Infiltrating Shinra - TLS interview project

[hian]

So, for those of you who don't know, I just finished complete translation of both the Famitsu and Dengeki interviews of Kitase and Nomura for the remake, which can be found here :
FAMITSU INTERVIEW
http://thelifestream.net/forums/showpost.php?p=672010&postcount=90
and here :
DENGEKI INTERVIEW
http://thelifestream.net/forums/showpost.php?p=672425&postcount=118

A couple of things that struck me where that non of these interviews
asked all that interesting questions that A.) couldn't be partially gleaned from looking at the trailer and B.) they should have known they would get "non-answers" to
(anything relating to the split format apart from what was in the press-release).

Not only that, they failed to ask IMO questions that are far more interesting to fans that would probably be less troublesome for Kitase and Nomura to answer, and so remembering (how could I have forgotten?) that it only takes me about an hour to get down to their offices, that I speak Japanese, and that I'm on this site doing translations that most of the journalists on the internet are apparently disinterested in doing, that maybe I could act as a representative for this fan community and ask for an interview.

So what am I really proposing here, and what's the process?

I'm proposing we use this thread to do some brain-storming and creative leg-work - write out some questions and thoughts.
I'll then compose a mail in Japanese and send it in to their press department presenting myself as a representative of the non-Japanese FF7 fan community wanting to procure and provide a direct message from the developers to the fans abroad answering the stuff they're interested in, as they've (we've up until now) had to make due with the translation of questions asked primarily by Japanese journalists about things that might not pertain to the biggest thoughts and worries of those abroad.


I cannot say for certain what format the interview will be presented in.
In a perfect world, I'd do it with a camera, but I am not a great camera man, and since I'm going in alone this seems kinda difficult to pull off with grace.
I will record audio if I'm allowed an interview in person, because naturally, how else would I catch everything being said?
However, I might not be allowed to provide the audio file, and as such people are going to have to make due with the transcript.


I do not know how this will go through.
It might be ignored, and it's very likely that I'll simply be told to wait for the next press-release.
However, I might also manage to get something rolling.

Because Kitase and Nomura are busy people there is a chance that the "interview", even if it goes through, will be reduced to email correspondence which is why questions will need to be prepared beforehand.
The other reason for this is that even if an actual interview in person is granted, many professionals in the industry demand the chance to screen questions beforehand in order to avoid being caught unaware or tricked into saying things they don't want to/shouldn't say.

That being said, a decent interview should always aspire to "weasel" as much information out of the subject as possible (without being sly and intrusive of course), which is why I'm specifically looking to create a list of possible "Sherlock questions" - that is to say questions that ask for one thing, but when answered, will allow you to deduce something else.

Here are some example questions :


1. In the original game Cloud was seen wielding the Buster Sword in all scripted scenes, but in battle he had access to a wide assortment of swords. Will Cloud be wielding the Buster Sword throughout the entire remake?

This sounds straight forward, but depending on the answer we can learn by extension about both the equipment and Materia system of the remake.
After all, if Cloud wields the same sword throughout the entire game, then the original weapon system has been scrapped, or scrapped in favor of something else entirely .
Since the Materia system is tied to the weapon system, then this would also mean that the Materia system is being revised, and not tied to weapons in the same way it was before.


2. The original world of FFVII was quite large, with Cloud and Co traveling large distances between locations. Do you have any thoughts on how traveling will work in the remake? Will it be streamlined like FF13, or are we looking at something more open like FF15?

A question like this, if answered, gives us a good idea about the scope of the game and shines more light on the entire idea of splitting the game into parts and whether they're reasoning for doing so truly has to do with managing space, or something else entirely.


Optimally speaking, these are the kind of questions I'm looking for, and if this goes through, I'll probably field the two above.

Another user said he wanted to know about how they'll deal with political themes etc. of the game granted the current political climate in the world, and I think that's another one that could be interesting to field.

I've also thought a bit about music and style, since the original game had distinct themes and things happening for most situations and that was tied to the way the game segued from mode to mode, but how are things like the battle theme and victory theme going to work if battle happens seamlessly?
What about victory poses etc.?


