Sakaguchi and Uematsu spill to Famitsu |
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A recent issue of Japanese Famitsu features a sit-down with Final Fantasy titans Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu. So we sat down and had a look. |
After 20 years of composing for Square, Nobuo Uematsu has decided take his leave, but has made it expressly clear that his departure came not of a disagreement, but rather a desire for more creative freedom outside the bounds of the Square Enix offices (which this poor soul imagines must be horrendous indeed). Regardless, Uematsu admits that he would still be more than willing to work with Square Enix on future projects, though he is now free to dabble in other areas.
Hironobu Sakaguchi, meanwhile, commented on his steadfast working relationship with the composer, noting that he enjoys the ways in which Uematsu blends his music into narrative. Sakaguchi himself says he would like to continue working on Final Fantasy as executive producer, in addition to taking his talents in a new direction.
As of late, the former producer and his company, Mistwalker currently have three working projects, possibly with a Microsoft or Nintendo platform. One of these features a completed initial scenario, with a fairly developed system and set of controls. Uematsu and his company, Smile Please also are also composing for two of the trio.
Sakaguchi claims that his projects and storylines will have aged, much like a fine wine, since the early Final Fantasies. Now with an added five pounds of deepness, the "first" game will present a host of peculiar characters and a leveling system featuring "emotional development", shying away from catastrophic world events in favor of exploring small emotional changes as well as arcs concerning family and love (the latter pair with aid of author Kiyoshi Shigematsu).
Altogether, the changes seem daunting, but it is comforting to know that the men have not abandoned their fans, but rather re-affirmed their faith to the series while allowing room for potentially greater enterprises.
Which is just as well, since Sakaguchi swears his new series will run ten installments.
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