Nomura discusses Kingdom Hearts 3 Re Mind, new teams and future projects in Twitter Q&A
- Details
- Published on January 22, 2020 @ 02:59 pm
- Written by Cecily
The official KINGDOM HEARTS Twitter have shared a Q&A with Tetsuya Nomura leading up to the long-anticipated release of Kingdom Hearts 3's Re Mind DLC. He provides some insight in the DLC's planning and development, and teases future projects in the works. Nomura also reveals that there are 2 new teams working on Kingdom Hearts projects, with the title from one of these teams coming surprisingly soon!
Thanks to goldpanner for her hard work translating!
※This Q&A contains spoilers for Kingdom Hearts III. Take care if you have not finished the game.
Q1 How does Re Mind differ from the Final Mixes released for previous numbered titles?
We released Final Mixes to adjust the balance of and add things to the entire game. Re Mind is independent content you can enjoy after beating the main game. That said, we did also add English voices to the Japanese version, limit cut bosses, and other things you'll find familiar from Final Mixes. So, other than the fact that the main game hasn't been changed much, you can basically think of this as the equivalent of a Final Mix.
Q2 How did you decide what to put in the free update and what to put in Re Mind (paid update)?
KH3 and Re Mind are to be thought of as separate content. It is split up like this: the version update is basically for what you bought as KH3, and Re Mind is for new features outside the main game. But, as I just said, the English voices and other features that would previously have been included in a separate package as a Final Mix have been included in Re Mind. But then I also included some new content that would usually have been in a Final Mix, like Keyblades and new abilities, in the free update - with the aim of giving you something for after finishing the game.
Q3 So there won't be a KH3 Final Mix? What about a physical release of this?
There are no concrete plans right now. We might think about something when a new console releases, but I'm not thinking about whether that something will be a Final Mix.
Q4 When is the new story in Re Mind set? And what can we expect to see in it?
Chronologically it jumps around a bit, but most of your time as Sora is set between the end of the last battle and the final cutscene, depicting the blank space of Kairi's rescue. As a player, you view the story from a higher vantage point than Sora - and in Re Mind, Sora is following the story from a different vantage point to the main game. It's hard to explain, but KH3 concludes with itself, and its ending connects to the ending of Re Mind.
Q5 Does it influence or rework anything in the main KH3 game?
The story of KH3 itself hasn't changed. You play it after finishing KH3, so it doesn't influence anything. But, we did update a few places in version 1.07 - things we gave up on at the time due to various circumstances that we wanted to make do justice to our original vision. To give concrete examples, it's stuff like damage-taking expressions in cutscene and the way the sky looks in the background.
Q6 Why didn't any Final Fantasy characters appear in the main game this time? Why did you add them back in?
The story developments of KH3 didn't provide a reason to stop by Radiant Garden, plus work related issues. They appear in Re Mind because story developments make them needed, and because of the passionate wishes of you fans. So, even though they don't have a big role, they now have a sense of presence in the world of KH3.
Q7 What are the highlights of the limit cut bosses? Who do you want us to pay attention to in particular?
We had decided to use the New Organization XIII for the limit cut bosses, but as the project progressed we began to feel conflicted over whether or not to leave Xion in there. Development was already underway when I went to discuss it with Yasue, like, maybe we really should cut her? Knowing this, I hope you feel just as conflicted as you fight her. She's super strong.
Q8 Early on you said you wanted to add the equivalent of one world - did that change?
Actually, we did start designing and planning a new world, but the reasoning why just this world would be added in after being separate didn't sit well with me. In the end I decided that it would be better to work it in properly from the start next time there's a chance. All the new content added with Re Mind put together makes more than one world's worth of content. In particular, it was a lot of work making this many bosses.
Q9 What can you say about the secret boss & episode?
The secrets contain my thoughts about the future of the series, but with the information out at present I don't think you'll be able to guess any of it. Some parts of the battle ended up very different from what I requested. But it surprised me in a good way, so take it as it is.
Q10 Why did lines from KH1 appear in the final trailer?
