Final Fantasy XII

Interview

Q: When did the development on FFXII begin?
Minaba: Quite some time ago. In the beginning, we started out trying to make a game for PlayOnline, since Matsuno [the director] was involved in that project. It was a really small project, where we were thinking of producing one game in about half a year's time. Yoshida was doing the background artwork and I was doing the character designs for the fun of it. Before we realized it, it was a full-time project.

Yoshida: That's kind of how the game began, but it's not really the official beginning of FFXII's development launch.

Q: We previously heard from Matsuno that Ashe was modeled on a Frenchwoman's bone structure?
Yoshida: The base of her bone structure is a French person's. We were given orders from the start to not make her look like an Asian. But we modified her a bit to look more like a Japanese for the sake of the Japanese audience, and also since a character that looks completely French makes some of the CG expressions difficult.

Q: What about Vaan's modeling?
Yoshida: Vaal is a Dalmascan in this world. He's something like an Asian.

Q: The characters wear skimpy outfits--whose idea was this?
Yoshida: That would be me. [Laughs] This country named Dalmasca is supposed to have a hot climate, so we were thinking of showing off more skin.

Q: It seems like there will be intense battles between the flying vessels
Minaba: The Dalmascan army and the Empire will fight on their border, which will be the highlight of the opening scene. On the ground, the soldiers will be fighting against soldiers. And in the sky, the flying vessels will be battling against flying vessels. One of the key points [in FFXII] will be about presenting this large number and volume [of characters].

Q: The flying vessels vary in size and design. Will they serve different jobs, such as one being a destroyer and another being a cruiser?
Minaba: Yes. And there will be a battle ship that's over 300 meters in the second half of the game. That's still one of the middle-sized ships in this world, though.

Q: There seems to be a blue ring on top of the flying vessels. Is this an energy source for the ships?
Minaba: The ring itself isn't the energy source. There's something else in the center of it that acts as the energy source. It's a rare material, but there are even more rare materials as well.

Q: Would that be a crystal?
Minaba: Hmmm, We'll see.

Q: How far is development going?
Minaba: It's pretty complete

Square Spokesperson: [Interupting] It's at 70 percent completion