talk in frank and concrete terms, or send an email if that wasn't possible. If I felt I was having a hard time expressing my feelings via text in an email, I'd put the parts I wanted to emphasize in big red letters, trying to make it as easy to understand as possible (laughs).
Q: What led you to add Keyblade transformations?
A: Lingering Will, the KHIIFM secret boss, transformed his Keyblade, and that was what gave birth to the idea of Sora changing the shape of his. First, we felt it was very important to make the transformations easy to see, and to make the battle game play for each transformation obviously different. So, the motto of our weekly character action test meetings was "more flashy, more dynamic," which led us to add more action to the transformations. However, this would cause our workload to inflate. For example, when the movement of Favorite Deputy became more powerful than we had expected, we had to go back to the already finished Hero's Origin and boost its action and effects too… Plus, once we'd finish work on a Keyblade transformation, next we'd have to make it so you could switch through three of them using the direction pad during a combo, and other new factors that kept being added. It happened over and over. Usually that way of working is extremely aggravating, but our staff had open hearts and positive minds and did their very best for me. Thanks to that we were able to make something good in the end.
Q: The most-used world in the series, Olympus, appears here again. Did you stress over differentiating it from past iterations?
A: I wanted to add some gameplay that would be brand new for that world, but I didn't really stress about it. The concept for the maps this time was "spacious vertically, not just horizontally," so the god-tier sense of scale on Mt Olympus was an ideal setting. When development began and we started work on the Olympus world, that was the birth of several gameplay features that made use of verticality, such as dive attacks and wall running.
Q: How did you select the characters for links?
A: Regarding links: During talks with Disney, we were asked to stop calling characters from other worlds into whichever world Sora was currently in. But, that meant we wouldn't be able to make a summon technique like past titles. So, we went with the premise that a connection with Sora's heart calls the characters forth as magic. I thought combining them with magic would have the most impact, so we settled on having "Simba+Fire" and "Ariel+Water" and the like.
Q: What policies did you have working on the Gummi ship, which received a massive power up?
A: The concept was being able to adventure anywhere in 360 degrees in space. The Gummi ship in past titles mainly involved shooting game style battles, but this time we wanted to emphasize exploration too, not just battling, which changed the gameplay completely. We put so many different features in: Gummi blocks you can use to build your own ship, blueprints, treasure, Gummi missions. You can explore it all thoroughly at your own pace. In the late stages of development, we had staff play the Gummi ship over for us a few times, and we did a survey to help us adjust the balance and improve the quality. There was someone who spent two weeks making various dog kennel Gummi ships (laughs). I teased them saying it was a waste of their creativity and artistic sense, so they spent the next week making various bird nests. I felt the strength of everyone's desire to make what they wanted, and the magic of the freedom of customization.
Q: Tell us how you decided on the plan to connect to the smartphone game KH Union Cross.
A: I wanted the scenes in the Keyblade Graveyard to be one exciting development after another, so I proposed a plan to borrow strength from KH Union Cross players and shoot a massive number of Keyblades at the Devil's Wave. Part of it was also that I wanted to create a huge command that surpassed the very limits of the system, as the culmination of the situation commands that were so integral to KH3. But when the staff in charge decided on the system and the direction and actually made it, I was shocked. It was even more exciting than I had imagined. The battle director and I just put our heads in our hands. If we put something so flashy before the final world, then what on earth were we going to do for the finishing scene of final boss Master Xehanort? In the end we went with something completely different for Master Xehanort to contrast it. I hope you enjoy the difference.
Q: What would you like players to see in this game?
A: It's the big powerful features that tend to draw the eye, like Keyblade transformations and Attraction Flow. But the truth is, we have packed even tiny things with careful detail. For example: little conversations between characters, lucky emblems and ingredients hidden in unexpected spots, the way attack effects aren't simple explosions but actually change to fit the aesthetic of each world… I think if you pay attention to those kinds of things as you play, the game will be even more interesting.
Q: Were there any ideas that didn't work out?
A: In the Flantastic Seven mini game where you try to snap photos of the Orange Flan at the right time, there's a flan who makes a brilliant dive from a tree and splats onto the ground, transforming into a pancake. Actually, in our first plan, that flan was going to be a monjayaki (TN: a savory, pan-fried batter) rather than a pancake. But as we calmly reviewed the plan, we realized making the flan smoosh apart on the ground to turn into the monjayaki would cause a lot of issues, so we changed it into a delicious looking pancake topped with fruit. The flan is still a weird creature, but I think perhaps it is more charming turning into a dessert pancake.