Those were lines I'd long wanted to put together if I ever got the chance. You may not understand, but the inclusion of those lines is what got the world of Kingdom Hearts approved. There is no mystery to solve this time, they stand at the doorway.
Q11 Are there any plans for further updates or DLC?
There are no plans for a hypothetical update as of now, but if issues come up we will deal with it. Re Mind is to be the first and only DLC. We are already working on the next title. The title screen of Re Mind serves as a piece of foundation for it.
Q12 Will you tell us about any plans for future KH projects?
We still need some time with regards to main line Kingdom Hearts, but first up the KH UX team will have a surprising announcement tomorrow. Aside from the KH3 and KH UX teams, we actually have two new teams in operation, and from them one title will be coming surprisingly soon.
Q13 Finally, a message for fans.
We had some organizational changes after finishing KH3, and I'm very sorry this took so much longer than expected. The elements added in Re Mind are ideas we came up with that we thought you would enjoy. My attention always ends up turning to the plot no matter what, but most of our development time was spent working on new battle and gameplay elements. I hope you enjoy the merciless battles only possible via DLC. Also, we have unlocked nearly the entire game for sharing via the KH3 share function. Yasue said he really wanted to see everyone trying the secret battle, so we unlocked as much as possible. Please first try beating these formidable opponents. In just a few more hours, at midnight on the 23rd (JST), Re Mind will be playable. Thank you for all your support.
Director Tetsuya Nomura
COMMENTS
Q8 Early on you said you wanted to add the equivalent of one world - did that change?
Actually, we did start designing and planning a new world, but the reasoning why just this world would be added in after being separate didn't sit well with me. In the end I decided that it would be better to work it in properly from the start next time there's a chance. All the new content added with Re Mind put together makes more than one world's worth of content. In particular, it was a lot of work making this many bosses.
I'm going to take an educated guess here and assume this has to do with the new announcement for Union X. lol
hey sign can you update the article goldplanner updated the ansewer for q11
Alright, work on the next title has begun. So excited.
And Nomura I'm sure you and your team could have easily come up with a story reason to visit Radiant Garden. Just have him want to talk to Ienzo in person
hey sign can you update the article goldplanner updated the ansewer for q11
Hey Tim, welcome back! Thanks for catching that, I'll add it to the article now :)
| There is no mystery to solve this time, they stand at the doorway |
This sounds very ominous. I love it
hey just came to vidit this webiste again ill try to visit this site once in while
What a great Q&A! Lots of interesting tidbits. It's always interesting reading about this behind-the-scenes kind of stuff.
Excited to dive into Re:Mind tomorrow! Also, it's nice to hear the next title will be coming "surprisingly soon". Wonder how soon it'll be? Only time will tell, I guess.
Nomura. Xe-ha-nort game.
Q8 Early on you said you wanted to add the equivalent of one world - did that change? Actually, we did start designing and planning a new world, but the reasoning why just this world would be added in after being separate didn't sit well with me. In the end I decided that it would be better to work it in properly from the start next time there's a chance. All the new content added with Re Mind put together makes more than one world's worth of content. In particular, it was a lot of work making this many bosses. |
Yeah, bullshit. You're asking $30 for what amounts to glorified patching. You could've thrown in a revamped Disney world like Agrabah & that would at least be actual content.
Nomura. Xe-ha-nort game.
He's old news. Va-ni-tas game.
Yeah, bullshit. You're asking $30 for what amounts to glorified patching. You could've thrown in a revamped Disney world like Agrabah & that would at least be actual content.
He's old news. Va-ni-tas game.
I’m playing Re Mind right now and it’s well worth the $60 I paid. It’s certainly not glorified patching in my eyes, but that ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Oh man if there is one thing Nomura knows how to do, that is getting my hype going everytime. Between Re:Mind and whatever announcement from UX we are getting tomorrow, I am looking forward more than ever. Great to know that they are working on the next title already. I am also particularity intrigued by this new game coming "surprisingly soon" from the new teams. Nomura's got a lot up his sleave, that is for sure.
Nomura excuses for the lack of Final Fantasy characters in the base game are always laughable. As if we needed Radiant Garden playable to have FF characters in the first place...
