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Nomura featured on Iwata Asks

Posted by Misty : Apr 6, 2012 at 5:12 PM ( 9 , 1,844 )

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata recently interviewed series director Tetsuya Nomura on the origins and inspiration behind the Kingdom Hearts series. Though the interview does not reveal much new information, it has some interesting trivia about the series. You can check out a summary of the interview below:

This was actually the first time Iwata and Nomura met. Iwata admited that he'd wanted to meet Nomura from some time back.

The interview began with some talk about Theatrhythm Final Fantasy. Regarding the game's demos, Nomura said that they decided to release these after seeing the strong reaction to the game at game events. Following such events, people posted on blogs and Twitter that they'd lined up multiple times. The staff realized that the impression seemed to get better after playing, prompting the decision to release the demos.
Have you ever lined up in a line to play a Square Enix game at an event. Nomura may be watching you. Nomura said that the staff watches people's reactions as they view the trailers that are shown to those in line. They're able to see what areas cause reactions.

Moving on to Kingdom Hearts, Iwata first asked about the Kingdom Hearts series in general. The original PlayStation 2 title, released in March 2002, was Nomura's first game as director, Iwata noted (for the record, Iwata managed to discuss the first KH without mentioning PlayStation 2).

We've all heard the story that Kingdom Hearts came to be due to Disney and Square being in the same building at the time. Nomura revealed to Iwata the actual starting point for a collaboration between Disney and Square.
One day, producer Shinji Hashimoto and Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi were conversing. Nomura had been called over for something else and ended up joining in on the conversation just as the two were discussing Disney, saying something to the effect of "Mickey is nice, but he can't be used." Nomura jumped in and said that he'd like to work on whatever it was they were talking about.

Nomura admitted that at the time he didn't really have a desire to work on a Mickey game. The reason for his interest can actually be attributed to a Nintendo game, Mario 64. This game came out around the time Nomura was working on Final Fantasy VII, and it shocked Nomura greatly. He spoke to his staff about making a game like that, but was told that Mario is a character who's known throughout the world, and it would be impossible to do the same thing by making a new character. The same person said to Nomura that unless it's a Disney-level character, it would be impossible. This stuck in his mind as he volunteered to work on the project Sakaguchi and Hashimoto were discussing.

Nomura tagged along with Sakaguchi and Hashimoto for a meeting with Disney. The Disney side said that they wanted to make a certain type of game. Nomura responded, "I won't make this type of game." This apparently surprised the Disney side, and they said something in English that Nomura was unable to understand, so he went on to explain that he wanted to make a game where original, new characters would travel through the Disney worlds. He was eventually able to get this basic idea for Kingdom Hearts across.

Sora's birth had some difficulties. The Sora design Nomura first showed depicted Sora wielding a chainsaw-like weapon. It was not well received, with people saying things like "this is terrible." Once again, Nomura did not understand English so he did not pay much attention to the criticism. Sora's final form was eventually arrived at after multiple meetings. Nomura credits the CEO on the Disney side at the time for being lenient, allowing the talks to continue.
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Soure: Andriasang, Nintendo Japan

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KH3D Famitsu Weekly April 5th

Posted by Sabby : Apr 6, 2012 at 2:18 PM ( 7 , 1,497 )

UPDATED: Full interview has been translated.
Dream Drop Distance presented itself in the new issue of Famitsu Weekly celebrating the 10th anniversary of the lovely Kingdom Hearts series. It is noted that people should check out the weekly issues because they mention some things to check again during a second(or more) walkthrough of KH3D.

Before we get into the interview questions, Siliconera wrote up a small article that said the next KH title is the closing of the Xehanort's chapter. However, there is one more part that the article said that Nomura mentioned Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days saying he dreamt of the giving the game analog control. Do I hear a remake coming out?

Thanks to the lovely SQEXGAL, you can read the translated interview questions.

Q1. The series has celebrated its 10th anniversary, how do you feel now?
A1. It’s gotten old. (Wry laughter.)

The first Kingdom Hearts title went on sale in 2002. At that time, Nomura was 31 years old.
Nomura: Really now, I can’t move like I did 10 years ago. The feeling of impossibleness has lost its effect on me. (Wry laughter.)
After this how many titles do you think you’ll put out into the world, have you calculated that far?
Nomura: After 10 years, I’ve thought that “the creator’s life span is short”, so I’ve already decided that as long as a hold a position where I have the opportunity to make things, I will do so. At any rate, so far I have already made quite a number of titles. There is still a lot I want to make, and since there is something I promised with my staff, from here on out I want to continue making titles as long as possible.
Furthermore regarding the future, Nomura added: With my close colleagues, if half of them retire maybe I’ll be able to make things more leisurely. (Laughs).
Q2. During these 10 years, what’s the most impressive occurrence to you?
A2. The release date of each title.

