If you’re not paying close attention to a game, the storms that occur in its communities can seem very bizarre. Take Final Fantasy XVI– obviously a game with a huge following and lots of people very excited for its release next month – but one where you might have missed the excitement through its user interface. Or indeed the excitement is over Final Fantasy XIV‘s grapes. Both issues were addressed in a recent wave of promotions for the game, but in the former case, with the surprise move reverting the changes previously made in response to fan anger.
final fantasy fansite, Final Fantasy Union (above VGC) uploaded a video asking Producer Naoki Yoshida about fan reaction to the game’s UI. After the first trailer was released, viewers were deeply annoyed that the game’s UI looked like something straight out of a fighting game. which is true. Neon glowing italic text appeared next to the fight, indicating the moves played. However, it has been argued that this didn’t fit the fantasy setting, and in response to the uproar, Square Enix added something that fans might have found more appropriate. But guess what? It’s gone! They made it back the way it was.
“We definitely heard the feedback when we released the first trailer, and people saw the UI and then gave a lot of feedback that maybe it looked too much like a fighting game,” Naoki Yoshida replied FFU‘s question. “It was too sci-fi and didn’t fit the style of the game. We heard that and went back and reworked the UI and made it fit the style a bit better.”
But while this may sound like a fairy tale ending to loud internet folks, they’ve changed their minds yet again in recent months. “But why“We felt it was too consistent with what happened,” Naoki continued. “It became difficult to see, because in the end Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game, the action is very fast and things move. So these numbers and graphs have to stand out or they will be overlooked in the heat of the moment.”
He initially accepted that “it turns you off,” but argues that “The more you get used to it and the more you realize that it actually fits with what’s happening.”
Meanwhile, in an interview session that seemed quite excellent at allowing in many non-traditional websites and YouTubers instead of the usual media, Primal liquid asked the all-important question: “Will Final Fantasy XVI Do you have grapes?” (Thanks, This is Xel.)
The answer explained that in the game there will be a region that produces a lot of wine, so there will be vineyards. And then comes the immortal quote:
“First we checked the quality of the grapes Final Fantasy XVI and made sure it was perfect.”
Art director Hiroshi Minagawa added (translated by fellow Michael Christopher Koji-Fox), “I watched it and [said], yeah, that won’t be good enough. We need to increase the igamesnewss in these clusters.” Minagawa-san then adds in English: “Next generation grapes.”
Final Fantasy XVI comes out on June 22nd, and if you want something more coherent, here’s the latest trailer:
