Yay, can't wait. Shall be grande~

My laptop battery is about to die so please forgive me for updating this post before I finish...

(Please credit Degenki, KHInsider, and/or me!)

Interview with Director of the Kingdom Hearts Series Mr Tetsuya Nomura! Finally heading for the climax of Xehanort’s reign as threat in the ‘Seeker of Darkness Chronicle’

Here we present an interview on Square Enix PS3 title Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX-, urgently announced at Tokyo Game Show 2012 and gathering attention from many gaming fans.

Commemorating the 10th anniversary since the first Kingdom Hearts, this title is a compilation of HD remakes of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories, with the added plot of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days put to HD video, all in one. You can enjoy everything from the beginning of the adventures of Sora and friends up until the developments that lead to Kingdom Hearts II in one hit.

We listened to the man employed as the director of the Kingdom Hearts series, Mr. Tetsuya Nomura. He spoke on many subjects that fans cannot miss, such as how things have gone so far developing this title, the particular appeal of the three included titles. He also talked with us about the Kingdom Hearts title for PC browsers that was announced at the same time.

Now, with the story of this ten-year old series finally heading towards a conclusion, including the significance of reflection you could say this title is not to be missed. Now, this interview is a reproduction of the one published in Degenki PlayStation Vol.528, sale date 11th October 2012. (※Full names not used in the interview)

Remaking a ten-year-old title in HD was a stormy ride!?

---First of all, please give us the full story behind work on the title announced at Tokyo Game Show 2012, Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX-.

Nomura: We’d had plans to do a HD remake for quite a while. Since even before we decided to do the Final Fantasy X HD remake, actually. We were consulting the Osaka development team over whether we could do something using the HD specs of the PS3.

---So what kick-started development from there?

Nomura: One thing was that the Kingdom Hearts series had been released over several different consoles. I wanted to unite the scattered titles at once at the right time. Another thing was that, approaching the ten year anniversary, the series had become difficult for new players to enter. There are players who look at all the titles and worry over which ones to play, so I wanted to set them out in chronological order.
The three titles in this compilation have been lined up in an order that will make the plot easy to understand, so I think even people without prior experience of the series can be at ease. Also, the story that is currently developing is finally drawing to a close, so I also feel it will be a useful refresher for fans.

---On remaking what was originally PS2 title in HD, what points gave you hardship work-wise?

Nomura: I can’t say in detail, but for example, there were situations like ‘finding each and every book in view in a huge library’. We entrusted the HD remaking to two programmers in Osaka, and thanks to their steadfast efforts, the remake was fully realised in close to a year.

---Listening to you, preparation for the HD remake work actually started quite a long time ago, didn’t it.

Nomura: In an interview some time ago I said ‘I am investigating this and that,’ and what I meant was a HD remake of Kingdom Hearts. The trailer we were able to release at the Game Show this year was also thanks to the considerable efforts of the Osaka team.

Kingdom Hearts exists in its current form because of the Osaka Team

---The Osaka team is the production team who have been working on the Kingdom Hearts series recently, right?

Nomura: Yes, that’s right. Since Kingdom Hearts Re:Coded, they are the team who has worked on titles such as Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 3D[Dream Drop Distance]. That said, the programmers who were in charge of the HD remake were merged in from a team that hadn’t been involved in the Kingdom Hearts series before.

---Thinking about the active role they’ve played in recent years, it feels like the Osaka team is now the series main staff, doesn’t it?

Nomura: That’s because that’s practically true. The Tokyo Kingdom Hearts team that we had in the early days has undergone some drastic changes. Even so, there are of course still Kingdom Hearts staff on the Tokyo side that collaborate with the Osaka side, but besides that the Osaka side form the basically unchanging lineup as a team, so in essence you could say they are the existing Kingdom Hearts staff. They move things along extremely energetically, and the Kingdom Hearts series is able to continue to this day only because they are there.

---What is the current state of progress on HD?

Nomura: Actually, it’s basically in the final stage. At first I thought about fully remaking Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (hereafter Days) in a form you could actually play. However, work on Days alone would have needed one year at the very least. I worried quite a bit over it, and I thought, weighing up a new title or a remake, players would want the new title. Even so, I had to include Days, so I decided if this is how it has to be then I will re-do it as a video volume.

---Are the HD videos of Days you may enjoy the same as the cutscenes compiled in ‘Theatre Mode’ in the original title?

Nomura: They are included too, but we’ve put around 70% of the main story overall (※excluding cutscenes from Disney worlds) to video, and the Disney worlds and such are supplemented through screens of text. According to the person in charge, there are over 100 cutscenes, and they are about 2-3 hours in total. It’s still not finished so I can’t give you the exact time, but the content will take more than an hour to finish viewing, at least.