Nomura: When the release date comes, it feels like it’s actually been completed. Once it reaches the players hands, I can say it’s finally complete. Then the first thing I do is relax.
What about the most impressive occurrence involving the advertising team for the series?
Nomura: We were at an event in Los Angeles prior to the North American release of Kingdom Hearts II and when the trailer was streaming there was a great cheering from the crowd. It was very moving for me, and I haven’t forgotten about it even now.
Q3. What would you say is the overall theme of the Kingdom Hearts series?
A3. Defining what the “heart” is.

Nomura: I set the theme around the “heart”, and the “things that the eye can’t see” that relate to it. How a character feels, and what the character thinks about those things which they can’t see, it’s drawn around that idea.
Bonds, friendships, promises, memories, sleep, and dreams. All these keywords of the series are connected to the “heart”. Also, they are things that everyone concerns themselves with in their own lives. Though it’s a fantasy, it evokes a strong sense of sympathy. Maybe that’s the reason the titles of this series reverberate in our own hearts.
Q4. As a director, what part of the Kingdom Hearts titles do you put the most consideration?
A4. I put serious consideration into every aspect.

Regarding the Kingdom Hearts series, every element passes through Nomura’s hands and he makes the final decisions, from the system’s technical specifications, to the story’s plot, the final script, the design of the small icons in the menu and maps etc., the music, and all the names of the games contents. It’s the same with promotional material, Nomura directs every detail that goes into them, from the advertisements and storefront pop ups, to how the trailers are edited.
Nomura: I put serious consideration into every aspect of the titles, I want to release it once I’m satisfied with it.
Having a responsibility to himself to only put out titles that he is satisfied with, that is Nomura’s policy for Kingdom Hearts.
Q5. When you draw the Kingdom Hearts characters, what do you focus on?
A5. I draw them freely and without expectations.

Nomura: It’s a collaborative title with Disney, but if I drew with the designs of the Disney characters in mind, then it wouldn’t really be a collaboration, so I draw Sora how I like as the standard.
Also, from the Kingdom Hearts illustrations drawn so far, which one is your favorite?
Nomura: I’ll go with my gut feeling, it’s the illustration used on the package of original Kingdom Hearts, since it was the one that began everything. I drew it thinking that it was unlike any Disney image seen before.
Q6. What components of Kingdom Hearts do you think stand out the most?
A6. The deep story and refreshing action.

The series has many charms and features, but it’s these two aspects that stick out the most.
Nomura: I always tell my team, it’s about the story and action. We make Kingdom Hearts satisfy both those elements.
On top of that, the systems developed in the titles are relevant to the story among other aspects, it seems giving each element of the game meaning is Nomura’s specialty. It must be that attention to detail which he produces worlds with a sense of unity that garner him so many fans.
Q7. If you were to defined the music of Kingdom Hearts, what would you say?
A7. It’s a joint effort with Shimomura-san.

Composer Yoko Shimomura’s specialty is dramatic melodies that fill the listener with emotions, it’s easy to see how it’s a joint effort with her.
Nomura: Ultimately, the songs in Kingdom Hearts are made through a joint effort with Shimomura-san. Recently Takeshi Kando and Takeharu Ishimoto have been participating as well, but to get the atmosphere as right as possible so we can say it’s definitely Kingdom Hearts quality, the music inadvertently becomes more Shimomura-ish.
My own favorite song is “Dearly Beloved”.
Nomura: Originally, that song wasn’t given the go ahead. But it was a favorite of mine and I decided to use it on the title screen, now it feels like it was fated to be.
Q8. If you could give advice to yourself from 10 years ago when you begun producing Kingdom Hearts, what would you say?
Q8. It’s gonna be long!

Nomura: Its continued more than I expected, I’ve had to take a lot of notes. There’s a lot to forget! (Laughs.)
At that time, amongst the 99 pages there was a comment from Kanamori, saying that there weren’t plans to make a sequel.
Nomura: There weren’t details about the story’s continuation, but I was considering it to some degree. When Kingdom Hearts was released, its sales went really well. It’s thanks to all the fans who supported the original Kingdom Hearts that we’ve been able to develop a series that’s continued for over 10 years.
Q9. Now 10 years later, what do you think has become of Kingdom Hearts?
Q9. It isn’t finished yet, huh.

Nomura: At that time, I figured by the time I was 50 years old I wouldn’t be able to work like I did then, so I took a slow pace. (Wry laughter.) The Xehanort saga will end in the next one, but it’s not necessarily completely over. When I finish it, I want to “close” the story completely, so no one could make a continuation of it. I’m thinking of a way to end it so there is no room to continue it.
While there doesn’t seem to be any details about how he will end it, he seems to have an image to some degree of how it will happen. The recently released title on sale now is the next episode in the Xehanort saga centering around Master Xehanort. I wonder when something relating to Kingdom Hearts 3, which will assumably be the final chapter, will be shown? Attentive fans will want to play Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance first and check on the secret movie.
Q10. For you, what does Kingdom Hearts mean?
Q10. My thirties.

