Remake Interviews: Catch-all Thread

[Lex]

Let's-a quote-a

The game will have full voice overs, so characters that weren’t in Advent Children will need new voice actors. They haven’t been decided yet.

The date event will be fully voiced, but due to changes in the social situation certain scenes have to be implemented carefully, like the Honey Bee Inn.

Info on the overworld cannot be provided yet, but it won’t be an open world or sandbox game. Nomura-san is more interested in showing how characters affect the environment.

Minigames that have left an impression with the fans will be included. The inclusion of the smaller ones will require consideration, as they all need to be developed with the latest tech.

The game’s development is in the initial stages, they started developing the battle system.

No information can be shared on whether the game will be out by 2017, but more information on that might come after the release of World of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts II.8 HD in 2016.

I smell fan panic and fear on the brew from the second point specifically, but we all knew that was coming.

 

[Cthulhu]

So basically:

* Honeybee Inn is scrapped or at least neutered
* Minigames will be shit or scrapped
* 2017 is unlikely because no game is ever on schedule

 

[cold_spirit]

Let's-a quote-a

The date event will be fully voiced, but due to changes in the social situation certain scenes have to be implemented carefully, like the Honey Bee Inn.

I smell fan panic and fear on the brew from the second point specifically, but we all knew that was coming.

Do you think they mean the date event at the Gold Saucer? Maybe I'm looking into this too much, but if they are already considering the voice acting for that date event, then does that mean it'll be included in Part 1? They did say the Scenario for Part 1 is complete.

And I'm already seeing posts of people blaming "SJWs" for any changes. Ugh, I hate that that term has become derogative on the internet.

 

[Aya Lee]

Let's-a quote-a

The date event will be fully voiced, but due to changes in the social situation certain scenes have to be implemented carefully, like the Honey Bee Inn.

I smell fan panic and fear on the brew from the second point specifically, but we all knew that was coming.

I am not sure what that means exactly, but I'm not worrying until I do. People will always assume the worst, especially with an initial translation. We have already been through a panic with other first releases of information and I don't want to keep doing that myself, personally.

It could mean that scenes such as Mukki's, might be slightly toned down to feel less... err...disturbing, I guess, for lack of a better word. It doesn't sound like they will be taking things out which is good, but altering instead. Depending on what's altered, that is where the panic will either be justified or not. That one sentence isn't explained, and therefore, conclusions cannot be determined.

 

[Flare]

It sounds like they definitely are including Honey Bee Inn (they're saying 'certain scenes have to be implemented carefully, such as Honey a Bee Inn',) therefore it tells me they're doing it but it'll probably be approached moderately. Maybe you can't peek into other rooms anymore, and perhaps Mukki's scene will be 'toned down', such as no actual 'massage' going on, but maybe making him suggestive in his words, ect.
As long as I get to see Cloud get dolled up with makeup there and perhaps accidentally pass out and there's suggestive innuendo going on, I'll be fine with it.

 

[Claymore]

I smell fan panic and fear on the brew from the second point specifically, but we all knew that was coming.

It's already blowing up. I really need to stop reading Youtube comments...

 

[Pixel]

This puts those points into better context
http://www.novacrystallis.com/2015/...-voiced-staff-discusses-world-map-mini-games/

Regarding Voices…

Nomura: “Basically, it will be fully voiced. We still haven’t decided the voices of the characters that weren’t in Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.”

So does that mean dating events will be fully voiced?

Kitase: “It would be impossible not to. (Laughs) However, since it’s different from that time and social situation, we need implement the reproduction of original events carefully.”

Nomura: “Ah, the Honey Bee Inn… (Laughs)”

Is the map open world?

Kitase: “We can’t say anything yet, but we don’t plan on fussing about whether it’s a so-called open-world or sandbox. But since Nomura is more focused on the creation of the scenery, we want to express an environment character actions affect the scenery.”

Will there be mini-games?

Kitase: “We want to put the mini-games that remain favorable among fans in as much as possible.”