---With that much volume, we can expect a whole new way to enjoy it, can’t we!

Nomura: Yes, because even though it’s video-only, the content is almost enough for one new title’s share. There is a considerable volume of newly recorded voicing, too. We were unable to record many voiced cutscenes for the original Days due to capacity issues, but I think this time fans will definitely be satisfied.

---Will we be able to enjoy Days as soon as we begin the game?

Nomura: Yes. You can select it right from start-up. The videos are divided into chapters, and you can also watch the whole thing in one flow, so please experience it whenever you like. If you have played Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories so far but haven’t played Days, I think you should by all means get your hands on this.

HD Remake “2.5” to definitely come to be?

----The HD remake of the first title, Kingdom Hearts, is based on Kingdom Hearts Final Mix (hereafter KHFM), isn’t it?

Nomura: Yes, it was. Aside from the entire thing being reborn in HD quality, and I’m sure some players will have noticed this, but the models for Sora and some of the other main characters have been replaced with the latest versions. If you compare them I think it’s very obvious.

---Is there also trophy support?

Nomura: It’s a PS3 title, so yes, there is support. However, I personally have never been that fixated on trophy features, so I am still researching now what sort of content we should include. There are trophies for clearing each world and such, but I don’t think you’d need one for first obtaining a Keyblade, would you... those are the sorts of discussions that are underway. Please anticipate some as factors for speedruns.

---Are there any other parts you adjusted or added?

Nomura: We’ve adjusted the controls to make them a little easier to use than back in the day. In the first Kingdom Hearts game, special controls (opening chests etc) were shown right at the bottom of the commands, but we’ve now gone with displaying them at the top with a triangle button. Also, the camera controls and such have been changed to match Kingdom Hearts II. So, I think the gameplay in Kingdom Hearts will all feel like something based on Kingdom Hearts II.
As for any big additional elements, I have already said this, but there aren’t really any. Please think of the addition of HD image and trophy support as all there is to KHFM and KH Re:CoM. The theatre of Days is the number one showpiece for Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- this time.

---Can the fans of the series look forward to the usual secret movie...?

Nomura: I really don’t want to lead anyone on or cause false hope, so please let me be clear on this: unfortunately, this time, there is no new secret movie.

---Recently there have been many Kingdom Hearts titles on handheld consoles, so it’s quite nostalgic to have one for a main console.

Nomura: The last title to come out on a main console was Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix+ (※released on PS2 in 2007), wasn’t it? At the time of Kingdom Hearts 3D[Dream Drop Distance], I said that the next Kingdom Hearts game would be coming out on a main console, and we have made that happen. To the fans who haven’t played Kingdom Hearts on a main console in a long time, I would be so happy if you would welcome this title.

---Are there by any chance plans for a bundle with a custom PS3?

Nomura: Should I do that (laughs)? There are no plans as of now. I hadn’t even thought of it (laughs).

---In any case, does putting “1.5” in the title mean there will be a “2.5”?

Nomura: If there wasn’t a “2.5” after this, it would be pretty unnatural (laughs).

---As things stand now, will this HD version we’re all so eager for be releasing in 2013?

Nomura: I touched on this before, but work is already in the final stages. Seeing as development is going well, I want to get it to you as fast as I can. I also want to keep it as close as possible to the Kingdom Hearts 10th anniversary.

A browser game packed with a charm different from anything else so far

---Next we would like to ask about the PC game you announced, Kingdom Hearts for PC Browser (working title). What sort of game content will there be?

Nomura: Fundamentally it’s a typical browser game. Unlike the main series it is not strong on action content, but instead has action battles with simple controls using cards. The style of play, in which you customise your own avatar and adventure through Disney worlds, is a different vector than anything so far. Among other things you can co-operate with multiple people to battle bosses, and online-only components.

---Is paying together with several people the pivotal element of this work?

Nomura: No, it’s fundamentally single-player. I think that most fans of the Kingdom Hearts series would rather play in the single-player format that they have always had.

---Are the Osaka team in charge of this title too, by any chance?

Nomura: No, it’s being developed in a different place. The plans and designs were made in-house, but because it’s in a special format on a browser unlike anything we’ve done before, we’re entrusting it to people on the outside who have the know-how. Currently construction in the area of gameplay is going favourably, but we plan to brush up the visuals a bit more. It’s still mid-production, but we plan to add things after the service begins, so we’d love for many people to join in.

---What sort of content is there story-wise?

Nomura: It is a spin-off title, completely separate from the main plot thread. Because of the nature of browser games from the start, we weren’t going to put in any grand set-up. You can say that this means both existing fans and people new to the series will be able to play standing at the same starting point. Of course we aren’t discarding the established universe of the series, and if you are a fan, we have included some developments that you can consider deeply. We also plan to draw up some new characters for Browser.

