Leftovers -
May 14, 2001 - Alex Annis
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed
within this column are those of the participants and the
moderator, and do not necessarily reflect those of the
GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive
material afoot.
What do you mean you don't like it? You ate plenty of it yesterday.
Don't say we didn't warn you.
Today's column consists of a healthy blend of Final Fantasy X concerns mixed with some random letters from my mailbox and
a flame to add a little extra zing to the flavor. Enjoy.
| Someone out there likes me |
| hey Alex,
just wanted to drop a line and say what a great job you are doing as Double Agent (no, this is not flattery in order to get this
letter published *hint*hint*), the entire Mother's Day setup was really great -- game players always have memories of their
mothers and when they were younger and had to bow down to parental restraints on gaming (viva la independence!!) -- it was
great to hear other people's memories. but to gush with positive notes about your stint as Double Agent is not what i am writing
about.
the deal is Square's marketing of Final Fantasy X -- there has been a slow drip of information about it recently - before that
only the pirated footage from Square's Millenium show that had a very black haired early version of Tidus (it still looks like Sion
from the Bouncer to me, but i have always been under the impression that the Bouncer was just polygon tests for X, much like
Tobal was for VII) -- and there is the news about the nixed 2 disc deal (good riddance, we don't want a divided fanbase --
everyone should play the same game at least at launch in Japan) - and the preview of new Square titles that is supposed to be
on the Other Side of Final Fantasy disc has got my imagination going. Sure, we all know that Square is only showing two titles
at E3 (yes, i am aware FFChronicles is two games, but in the context of a trade show, it is one title) -- maybe Square is trying
to save some money by not trying to hype games (which is expensive from what i have heard) from the getgo and instead are
quietly working on stuff, spending all their time and money on development and not on hype. of course i could be totally wrong
- it just seems that all of Square's PS2 efforts have been pretty lack luster (come on getting Escape to develop Type S is bad
enough, but beyond eye candy did Dream Factory do anything right with the Bouncer), but it really hasn't been Square
developing - just small developers that Square has put money into. Maybe Square is going to blow our minds with great titles
or simply focus all their energy on one or two releases a year (i am sure we will hear something about XI in a bit - i doubt at
E3). of course, i might be totally wrong - we will find out in a few days. just wanted to throw down some ideas.
oh and by the way, great job on the Double Agent thing - though i think you need to get a tad more jaded and saracastic to get
the feeling that all of the readers are used to -- though i think you not playing through all of FFVI has shook some of them to the
core -- but doesn't that bring up the entire hard core and soft core RPG gamers out there. of course i must always admit,
FFVI did seem to lose some of its luster when you got to the World of Ruin.....damned linear storyline restraints, how i miss
you so...
william defoe
|
I think that part of the reason Square hasn't had much to show off lately is due to Final Fantasy: TSW, which has been a pretty
big drain on their bank account. Plus, I would imagine that getting all their studios set up for designing PlayStation2 games
would be a little expensive as well. And let's not forget that it took the arrival of Final Fantasy VII to really kick start the
Square production machine for the PSX, so it's possible that they're waiting to get one really big title under their belt before
they move on to a larger number of games. As a side note, it should be mentioned that Square will be showing off the Disney RPG at E3, so we will be getting three games after all.
And suuuuure you didn't write in to tell me how great I am. It's ok, we all need idols. And don't worry, I try to be a little more
like Drew later in the column.
| More worries about FFX |
| Final Fantasy X
Will it be good? Will it be bad? I myself plan on not finding out the hard way. FFX from my standpoint is shaping up to
be...well...crappy. Another FFVIII. They even have the same charecter designs, the same weird scifi set. The world demanded
a return to roots and got quite the package with FFIX, and so I weep for the horror in store for those playing X.
On the bright side, it will probably boats the best graphics of any game ever. To date anyway. Untill FFXI.
Oh well....At least Spirits Within will rule, and no one can say Sqaure didn't have a great run. FFVI, Secret of Mana, and most
other games on the SNES. And the Early PSX days....