Good to know the KH teams are growing. Now the main team can focus on developing a Verum Rex game and make that TV commercial a reality. :cool:
I’m playing Re Mind right now and it’s well worth the $60 I paid. It’s certainly not glorified patching in my eyes, but that ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Not saying that there it ain't a lot there Scala is pretty much a new world itself afterall but that's still a bad call from Nomura.
Nomura excuses for the lack of Final Fantasy characters in the base game are always laughable. As if we needed Radiant Garden playable to have FF characters in the first place...
Good to know the KH teams are growing. Now the main team can focus on developing a Verum Rex game and make that TV commercial a reality. :cool:
Switch team & new mobile/HD ports team probably. I'll be damned if nothing KH-related ever comes to Switch, & new mobile titles after UX is inevitable.
So something big is gonna happen tomorrow, HMM?
Nomura excuses for the lack of Final Fantasy characters in the base game are always laughable. As if we needed Radiant Garden playable to have FF characters in the first place...
So something big is gonna happen tomorrow, HMM?
This. Not being a playable world isn't a reason for their absence nor is it a reason for them to not be mentioned at all. He did mention "work related issues" this time, so maybe there's something resembling a legitimate reason in there...
Actually it's later today. That UX tweet was intended to go live last night, but Glacie said there was a last minute change of plans. They just rescheduled it and didn't bother to update the text.
Actually it's later today. That UX tweet was intended to go live last night, but Glacie said there was a last minute change of plans. They just rescheduled it and didn't bother to update the text.
Scala is a 1 time puzzle not a world.
His answer to question 10 has me on pins and needles! Like what does that even mean?
Scala is a 1 time puzzle not a world.
Such a missed opportunity... I'm sure that world is going to be relevant again, at some point. Too cool of a design to just throw away after this.
Aside from the KH3 and KH UX teams, we actually have two new teams in operation, and from them one title will be coming surprisingly soon.
*happy dances*
this made my day I'm literally beaming ? a dlc to tide us over and a new project coming "surprisingly" soon!
*happy dances*
this made my day I'm literally beaming ? a dlc to tide us over and a new project coming "surprisingly" soon!
Well, they can't be taking another 13 years to get to KH4.......can they?
That's good news about another new project coming soon. Maybe I won't be a old fossil by the time KH4 arrives after-all, lol.
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Well, they can't be taking another 13 years to get to KH4.......can they?
DON'T SAY THAT you'll jinx it ?
Nomura just basically suggested the next game will be Sora/Kairi centric. So Kairi being playable in the DLC was a set up for her being playable in the next game full on.
Which is fantastic news.
Glad we get to fight Xion. I want to be conflicted.
Nomura just basically suggested the next game will be Sora/Kairi centric. So Kairi being playable in the DLC was a set up for her being playable in the next game full on.
Which is fantastic news.
He did?
Q3 So there won't be a KH3 Final Mix? What about a physical release of this? There are no concrete plans right now. We might think about something when a new console releases, but I'm not thinking about whether that something will be a Final Mix. |
That's pretty much what I thought--that a physical release might be most likely to happen as a re-release on the PS5 or something.
Q8 Early on you said you wanted to add the equivalent of one world - did that change?
Actually, we did start designing and planning a new world, but the reasoning why just this world would be added in after being separate didn't sit well with me. In the end I decided that it would be better to work it in properly from the start next time there's a chance. All the new content added with Re Mind put together makes more than one world's worth of content. In particular, it was a lot of work making this many bosses.
I'm going to take an educated guess here and assume this has to do with the new announcement for Union X. lol
That's pretty much what I thought--that a physical release might be most likely to happen as a re-release on the PS5 or something.
I actually took that to be referring to a world seen only in cutscenes ('after being separate' and 'why just this world' versus all the ones only seen in cutscene). My guess is Radiant Garden really, but perhaps Land of Departure.
Yeah I thought Radiant Garden, too. Though I didn't think of Land of Departure coming back. That would be interesting.
Glad we get to fight Xion. I want to be conflicted.
He did?
Are there any plans for further updates or DLC?
