Conversations with Creators: Kingdom Hearts 3

Krowley · Oct 16, 2013

The playstation.jp YouTube channel had earlier announced that Tetsuya Nomura would give his insight on Kingdom Hearts 3 as part of an ongoing series called "Conversations with Creators." Both the E3 and D23 Expo footage of the game can be found as Nomura discusses.
Famitsu has posted a transcript of the video below, and hopefully an English translation will be found soon.

Plums · Oct 16, 2013

Hey there, gang! KH3 has been a buzz the past few days with the recent gameplay trailer floating about. Being the ever loveable guy, Tetsuya Nomura has sat down with the playstation.jp YouTube channel as part of their "Conversations with Creators" series, and held an interview regarding the development of Kingdom Hearts 3 so far, as well as his experiences with the PS4:

So many fans were ecstatic with the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 3 back in June. Could you give us another run down of the series and the new title Kingdom Hearts 3?

Nomura: The Kingdom Hearts series has a lot of Disney characters, and you play as original characters, traveling to the various Disney worlds. It’s a story about the “heart” as the series unfolds. It’s a story that’s been ongoing for more than 10 years and continues into Kingdom Hearts 3 where we’ll see the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga.

Since it’s the latest console game in the series since Kingdom Hearts 2 which released in 2005, what kind of changes and evolutions can we expect to see?

Nomura: I think when you watch the in development trailers, you get a feel of the depth that's possible on a console title. In the case of mobile systems, the amount of information is limited, but with the home consoles you can make a game with a wide field of view. It's been such a long time since Kingdom Hearts has been on the home console, that I think you can feel the considerable scale of it.

On that large a scale, I expect we’ll be able to enjoy even more dynamic action.

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts is a series where action continues to evolve. With the past spin off titles, we did something new and the bold action elements changed each time. One thing I want to do with KH3 is to pick and choose the challenges and unique systems from the spin off titles while keeping the system based in the flow of KH1 & KH2.

What’s an example of bold action?

Nomura: Sora's mobility has really improved. There are so many possibilities, but implementing all of them would be extravagant, so right now I'm considering what elements and to what degree they'll be liberalized. After all, it's an RPG as well as an action game. It does have that "jump as far as you want" kind of the action characteristic.

Jump as far as you want? That’s insane!

Nomura: In the actual game there will be some sort of limit, but this time we are adopting the "free run" style like in current action games, where you can run around, climb, etc. Additionally, your aerial ability and jump ability rise rapidly, so it feels like the action elements are really extravagant. I think people who have played KH2 might understand it easily, it already has greater mobility than Sora's Final Form from that game.

That kind of mobility, no doubt the next gen system PS4 has the ability to realize it?

Nomura: I think that the PS4's power is capable of handling a diverse array of actions in a wide area and battles against large numbers of enemies.

Are you powering up the map's traits as well?

Nomura: We're preparing a fair number of actions that involve the world maps. Things like climbing up a cliff that crumbles with falling stones, and enemies lifting up a building that you are in.

In the E3 2013 trailer, we see a large number of Shadow Heartless squirming and moving almost like a tidal wave. It seems like the enemies' mobility has evolved too.

Nomura: This time we are focusing our attention on developing the AI. The AI of both your allies and enemies has evolved in a way that hasn't been seen so far. Before when a large number of enemies appeared, they all followed a program action pattern. But this time each enemy behaves according to it's own thought process. I think it's something that has been drastically powered up compared to the previous KH titles.

Speaking of allies, will the actions of our travel partners Goofy and Donald change as well?

Nomura: Their AI is also being powered up considerably. Since Disney characters have concrete personalities, I want them to act according to their own thoughts instead of just giving them an order and having them obey like in the Final Fantasy series. Relating to their AI, we're configuring it so Donald and Goofy act more like themselves.

Even when they cooperate and mobile, it's not like you give them clear instructions like before.

Nomura: The direction we're taking in their growth is to have it so they consider the situation, and help out accordingly. As the player is busy controlling Sora in battle, they consider how they'll participate and their actions increase accordingly.

With the PS4's specs and memory volume, the PS4 is able to implement those features?

Nomura: Well, even with the KH games so far, we've made it as seamless to the best of our ability, but the data is resident in the memory... So we include as many actions, motions and effects as possible. Luckily, the PS4's memory volume is big, so it helps.