But enough about that -
A final disclaimer here, so nobody screams foul.
If this goes through I will provide verifiable evidence of the interview though screen-caps of any email correspondence, and by photos from any session if it happens.


Finally, although this is not something I expect or demand for doing this, I would greatly appreciate any financial support for this IF AND ONLY IF the interview gets approved.
I'm pretty poor at the moment, and unless these guys are available on weekends, I am going to have to take a day off of work to do this.
Add traveling expenses, and sandwich and coke so my eyes don't glaze over during the interview from low blood-sugar, and this will cost me about 10.000 yen (not really, it would cost me more but whatever).
About 2000 yen going in and out to Tokyo, 500 yen for food and drink, and the remaining 7500 being 2/3 of my daily salary at the moment, which I will be giving up to mosey on this goose-chase.

Again, I am going to do this regardless whether anyone can help me out or not, because wtf, I'm liek teh biggest FFVII fan ehvar, but help would be appreciated by those who want this as much as I do.
Now, AGAIN, not gonna e-beg proper before I know, and you know, that this interview is really happening, and ONLY then will start going "pleeeeaaaase spare a gold coin for my pay-pal" and not a second before.
For now, this is all just theoretical and as such, just take this thread as a place to fantasize about what kind of questions to ask Kitase and the rest of the goons over at SE.


The floors is yours ladies and gents (and everyone in-between) - let's get the ball running and try to make this happen!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


UPDATE - 2016/02/22 :

Here's the first draft for the questions. The gate is still open for feed-back and more suggestions for questions :

Spoiler: INTERVIEW DRAFT 1

Size and format

Question 1 :

One big thing when talking about the remake, both now and in the past, has been in relation to scope.
Scope was brought up when talking about the remake in the past, and was brought up again with the announcement that the remake would be split into parts.
Now, SE is working on another game which looks like it has quite the scope - namely FFVX - and so I want to ask if we're looking at something similar to that, or perhaps even bigger?

Question 2 :

Although you have probably stated all you can about FFVII:R being split into several parts, a lot of the media abroad has run with the term "episodic" in talking about your decision.
I'm sensing a distinction between the term "episodic" in Japanese, and "segmented", which you chose when speaking about the remake.
Would it perhaps be more accurate to say that the remake will be more similar to the FFXII trilogy, than say, "Life is Strange" or other episodic games from SE?

Question 3 :

With FFVII:R becoming a "bunsaku"(split product) are there any particular problems or hurdles you anticipate in regards to things such as where and how to split up the story and the world?

Question 4 :

May western fans are worried about if and how the direction of recent FF titles will effect the remake.
Newer titles have tended to be more stream-lined and offered less in terms of exploration. FFXIII stands out in particular as a game many western fans would not want the remake to emulate.
If you could compare the vision for the remake with other FF titles like FFVX, FF Type-0 or FFXIII, is there any particular one that stands out?


Game-play :

Question 5 :

The original game had quite a lot of content to it, in addition to the size of the world.
In terms of the character's equipment, their look would change with new weapons, and there were many modes of travel, enemy types etc.
Is it a priority to keep such things in the remake?


Question 6 :

In earlier interviews it was stated that you're focusing on how the characters can interact with the world. In the trailer we saw cloud moving through rubble in a way similar to that of how movement is in FFXV.
FFXV features elements of free-running and recently revealed magic that has an effect on the environment.
And in the Dissidia games there were destructable parts of the environment, and you had the ability to run on walls among other things.
Are we looking at something similar for the remake?


Question 7 :

When talking about the combat mechanics in earlier interviews, comparisons were made to the new Dissidia game and Kingdom Hearts.
More than those games though, I think it would be natural to ask how the remake would compare to the latest action based RPGs in the FF franchise, FFXV and FF Type-0.
Are these games any indication of the direction the Remake is going in?


Style and Story :

Question 8 :

It has been stated that the remake will feature changes to the story, but that it will also tie in with the compilation.
However, western fans have taken notice that the intro featured in the trailer is different from the intro featured in the compilation title CC of Cloud riding the train, specifically in regards to the design on his sword.
Does this mean that we can expect changes to story aspects from the compilation as well?
In light of that, Is it perhaps reasonable to view the remake more akin to that of a reboot?