There are no plans for a hypothetical update as of now, but if issues come up we will deal with it. Re Mind is to be the first and only DLC. We are already working on the next title. The title screen of Re Mind serves as a piece of foundation for it.
The title screen is the Sora and Kairi both with paopu fruit. Also they added in that Sora says something to Kairi prior to disappearing so I imagine she will be playing a huge part in the next title and likely she may even be the main playable protagonist this time along with Riku.
The story developments of KH3 didn't provide a reason to stop by Radiant Garden, plus work related issues.
Someone check on Nomura, he keeps trying to speak this line into existence, it doesn't really work like that. Look:
I am tall
I am tall
I am tall
Oh no I'm still 5ft 1
Someone check on Nomura, he keeps trying to speak this line into existence, it doesn't really work like that. Look:
I am tall
I am tall
I am tall
Oh no I'm still 5ft 1
You are taller than a good portion of the population. You are tall.
You are taller than a good portion of the population. You are tall.
Well if you factor in kids then sure, ut I'm really not tall among adults ?
Not sure where you live that 5'1 is considered tall
Someone check on Nomura, he keeps trying to speak this line into existence, it doesn't really work like that. Look:
I am tall
I am tall
I am tall
Oh no I'm still 5ft 1
?
?
I'm not really salty at all xD
I know what to expect from this franchise ?
Yeah I thought Radiant Garden, too. Though I didn't think of Land of Departure coming back. That would be interesting.
Or maybe Shibuya?
This is exciting news as we've got not one but two new Kingdom Hearts games in development, unless if that other game is really KHIV.
Square Enix can still reuse the character models (e.g. Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Roxas, Ventus, Aqua, The Foretellers, Xigbar etc..) and worlds (e.g. Twilight Town, Radiant Garden, Destiny Islands, Toy Box, Arendelle) from Kingdom Hearts III for the next KH games without restarting from scratch again so development will move a lot faster than in previous KH titles, however when it comes to the new Disney/Original worlds and characters they create, it may take them another year or two to develop. I do expect the next new KH game for the PS5 (or whichever console it's releasing) to come out around mid-late 2021 and the next KH game by 2022 or 2023, mainly the former as it's the 20th anniversary of the first KH game and the KH franchise and going by the release pattern on how they release a new Kingdom Hearts game, it's usually 1-2 or 3-4 years for a new KH game (depending of the KH title) to come out.
Huh, I could've sworn I remembered Nomura saying something about planning 2 DLCs
I actually took that to be referring to a world seen only in cutscenes ('after being separate' and 'why just this world' versus all the ones only seen in cutscene). My guess is Radiant Garden really, but perhaps Land of Departure.
Huh, I could've sworn I remembered Nomura saying something about planning 2 DLCs
I think he just referred to the free update and the paid dlc as two separate things
This is exciting news as we've got not one but two new Kingdom Hearts games in development, unless if that other game is really KHIV.
Square Enic can still reuse the character models (e.g. Sora, Riku, Kairi, Donald, Goofy, Roxas, Ventus, Aqua, The Foretellers, Xigbar etc..) and worlds (e.g. Twilight Town, Radiant Garden, Destiny Islands, Toy Box, Arendelle) from Kingdom Hearts III for the next KH games without restarting from scratch again so development will move a lot faster than in previous KH titles, however when it comes to the new Disney/Original worlds and characters they create, it may take them another year or two to develop. I do expect the next new KH game for the PS5 (or whichever console it's releasing) to come out around mid-late 2021 and the next KH game by 2022 or 2023, mainly the forner as it's the 20th anniversary of the first KH game and the KH franchise and going by the release pattern on how they release a new Kingdom Hearts game, it's usually 1-2 or 3-4 years for a new KH game (depending of the KH title) to come out.
Yeah! Two KH games means double the fun! It also means I have to eventually get a PS5...You're killing me Square! You're killing me. Still it's worth it for my favorite game series.
Well it's time for me to take a leave a absence from the forums for a bit in the next 5 hours for ReMind. See all you guys in the aftermath of the DLC.
Are there any plans for further updates or DLC?
