If you’re reading this on October 11th, 2024, then 30 years ago today Final Fantasy 3 (aka VI) was released in North America. Lots of memorable games (Super Metroid, DKC, Earthworm Jim, Ridge Racerand Doom II, to name a few) turns 30 this year, but Final Fantasy VI stands out to me because I had the privilege of playing it and beating it a few months before its official release.
And, no, I didn’t just import and play the Japanese version that was released six months ago. In the summer of 1994, as a new face, a 16-year-old kid, I played through the official version of the English pre-release version.
In honor of this amazing game pearl anniversaryI want to share my experience.
The old days
First, a little background for those who didn’t live in the pre-internet age.
In ancient times, communication was limited to landlines, paper letters, faxes and face-to-face conversations. Shopping meant going to brick-and-mortar stores or ordering from a catalog and waiting six to eight weeks to get your order in the mail. Yes, for weeks. Newspapers, magazines and TV news were our primary sources of information in semi-real time. News traveled slowly and there was little public discourse beyond simply talking to someone else.
During those dark days, video game developers had limited opportunities to get feedback on their work. They had to hope that what they were doing would connect with their audience because after launching the game, that was it. There were no patches or DLC to improve it. Other than tank revisions with very little changes or fixes, the day one release was all that consumers would ever see.
It was almost impossible to hear the players before going out. There was no early access, no online betas, and no Nintendo Directs. Instead, companies relied on internal testing and feedback from their friends and colleagues. They also conducted focus groups and personal beta testing. Everything was personal and in small numbers.
In other words, the world was drastically different then.
I played first
I first experience with Final Fantasy VI was in one of those personal beta tests. There were 10-12 children in the group. I was one of the oldest, and my three younger brothers (ages 14, 11 and 9) joined me.
I’d like to think I was the first non-Square employee to complete a game in the United States
This wasn’t our first rodeo. I brothers and I visited the Nintendo headquarters in America several times for game testing and focus groups. Mario is missing, Blues Brothers, Faceball 2000, Street Fighter 2 Turbo, Wings 2and Wave Race for the Game Boy are some of the games we remember playing during those short 30-60 minute sessions.
The Final Fantasy VI game playtest was a different experience. We were on site at the Squaresoft of America office all day, every day, all week! Not only was it my first time playing a previously released RPG, but it was also my initiation into the 40-hour work week in the cubicle. Somehow, the more than 1,300 weeks I’ve spent since then as a professional desk jockey haven’t matched that first one.
How was it?
The experience was highly structured. We had to stay in our room except during breaks and were not allowed to help each other or even talk to each other while we were playing. During breaks we could talk about anything but the game we were all playing. Square obviously wanted our individual thoughts. They wanted to learn from our personal experiences with the game.
He supervised the playing James Gillis who has credits for several Squaresoft games from the era.
I brother Kevin was the youngest participant. He was only nine years old and needed extra help. James was probably breaking his own rules when he wrote several notes for Kevin, including a list of relics, items, and “teammates”. No list of Espers, I’m afraid.
The shadow has fallen
Unfortunately, I don’t remember many details (it was 30 years ago, guys!), but I do remember two things clearly: losing Shadow on the floating continent, and never discovering that I could target all enemies with a magic spell.
As much as I loved the game, I was overjoyed to see the credits on Friday morning. Another kid won that last day, but I was first
I completely avoided Shadow on the floating continent because I didn’t have enough power and was close to death when I arrived. His unconscious spirit looked too threatening to interact with, so I walked past him like priests and Levites. Apparently I’m not a good Samaritan.
James was surprised that I never realized I could target all enemies with the ‘L’ button. I was a veteran of FFIV, and multi-targeting wasn’t possible in that game, so the idea was foreign to me. Who knows, maybe my experience convinced the team at Square to add some dialogue to Narshe’s Adventure School to better explain this feature.
It was a long but fun week of gaming. As much as I loved the game, I was overjoyed to see the credits on Friday morning. Another kid won that last day, but I was first. In fact, I’d like to think I was the first non-Square employee to complete a game in the United States. I don’t have official confirmation, but it’s one of those assumptions that I’d like to keep as is. I was the first. Deal with it!
Game testing with Power
I left the test with a boosted ego, but each participant received a copy of the Squaresoft game of their choice. Having three brothers meant we walked away with almost every Super NES game Square had released up to that point – Final Fantasy II (IV), Secret of Mana, Breath of Fire and the promise of a copy of FFVI once it was released. No mystical quest, I’m afraid. Come to think of it, I’m glad I was locked in a room with FFVI all week instead of Istic Quest. This could have caused some unresolved trauma that I would still carry with me.
In my humble opinion, Final Fantasy VI remains the quintessential video game. I think it’s still the benchmark for all turn-based, random combat JRPGs. Its innovative gameplay and combat mechanics, compelling story, outstanding soundtrack and memorable characters are just as impressive today as they were 30 years ago. I picked up the FFVI Pixel Remaster earlier this year. This time it took me over a week to finish the game, but it was just as good as the first time.
Do yourself a favor and play any way you can. Suplex that train, enjoy the Opera, wait for Shadow, save Cid and defeat that evil clown! At the very least, join me in celebrating Final Fantasy VI’s birthday.
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