---New characters will appear, will they! Will there be developments that embroil these characters in the main plot thread...?

Nomura: I can’t tell you that, but since we are working diligently on Browser so that you may play for us soon, please wait just a little more.

New movement for The World Ends With You!?

---We’d like to ask about a slightly different title now. First, The World Ends With You (hereafter TWEWY) -Solo Remix- is available now. Why did you make it an iOS app?

Nomura: It was a decision made after many complicated reasons stacked up. I have heard generally favourable things from people who have played it, that is the most important thing.

---We think there must be many voices calling for a sequel to TWEWY.

Nomura: I personally love TWEWY too, it’s a title I do want to branch out. For the sake of future prospects, I hope that many people play and enjoy TWEWY -Solo Remix-.

---A few days ago at the FF Exhibition, Lightning Returns FFXIII was announced. In what way is your work involved in this project, Mr. Nomura?


Nomura: I worked on Lightning and Snow’s new outfits, but that is all, and I am finished.


---On the subject of Lightning, we’re also interested in any movement regarding Verses?

Nomura: Work is progressing properly, and all us staff are working hard and doing our best, so please wait a little for news.


---And now, finally, a message for fans of Kingdom Hearts, please.


Nomura: The story we have been telling consistently so far, which is called the Xehanort Saga, bears the formal name of ‘Seeker of Darkness Chronicle’. Before we look to the conclusion of this ‘Seeker of Darkness Chronicle’, I would love for you to prepare with the HD remake.

The Kingdom Hearts series has now been going on for ten years, and the two titles we have announced, Kingdom Hearts -HD 1.5 ReMIX- and Kingdom Hearts for PC Browser (working title), both take completely different approaches, but please look forward to them as we turn our thoughts to the last of the current series.

FINISHED

Yay, more info! Take your time, Gold.

Awesome. Take as long as you need. :3

Thanks for the translations goldpanner and good luck!

Take all of the time you need, GP <3

Sam-chan, you're so busy with school and still doing these translations :eek:. I wish you well in both.

Ahh back home lol. Thank you for being patient! I will update the original post here as I go!

@Zul Oh man @__@ I just handed in a piece of assessment, I think I can take the afternoon off to do this haha

Heh, I know, I've been gone for a while and the last thing I remember is that you were under quite a bit of school stress :S.

But it's good that you're catching a break every now and then :).


From what's translated so far, this HD collection is meant to bring whoever plays it up to speed before KH2. I imagine a 2.5 is supposed to bring them up to speed so that they're ready for KH3.

There is still the question of whether BBS would be in 2.5, as the BBS fragmentary passage scene displayed the number "0.5", we might actually get a 2.5 and a 0.5. The odd thing is, 2.5 won't be much if it's just KH2FM+ and Re:Coded HD...well... In terms of actual "games", 2.5 would be the same as 1.5, since KH Days are only scenes.

So...

1.5- KH1FM, KH Re:CoM, KH Days in videos.

KH2.5, KH2FM+, KH re:Coded, BBS???

KH0.5, BBS, .....KH3D?....BBSv2?

BBSv2 is an odd placement because, in the event it gets developed, it's a new game and would likely be released individually first before being put into an HD collection. KH3D is also an odd placement because it's relatively new. But keep in mind that you will probably need to know KH3D to understand KH3.

Thanks for the translation!

Hey goldpanner, do you need help? I started translating in reverse order in page 3.

