E3: First screens, artwork, and information on Kingdom Hearts

[05.17.01] » Square's "Disney RPG" combines Nomura-designed Disney characters with traditional characters, worlds.

    As previously revealed, Square's Kingdom Hearts will combine Nomura-designed Disney characters with traditional Disney characters and worlds. Two years in the making, with a production team of over 100 of Square and Disney's top talent, Kingdom Hearts is an unusual melding of the talents of two of the leaders in worldwide entertainment. It is worth emphasing that the Nomura-designed characters of Sora, Riku, and Kairi are being described by all as "Disney characters," not simply Nomura-characters in a "Disney RPG." In an interesting twist, Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy are said to change their appearance with each new world, by changing their outfits and even "morphing into different versions of themselves."

    Kingdom Hearts marks the first time that multiple Disney worlds have coexisted in the same interactive product. Announced worlds include those of Aladdin, Tarzan, Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and The Little Mermaid. Characters will also visit "new Disney worlds" in their dimension-spanning adventures. Confirmed villains include Jafar (Aladdin), Clayton (Tarzan), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), and more.

    Many of Square's top talent has been working on this title. A list of announced staff members follow:

• Tetsuya Nomura: Director and Character Designer (FFVII, VIII, PE1, PE2, Bouncer)
• Jun Akiyama: Event Director (FFVII, Tactics, Vagrant Story)
• Takeshi Endo: Stage Planning Director (FFVII, VIII, IX)
• Akira Fujii: Real-time Graphics Director (FFVII, VIII, IX, PE)
• Tatsuya Kando: Animation Director (FFVII, VIII, IX, PE)
• Yuichi Kanemori: Battle Director (PE2)
• Tomohiro Kayano: Character Model Director (FFVII, VIII, IX, PE)
• Yoko Shimomura: Composer (Front Mission, PE, Legend of Mana)

    With so many of their key personnel dedicated to this title, Square clearly considers Kingdom Hearts one of their top priorities for the next generation.