Nomura discusses Kingdom Hearts III in Conversations with Creators video

- Production of " Kingdom Hearts III " was released in June , many fans are pleased . Could you tell me again , and overview " Kingdom Hearts " series , which is the latest in " Kingdom Hearts III " ?Nomura is " Kingdom Hearts " series , in which Disney characters come out a lot , by manipulating the character of the original , and then travel the world of Disney . It is a story about the "heart" , to deploy through the series . In this " Kingdom Hearts III " , the story so far has lasted more than 10 years ( group work ) , " Dark Seeker Hen " is complete .

- Mean that latest work in stationary machine to be " Kingdom Hearts II" and since (released in 2005 ) , from the works of recent years , you will be seen is what evolution and change .If you look at the screen of Nomura in development , " depth " in the screen , and Na is felt in the stationary machine . For a portable device , the amount of information 'm coming is limited , but the game will be a wide field of view in the stationary machine . I think in the stationary machine after a long time the " Kingdom Hearts " , and there is a sense of scale considerably .

- Is it that in a large scale , and that enjoy action more dynamic .Nomura " Kingdom Hearts " is a series of action continues to evolve much . The title of the spin-off so far , with a variety of challenges each time , we have changed the system boldly . In " Kingdom Hearts III " , you can either take it at the trade- how based on the flow of the original " Kingdom Hearts " and " Kingdom Hearts II" , has been challenged with spin-off work and " bold action " to " special system " I I think that is , and wonder if it is pointed one .

- A " bold action " , for example ...?Mobility of Sora Nomura hero , is up considerably . It will be I was made ​​considerably more , but too so versatile too, is in the process to either open which elements at any stage now , you are thinking about that point . The " Kingdom Hearts III " , the company is a action , because there any RPG. There is action of about able flying in the far , if you are going to do .

- It is amazing it is , able flying in the far !You provided some actual limit Nomura , but this time , we are introduced to climb and run familiar , in a variety of places in the action game in recent years also " free-run " . It is a feeling in addition to it , flying ability , jumping ability , so goes up dramatically , behavior that has become a fairly versatile . As you can imagine if the person who has been playing the " Kingdom Hearts II" , but it is going on the mobility of the final form already over .

- The mobility such , did you get what can be achieved if there is a performance of a new generation machine that still PS4 ?I think " making full use of a variety of actions in a wide space , to fight the enemy a large amount of " Nomura 's that is , and wonder if made ​​possible by the power of the PS4.

 KH02- Gimmick of the map as well , or do they power up ?Also action of Ki Yes Nomura map , I'm pretty charged . Enemy such as I lift suddenly , such as they go up the cliff rocks come tumbling down , and a building with their own , I am me were charged such action .

- The PV was published in E3 2013, I was wriggling a large amount of shadow and noisy , but the movement of the enemy , does not it? Has evolved .The action never ally it has been developed to focus on AI pretty , appeared Until now enemy , I saw Nomura this time . Enemy quite a few even came out , everyone or that do the same thing , just Or maybe are coming out , not be the case , and act enemy of each and thinking . I think that you can feel that it has powered up significantly so far from " Kingdom Hearts " title .

 KH01- We will say " friend " , that of Goofy and Donald to travel together come to mind but the action of Two also do you have changed ?AI of Nomura they are also allowed to power up considerably . The I thought rather than Disney characters are fitted on firm personality , and have them act out the instructions , such as " Final Fantasy " series , and want to act in the thinking of the character . For AI, we will continue to adjust more like a Donald , to act like a goofy .

- When I act in conjunction , I is not give a clear indication from this place .We are created in the direction Nomura " they think , helps us in accordance with the scene scene " that . In part while the sky is the alter ego of the players are fighting , how they would come or been involved , representation 'll have increased .

- It is also , or is that it was able to be achieved because of there was spec PS4, the size of the memory ?Well Nomura . So far also " Kingdom Hearts " , it came to be a seamless as much as possible , but the more such as data ...... action amount to be allowed to reside in memory , such as motion , the amount of the effect is large , it may be because the increase . Memory because of their high PS4, I'm quite survived .

 kh3 Illustrations- Bold action , gimmick map , AI enemy . Them I 'm tucked tightly on one screen . Considering from the " Kingdom Hearts II" , I feel like is the game quite different will .I think as numbering Nomura title of " Kingdom Hearts " , so I get to jump over one generation hard , degree of evolution and felt substantial .

- Is it How about graphics ?Than the expression Nomura photo-real , and it is the theme to match the tone of each of Disney World , is how to show .