Bold action, map features, and enemy AI. That's a lot to squeeze into one screen. When I consider it compared to KH2, it seems to become a pretty different game.

Nomura: Since it's a numbering KH title that crosses into the next gen, I think you'll be able to feel how it's evolved proportionately.

How about the graphics?

Nomura: We're aiming for a photo realistic representation combined with a tone of each Disney world.

You’ve mentioned before that KH3 has a new shader being developed for it, can you tell us about it again?

Nomura: This isn't the official name, but it's something we call the Kingdom Shader. You saw it a little bit in the E3 trailer, this visual of a Disney 2D produced painted image represented in 3D. This time, when I was thinking about how the graphics in KH3 would be visualized, it started with Takeshi Nozue working in Visual Works, and he made patterns of various visuals for me. He gave me this "painted looking visual" pattern and I wound up showing it at E3. Visual Works makes pre-rendered footage, and this is based on a way to make it work in real time.

Is the painted looking visual something that you’ve wanted to implement for a long time?

Nomura: Since the very first title, the graphic gradation was made with the intention of representing the painted look of Disney's animations. But with the hardware back then didn't have the capability to adjust the lighting freely, so we tried to portray a painted visual in the textures we used. But this time the hardware's capabilities are better, there is no option of "not using light." You don't get a sense of graphical evolution just by setting old graphics to HD, my goal with the next gen isn't to do something that reproduces the pre-rendered scenes from KH1 & KH2 in real time. I considered the concept of the visuals and thus the representation Kingdom Shader was created.

I think all the fans are wondering, what worlds will appear, what enemies will we battle against, etc... Do you have anything to share about that?

Nomura: Not yet right now. (laughs)

Nothing, huh? But of course new worlds will be introduced, right?

Nomura: As for worlds, I've made some choices and started making them, but at this stage I can't announce what world and which characters. Information will come little by little... There are a lot of new worlds since there are so many Disney titles that haven't appeared yet. As for familiar worlds and characters, you can expect that the locations will be completely, the visuals will be different.

Are the plans for KH3 to utilize the DUALSHOCK 4 functions?

Nomura: Like Final Fantasy XV, KH3 is being developed in DirectX 11, so in what ways it will use the PS4's functions hasn't been decided concretely yet. Right now we're in a stage where we are making note of the hardware and it'll become clearer in the future. When I have an idea, I think how about we use the DUALSHOCK 4 touch pad? So I think I'd use it in some form, but right now nothing is decided.

Are you thinking about corresponding functions with tablets or the PS Vita?

Nomura: Naturally I'm considering external devices, but I'm still thinking of ideas right now.

Many things can be realized with the PS4, but there seems to be a lot of troubling things too.

Nomura: I suppose so. Ideas I think are original are already being realized by other makers, so we are waiting to see what they do, but it's also nerve wracking. So far I've made games on a variety of hardware, but since I want put in as many elements as I can, I have a lot to think about. Because there are various possibilities, I want to make the kinda games that stand out as interesting.

As someone who has seen the generation changes of many systems, what about the PS4 has impacted you?

Nomura: I thought it was overkill. (laughs) As expected I gradually accepted it and then I wanted one. (laughs) Players are swelling with expectations, but to make something suitable for this system, this is a hurdle that developers must overcome. The things you can do have increased immensely, so once you start broadening the possibilities, it doesn't end, the possibilities just grow. You're pressed to choose what ideas to keep and what to toss. The announcement at E3 has passed, and I am still feeling the huge response that KH3 received. Everyone was so happy in that moment, I'm challenged by how I'll live up to that expectation with this title. It's a big challenge when you have this system where the power of expression is so high. There have been a variety of systems so far, but I feel like this one is the greatest mountain to overcome.

Not just in Japan, but fans around the world are waiting.

Nomura: The mountain is being exceeded so far. I think we'll be able to do something, I believe in my staff.

So are the Final Fantasy XV team and Kingdom Hearts 3 team influencing each other in any way?

Nomura: Well, when they see the other team, they get inspired by the great things they see, but that's because that's how things were created in the Square era. KH3's development started later, so it's not as far along, but I think that it's good motivation.

By the way, we'll see the end of the Dark Seeker Saga in KH3, but what will happen after that?

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts is a Disney title, so I can't speak for them, but naturally, in my own mind I have ideas about what happens after KH3. About characters, and developments. Maybe sometime there will be a chance to talk about that, but rather than thinking out the concrete details regarding that, right now my first priority is completing KH3. I want to put out KH3 quickly.