Q: A message for the fans, please.
A: The theme of the KH series is "connections of the heart." During work on KHIII, I felt the strength that comes from connecting with all kinds of people - not just inside the game, but in real life. The warm support I have received from fans especially gives me energy, and I believe it's thanks to that that I was able to run at full strength from the beginning to the end of development. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
Secret of this title that only he knows:
To make Attraction Flows really feel like you're on a theme park ride, in the early stages of development we used a first person camera view. We had a few different people play it, and it was poorly received. So, we changed it to a camera looking down from above. However, actually, even now if you press R3 on the spinning cop, merry go round or splash mountain, you can switch to first person view. If you want to experience it, please by all means check it out. But be careful of motion sickness…
COMMENTS
Well that explains why the summons outside Meow Wow appeared ethereal and transparent. Might also explain why the new PoH subplot didnt go anywhere. Thar would require the new princesses leaving their worlds.
Regarding links: During talks with Disney, we were asked to stop calling characters from other worlds into whichever world Sora was currently in.
Yeouch.
Disney being still this gung-ho about not wanting to cross characters isn't a good sign.
Come on, you're okay with Mickey beating up Cerberus and Shan Yu, Maleficent having tea time with Hades and Donald and Goofy getting literally everywhere but can't go any further that that?
Well that explains why the summons outside Meow Wow appeared ethereal and transparent. Might also explain why the new PoH subplot didnt go anywhere. Thar would require the new princesses leaving their worlds.
I imagine leaving the world (and going to an OC world) is fine, the thing they don't want is a Disney character from one film being in the world of another, even then it's clear they make some exceptions (DG, MP, etc). It seems an odd sticking point to me though, especially since the series already did it just fine in the past. But knowing this at least will help curb some expectations in the future I suppose.
I don't know what people expected from the NSH though. Like... did people want them to get kidnapped or something? I feel like it was clear from the start that they'd be used as motivators for the good guys to gather their lights and KH3 was more about setting up the concept of there being new pure lights than them being integral to the plot of KH3
Come on, you're okay with Mickey beating up Cerberus and Shan Yu
Maybe they aren't anymore. Maybe that's why that feature also didn't return.
I imagine leaving the world (and going to an OC world) is fine, the thing they don't want is a Disney character from one film being in the world of another, even then it's clear they make some exceptions (DG, MP, etc). It seems an odd sticking point to me though, especially since the series already did it just fine in the past. But knowing this at least will help curb some expectations in the future I suppose.
I don't know what people expected from the NSH though. Like... did people want them to get kidnapped or something? I feel like it was clear from the start that they'd be used as motivators for the good guys to gather their lights and KH3 was more about setting up the concept of there being new pure lights than them being integral to the plot of KH3
Maybe they aren't anymore. Maybe that's why that feature also didn't return.
It also makes sense as to why Maleficent and Pete didn't interact with the Disney villains as before they would make an alliance with them but in KH3 that's non-existent here. The more I think about the more I could see why Agrabah wasn't put in for the King of Thieves plotline as the Oracle would've cause problem for the guideline set up by Disney. Though I could be wrong about that overall at least we know the reason for this change.
It also makes sense as to why Maleficent and Pete didn't interact with the Disney villains as before they would make an alliance with them but in KH3 that's non-existent here. The more I think about the more I could see why Agrabah wasn't put in for the King of Thieves plotline as the Oracle would've cause problem for the guideline set up by Disney. Though I could be wrong about that overall at least we know the reason for this change.
I don’t think the Oracle would have gone against their guidelines. This is mostly about avoiding character interaction to protect the image of their individual brands.
Agrabah probably wasn’t on their priority list of worlds they wanted to feature.
I imagine leaving the world (and going to an OC world) is fine, the thing they don't want is a Disney character from one film being in the world of another, even then it's clear they make some exceptions (DG, MP, etc). It seems an odd sticking point to me though, especially since the series already did it just fine in the past. But knowing this at least will help curb some expectations in the future I suppose.
I don't know what people expected from the NSH though. Like... did people want them to get kidnapped or something? I feel like it was clear from the start that they'd be used as motivators for the good guys to gather their lights and KH3 was more about setting up the concept of there being new pure lights than them being integral to the plot of KH3
Maybe they aren't anymore. Maybe that's why that feature also didn't return.
Would Disney approve of the princess interacting with each other though? Because those things would happen if world crossovers were allowed
Would Disney approve of the princess interacting with each other though? Because those things would happen if world crossovers were allowed
I think it's largely the worlds of the films that they are concerned about. Otherwise stuff like Scrooge and Remi wouldn't have happened either. If the princesses were brought to an original world, I'm sure it would have been fine.