- We asked the " Kingdom Hearts III " for , and has been developed a new shader , but can you tell us again ?Nomura It 's not in the formal name , but there is what we call a " Kingdom shader " . I show you a little in the video of E3 , but the "Let's representation in 3D, expressions such as brush painting of 2D work of Disney " . This time , when considering whether expressed in any direction the graphics of " Kingdom Hearts III " , I started Nozue the ( Square Enix Nozue Takeshi ) First, in consultation with ( video production department of Square Enix ) Visual Works , I had to make a pattern of a variety of expression . What pattern also ask out the " representation such as brush painting " , I began to have to state that I show you in E3. I is based on how to make visual works is making a movie in Purirenda , and , dropping it in real time .

- The visual of the brush painting , or would such that Mr. Nomura wanted to achieve from before last ?Nomura originally , from the first work in the series , gradient graphics , I was not made ​​with the aim to brush picture of Disney work . Hard at the time , because there was no performance enough to adjust the lighting freely , I want you to drop far from to make a visual picture of the brush -like as texture . But the performance of the hard so went up this time , but it is not the option of "Do not use light " . Could you feel the evolution graphics so far only came to HD , or to reproduce in real-time pre- rendered movie " Kingdom Hearts " and " Kingdom Hearts II" also , is not the direction in which the series is aimed at the next generation and I think that , given the concept of visual representation of " Kingdom shader " was born .

- The fans , I think what kind of world or get out , do you do any battle with the enemy , you 're worried about , but Is it possible to be able to talk about ...... ?Nomura now still (laughs ) .

- Is not (laughs ) . But , of course , I think you have a new world ?Nomura world , even if the choice over some , I have started making , but " this world , this character will appear " in that is , I am not be published at this stage . We will put out information , but c'mon ...... towards the new world is turned many quantity , the Disney work that was not previously come up , appeared many . As for character and world of familiar , and some using the location completely different , and expressions are changed .

 KH03● It must be exceeded , PS4 is the highest mountain

- The " Kingdom Hearts III " , are there any plans function utilizing the DUALSHOCK 4 is mounted ?Nomura " Kingdom Hearts III " , as well as " Final Fantasy XV " , since the developed (PC on ) 11 on DirectX, How can I use the function of the PS4, it is not fixed in concrete yet . I think the future , at the stage of dropping hard , and will become clearer . When I put out the idea , and as it may prompt the story to a "Are you in should I use the touch pad of DUALSHOCK 4 " , I think it is used in the form of something , but have not decided yet .

- So, do you believe that in conjunction with the PlayStation Vita and tablet ?Nomura course , we are considering the integration with external device . Although it is while you are taking out the idea just yet .

- In PS4, statements that can be realized many things , worrying about is also multilayered .Well Nomura . Dove , pounding are maker of any other people would realize the innovative ideas and their becomes to out later . We have made ​​the game a variety of hard until now , but because I want to put the hard elements only as much as possible , thinking 'm often . We would like to make something , " Well , this is ! Interesting " and ...... because there are different possibilities.

- When viewed from Nomura , who have seen the generation change of a number of hard , or there was impact how much the PS4?I thought Nomura and "Do 's spear too " (laughs ) . What Na daunting soon as might be expected ( laughs) . It's called " put make equivalent " , is that really start anticipating if the user 's , but the developer does not unless we beyond that hurdle . Thing I can do that it increases very , that happens , does not end once you're spread out only widen . What do you throw away what you take , I will be forced to sift through . Because I realize that through the announcement of E3, reaction to " Kingdom Hearts III " is large , it is a challenge how is that any delight in this work , the people who were glad at that time . This is the only hard and high power of expression , I will have the challenge . There was a lot of hard so far , but in a good way , I feel a Na 's highest mountain .

- Not only in Japan , fans of the world then I will wait .I think until now because has been beyond Nomura mountain , to be able to somehow , and I believe the staff .

- By the way , Will there be a " Final Fantasy XV " team " Kingdom Hearts III " team , and affect each other ?Well Nomura . Look at the other teams , it 's going to work hard "Do not I make the great " , because it is made ​​from the type SQUARE era . I think more of the " Kingdom Hearts III " Now that we have started later , development is not yet reached there, and I think we able to stimulate each other good future .

- By the way , " Dark Seekers Guide " is a complete and in " Kingdom Hearts III " , but what happens then ?Nomura " Kingdom Hearts " is a title of Disney 's , it can not be said to be arbitrary , but in my head , you have a idea after the " Kingdom Hearts III " course . In such a character , that , in such a deployment . I think that if there is an opportunity to talk sometime , than to think will be packed specifically to it , that to complete the " Kingdom Hearts III " now is the goal of most . I want to put out into the world soon the " Kingdom Hearts III " .