---Would a fan of the series expect the same secret movie? Nomura: Unfortunately this time, there is no new secret movie. I apologize for any fueled expectations, I'll say this clearly right now. ---Recently the KINGDOM HEARTS series has been in many portable devices, it's been a long time since KINGDOM HEARTS has been in a console. Nomura: The last time it was released for a console was KINGDOM HEARTS II FINAL MIX. When I said KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] was going to be issued to a portable system, we were going to make it happen. For fans that have not been playing the KINGDOM HEARTS series on consoles, I would appreciate welcoming this work. ---By the way, are there any plans and packages bundled with a new PS3? Nomura: There better be? (laughs) There are no plans at the moment, I didn't even think of it. (laughs) ---By the way, the title was given "1.5". Does a "2.5" exists? Nomura: I think it would be unnatural if there wasn't a "2.5". (laughs) ---The release of the HD version has become 2013 at this moment? Nomura: As I mentioned earlier, the works are coming to a finale. I think it is a favorable development, and I want to deliver this as soon as possible. There is also the 10th anniversary of the KINGDOM HEARTS series and we want to deliver as much as possible within that range. pg. 3 A browser version that's packed with traditional and different charms. ---Next, I would like to ask you about what was announced for the PC, KINGDOM HEARTS PC Browser. What will be said about the game's contents? Nomura: Basically it's a browser game in general. The action is not as strong as the series but the battle will be utilized with a simple operation of cards. You explore Disney worlds to customize your avatar, it will play with vectors different from the past. You may have to battle a boss in co-op and there are unique elements online. ---You can play with multiple players, what is going on with the axis of this work? Nomura: It can be one player. I think fans of the KINGDOM HEARTS series will prefer the option of playing solo as well. ---Who works here by any chance, is the Osaka team in charge of the production? Nomura: No, I have developed elsewhere. I have done internally in regards to planning and design, because there are specialized formats in different browsers, we had to ask outside expertise. Currently, I have been around systems that are built well, I plan to continue to brushing up more in the visuals. Although it's still in production, it is expected that the specifications will be added even after the start of the service, I would like you to participate with many people. ---What happens in the contents of the story? Nomura: It's completely distant from the story's main plot, it will be a side story title. Because of the nature of browser games, I didn't put a grand story. In this sense, fans of the series and new fans will be able to play at the same starting point. Of course, this does not necessarily mean I have destroyed the traditional view of the series. It also unfolds in a way that can be considered deeply for fans. I will also draw new characters for the browser. ---A new character also appears! How will this character be involved in the story of the main plot? Nomura: I can't say. We are working as diligently as possible so you can play the browser version, please wait a little longer. There are new developments for The World Ends with You!? ---Please tell us about how different this title is. First, what were the reasons behind distributing The World Ends with You -Solo Remix- on the iOS app? Nomura: It is a decision at the end of complex overlapping reasons. Many players appear to have been well recieved. ---For The World Ends with You, I think many voices expected a sequel. Nomura: I personally liked The World Ends with You, it is a title that I would like to extend the branches and leaves. For the sake of future prospects, I hope many people will enjoy The World Ends with You -Solo Remix-. ---During the other day of the FF Exhibition, Lightning Returns: FINAL FANTASY XIII has been announced. How are the works going Mr. Nomura? Nomura: I worked on a new costume for Lightning and Snow, my work there is already done. ---While it's becoming the topic of Lightning, on the other end, are you worried about the developments of Versus? Nomura: I have properly been following production and the staff are working hard, for a while now, please wait for further news. ---Finally, please leave a message for KINGDOM HEARTS fans. Nomura: The story so far has been consistently drawn into the Xehanort saga, the official full name is called the Seeker of Darkness saga. I think before you'll witness the conclusion of the Seeker of Darkness saga, you will come prepared by the HD versions. The KINGDOM HEARTS series is a work that has continued for ten years. The titles announced today, KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5 ReMIX- and KINGDOM HEARTS PC Browser, these two works approach completely differently, give it more than a passing thought to the last of the current series, please look forward to it. Data KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5 ReMIX- Manufacturer: Square Enix Platform: PS3 Genre: RPG Release Date: 2013 Suggested Retail Price: TBA KINGDOM HEARTS PC Browser Manufacturer: Square Enix Platform: PC Genre: ETC Release Date: TBA Related Sites: KINGDOM HEARTS -1.5 HD ReMIX- | SQUARE ENIX KINGDOM HEARTS PORTAL SITE | SQUARE ENIX

"Please look forward to it" he said.

Wow, it's just out and already some translations up for it.

You're really the best, goldpanner and Zephyr. ^__^

Let's see how many (laughs) Nomura has this time.

There's no Disney cutscenes for Days??

And Days is presented in Chapters? Yay!

ah yes, the et cetera genre. my favorite

Nomura: It’s a PS3 title, so yes, there is support. However, I personally have never been that fixated on trophy features, so I am still researching now what sort of content we should include. There are trophies for clearing each world and such, but I don’t think you’d need one for first obtaining a Keyblade, would you... those are the sorts of discussions that are underway. Please anticipate some as factors for speedruns.

That broke my heart...

Thanks for the translation~

I didn't even notice that part yet, but it seems that Nomura and I have something in common, lol.

Thank you so much Goldpanner <3

Why are people so... weird with Trophies? Aren't all sony games after 2009 meant to have trophies?

Graduation man... this whole term is killing me... three more weeks ahhhh...

There is still the question of whether BBS would be in 2.5, as the BBS fragmentary passage scene displayed the number "0.5", we might actually get a 2.5 and a 0.5. The odd thing is, 2.5 won't be much if it's just KH2FM+ and Re:Coded HD...well... In terms of actual "games", 2.5 would be the same as 1.5, since KH Days are only scenes.

I think perhaps even though he keeps talking about 'chronology', he won't do a 0.5, he will put BBSFM in 2.5 and will probably admit later that he did so because he really wanted the extra time to fully remake the game for PS3!