Question 9 :

One thing many western fans are very interested in is the music.
Uematsu has stated that he will not be coming back for the remake, and in the trailers you've used music from, among other things, the compilation.
Does this mean that we're looking at an entirely remastered soundtrack, and if so, have you decided who will do the job?

 

[RedFFWolf]

An incredible proposal, hian.

Now, while I will attempt to conjure up some questions later (though, indeed, by the time I do so many of the best will have already been said), I first and foremost want to say I will support you financially. Why I'm saying this first is simply because if this makes headway, it's nicer to know that whatever happens---such as making it as far as SE, but being informed of a cancellation while you're there---any loss can be minimised. I.E, I'll support you on the way too, regardless of the interview coming to fruition. You have my trust and my faith - you've done a lot of great stuff already.

Sell yourself the best you can, balancing your talents and aptitudes alongside imperative humble qualities - perhaps even mentioning or showing the work you've done already, if you feel that will help. But you can ignore all this; you clearly know what you're doing and how to handle it.
Fair play! I'll be watching this thread

 

[trash panda]

I love this idea so much and I'm so appreciative that you're offering. I'm sure we all are.

$20 from me
(Google tells me that's 2440.70 yen, but idk )

One thing I wonder though - will you need to prove that you are a member of a fan community? IIRC during events like E3, you had to provide some sort of evidence that you were a writer in order to get a press pass. I'd have to double check with Lex on that because he's the one that actually applied for a press pass to E3 that one time...

You definitely need a TLS shirt to wear to the interview if this happens.

I'm excited to brainstorm some questions together here.

 

[micknutson9]

The rating of the game, whether it'll be rated M for Mature or T for Teen. Because the original game had a lot of censored language in it. Will some of the dropped ideas be reinserted like Yuffie being a 25 year old wanted bounty hunter as well an ex-SOLDIER first class? Or the more suggestive Under the Highwind scene where it was implied that both Cloud and Tifa spent the night together? Mentions of the Compilation, such as Cissnei, Deepground, or Genesis? That's all for now. I'll have some more later if I can think of some but I think that's about it for now. I hope these are relevant and not gotcha questions.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Here's a proposal that I have for questions that're small things, but would stand out if we could get them answered. Fair warning - I tend to write them as tl;dr to get them a little extra context:

1) CyberConnect2 has done an extensive bit of work with portraying visually cinematic spectacles in both their Ultimate Ninja Storm games, as well as in their own IP of Asura's Wrath, so after having worked with SE on the G-Bike game and their familiarity with the Unreal Engine, this partnership seems like a natural fit, even if there's still some conversation on matching up stylistically, like for the PSX trailer.

CC2's previous game deliver their content in an episodic fashion -- albeit within a single game, with the exception of the True Ending DLC for Asura's Wrath. Was there anything about this work model that they'd used in the past that helped to push for releasing the Final Fantasy VII Remake in a multi-part fashion, and would you be able to elaborate on if the current plan is to split content into individual episodes/chapters like this, or if the Final Fantasy VII Remake's multi-part release is different, since in English it's difficult for fans understand the goal from the current interview translations?

2) CyberConnect2's games cater to a wide audience of fans familiar with Japanese culture, and because of this, they have included both a Japanese and English voice track for their players to be able to choose between them. For a large number of fans of Final Fantasy VII, this familiarity and preference is no exception and some prefer the delivery of the Japanese to the English, even in the recently revealed PSX trailer. Is there a plan to have an option for both Japanese and a localized vocal track for the Final Fantasy VII Remake -- especially since the multi-part release will allow for a greater volume of content available to players?




X

 

[Pixel]

If you do video it, could we have it for the youtube channel? Any adsense gained from it would go to you.

My question
In the 20 years since the original game was developed, a lot has happened in the world, such as terrorism, environmental issues, and the relationships between politics, big businesses and the media. Are these factors you've taken into consideration when rewriting the scenario and character motivations?

 

[Dashell]

i don't wanna get my hopes up for this because personally, I feel like they'd just ignore you (not that you're not cool or anything, but I just get the feeling we wouldn't be the first to try this) but if you get through, that'd be awesome. I wish you good luck



Mostly I want to know if elements from the Compilation would be added or not and if things like Yuffie and Vincent will still be optional or not... I mean there's almost no point tbh, so I'm kind of wondering about things like that if it makes sense

 

[hian]

@Howl :Very geberous of you, but I'm not sure I would bs comfortable with such a large amount froma single individual. You'd be floating essentially 1/5th of what I asked for what is essentially a community effort. Not to mention you could buy a game for that money =p


Anyway, I had an idea on how to approach this that might give it the "official" feeling it requires.
If I were to provide the request for an interview to site staff, have them post it on the site, and then tweet it at the Japanese SE members account, we could bypass the pesky press channel from the site, while making it apparent that this is an official community project, essentially killing two birds with one stone.


Keept the feed-back and discussion going, and thanks for the suggestion. I'll start working on a first draft for the interview come this weekend.

@Dashell ;
Yeah, being ignored or getting a decline is likely, so it's not a good idea to get hyped over it.
If this is going to have even a remote chance of succeeding we need to sell this as an opportunity for SE to directly answer questions from what essentially is the biggest representation of fans abroad, and make sure that they understand that it isn't just me personally interviewing them, but all of us with me simply being a representative.


Finally we have to be smart about timing. Christmas is fast approaching and SE might have another press event planned for Jump Festa later this month. In order to avoid the interview getting scrubbed for any of those reasons, we'll probably have to wait until Jump Festa, and aim for a January date for the interview.

 

[trash panda]

$20 isn't a lot of money. It buys me one chicken, two gallons of milk and a box of cereal. It also only buys me one third of a game.
I'm not being very generous at all; in fact I'm being downright cheap. Shat up and take my money.

I've been trying to brainstorm some questions at work today. The one that keeps surfacing my mind is material that was scrapped from the original game, such as Cobalt XIV and Indigo XV (meant to be part of Nanaki's story line). I was curious as to whether or not they'd incorporate scrapped ideas.

I'm also curious as to how much more detail they will add to the storyline. I.e. I'd like to know how Tifa met Barret or how AVALANCHE felt about blowing up a reactor that inevitably killed a LOT of innocent people. (If you recall the bombing mission animation, that explosion was huge).

I also want to know if Seto is actually alive and petrified....in the part of the game where we see him, he sheds tears. Why didn't the party use a soft and unpetrify him?

 

[CrashOuch]

This is a very cool idea, and so exciting! I'd definitely be very up for supporting you in this financially

 

[AvecAloes]

So, uh, if SE takes a look around at our site.......are they going to find anything that they would shut us down over?

 

[Lex]

^I'm really unsure how that would affect us re: English translations of stuff like the novellas, considering they're not available in English.

 

[CrashOuch]

^I'm really unsure how that would affect us re: English translations of stuff like the novellas, considering they're not available in English.

... it might be alright? No one's making any kind of profit out of the translations and the sources are quoted pretty liberally in most places I think? But I don't know how strict Japanese copyright laws are ...

It'll probably be fine

 

[hian]

I doubt they'll look too much into the background of the site, and since what we're talking about here is largely text, I'm thinking it will go undetected. SE are probably on watch for illegal file sharing of their IPs more so than fan-translated works of text.So, unless you got a bunch of DDL/torrent files with SE stuff somewhere I didn't notice, the site is probably clean enough.
The bigger issue is if we can sell the idea of TLS having real reach and truly representing the views and thoughts of a larger global audience.
That being said this place has a lot of exposure through it's Youtube channel hasn't it?


If anyone in a position to do so, could lift some (hopefully positive) data off of this site and the youtube channel which helps demonstrate reach and diversity of the community, we could incorporate that into our appeal.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

We had enough to get press passes for something, and if memory serves it was Lex that did that and he might still remember what stats we needed to get those that'd provide that sort of clout that may give us a fighting chance.




X

 

[Flare]

Wow, what an awesome idea and plan, hian. This sounds very ambitious, but how amazing it'll be if you can pull it off! If you could somehow get an interview, I can only imagine that'll bump TLS up into a wider range of views/fans much more than before. It would be so cool to get an interview with SE, regardless of the method (video interview or email).

As for a question, I would love to know if there will be a flyable airship (the Highwind), but I doubt they'd answer that so soon.