What do you guys think? Is Sqaure dying, are they just in a slump, or do people actually like the turn they have taken?
Peace,
Ray
|
I found FFVIII to be quite enjoyable, aside from having to find all the pieces to upgrade your weapons, which drove me insane
towards the end, so I don't really mind the design of X that much. The few hours I got in of FFIX were ok, but it didn't pull me
in nearly as much as VII and VIII had. To say that Square could be dying is a pretty big stretch, since as I mentioned above,
they have a few costly things under development now, which tends to hinder how much they can produce at one time. Once
FFX reaches stores in Japan, I expect Square to start showing off some more new titles, perhaps at the Fall Tokyo Game
Show.
| It's all one big conspiracy |
| To the gaming world,
OK what the heck is going on?? I was quite surprised to find out that Square of America denies remakes of Final Fantasy
VII-IX for the Playstation 2 Entertainment System. Can someone tell me what is going on around here... I've already seen the
"Letters from real people" mumbo jumbo on the squaresoft sight and I know the support number to call. But there is always the
run around. Why do I have this strange feeling that Square of America is playing like your local goverment politicians. I mean
how many times do we hear I can niether confirm or deny this or that... Not only does every internet site about gaming explain
the announcements of square of japan's plans for new titles Final Fantasy XI and XII, work with disney, and also remakes of
FF VII-IX, every gaming magazines I've looked through in the past three months have confirmed the remakes also. Is Square
of America always so misinformed??? Final Fantasy Chronicles ring a bell??? Remember when Square couldn't give a straight
answer for a Final Fantasy IV remake for PSX. They couldn't confirm Chrono Trigger also until they so called surprisingly
announced its release. So How do we ask the real Square, Squaresoft of Japan.... I would like a confirmation from Squaresoft
of Japan... the ultimate source of all squaresoft games... Will there be remakes of Final Fantasy VII, VIII, and IX for the
Playstation 2? and how did this rumor start anyway???? if it is a rumor... pretty informed too, each one coming on it's own PS2
DVD.?!?! I have the collection for my PS2; Tactics, Anthology. Chronicles on the way. Held off VII, VIII, and IX after I had
them and beat em. I sold them after reading not one, but all these articles from websites and magazines. Who is misinformed???
the gaming community or Square of America?? All these so called RUMORS seemed to all triangulate to Square of Japan
releasing info about the remakes and all....RUMORs that EVERY gaming media source just somehow obtained from an
unreliable source!!! I know how it works... I lived in Japan for 6 years. I played the japanese versions of final fantasy IV, V
and VI before they ever came close to releasing them in america.. Or is it Square of Japan not informing Square of America???
The problem seems to be miscommunication/ no communication/ political answers/ rumors!!! What a freakin mess... What's
up?? Will there be remakes of Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX for PS2?? Get with the big boys in Square of Japan and see if
we can't get a definite non political YES or NO. Not a, we do not plan to release, but we can not confirm because we work
under Square of Japan. Get some courage guys. Your messing with the best game series made in the opinion of lots of people...
I think finding this out for sure is a definite step for profit for your company.... remakes of these games would sell hot... and if
there isn't going to be any remakes AT ALL!!!, then the public should be informed so they don't get rid of there PSX versions
just to buy them again for a collection ..But getting the PSX versions over again would mean more profit for square... Hmmm...
wonder if this was all planned out??. Square was making less than they wanted currently.. so why not try something cunning to
get a few more bucks??? Remakes? Please check only Yes or No ... Then get back to me thanx....
Israel
Bremerton, WA.
|
I don't believe that it's miscommunications between Square of Japan and Square of America as much as it's Square of America
trying to keep a few titles up its sleeves. It might be somewhat relieving for a developer to have a title to fall back on when they
don't really have anything else going at the moment. Square released a lot of titles last year and had to know that this year was
going to be a bit of a slump, so saving a few titles for release isn't that bad, especially since many of us have played the games
before. If they had, for example, held back on Chrono Cross or Final Fantasy IX, I could see the reason for being a little
upset, but this really isn't that big a deal.