I think it will be:

1.5: KHFM, KHRe:CoM, Days in vid form

2.5: KH2FM+, BBSFM, Re:Coded in vid form, + "BBSv2" recycled as secret movie/new cutscenes

I am pretty sure that v2 won't be a game, it seems like he is pretty sure that the next non-remake will be KH3.



Oh no!! I didn't see this D; I was just refreshing my own post...

Ahh well... good practice either way ^^;



I know hahaha omg


edit: thank you everyone /A\ I am really super out of it from study and lack of sleep and running around here and there so if my translation isn't as smooth as it should be I apologise!! I hope everything made sense and yeah blab blahb thank you <3

It's not like I have problems with trophies or so, I simply do not notice or care for them that much.
It's a nice-to-have in my book but nothing I would be concerned over if it were left out.

Please anticipate some as factors for speedruns.

Huh? I don't understand. :I

Anyway, new characters for the PC game sounds interesting. And he says Days is the best bit of the HD collection, lol, not for people outside of Japan! :D
Speaking of which, they may be Japanese, but I would have appreciated it if they asked him if HD is leaving Japan. I mean, the all-round feeling is that it is, but I would like to hear it from the Director. :I

Getting things done within a certain amount of time.
Maybe like with the Jungle Slide mini-game "Get below 30 seconds on each one" or "finish the game in under 25 hours".

Just guessin'~

*finishes game at 25:01*

Hopefully it is something like that, I'll be able to handle 25 hours but anything stupid like finishing it in under 5 hours and I might cry...

EASY PLATINUM PLZ.

Yep, I remember them having something like this in FF9, where in order to get excalibur II, you had to reach a certain point in the game in under 12 hours. There are likely many stories out there of 12:05 and such. It's arguable if it's worth it at all since you'd miss other side quests.

All the thanks, Ms. Pan. <3

---What sort of content is there story-wise? Nomura: It is a spin-off title, completely separate from the main plot thread. Because of the nature of browser games from the start, we weren’t going to put in any grand set-up. You can say that this means both existing fans and people new to the series will be able to play standing at the same starting point. Of course we aren’t discarding the established universe of the series, and if you are a fan, we have included some developments that you can consider deeply. We also plan to draw up some new characters for Browser. ---New characters will appear, will they! Will there be developments that embroil these characters in the main plot thread...? Nomura: I can’t tell you that, but since we are working diligently on Browser so that you may play for us soon, please wait just a little more.

Wow, that's... more than I was expecting?
I thought at least the game would be entirely non-canon, at most it would include a few hints about the mythos of the main series. And it sounds like we might get the latter a bit judging from, "Of course we aren’t discarding the established universe of the series, and if you are a fan, we have included some developments that you can consider deeply."

But if I'm understanding that correctly, there may be actual... uh, historical characters? lol. Interested where that goes!

After reading this I do find myself kind of pissed off. Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that they're doing this and I'm also happy I played the titles, but for him to say that he wanted them all on one console makes me mad. Why the f88k did you guys even do what you did then? To sit there after all is said and done, and to be like 'I wanted them all on one console' makes me an angry boy.

This is obvious of course and has been well conveyed by fans before. I guess it was just him saying it that pushed my frustrate button :/

HD HD HD cheahh. I'm getting a ps3 now.

Ohh lol it's okay. I think it's good practice for me too since I've only studied for a year and a half with other resources. We'll just use your translations since it's more clearer and you have more experience.

Being one of those "people," I find it hard to explain. Trophies aren't necessary, but they are a way of helping completionists really feel like they've completed the game. Don't get me wrong, getting to lvl 99 is great and all in the game, but you don't really get anything for it outsides or stats that are already overpowered. Trophies gives at least me a reason to do those tedious things, knowing that in the end I'll get a platinum trophy and that is something everyone can see.



lol I'm the complete opposite, I won't cry over lost trophy-support, but I see it as a huge missed opportunity for each game.



I can definitely see timed things, but I would really hope it doesn't involve beating the whole story within a certain number of hours unless the number is easily attainable in one of the first few playthroughs. I'm not very good under pressure nor am I a fan of timed things.



I don't know if I really want an easy platinum trophy. I feel like easy platinums are nearly just as disappointing as barely any trophies in the first place. I like platinums that aren't extremely difficult, but at the same time, take a good amount of time and ones that you can be real proud of having after you have them :)



When I first read that part, Oswald flashed in my mind and I almost died lol xP

sometimes, a developer has to settle for less what he wants. byt the time RE:COM was being made, the main console team already moved on to Versus and Nomura needed a way to keep the series alive. Also PS2 stopped being supported around that time and to move on with consoles Nomura would've had to struggle with bringing this series to HD. yeah, Wii existed but that's not a hardcore gaming system that RPGers would fully embrace.