Q: How did you select the characters for links? A: Regarding links: During talks with Disney, we were asked to stop calling characters from other worlds into whichever world Sora was currently in. But, that meant we wouldn't be able to make a summon technique like past titles. So, we went with the premise that a connection with Sora's heart calls the characters forth as magic. I thought combining them with magic would have the most impact, so we settled on having "Simba+Fire" and "Ariel+Water" and the like.
Yikes.
A shame about the links. I still have hope John Lasseter's ouster from Disney will mean they'll impose less restraint again. KH3 was the only game in the series that had involved him because of the PIXAR movies + Frozen / Tangled / BH6. He had an obsession with having his hand in every basket at Disney (including merchandise, the parks, etc.), something people prior to him did not do and hopefully the people in charge after him won't do either.
Disney: "You're no longer allowed to summon Disney characters into other properties."
Tai Yasue: "But what if we set them on fire?"
A shame about the links. I still have hope John Lasseter's ouster from Disney will mean they'll impose less restraint again. KH3 was the only game in the series that had involved him because of the PIXAR movies + Frozen / Tangled / BH6. He had an obsession with having his hand in every basket at Disney (including merchandise, the parks, etc.), something people prior to him did not do and hopefully the people in charge after him won't do either.
Jennifer Lee doesn’t seem like the type to be so hyper-involved like Lasseter, but we’ll see with future games. Kingdom Hearts is no longer off of their radar, and with KH3 beating out the first game in sales, it’s sure to have at least a few executives buzzing how to capitalize on its success. That means potential for more involvement on their end, for better or worse.
Disney: "You're no longer allowed to summon Disney characters into other properties."
Tai Yasue: "But what if we set them on fire?"
Ironically, if I recall correctly in another interview it was said that the reason why Disney didn't care about Simba is because the moment they made him a fire lion Disney was like "Ok, he's different enough, we'll just pretend he's not Simba".
Guess I'm not too upset with how the links turned out. Even if they are altered and don't speak they are still technically there. Which is better than omitting them entirely
But the truth is, we have packed even tiny things with careful detail. For example: little conversations between characters
Oh...
I think you can make something good much quicker if you can speak openly rather than sugarcoat your opinions. During development we had positive exchanges of opinion with Disney, but as both we and the creators on their side are very serious about our craft, sometimes we had different ways of thinking. Whenever this happened, I would take what we wanted to do and what we knew Disney thought was important, and I would go directly to them to talk in frank and concrete terms, or send an email if that wasn't possible.
When passionate artists or teamates on a project get heated. Working in groups can get difficult sometimes. Bless you Yasue.
Guess I'm not too upset with how the links turned out. Even if they are altered and don't speak they are still technically there. Which is better than omitting them entirely
Ironically, if I recall correctly in another interview it was said that the reason why Disney didn't care about Simba is because the moment they made him a fire lion Disney was like "Ok, he's different enough, we'll just pretend he's not Simba".
Legal loopholes, never fails. At least it kinda shows that there's workarounds and hopefully not some huge brick wall that can't be destroyed.
Actually this should make it even more clear for people who felt this game was too Disney this time around, if it wasn't clear enough. But the summon thing is weird, it's been a thing for a while.
I think Disney's mentality about this has more cons than pros. The films already don't cross-over in terms of settings, KH is the perfect series to allow that kind of stuff to happen without affecting the brands.
I never got the impression that the "integrity" of each world is being maintained via this policy, only that opportunities are being missed.
Its a bit sad that Disney is that protective about their movies and its characters. Hopefully the success (and the money) that KH3 brought my make them change it a bit. Otherwise it might just be better to have older disney movies in the game, maybe they dont care that much about them then..
Its a bit sad that Disney is that protective about their movies and its characters. Hopefully the success (and the money) that KH3 brought my make them change it a bit. Otherwise it might just be better to have older disney movies in the game, maybe they dont care that much about them then..
If that's the case, it'd be kinda funny because I think those are the ones that fans would want the most, like Treasure Planet.
But then again, we're talking about movies like Frozen here -- probably the biggest Disney (not talking Marvel or Star Wars) movie in recent memory. Like kids knew the songs word for word, Elsa and Anna were popular Halloween costumes, birthday parties had cosplayers show up as the characters... This movie was a monster. So it makes complete sense for big wigs at Disney who probably don't really know or understand Kingdom Hearts to be hesitant with a movie like that. Toy Box seemed perfectly fine, same with Monstropolis and The Caribbean. San Fransokyo turned out really well too. I wish it wasn't like that, but I completely see why Disney would want creative control when it comes to certain worlds and characters.
