Gamerescape Interview with Unchained X's Producer Hironori Okayama
- Details
- Published on April 26, 2016 @ 08:00 pm
- Written by Churro
Gamerescape had the opportunity to interview Hironori Okayama, Producer of KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained X, at PAX East 2016 this past weekend.
Producer Okayama explains that the game was always intended to be released in America, and the prototype for the game was actually created in English first for testing in America. However, as the development team is based in Japan, it's easier for them to work on that version, hence why it was released in Japanese back in September 2015.
Those who have been following both versions of the game must be aware that there are currently 500 quests in the Japanese version, compared to North America's 250 quests. Because it may take some time to catch up, they plan on releasing 50 quests minimum each month.
One aspect of the game that players particularly enjoy is the vast selection of medals available at their disposal. The development team thinks about the abilities that would be necessary for players to progress through the quests, and considers which character would best fit that ability before assigning one to another. In fact, because any character that exists in the Kingdom Hearts series can exist in Unchained X, the team faces a lot of difficulty in choosing which ones they want to include as medals.
Okayama also reveals that they've planned to release medals featuring Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Zootopia in North America on May 2nd, though it may be subject to change.
You can read Gamerescape's full interview on their site.
COMMENTS
Awesome, so glad the Zoo' medals are not Japanese exclusive! I'd love to have Moana and Maui medals during Moana's release window.
Awesome, so glad the Zoo' medals are not Japanese exclusive! I'd love to have Moana and Maui medals during Moana's release window.
they were never exculive they showd us the picture of zootopia costumes in the scene shoot
That's weird that they try to think of medals that match the abilities because largely I've been disappointed by how little I felt the abilities matched the character generally lol.
*snipped*
Zootopia for KH3 sorta kinda confirmed maybe...?
Zootopia for KH3 sorta kinda confirmed maybe...?
This is more on par with Chicken Little in KH2 than it is suggestive of Zootopia being a full fledged world in KH3.
If anything Zooptopia would just be summons in kh3.
The thing that made Zootopia fun to watch was the enormous amount of background characters. Doesn't work well in games as of now.
And especially not in KH, where we get things like this:
well if the head boss of pixar helping with kh 3 development he amy be want to have npc in the backround to make it more lovely which could make zootopia dueable
well if the head boss of pixar helping with kh 3 development
w u t?
w u t?
I had the same reaction to that post.
Exciting news though, I didn't think we would be getting those medals so soon.
w u t?
remember that 2.9 leak before it became 2.8 well the peroan that poosted that he scheldre meetings with sqaure, disney and pixar well wouldn't John Lasseter have to be in these meeting since he the head boss
what does that have to do with anything though? zootopia isn't pixar. and just because meetings about potential world usage may have happened that isn't at all the same as saying that these people are directly helping with development.
what does that have to do with anything though? zootopia isn't pixar. and just because meetings about potential world usage may have happened that isn't at all the same as saying that these people are directly helping with development.
The producer / director's / head of department roles would not be helping with the actual making of the game. It would be approving designs and potential story lines the game could cover that is in tune with the characters and worlds they created.
They certainly would not be like "here take our technology and use it to make NPCs." If it is that simple, why haven't Pixar released that engine for game developers to purchase so they can make games that look like Pixar films?
It was only a matter of time until we got the Nick and Judy medals. I'm glad they will be releasing at least 50 missions a month for the time being. If anything I bet it will keep us busy right up until KH2.8's release or something along those lines. While I've got mixed feelings on Unchained X I'm glad they're keeping fans from outside Japan in mind. Just wish other countries that don't have it yet could play it soon hopefully. I never did much care for releases that didn't coincide with one another or release at the same time.
This is more on par with Chicken Little in KH2 than it is suggestive of Zootopia being a full fledged world in KH3.
Honestly, Zootopia has a 50/50 chance of being in the game. Square Enix clearly have a liking for the movie which gives it a strong possibility of being in KH3. There's Zootopia events, outfit, outfit accessories and medals: all Chicken Little had was a summon representation.