Thanks for the translations, goldpanner! You work too hard~

I found this part of the interview interesting:

I wonder if Nomura would implement new characters from the Browser game into the main series. They probably would only be the same in looks, since the Browser title is a spin-off, but it'll be something to keep an eye on.

Wow Days will be 2-3 hours long. I wasn't to excited about the Days scenes at first, but that is amazing! It's pretty much a KH movie

Wow, thanks for the translation!

How long did it take you to finish translating it? Do you translate it on your own or have others help you to speed up the process?

Thats why i'm sayin lets have a viewinwing aniversary party during its release

"Patience, Sam Flynn. All your questions will be answered."

I'm very glad that a Q1 release seems very likely by Nomura's comments. I wish Nomura had more power in Square Enix... I like his games and he knows what he is doing unlike some people *cough*Toriyama, Wada*cough*

I can't wait to play KH1 on PS3. I am concerned about the lack of an NA/EU announcement this far since its original surfacing though.

One thing I was thinking; the original KH1FM had a trailer for the then new FFX-2. Since there wouldn't be a reason to include that with this, do you think they would just up and remove it, or would they maybe add a new trailer to a certain Nomura made, highly anticipated game that has been absent for two years (of course referring to Versus)?

To be honest, I don't see him including any sign of Versus with KH.

They've never announced a localization for any game in this series so early on after the initial reveal. If they did I can understand why people would be concerned, but it seems like they're just progressing at a fairly typical pace.

One thing I was thinking; the original KH1FM had a trailer for the then new FFX-2. Since there wouldn't be a reason to include that with this, do you think they would just up and remove it, or would they maybe add a new trailer to a certain Nomura made, highly anticipated game that has been absent for two years (of course referring to Versus)?

Let's just be satisfied with what we're getting instead of expecting anything beyond that for now?

"

It’s still not finished so I can’t give you the exact time, but the content will take more than an hour to finish viewing"

They can't mean too much seeing as they were never mentioned in any of the games so far... If they were going to be important you'd think they would have been at least mentioned in BBS, where we could actually have had some historical grounding for Keyblade societies like that on LoD. But perhaps they will be important for the series to come after the Seeker of Darkness Chronicle? :3



Game companies have to make money, in the end, and the director is not the only factor behind how businesses deal with their franchises. Part of it is pressure from other businesses! I think most of the games that came out on nintendo handhelds happened because nintendo approached Square wanting titles for their handhelds. I know for sure Days was a product of this, and so was DDD, I'm not sure about CoM. I think the original coded for mobile phones was pushed because of some deal with Disney, too.

Of course Nomura can't admit this outright, it would be super impolite and bad for business, and you're not allowed to let fans know about any internal pressures that make the games look less legit. Besides, he gets money from projects too lol. And I think he really does enjoy figuring out cool stuff to do with the gimmicks from different handhelds, like touch screens or 3D or minigame-style play or multiplayer. But yeah, I doubt the spreadeagling of the series was really up to him.



Okay! Wow, you must have really good Japanese for only having studied a year or so!! Good luck :3



Aww no, thank you <3



No worries! I did this on my own, which is pretty usual. It took me about three hours or so? Maybe less? I was doing other things at the same time so I'm not sure exactly how much time to chalk up to straight translating...

Very interesting interview! I seriously can't wait to get my hands on that KH 1 'remake/remaster' (it's not really a remake but it sure is more than just a remaster!). Hopefully we'll get an announcement soon!

And thanks goldpanner for being so awesome! You deserve all the praise you get :3

Don't get me wrong; I would be more than satisfied if it didn't include a trailer or any sign of Versus XIII. I just figured that since Nomura said info would be disclosed in 2013, that would be a good time to start. And getting more KH fans interested in FF Versus XIII would be a very good thing.

Hmmm... it seems characters from the main series are cameos in PC. I saw a Riku card in a screenshot. Maybe...the game could give hints to who all the members of the 13 Darknesses are? idk.

Ah, I'm kind of glad things are less spread out then. If BBSv2 does come out in the form of cutscenes, it could allow some freedom in what they show(YMX-Ansem, Apprentice Xehanort, in addition to Mickey, Aqua..ect).

Though there are a few out there that are ravenous for BBSv2 as a game, not going to point out any names here(*cough*Taochan*cough*).

BBSv2 could work as cutscenes only, true, but I think it could also work perfectly as the introduction for KH3 (like Sora at Destiny Islands in KH 1, Roxas in Twilight Town in KH 2. I'm fine with either of those things though.

Well I wasn't really saying anything about whether or not they'd be important to the plot but just the fact that they may actually, historically exist in the canon. You're right, I really doubt any character introduced in KHPC would have much relevance to KH3 if only because they're being introduced in a browser game with very limited ties to the canon.