As for why they're all of a sudden hesitant with summons now, idunno man, that's weird. Like that sounds like an issue you'd have in KH1, not at the most highly anticipated saga finale that's bound to break sales records. Especially when Simba's been a summon in the first game and we went to his world in the second numbered title.
It goes to show though that there's a lot of loose ends that needs to be dealt with when making a Kingdom Hearts game, so when people were complaining about the lack of a release date, this is probably a part of why things get held up. I hope for the next title, Disney loosens their grip, because I'm sure we could see some real cool stuff happen once they do.
I want to throw hands with whoever decided that with summons, but mostly because I wonder if that means if Sora ever meets Ralph if they will remember each other like Simba and Mushu or not? I actually liked the aesthetic of them being made of elements a lot. And it was a nice excuse to use mermaid Ariel again.
I forgot that Lassetter being gone could mean some changes (good). Honestly though, this is the first thing I have heard in a while about Disney being involved that actually was negative. I still think the Disney characters and scenarios felt more Disney than they have since KH1. Even with stuff like Frozen having admittedly silly restrictions around it. But it was still better than what the KH team did on their own with the Pride Lands lol, soooooo I can't say I am upset about the idea of Disney still being heavily involved.
I think Disney's mentality about this has more cons than pros. The films already don't cross-over in terms of settings, KH is the perfect series to allow that kind of stuff to happen without affecting the brands.
I never got the impression that the "integrity" of each world is being maintained via this policy, only that opportunities are being missed.
I suppose I have also always felt this way as well, but I am not surprised to hear this is how they feel as they really haven't crossed any actual worlds over other than Mickey and friends with any of the other.
I do think they would be fine the princesses interacting in an original world or something. As Audo pointed out, Remy was allowed to do stuff in Twilight Town.
I don't think it would be a problem for Disney Princess to crossover in an original movie considering Wreck-it Ralph 2.
I don't think it would be a problem for Disney Princess to crossover in an original movie considering Wreck-it Ralph 2.
A world you mean? WIR2 was a big trust test by Disney, but in general the Disney Princess line is handled with the utmost care. The Princesses can't even look in the same direction usually because they wish to keep the idea of them being in different places.
Considering how successful WIR2 was, I don't think that is specifically a concern as long as the princesses aren't crossing over into each other's properties.
Disney really has made it a mission to sap everything that made KH special in the first place out of the series, huh?
It works because its an epic cross-over of properties.
Explain this, Disney!
Ironically, if I recall correctly in another interview it was said that the reason why Disney didn't care about Simba is because the moment they made him a fire lion Disney was like "Ok, he's different enough, we'll just pretend he's not Simba".
Oh...
I think Disney's mentality about this has more cons than pros. The films already don't cross-over in terms of settings, KH is the perfect series to allow that kind of stuff to happen without affecting the brands.
I never got the impression that the "integrity" of each world is being maintained via this policy, only that opportunities are being missed.
Right now Disney's policies with KH is like breaking into a little girl's house and beating her for having the audacity to play with different dolls together.
I want to throw hands with whoever decided that with summons, but mostly because I wonder if that means if Sora ever meets Ralph if they will remember each other like Simba and Mushu or not? I actually liked the aesthetic of them being made of elements a lot. And it was a nice excuse to use mermaid Ariel again.
I forgot that Lassetter being gone could mean some changes (good). Honestly though, this is the first thing I have heard in a while about Disney being involved that actually was negative. I still think the Disney characters and scenarios felt more Disney than they have since KH1. Even with stuff like Frozen having admittedly silly restrictions around it. But it was still better than what the KH team did on their own with the Pride Lands lol, soooooo I can't say I am upset about the idea of Disney still being heavily involved.
Explain this, Disney!
LET THEM HANG OUT AGAIN DISNEY
| Right now Disney's policies with KH is like breaking in to a little girl's house and beating her for having the audacity to play with different dolls together. |
This is the best analogy I’ve seen about this situation.
I always expected Disney's increased involvement in the series to come with more problems than benefits, so it's not surprising to me that they imposed all these restrictions and contributed to the difficulty of developing this game as a satisfying conclusion. The series was getting along just fine without the intrusive corporate handwringing of Disney's brand managers, and all the speculation fans put forward that maybe Disney-senpai would eventually notice the series always left me thinking people ought to be careful what they wish for. Oh well.