Nomura: These works were the first ones I directed, at the same time they are my “masterpieces”. I am free to be my most creative in these titles. In an older interview, someone asked, “What does Final Fantasy mean to you?” And I answered, my twenties, because I had certainly spent my twenties working on those titles. However, 10 years after that, there’s Kingdom Hearts too.
The Final Fantasy series was founded by a number of creatives, but Kingdom Hearts was produced as a result of Nomura choosing a challenge and making a new setting altogether. Kingdom Hearts is where the creative spirit of Tetsuya Nomura really blossomed.
BONUS TIME
Before Nomura drops out of our office, we were able to ask him a few more questions!
- Can you tell us a bit more about the last illustration revealed for Kingdom Hearts 3D?

Nomura: That illustration was the first one I drew for the KH3D packaging. Like I mentioned in a previous interview, Sora is small in it so it’s hard to recognize who he is, so it went back on the shelf so to speak.
- Sora is quite small in it!

Nomura: Well that… It’s not related but since we’re on the topic of small things… Hazama-san (Theatrhythm Final Fantasy’s Producer) wanted me to mention that the song “Somnus” is available for download in Theatrhythm FF, I told him it wasn’t related to Kingdom Hearts so it’d be off topic, but now I’ve said my part. (Laughs.)
- It’s a good thing we have bonus time. (Laughs.) “Somnus” is a song from Final Fantasy Versus XIII huh. It’s a nice chance for all those who can’t wait to enjoy a little taste of the game.

Nomura: Also coming up, next week’s issue of Famitsu Weekly (on sale April 12) will contain an exclusive AR card for KH3D. Your collection won’t be incomplete without the Spirit Dream Eater on the card, but I thought it’d be fun to include an additional element that players could look forward to afterward.
- It seems that these won’t affect the collection of trophies in the game.

Nomura: That’s right. The first release of the game comes with an AR card that has 1 of 3 Spirit Dream Eaters like Kingdanyan on it, but through breeding you can obtain all 3 in the game. On the other hand, there are the Spirits on AR cards that come with Famitsu etc., these types of special promotional Spirits do not affect the completeness of the game itself.
- Lastly, a message for the fans.

Nomura: It’s thanks to all the fans who have followed Kingdom Hearts over these 10 years that it has become a prolonged series. I truly appreciate it. Thank you for this. Thinking back when I was working on the original Kingdom Hearts, I wondered if it would be well received or if the first would be the last, I had to put my trust in all the players. Although there’s probably some who have went in and out of interest during these 10 years, it’s really thanks to all those fans who anticipate the new titles and praise them after playing that we’ve been able to make it this far. In that sense, the Kingdom Hearts series was made possible by you guys. I hope to continue the series for as long as there is interest. Please continue to support us from here on out, thanks for everything.
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Source: KH13, SQEXGAL

Thank you to Krowley for reporting this <3

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KH3D: Europe Release Date? [Rumor]

Posted by Sabby : Apr 6, 2012 at 2:00 PM ( 13 , 1,585 )

You guys enjoying the jap release of KH3D? Who am I kidding? you're waiting for the North American version.

I hope everyone is happy that the NA release date is July 31st. There is the possible rumor that the European release is August 3rd, 2012. People debated it would be either 3 days earlier or 3 days later that the North American release date. No confirmation from Square Enix or their European twitter yet but it seems like this might be it.

Source: Cubed3

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Dream Drop Distance: North American Release Date Confirmed!

Posted by Mike : Apr 5, 2012 at 9:47 AM ( 38 , 3,631 )

Hello KH-Vids. Good news today for international fans. Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance has been confirmed for release July 31 2012. This was the rumored date that was published on the official Square-Enix France portal, but was suddenly removed hours later. The official statement was published on the Square-Enix Member Twitter for North America.

<blockquote>@KINGDOMHEARTS fans? The NA release date for KINGDOM HEARTS 3D Dream Drop Distance has been announced for 7/31/2012</blockquote>

Only three months and three weeks to go until Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance is released in North America. Are you game?

Source: Special thanks to our member Krowley for letting me know.

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Dream Drop Distance: Offical Website Update [Disc 2]

Posted by Mike : Apr 5, 2012 at 9:43 AM ( 2 , 877 )

Hello KH-Vids. Yes, we have another update regarding the original soundtrack for Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance.

If you head over to the official website; you'll notice that they updated with disc 2. Among browsing through song samples for disc 1, you will find new songs such as Access the Grid, Digital Domination, and Ice-hot lobster.

The official soundtrack for Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance will release on April 16 2012 in Japan.

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