There are no plans for a hypothetical update as of now, but if issues come up we will deal with it. Re Mind is to be the first and only DLC. We are already working on the next title. The title screen of Re Mind serves as a piece of foundation for it.
The title screen is the Sora and Kairi both with paopu fruit. Also they added in that Sora says something to Kairi prior to disappearing so I imagine she will be playing a huge part in the next title and likely she may even be the main playable protagonist this time along with Riku.
Oooh yes missed that part, god that would be everything I've wanted from KH for years.
As long as it's not just CoM Redux/DDD Redux with Sora/Riku.
Yeah! Two KH games means double the fun! It also means I have to eventually get a PS5...You're killing me Square! You're killing me. Still it's worth it for my favorite game series.
Well it's time for me to take a leave a absence from the forums for a bit in the next 5 hours for ReMind. See all you guys in the aftermath of the DLC.
Good luck to you SweetYetSalty
Someone check on Nomura, he keeps trying to speak this line into existence, it doesn't really work like that. Look:
The excuses get weaker every time, but Limit Cut itself is the best argument against this line of reasoning so far.
Throws out the window the notion that Riku wouldn't have sought out their help because he doesn't know them like Sora does. Makes clear their utility to the plot even on the most basic level, since Cid is good with data and data is key to most of KH3 proper. Cid even "outdid" himself building the boss fights for the Org, which, you know, might have been useful to have someone who accidentally manages to recreate data perfectly when looking into mysterious code inside Sora's heart.
But yeah, keep spinning Nomura.
Q12 Will you tell us about any plans for future KH projects?
We still need some time with regards to main line Kingdom Hearts, but first up the KH UX team will have a surprising announcement tomorrow. Aside from the KH3 and KH UX teams, we actually have two new teams in operation, and from them one title will be coming surprisingly soon.
So as of right now, we have four dedicated Kingdom Hearts teams.
[LIST]
[*]The Kingdom Hearts III development team.
[*]The Unchained/Union Cross team who are announcing a Xehanort related game.
[*]A Kingdom Hearts development team who will announce a new project soon.
[*]Another Kingdom Hearts development team who are creating a project.
[/LIST]
Unchained/Union Cross is developed by BitGroove so it's safe to assume not all of the Kingdom Hearts teams are internal developers.
Are there any plans for further updates or DLC? There are no plans for a hypothetical update as of now, but if issues come up we will deal with it. Re Mind is to be the first and only DLC. We are already working on the next title. The title screen of Re Mind serves as a piece of foundation for it.
Welp this throws out the hope that KH will win back my attention or money anytime soon.
God this news gets me eagerly awaiting more news. Something in my gut is telling me the "surprisingly soon" game is going to be the one Nomura said would precede KH4, with KH4 being worked on currently by one of the two teams. They may even merge with the KH3 team now that Re:Mind is done. I don't know, all weak speculation on my part; but also something to get me through the days.
God this news gets me eagerly awaiting more news. Something in my gut is telling me the "surprisingly soon" game is going to be the one Nomura said would precede KH4, with KH4 being worked on currently by one of the two teams. They may even merge with the KH3 team now that Re:Mind is done. I don't know, all weak speculation on my part; but also something to get me through the days.
Osaka Team worked hard for years to prove themselves and earn the right to work on a numbered title. It's unlikely that KH4 would be developed by anyone other than them.
Osaka Team worked hard for years to prove themselves and earn the right to work on a numbered title. It's unlikely that KH4 would be developed by anyone other than them.
And especially with the 6 new abilities that came with the free update, I think people will finally start giving Osaka Team their props. Most gameplay-based KH fans lost their minds when those new abilities came in (myself included). And now that with KH3, they've proven themselves, they're going to be the definitive KH team from now on most likely.
The Unchained/Union Cross team who are announcing a Xehanort related game.
Oh was it confirmed that, the Union Cross guys are the team behind Project Xehanort? I was worried that one of the new teams might be another mobile game development team.
Also does anyone know, if Project Xehanort is the game referenced in the interview or if not. I'm feeling like it must be but I'm not sure.
Oh was it confirmed that, the Union Cross guys are the team behind Project Xehanort? I was worried that one of the new teams might be another mobile game development team.