Yasue's comments about how the game development was focused on making things bigger and more flashy, and constantly one-upping themselves in that regard, also speaks to the issues with it. The Devil's Wave sequence doesn't really go anywhere and it's certainly not a culmination of the gameplay mechanics (I guess it could be called a distillation since all you do is lazily tilt the joystick and press triangle...fun!), but he decided it needed to be there to artificially inflate the endgame and make the whole thing look dazzling so that it felt ~important~. I'm personally just so moved that bunch of whales got their names in KH3. Meanwhile, those of us who bought every system and every remix and played every game but don't like the gacha shit are just not contributing enough to Square Enix's bottom line I guess. Oh well.
I'm really hoping they don't have the same philosophy for the next games. There's only so many times and ways you can top yourself by making things even bigger, grander and flashier before it get's really ridiculous and starts negativity harming the game instead.
KH3 to me reached peak flash. Toning down things going forward would be nice.
The Devil's Wave sequence doesn't really go anywhere and it's certainly not a culmination of the gameplay mechanics (I guess it could be called a distillation since all you do is lazily tilt the joystick and press triangle...fun!), but he decided it needed to be there to artificially inflate the endgame and make the whole thing look dazzling so that it felt ~important~. I'm personally just so moved that bunch of whales got their names in KH3. Meanwhile, those of us who bought every system and every remix and played every game but don't like the gacha shit are just not contributing enough to Square Enix's bottom line I guess. Oh well.
I actually got chills from that part/ and it's one of my favorite parts of the endgame. And even though I don't play the chi mobile stuff, part of my excitement came from seeing the names of people who play the game, I just thought that was hecka cool. It worked for me lol.
I actually got chills from that part/ and it's one of my favorite parts of the endgame. And even though I don't play the chi mobile stuff, part of my excitement came from seeing the names of people who play the game, I just thought that was hecka cool. It worked for me lol.
One thing KH needs is a policy that when once something is allowed, it stays allowed. It's both unfair and inefficient for something to be okay one game, but then having to struggle finding a workaround or not use even not use it at all the next.
A world you mean? WIR2 was a big trust test by Disney, but in general the Disney Princess line is handled with the utmost care. The Princesses can't even look in the same direction usually because they wish to keep the idea of them being in different places.
This is the best analogy I’ve seen about this situation.
I'm really hoping they don't have the same philosophy for the next games. There's only so many times and ways you can top yourself by making things even bigger, grander and flashier before it get's really ridiculous and starts negativity harming the game instead.
KH3 to me reached peak flash. Toning down things going forward would be nice.
Yeah, no. The Ephemer sequence was one of the best in the series.
Yeah, no. The Ephemer sequence was one of the best in the series.
Easily. I didn't cry at all during KH3, but that scene had me close.
Q: How did you select the characters for links? A: Regarding links: During talks with Disney, we were asked to stop calling characters from other worlds into whichever world Sora was currently in. But, that meant we wouldn't be able to make a summon technique like past titles. So, we went with the premise that a connection with Sora's heart calls the characters forth as magic. I thought combining them with magic would have the most impact, so we settled on having "Simba+Fire" and "Ariel+Water" and the like. |
Sora doesn't have any connection with Ralph, unless Ephemer's heart turns out to be another heart which is inside in him, but surely 4 is already more than enough...right Nomura?! RIGHT?!
Anyway one would think that after all these years making Kingdom Hearts games, Disney would give them more free rein but seems like it just got worse in KH3.
It doesn't bother me much that we barely have Disney boss battles in KH3, but I don't like how it's so obvious that they prioritized Disney Worlds over Original Worlds, when everything should have got the same treatment.
If we ever get a KH4, I hope things go better.
I'm question what made Disney get so strict about crossing over. These was the company who made House of Mouse, a cartoon that had Zeus and Chernabog playing darts with lightning bolts, Maleficent going on a date with Hades, and had a band made out of the various Disney dogs.
I'm question what made Disney get so strict about crossing over. These was the company who made House of Mouse, a cartoon that had Zeus and Chernabog playing darts with lightning bolts, Maleficent going on a date with Hades, and had a band made out of the various Disney dogs.
Different times, different executives, different ways of handling things. Eisner Era Disney is much different from Iger Era Disney.
But I’d say something with the fall from grace in the early 2000s and subsequent Revival in the 2010s played a role in things, too. Lasseter’s rise to head of WDAS, perhaps, is something to make note of here as well.
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April 26, 2019 @ 05:19 pmOffline