Nomura: “There were a lot of things from big to small, but we need to consider a bit whether it’s necessary to create them all with the latest technology.”

Kitase: “The development staff is also thinking about what to do with the mini-games.”

How’s production going?

Kitase: “We’re at the stage where we can say we’re finally getting started. We have ideas regarding battles, too, but it will take time to drop them into the actual game.”

Final Fantasy VII‘s 20th anniversary is in 2017. Can we expect anything for its original release date on January 31?

Kitase: “I can’t say anything at the moment. (Laughs)”

Nomura: “Personally, I’m waiting for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 and World of Final Fantasy in 2016. I think when they’re completed, I’ll be able to release new information.”

 

[Aya Lee]

LOL This is exactly what I was talking about regarding "initial translation". People take the first text of news so literally. I get a totally different impression after reading that. Thank you, Pixel.

 

[Mayo Master]

IMO the actual bad news would be if self-censorship comes in for the purpose of targeting a Teen rating. Then we would really know that a lot of content would be watered-down. The information we have now (thankfully) doesn't hint at that.
Let's face it: if the OG were to be re-rated today, I doubt it would get the same rating it originally got.
Personally, I'm good if they keep all the "suggestive themes", the "drug and alcohol references" and all that. But I don't really need to see the details of Mukki's anatomy in HD glory for calling the remake a success.

 

[Flare]

I'm having a bit of hard time figuring out what they mean by a different 'social situation', in accordance with the Honey Bee Inn. Can anyone help clarify that for me?

 

[Dashell]

I mean it should be obvious that the Honey Bee Inn incidents won't go down exactly as they used to... but I'm sure Cloud will still cross dress... they'd keep that right?


Idk what all the panic is about I'm just like

right now

 

[Selphie Tilmitt]

Social implications means politically correct or something I imagine, no stereotyping, etc of homosexuality, trans gender, portraying people as sex objects, etc (I'm half expecting Tifa to appear in pants/trousers for this remake and Aerith to have a granny cardy or be covered head to toe in some sort of nun gear up or something ) though personally I felt the original game handled these themes well enough, not just playing them for laughs or things, and being relatively well done, Big Bro, etc I actually feel removing such or toning them down or such might be worse because representation can be a good thing too and we're all supposed to be more enlightened and understanding, etc now

 

[Tennyo]

I'm having a bit of hard time figuring out what they mean by a different 'social situation', in accordance with the Honey Bee Inn. Can anyone help clarify that for me?

Mukki and the Young Bubby's Club are essentially walking stereotypes. I'm assuming that's what they mean?

I mean, dat hot tub scene. Are we getting that in HD or no? I think that's the crux of it.

 

[Lex]

I'm not even remotely worried about that. Maybe I should be? Idk, I always thought those scenes were going to be different. Remember in the original game your imagination is doing half the work. Specifically in the hot tub scene all you see is Cloud bobbing up and down with a load of naked men behind him, you know the implication of the scene is much more graphic than that - even if nothing sexual is happening, I highly doubt all these dudes are just floating around in that hot tub keeping a 10cm minimum distance between them at all times.

What they might do is just make that scene hilarious by showing it from Cloud's perspective. They're behind him in there so there could be splashy splashy noises and Cloud just counting down in his head with an inner monologue.

Then there's the other room, which I never actually go into anymore. You wake up with Mukki squatting over you giving you repeat slaps.

 

[Tennyo]

I think the point though is that nowadays someone out there is going to be offended and may make a huge stink. Nomura and Kitase probably just don't want to have to deal with it.

This is by no means a reflection of my own opinion on the scenes.

 

[Wolf_]

It baffles me that I'm reading about the open world part, wondering about a 60+ hour corridor and the rest of the world is on about a scene that has no real relevance and can be skipped completely. But for the interest of joining the club, I think they're just gonna get rid of the YMCA handle bar moustaches and just have them in the background leering.