The rating of the game, whether it'll be rated M for Mature or T for Teen.

I'm pretty sure they answered this in an interview a while back; I forget which one it is and where, but I think they were wanting to keep it T for Teen. Though I wouldn't mind a M rating.

 

[hian]

Then it seems this project's destiny is tied to Lex's power as sage of the site?

If you're up for giving this project a shot, give me a nod and we can exchange skype/email whatever to put thing into motion.
We'll work out the appeal and questions in English, then I'll make a Japanese version, which I'll retranslate for you guys so you understand exactly what is being said, then Lex, if willing and able can find the way to make it credible, and then we forward it to SE either (or both) throught the regular press channel and directly to the SE members twitter handle (which other could then retweet at them to strengthen the point that many people want to see this happen).


How does that sound?

 

[Pixel]

I dunno about the whole open letter thing. Seems kinda unprofessional.

I could ask someone from gaming union/final fantasy union about this. They got to work with SE to promote Type-0 by interviewing voice actors.

 

[Channy]

Hian this sounds really awesome and good on you for wanting to take a go at it. I know a lot of us are jealous (only an hour away? Really? I've driven an hour for far less important things, I'd be stalking that building daily).

I think I would just reiterate some of the questions previously mentioned... previous ideas that were scrapped, would they be revisited or are there good reasons they were dropped? (i.e. Indigo XV storyline).

There's been some mention of wanting to include a more complete VII storyline so surely that includes the compilation, right? Are they going to include every little thing or make offhand mentions?

Are we ever getting a BC remake/port?

Also, I'd totally pitch in 20 bucks. My Canadian moneys may be like mere pennies to you, but eh... I tried.

 

[hian]

I dunno about the whole open letter thing. Seems kinda unprofessional.

I could ask someone from gaming union/final fantasy union about this. They got to work with SE to promote Type-0 by interviewing voice actors.

I haven't decided what format to go with yet.
The problem with the "open letter approach" is that it sounds, as you said, unprofessional.
However, it has some virtues too.


If I go at professionally, they'll treat me according to those rules and norms, and I am not a professional journalist nor a member of staff for a site like this. I'll be disqualified by default.
All I can really hope for is to pass through on a combination of good will and as an oddity that might benefit SE in the long run, and to achieve that it might actually be better to do an open appeal with the community at my back.


Still thinking though. It really depends on how site staff here at TLS feel about this and what they can do to help in this regards.

 

[Lex]

What can we do, though? Our goal is to request interviews when the site is up to snuff early next year, but if you're actually there (and able to speak and more importantly translate Japanese) that is incredibly helpful. We need to know the proper channels for requesting interviews other than sending emails to a PR department that probably has a hundred people just sitting deleting emails all day.

 

[hian]

The only thing you could do is up my credentials by either giving me some sort of position/title, real or imagined that passes screening. Or float the interview in my stead. That's it essentially. But, if the site will be requesting interviews past new years anyway, fhere is absolutely no point in me doing this. If I can be of help at fhat time, if you even need it, you can just send me a notice and I'll do whatever I can to help the efforts.

I still think it would be really good if whatever you plan on doing is shaped through a community effort, since interviews these days are so often industry-centric and questions being limited to these really stunted questions about obvious design choices and game mechanics that are already laid bare by trailers etc.


Anyways, thanks for the heads up.

Edit :
Also, if it's not too late I could fry to get my spiky ass to Jump Festa, but I'd have to look into that when I get home. Besides, I'm dirt poor at the moment so depending on ticket price etc. it might not be feasible this time around. Also, we don't even know if FFVII will make an appearance in eifher case...

 

[Pixel]

Lauren from Final Fantasy Union got back to me. They were approached by SE to help with the PR for Type-O, because they liked their work, I think based on some previous VA interviews they had done. This was SE USA or Europe though.

 

[Jason Tandro]

hian if the interviews get approved I would be happy to pledge maybe a $20 spot myself. I'm not exactly loaded, but I like throwing money at good ideas.

You should have seen how much I threw at my wife .

 

[Lex]

E3 stated that any site that applied needed a minimum of 8000 unique hits per day per pass, and both Tetsujin and I got a pass.