The producer / director's / head of department roles would not be helping with the actual making of the game. It would be approving designs and potential story lines the game could cover that is in tune with the characters and worlds they created.
They certainly would not be like "here take our technology and use it to make NPCs." If it is that simple, why haven't Pixar released that engine for game developers to purchase so they can make games that look like Pixar films?
Simple, because there hasn't been a Disney Pixar game to date that required that sort of asset transference. There's always exceptions to the rule and Kingdom Hearts III looks to be that exception.
DisneyPixars film assets are far higher poly than anything modern consoles can even come close to handling.
These two medals are the only ones that don't use renders/artworks from Kingdom Hearts though (which also makes them stick out really bad). This is really just some kind of cross-promotion at this point.
DisneyPixars film assets are far higher poly than anything modern consoles can even come close to handling.
Good point, that reason's has more validity than what I stated earlier.
These two medals are the only ones that don't use renders/artworks from Kingdom Hearts though (which also makes them stick out really bad). This is really just some kind of cross-promotion at this point.
Not really, Square Enix chose to promote Zootopia because they have a liking for it. Ultimately, It's Square Enix who decides on what Disney properties to be represented: Disney does give suggestions but it's Square that has the final say of what's in and out.
DisneyPixars film assets are far higher poly than anything modern consoles can even come close to handling.
Ding ding ding, the answer I was looking for.
Ergo, it's highly impossible for Pixar to be giving out technology to assist with NPC creation.
Not really, Square Enix chose to promote Zootopia because they have a liking for it. Ultimately, It's Square Enix who decides on what Disney properties to be represented: Disney does give suggestions but it's Square that has the final say of what's in and out.
Actually they were given out as medals to promote Zootopia because it released in Japanese theatres like yesterday. It's Disney promoting their new film in their mobile game.
Actually they were given out as medals to promote Zootopia because it released in Japanese theatres like yesterday. It's Disney promoting their new film in their mobile game.
Yes, I agree with this, but the thing is, Square Enix selected to promote this out of love for Zootopia. There's way too much Zootopia based content to look at Zootopia's inclusion in Kingdom Hearts Unchained X as nothing more than promotion.
YUS!!! finally something I can use a lot!!! its also good cuz I like Zootopia:biggrin:
Not really, Square Enix chose to promote Zootopia because they have a liking for it. Ultimately, It's Square Enix who decides on what Disney properties to be represented: Disney does give suggestions but it's Square that has the final say of what's in and out.
Yes, I agree with this, but the thing is, Square Enix selected to promote this out of love for Zootopia. There's way too much Zootopia based content to look at Zootopia's inclusion in Kingdom Hearts Unchained X as nothing more than promotion.
What is your evidence for this?
What is your evidence for this?
In an interview, Nomura states that Square Enix has final say of all the Disney content that gets into the game. He says that Disney gives suggestions and is honest with what can and cannot be used legally. Sure, the Zootopia medals are advertising: but it's out of passion and appreciation as opposed to just corporal sponsorship.
Sure, the Zootopia medals are advertising: but it's out of passion and appreciation as opposed to just corporal sponsorship.
Again, you have no actual evidence of that. There isn't even conclusive evidence that S-E has even seen the film yet. All you said was that S-E has final(-ish) say, but all that could mean is that Disney went "we'd like Zootopia to be promoted in KHx" and all S-E would do was go "okay" which they would do since Disney is owner of the series and they want to stay on good terms with them and it's hardly a lot to ask to use KHx to promote things. It lends itself easily to it, after all.
I mean, are you going to argue that Chicken Little was added to KH2 not out of promotion but due to Nomura's passion and appreciation for Chicken Little?
Who cares?! I just want to know if the medals will be strong or not.
Again, you have no actual evidence of that. There isn't even conclusive evidence that S-E has even seen the film yet. All you said was that S-E has final(-ish) say, but all that could mean is that Disney went "we'd like Zootopia to be promoted in KHx" and all S-E would do was go "okay" which they would do since Disney is owner of the series and they want to stay on good terms with them and it's hardly a lot to ask to use KHx to promote things. It lends itself easily to it, after all.
I mean, are you going to argue that Chicken Little was added to KH2 not out of promotion but due to Nomura's passion and appreciation for Chicken Little?
GamesTM magazine interview with Tetsuya Nomura discusses Disney's role and the possibility of multiple playable characters in Kingdom Hearts III - Kingdom Hearts News - KH13.com - KH13.com, for Kingdom Hearts
Here's your evidence. And you do know that Square Enix sees Disney movies before they're theatrically released? How do you think Big Hero 6 was announced just a year after the movie was released? they watch it in advanced, therefore, they've seen Zootopia.
And Chicken Little being a summon, well, it's a summon. Just a single character. He could have easily liked the Character but hated the movie (cause truth be told, the only redemming factor of Chicken Little is Chicken Little himself).
Here's your evidence.
That... wasn't evidence of anything. I said you had no evidence of them promoting Zootopia out of passion and you provided an interview that did not support that claim at all. The interview didn't even support your earlier claim of S-E having final say, aside from a vague "I don't feel Disney has ever kept us from doing something" comment (which does not say that Disney has never asked them to include something). And even in that case Nomura specifies that he's referring to the original KH story and not the Disney content.
Like what part of that interview do you consider evidence of anything?
| And you do know that Square Enix sees Disney movies before they're theatrically released? How do you think Big Hero 6 was announced just a year after the movie was released? they watch it in advanced, therefore, they've seen Zootopia. |
They said they can see Disney movies before release but that isn't confirmation that they have seen literally every Disney movie before release, and it's not conclusive evidence that they have seen Zootopia. It's a possibility they have, but not a confirmation that they have.
It's fine if you think highly of Zootopia, but let's call a spade a spade. It's inclusion in KHx is a promotional thing that does not show evidence of any particular affinity on the parts of the devs.
That... wasn't evidence of anything. I said you had no evidence of them promoting Zootopia out of passion and you provided an interview that did not support that claim at all. The interview didn't even support your earlier claim of S-E having final say, aside from a vague "I don't feel Disney has ever kept us from doing something" comment (which does not say that Disney has never asked them to include something). And even in that case Nomura specifies that he's referring to the original KH story and not the Disney content.
Like what part of that interview do you consider evidence of anything?
They said they can see Disney movies before release but that isn't confirmation that they have seen literally every Disney movie before release, and it's not conclusive evidence that they have seen Zootopia. It's a possibility they have, but not a confirmation that they have.
It's fine if you think highly of Zootopia, but let's call a spade a spade. It's inclusion in KHx is a promotional thing that does not show evidence of any particular affinity on the parts of the devs.
That was more than evident, you just refuse to see it as so. I'm pretty sure that interview clearly states that Square Enix have final say of what goes in and out of Kingdom Hearts is out of what they're into. Because Disney Interactive (the Disney side of Kingdom Hearts) works with Square Enix, they have early access to Disney movies in order to cross-promote. It's not just a promotional thing. If it was strictly a promotional thing, they'd have left it with the medals. They didn't need to go all out with an event and outfits.
That was more than evident, you just refuse to see it as so.
No, you are projecting passion and admiration onto this promotional event that has no hard fact evidence of being true. I'm not denying that it's possible that the devs saw the movie and liked it, but you're going around stating it as fact which can mislead people into believing it being confirmed and possibly suggest more than it might mean.
| I'm pretty sure that interview clearly states that Square Enix have final say of what goes in and out of Kingdom Hearts is out of what they're into. |
Did you not even read the interview? Because it doesn't clearly state that at all.
| It's not just a promotional thing. If it was strictly a promotional thing, they'd have left it with the medals. They didn't need to go all out with an event and outfits. |
That would hardly be a good promotional event? Consider how even 2.8's announcement got a full event from them. Medals aren't enough if the actual goal is to seriously promote and hopefully boost ticket sales of the movie, that's why there was more than just Medals being added, but they made it a bit of an event to get people interested and invested.