We're looking forward to it. Alright, any last messages for the viewers?

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts 2 were for PS2 and we skipped the PS3 and now we are releasing Kingdom Hearts 3 onto PS4. The power of expression has increased drastically, and from the developments accumulated so far, even the gameplay by itself, I think that it's become something with depth. So that the day fans can experience it for themselves, we are all working are hardest, so please look forward to the next update.
Click to expand...

Source: Famitsu
Translations by: SQEXGAL

Meilin Lee · Oct 16, 2013

Awesome interview! Looking forward to the new worlds as well as the updated returning worlds (as long as they don't include Agrabah, Olympus Coliseum, Wonderland, or Atlantica).[DOUBLEPOST=1381947827][/DOUBLEPOST]Also...

One thing I want to do with KH3 is to pick and choose the challenges and unique systems from the spin off titles while keeping the system based in the flow of KH1 & KH2.
Click to expand...

Glad to see elements from games like BBS and KH3D will be in KH3!

kaseykockroach · Oct 16, 2013

"New, bold action elements". You mean more button bashing?
I kid. It goes without saying that I greatly look forward to seeing how this turns out.

Miles · Oct 17, 2013

kaseykockroach said: ↑

"New, bold action elements". You mean more button bashing?
I kid. It goes without saying that I greatly look forward to seeing how this turns out.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with hack n slash button mashing. How else would you play a sword fighting game like this?

AzzyFox · Oct 17, 2013

Mewtwo said: ↑

Awesome interview! Looking forward to the new worlds as well as the updated returning worlds (as long as they don't include Agrabah, Olympus Coliseum, Wonderland, or Atlantica).
Click to expand...

Condsidering we saw Rock Titan in the latest teaser, I'd say the likeliness of going back to Olympus Coliseum is high.

Meilin Lee · Oct 17, 2013

AzzyFox said: ↑

Condsidering we saw Rock Titan in the latest teaser, I'd say the likeliness of going back to Olympus Coliseum is high.
Click to expand...

I know Rock Titan was there, but I'm hoping it would be something like what happened with Ursula in KH3D. She made an appearance in the game, but in Destiny Islands, not Atlantica.

kaseykockroach · Oct 18, 2013

Miles said: ↑

Nothing wrong with hack n slash button mashing. How else would you play a sword fighting game like this?
Click to expand...

Aye, though it'd be splendid if there was some actual challenge and strategy beyond "Hit the X button, and the triangle button now and then!".

Miles · Oct 18, 2013

kaseykockroach said: ↑

Aye, though it'd be splendid if there was some actual challenge and strategy beyond "Hit the X button, and the triangle button now and then!".
Click to expand...

I don't know about you but I always block and dodge roll at the right timing. You can't really go through the game just with attacking at least not on proud or critical which i always play on.

AzzyFox · Oct 19, 2013

Mewtwo said: ↑

I know Rock Titan was there, but I'm hoping it would be something like what happened with Ursula in KH3D. She made an appearance in the game, but in Destiny Islands, not Atlantica.
Click to expand...

KH3D took place in a dream world, so that was merely a phantom image of Ursula. As far as we're aware, Sora and friends won't be going back to the Sleeping Worlds in KH3.

61 · Oct 19, 2013

I want to put out KH3 quickly
Click to expand...

Yeah, we'll see about that.

Meilin Lee · Oct 19, 2013

AzzyFox said: ↑

KH3D took place in a dream world, so that was merely a phantom image of Ursula. As far as we're aware, Sora and friends won't be going back to the Sleeping Worlds in KH3.
Click to expand...

That Destiny Islands wasn't part of the Dream Worlds though. As Xigbar stated in the game, it was during it's last moments BEFORE becoming a dream world. The actual journey through the Dream Worlds started with Traverse Town.

Menos Grande · Oct 21, 2013

Sora did come back to play with the dream eaters, so it is possible! But even without the dream scenario Olympus colisseum could have been destroyed and the titan escaped like so many characters did in previous games.. this would be realy difficult to happen though, as Sora already closed the keyholes of all traveled worlds. Disney's villians probably won't have a major appearence as well because all the plot is around Xehanort... If olympus doesn't come back I hope there is some kind of "competition world" for the cups and stuff.

Log in or Sign up

Conversations with Creators: Kingdom Hearts 3

Krowley Moderator

Moderator

Comments