Also does anyone know, if Project Xehanort is the game referenced in the interview or if not. I'm feeling like it must be but I'm not sure.
Nobody knows, that's what's up in the air. By "game", we have no idea what Nomura classifies as one, and mobile games ARE a thing in Japan. Plus "surprisingly soon" checks out, because ReMind came out on January 23rd, and Project Xehanort has a Spring 2020 launch. That's not that long of a wait if we're talking April 2020 or something, especially because we're almost in February now anyway.
Or if it's a console game, "surprisingly soon" might be like, "a year from now"... And I'm not entirely convinced we're getting a new console HD game in 2021. 2022 maybe, but Nomura should clarify.
Nobody knows, that's what's up in the air. By "game", we have no idea what Nomura classifies as one, and mobile games ARE a thing in Japan. Plus "surprisingly soon" checks out, because ReMind came out on January 23rd, and Project Xehanort has a Spring 2020 launch. That's not that long of a wait if we're talking April 2020 or something, especially because we're almost in February now anyway.
Or if it's a console game, "surprisingly soon" might be like, "a year from now"... And I'm not entirely convinced we're getting a new console HD game in 2021. 2022 maybe, but Nomura should clarify.
Leave it to Nomura to give us information that leaves us more confused than if he had said nothing at all. I'll just assume the game he mentioned here is the Xehanort game. I know that Mobile games are popular in Japan, but I'm curious if SE is aware of the stigma and dislike most other places seem to have toward it.
I just hope it's not another gotcha game.
I feel that for the 20th anniversary we'll the game hinted at in limit cut, seems fittung to return to the realm of sleep for the second time for the second decade anniversary. I'd be surprised is we didn't get an anniversary game in 2022 or 2023.
Square put out an English version of the Q&A, if that is of any interest.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://square-enix-games.com/en_GB/news/kingdom-hearts-iii-re-mind-questions[/URL]
Square put out an English version of the Q&A, if that is of any interest.
[URL unfurl="true"]https://square-enix-games.com/en_GB/news/kingdom-hearts-iii-re-mind-questions[/URL]
Q12: Would you be able to share, if any, plans for the future of the KINGDOM HEARTS series? We will need some more time to make another traditional, main-series style KINGDOM HEARTS game, but there was a surprising announcement from the KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ[Cross] team last week. On top of that, we also have two new teams working on different projects separate from Re Mind and Union χ[Cross], and one of those games is coming out earlier than you would think. The title screen for Re Mind lays some of the groundwork for it. |
So the two teams are separate from Xehanort, meaning it's a third party.
Which returns me to my original comment in this thread:
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So the two teams are separate from Xehanort, meaning it's a third party.
Which returns me to my original comment in this thread:
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Wait what? Not only is Project Xehanort from the Union Cross team but "DDD2" might be coming surprisingly soon?
That's great to hear! I was under the impression that Union Cross and Project Xehanort were being made by two different teams and that PX was the surprisingly soon game.
Wait what? Not only is Project Xehanort from the Union Cross team but "DDD2" might ve coming surprisingly soon?
That's great to hear! I was under the impression that Union Cross and Project Xehanort were being made by two different teams and that PX was the surprisingly soon game.
I think it's a different team than the UX one (they do have to focus on that game after all), but it is likely a third party team. So it's either:
[LIST]
[*]Another company.
[*]A new team at Bitgroove separate from the UX team.
[/LIST]
It might be the latter, but I kinda want the former.
So the two teams are separate from Xehanort, meaning it's a third party.
Which returns me to my original comment in this thread:
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Yoooo, let's go!! In that case, we probably won't have too much of a waiting gap for Kingdom Hearts 4, since this next game clearly won't be that one. Maybe DDD2? I can't think of any other game it'd be, since it's implied that all things Foretellers would most likely be in the next numbered title.
Man, I am ready for this! I'm hoping this next game is indeed the one Nomura said would prelude into KH4. And hoping KH4 is back to the classic SDG action, with some Foreteller stuff going on. Just have to wait and see
ZinC Podzzz
January 22, 2020 @ 03:30 pmOffline