Since Square really seems to enjoy remaking the Final Fantasy games, I expect VII-IX to hit the PS2 at some point, though
how soon it will be is really anyone's guess. Just because they could see release in a collector's package doesn't mean you guys
should start selling off your copies, though. It may just be me, but I have some good memories attached to those games, and
even if there is a re-release, I'd still like to have them around for those sweet ol' sentimental reasons.
| It's never too late |
| My mother isn't one known for playing video games, but my grandma is another story. She's played and beaten both Chrono
Trigger and Harvest Moon a number of times, can give me a good round of Soul Calibur and is currently learning how to play
Shen Mue. All things considered, my grandma is pretty awesome that way. I know I should have sent this in yesterday, but hey
it's free topic day and why not give my grandma some kudos?
Oh yes, if any of the GIA staff find KD Mac 'n' Cheese in their beds, I am NOT the one responsible, thank you for your time.
--Hidoshi, who is currently hiding the Mac 'n' Cheese box ASAP.
|
To be honest, this is the first time I've ever heard of grandparents playing video games, and I'm rather surprised that it's the
newer games your grandmother is playing. My mom always complains about the 3-D worlds found in most of today's games
and how she can't follow all the action that's going on. I'm quite impressed, and you're very lucky.
| Bwa ha ha ha ha |
| Though I could be wrong about this, or you could have been mentioning something I am totally unaware of, I highly doubt
either…Its Neo Genesis Evangelion, not Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Get it right next time so you don’t come off looking like a totally uninformed jackass. Or perhaps, as I mentioned
above, I could be the one mistaken, and the jackass, and you could be laughing right now at my ignorance and impudence.
But I doubt it.
Asyrius…buys a few anime’s and thinks he knows everything.
|
Yeesh, I admit to the public that I tend to make mistakes, and I get letters like this. Unfortunately for you, good sir, I was
correct, and the title really is Neon Genesis Evangelion. Don't worry, though, as you won't be leaving empty handed.
Now dislodge your head and go watch some kiddy toons, ok?
| Yamauchi plans world takeover |
| Call me crazy, but that Gamecube logo is a little perplexing. I mean, for one thing, it took me a few minutes to figure out just
what the hell was going on with it. Then, as I looked closer, I came to a realization. It looks like the logo of some stereotypical
evil corporation in a movie. You know, like, "EVILCORP" or something. Or "E.V.I.L." Or...well, you get the idea. Kinda
strange.
|
I had the same basic reaction as you did. First, there was the brief moment where I tried to figure out what exactly it was I that
I was looking at, and then a little befuddlement as to why Nintendo had chosen that design. It's just strange, and now that you
mention it, I definitely see the resemblance between it and an evil corporation logo. I hope the bring guerilla warfare tactics to
E3, as that could make the Sony press conference much more interesting.
| Hurray, a topic for tomorrow! |
| If you could be any type of RPG monster, what type would you be? Personally, I think I'd be a Tonberry. Small, snazzily
dressed, and able to kill much larger predators at thirty paces.
Well....either that or a Bomb. Don't ask me why.
Negative Creep
|
Tonberry is easily one of my favorite RPG monsters for basically the same reasons you mentioned, so he tops my list. Coming
in at a close second is Cactaur, since 1000 needles rules and the little guy is really quick.
Closing Comments:
With E3 quickly approaching, I thought it'd be kind of nice to have one more light topic before the talk of the latest news from
the show floor takes over and the debates over everything (read: FFX) kick into full gear. So, I'm going redirect Negative
Creep's letter to all of you. What RPG enemy would you be and why? And remember, if you send me anything about FFX
tomorrow, I'll hunt you down and break your thumbs. Yeah, that's it.
Alex Annis, off to buy a nice, heavy hammer
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