So it's kind of like... idk, the equivalent of the KotOR characters' connection to the plot of the Star Wars films. Like, maybe we for instance get to see who the guardian of LoD is during the Keyblade War (ie essentially an early predecessor of Eraqus), or who exactly was the one that wielded the X-Blade then. Stuff like that, which I would really love to see just for its own sake.

On that note, it'd be cool to see the four different factions that MX alludes to, "defenders of the light, servants of darkness, those who sought to reconcile the two, and those motivated by nothing more than lust for power."



There's too much terrain to cover for BbSv2 for it to be an introduction to KH3 imo.
It'd feel awfully random too.

Well! We don't know yet, that's just what I think is most likely from what he's said so far. I'm not sure what I'd prefer for v2. Hmm... I think in the end I'd rather see completely new titles like KH3. And even if it were a new game, v2 would only really be rehashing sections of the series that have been done before, just from new angles, right? So I think I'd rather see them used to flesh out KH2 or whatever, like a FM++ haha



Also, we know that our own player characters are completely customised by us, so that could make things a bit tricky haha.

But yeah, I never thought him saying Browser will be completely removed from the main plot meant it was removed from the existing KH universe, so yeah, I would be completely surprised if this game doesn't turn out to be relevant to the overarching canon. It would be 'unnatural not to', to borrow a phrase Nomura has been tossing around so much lately :P

Just wanted to put it out there that the Dengeki interview spells out the name "Dark Seeker" (not Seeker of Darkness) in English.

Not even in katakana, in English. So, just a minor correction to the translation.

I know, I actually explained this in the last thread about this. I know it spells it out in English, but if you'll remember, Japanese magazines spelled out 'Unbirth' in English (not even in katakana) a few times, and that was changed to Unversed later. Also, whenever they include a kanji version in brackets next to it, they use the same phrase localised in the games as 'Seeker of Darkness'. So, while in these magazines it is like this, I believe there's a chance that for the actual series it may be localised differently. It may not be! But until we get an official English localised term, I think it makes more sense to go with the phrase already used and known within the actual localised games.

Would you happen to have a link to the "Unbirth" usages? That would be important to note if we can verify it.

It was verified ages ago by sqexgal, she even posted the scans to prove it. It was so long ago that I wouldn't be able to find it again though, so you will have to take my word for it (and the word of anyone else who saw it).

Famitsu PS3 Interview - August 2008 - News - Kingdom Hearts Insider


People were making "unbirth" theories for an entire year, that doesn't happen from a mistranslation.

Nomura even explains the meaning of the word in the interview.

Haha, there is an entire year of history where it used to be Unbirths.

The katakana was written アンバース if I remember correctly (because EARLY EARLY on in the first use of the name, it was mistranslated as Ambers) then later they changed it with ヴァ instead of バ.

Sometime during development Nomura changed Unbirths to Unversed because their concept and origin seemed to have been changed.

Yeah, that was the old katakana, I am pretty sure :3 And it wasn't even just the katakana that changed (sliightly lol) I remember clearly seeing sqexgal post original scans with the english spelling and english lettering for 'birth' and 'unbirth' etc in it!

So yeah idk whether 'dark-seeker-hen' and 'Seeker of Darkness Chronicle' will be like that, or whether they will keep 'Dark Seeker' as is. (I don't even know how they will translate 'hen', whether it will be chronicle or saga or tale or volume or whatever.) I personally think it would make more sense to keep it consistent with Seeker of Darkness which is already in the English games. In Japanese in the games he is refered to as 'yami no tankyuusha', and imo 'seeker of darkness' is a really good translation of that, because it keeps the ambiguity/dual meaning of 'a seeker from the darkness' and 'someone who seeks darkness'. I think 'dark seeker' technically also could have both meanings too, but it doesn't come across as nicely, and also doesn't sound as grand as such a title should haha

I loved the name Ambers for them ;A;.
And I remember people were talking about literal unbirths xD

I was thinking too, with BBS being a playstation title, on the PSP, it is probable that it might be an "HD Classic" or a "PSP Remaster" So it might be a game on its own, and then possibly include cinematic scenes of BBSv2
This How I Kinda See It:
0.5 BBS - BBSv2 cinematic (PSP Remaster/HD Classic)
1.5 KHFM, KHRe:CoM - Days cinematic
2.5 KHIIFM, KH3D - KHRe:C cinematic

... At least thats how I see it, dont be hatin' please...
I cant take that kind of rejection...

Right, I was just thinking that we'd maybe get something like reports which expand on the mythos of the series, nothing substantial. I'm pretty pleasantly surprised that we're getting historical characters. Makes it way more interesting. Like, with Nomura saying it was light on story, I pictured, you know, we're just given a basic premise and then all of our customizable characters just fight shit in a bunch of random worlds. It sounds like it may have a bit more direction to it if there are NPCs with ties to the overarching canon.

Still gonna be difficult to reconcile some stuff, but I'll play the waiting game on that and see how much can be considered canon (or at least doesn't contradict it). For instance, Alice in Wonderland. I can see going to Wonderland, there's no reason for it not to exist, but Alice's presence really pushes my suspension of disbelief lol. Nomura has basically dodged the bullet with timing inconsistencies by suggesting that each world operates on its own time axis (and yet I still remember when he wanted to include young Hercules to reflect a time difference, even though by this logic that shouldn't matter lol). But that's just... wow. Alice has been in Wonderland for the equivalent of a few millennia in other worlds.

I mean, there's a few ways around that, obviously, even if it doesn't sit well. Maybe the PoH worlds operate on a slower time axis than other worlds? That would answer the dilemma a lot of people have been bringing up in regards to whether there were predecessors to the current PoH. Butttt... actually, we at least know Kairi's world doesn't operate that slowly lol. Could say it's something wonky about Wonderland in particular then since that world is strange in its own right. Or maybe all the Disney stuff in this game is completely non-canon. Who knows. It's not going to make a big difference either way, but just something to think about.



Why is that even important to note? It's a ridiculously dated term that has no bearing on the plot.

It's an attempt to support the "you should have called it Dark Seeker instead of Seeker of Darkness" claim.

Unbirth was an "official" so to speak, name change though, to Unversed. Even if we didn't find the interview, it wouldn't make a difference, Xehanort is known since KH1 as a "Seeker of Darkness", never in any English release does he refer to himself as a "Dark Seeker".

So does that mean we will be getting Kingdom Hearts 2 fm as well in some form? So happy about the 100 cutscenes for Days. I heard there were new characters in another interview . If so I hope they include Reno. That would be awesome to have him hopefully meet Axel. XD

Yep. No, not new characters in any existing KH games. There will be "new characters" in Kingdom Hearts PC Browser, the cute little non-canon online social game.

The reaction commands in kh2 really saved me more than once. I wish they were in the original version of the first game. I can't wait to see what happens in kh3. I'm excited to see kairi in action. Yen-sid will teach her well.

Wait but isnt the remake country locked? On top of this (maybe annoying to ask) but obviously not even a hint of BBS vol2 been discussed at all recently right?

BBSv.2 doesn't exist. There's a story to tell, but there is no plans for anything there.

Umm, that's nice. But how about that Dengeki interview?



This isn't a remake. It's an HD remaster (with the exception of the 100 actually remade Days scenes). As of this moment, there have been no announcements regarding a western release, which is to be expected as they never release this information so soon after the initial game reveal. The PS3 is not region-locked, and I doubt the game will be.

so was that secret ending in BBS FM a bunch of nonsense? We still dont understand anything of it

I think you're misunderstanding. It's not that the secret ending was nothing but a bunch of random scenes and pretty effects. Ask anyone about that and they'd probably tell you the same thing: that BBSv2, if it were to exist, would be about the events we know of but haven't seen and experienced. Aqua's time in the Realm of Darkness for example, Mickey's journey to find the Kingdom Key D or Riku during KH1 and Days.

It's just that, like Chaser said, while there is a story to tell, there are no plans to make anything of it.

Oh,well I guess they're things that could be explained through cutscenes or journal entry's in KH3. I still thought there was one mystery game left all this time :/

A very good interview. I am getting more excited.

---What sort of content is there story-wise? Nomura: It is a spin-off title, completely separate from the main plot thread. Because of the nature of browser games from the start, we weren’t going to put in any grand set-up. You can say that this means both existing fans and people new to the series will be able to play standing at the same starting point. Of course we aren’t discarding the established universe of the series, and if you are a fan, we have included some developments that you can consider deeply. We also plan to draw up some new characters for [I]Browser. [/I]---New characters will appear, will they! Will there be developments that embroil these characters in the main plot thread...?[I][I] [B]Nomura: I can’t tell you that, but since we are working diligently on [I]Browser so that you may play for us soon, please wait just a little more. [/I][/I][/B]

Probably the part of the interview that caught the most of my interest. I am intrigued about these "new characters" involvement in KH. I am looking forward to hearing more about KH ReMIX and this browser game.[/I]

Spoilers, new character is Sora in his past life as a warrior in the Keyblade War. *shot*



















































But on a more serious note, I am curious about these characters too and whether or not they'll eventually become part of the main story as separate entities.

I wonder if there's a possibility of stuff being added to Birth by Sleep (in whatever ReMIX it ends up in) like those other stories... Certainly a Mickey playthrough could be added without too much difficulty. Or maybe just wishful thinking? I dunno, it does have quite a while before it gets released