alpha baymax, its clear you really like and know a lot about disney, especially with meeting people and getting early screenings, but you're arguing with people who have immense knowledge of disney and even more when it comes to kingdom hearts.
if there was any actual evidence pointing to a zootopia world in III, i assure you they would not be derailing your hype train and A. make a speculative thread or B. type "let's wait for e3 and see ;) " if they had insider info.
keep in mind that they have been in contact and interacted with square enix on multiple occasions, and they aren't called "insider" for kicks. arguing with them is pretty arrogant.
alpha baymax, its clear you really like and know a lot about disney, especially with meeting people and getting early screenings, but you're arguing with people who have immense knowledge of disney and even more when it comes to kingdom hearts.
if there was any actual evidence pointing to a zootopia world in III, i assure you they would not be derailing your hype train and A. make a speculative thread or B. type "let's wait for e3 and see ;) " if they had insider info.
keep in mind that they have been in contact and interacted with square enix on multiple occasions, and they aren't called "insider" for kicks. arguing with them is pretty arrogant.
All the more power to them, I am not denying their ability to provide news or knowledge. If anything, I'm appreciative of that. It's just the fact that people easily assume that Zootopia has a 0% chance of being represented. I'm not saying it's definite (if anything, Big Hero 6 seems to be the cut-off point for recent worlds), I just think that we cannot dismiss all the Zootopia related content as just "promotion for the movie" and nothing more.
I just think that we cannot dismiss all the Zootopia related content as just "promotion for the movie" and nothing more.
Well then say it like that -- that it's your opinion. My problem with your posts was that you were saying things as if they were indisputable facts, combined with incorrect conclusions, which could spread misinformation.
All the more power to them, I am not denying their ability to provide news or knowledge. If anything, I'm appreciative of that. It's just the fact that people easily assume that Zootopia has a 0% chance of being represented. I'm not saying it's definite (if anything, Big Hero 6 seems to be the cut-off point for recent worlds), I just think that we cannot dismiss all the Zootopia related content as just "promotion for the movie" and nothing more.
they're calling it how it is. there is no proof that its anything more than promotion and discussion that it is will make many members believe that it will be a world.
Devils advocate here.
While I agree that there is no proof, when we got the new versions of Grid Sora and Riku form 3D in χ, a lot of people were quick to boast how that was almost all the proof needed to say that 3D was getting an HD remix.
Again, I'm not saying Zootopia is definitely in for 3, I'm just saying that it does seem like a suspiciously familiar situation.
But everyone is correct that there is no proof.
Devils advocate here.
While I agree that there is no proof, when we got the new versions of Grid Sora and Riku form 3D in χ, a lot of people were quick to boast how that was almost all the proof needed to say that 3D was getting an HD remix.
Again, I'm not saying Zootopia is definitely in for 3, I'm just saying that it does seem like a suspiciously familiar situation.
But everyone is correct that there is no proof.
I wouldn't really say those are similar situations. They have been upfront about Zootopia being promotion for the movie's release in Japan. The renders for the medals aren't even done in a KH-style either, suggesting even less that it is indicative of anything.
Yeah, if those were renders of Nick and Judy in the KH3 engine, obviously that would mean something. Which is why it was suspicious they updated the Grid renders similarly to the updated BBS ones that were released before 2.5's announcement I believe as well. At this point yeah its unfortunately just promotion.
Though with its success Zootopia could see an inclusion in a future game. I really think its far too late to make the cut for 3 though.
Screw animal movies though, right? Can I get a HEYOOOO
Screw animal movies though, right? Can I get a HEYOOOO
No.
I don't care for Disney films. I like the darkness and ocs in KH. Disney holds KH back from using dark themes..... >_>
Is nobody taking my bait???
Everyone here knows you, Launchpad, you'll have to be more masterful with your baiting.
gosoxtim
April 26, 2016 @ 09:00 pmOffline