 

[Flare]

I think the point though is that nowadays someone out there is going to be offended and may make a huge stink. Nomura and Kitase probably just don't want to have to deal with it.

I hope that's not what they do. I mean, honestly, someone is always going to be offended by something, even if most/all others aren't. I hope if they do anything, they just tone some stuff down, rather than change it completely.
Basically, I agree with Selphie above, I like that line of thought.

 

[Tennyo]

And that's they way I feel. I want them to be able to include all of these scenes, yet at the same time I can understand why some people might be upset by them. I don't think Nomura and Kitase should be strong armed into making any changes but if they choose to do it I also wouldn't mind. I mean, as fun as the Honey Bee Inn is it won't be the make or break point for me.

And to be honest, if they make changes with pure intentions out of a belief that it will make fans have a happier experience that's not 100% a bad thing. I guess it's really up to them.

 

[Lex]

Fans are blaming the wrong people too IMO. Yes SJW's are loud, but they're not the ones influencing the decision here, if they change anything it'll be for the PEGI people who actually rate the game. Also it's the developer's decision to change some scenes based on social attitudes. But even then I can't think of anything in FFVII that would be considered offensive by modern standards. People use homophobic stereotypes all the time and nobody bats an eyelid. We go "ugh stereotype", not "CHANGE IT IMMEDIATELY IT OFFENDS MY EYES".

And nobody cares about Mukki and the gym crew as a stereotype because they're masculine. Even with the 70's pornstache. Make them effeminate though, and there'll be a mild uproar.

If this wasn't SE (and a Japanese company) I might think they're talking about the costumes the girls wear, but since by SE's standards those costumes are the equivalent of socially high conservative I actually don't know what they mean. Cloud is kinda sexually creepy in some of the dialogue choices (don't waste my time, get on with it kind of thing), it could be that.

I agree the bigger news is the open world thing, but this is the thing most people seem to be interested in talking about.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Well, to be fair, we don't really have anything concrete about the world exploration yet either. All Kitase said is that they aren't focusing on what form the overworld takes, whether it be open or sandbox-style -- instead, Nomura's focus is on a particular mechanic (one in which the scenery is affected by the actions of characters inhabiting the world). They'll then build the interface up around that.

So we don't know what we're getting yet, but if you ask me, it's more promising to get indication that whatever form it ultimately takes will be integrated based on the experience they want players to have than if they had just said "Yeah, we'll have a world map really similar to the one in the original because that's how it was in the original. Haven't really given it any thought beyond that."

 

[ForceStealer]

I also don't really take "not open world" to mean "corridor" either. Honestly, when I think open-world/sandbox. I think Skyrim, Grand Theft Auto, etc. A relatively small, but detailed map packed to the gills with superfluous quests. FF games might be "open-world" in some sense, but when people use that term, I never picture a Final Fantasy game because the world map is so...well, detached from every explorable area.

 

[Mayo Master]

The way I understand it, Nomura and Kitase do not want to constrain themselves to the "code of standards" of sandbox/open-world games; they'll do it their own way and then people will be free to call that however they want (which is pretty much the jig of FFs, all in all). That's my interpretation anyway.
Regarding the other topic (modifying elements of the game because of "social changes"), I think that Japanese productions are not very concerned with political correctness (or at least, the way political correctness goes in the West), so I'm hopeful that they won't water down much of the content.

 

[Lex]

I think what bothers people is the idea of things being censored for a western audience as they often are. This wouldn't bother me at all if they didn't lump Europe and North America in as one homogenous mass, because no governing body (related to video games) in the UK gives a shit about being super PC with stuff in video games, and we're probably the most socially conservative in that respect in Europe (less than some notable exceptions, but still).

It just really fucks me off that some idiot shooting their mouth off on Fox News in the US can affect our experience of the game in another country.

 

[Pixel]

They wouldnt really have to change anything too much. They just have to make sure they don't turn them into gay stereotypes. Just make them ambiguous muscle beach kinda guys, who give strong massages... in a bath... with lots of other guys...

 

[AvecAloes]