- I'm looking forward to it. So , what is your message to the reader at the end .Skip the PS3 " Kingdom Hearts " , and " Kingdom Hearts II" , Nomura PS2, " Kingdom Hearts III " will be released in the PS4. I think expressive power is rising by leaps and bounds , and from the accumulation of the development so far , also play itself , to be a thing with the depth . Day which you can touch everyone to come soon , since it has produced all of us development , Good luck , please wait for the information below.

Nomura: The Kingdom Hearts series has a lot of Disney characters, and you play as original characters, traveling to the various Disney worlds. It’s a story about the “heart” as the series unfolds. It’s a story that’s been ongoing for more than 10 years and continues into Kingdom Hearts 3 where we’ll see the conclusion of the Dark Seeker Saga.

Since it’s the latest console game in the series since Kingdom Hearts 2 which released in 2005, what kind of changes and evolutions can we expect to see?

Nomura: I think when you watch the in development trailers, you get a feel of the depth that's possible on a console title. In the case of mobile systems, the amount of information is limited, but with the home consoles you can make a game with a wide field of view. It's been such a long time since Kingdom Hearts has been on the home console, that I think you can feel the considerable scale of it.

On that large a scale, I expect we’ll be able to enjoy even more dynamic action.

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts is a series where action continues to evolve. With the past spin off titles, we did something new and the bold action elements changed each time. One thing I want to do with KH3 is to pick and choose the challenges and unique systems from the spin off titles while keeping the system based in the flow of KH1 & KH2.

What’s an example of bold action?

Nomura: Sora's mobility has really improved. There are so many possibilities, but implementing all of them would be extravagant, so right now I'm considering what elements and to what degree they'll be liberalized. After all, it's an RPG as well as an action game. It does have that "jump as far as you want" kind of the action characteristic.

Jump as far as you want? That’s insane!

Nomura: In the actual game there will be some sort of limit, but this time we are adopting the "free run" style like in current action games, where you can run around, climb, etc. Additionally, your aerial ability and jump ability rise rapidly, so it feels like the action elements are really extravagant. I think people who have played KH2 might understand it easily, it already has greater mobility than Sora's Final Form from that game.

That kind of mobility, no doubt the next gen system PS4 has the ability to realize it?

Nomura: I think that the PS4's power is capable of handling a diverse array of actions in a wide area and battles against large numbers of enemies.

Are you powering up the map's traits as well?

Nomura: We're preparing a fair number of actions that involve the world maps. Things like climbing up a cliff that crumbles with falling stones, and enemies lifting up a building that you are in.

In the E3 2013 trailer, we see a large number of Shadow Heartless squirming and moving almost like a tidal wave. It seems like the enemies' mobility has evolved too.

Nomura: This time we are focusing our attention on developing the AI. The AI of both your allies and enemies has evolved in a way that hasn't been seen so far. Before when a large number of enemies appeared, they all followed a program action pattern. But this time each enemy behaves according to it's own thought process. I think it's something that has been drastically powered up compared to the previous KH titles.

Speaking of allies, will the actions of our travel partners Goofy and Donald change as well?

Nomura: Their AI is also being powered up considerably. Since Disney characters have concrete personalities, I want them to act according to their own thoughts instead of just giving them an order and having them obey like in the Final Fantasy series. Relating to their AI, we're configuring it so Donald and Goofy act more like themselves.

Even when they cooperate and mobile, it's not like you give them clear instructions like before.

Nomura: The direction we're taking in their growth is to have it so they consider the situation, and help out accordingly. As the player is busy controlling Sora in battle, they consider how they'll participate and their actions increase accordingly.

With the PS4's specs and memory volume, the PS4 is able to implement those features?

Nomura: Well, even with the KH games so far, we've made it as seamless to the best of our ability, but the data is resident in the memory... So we include as many actions, motions and effects as possible. Luckily, the PS4's memory volume is big, so it helps.

Bold action, map features, and enemy AI. That's a lot to squeeze into one screen. When I consider it compared to KH2, it seems to become a pretty different game.

Nomura: Since it's a numbering KH title that crosses into the next gen, I think you'll be able to feel how it's evolved proportionately.

How about the graphics?

Nomura: We're aiming for a photo realistic representation combined with a tone of each Disney world.

You’ve mentioned before that KH3 has a new shader being developed for it, can you tell us about it again?

Nomura: This isn't the official name, but it's something we call the Kingdom Shader. You saw it a little bit in the E3 trailer, this visual of a Disney 2D produced painted image represented in 3D. This time, when I was thinking about how the graphics in KH3 would be visualized, it started with Takeshi Nozue working in Visual Works, and he made patterns of various visuals for me. He gave me this "painted looking visual" pattern and I wound up showing it at E3. Visual Works makes pre-rendered footage, and this is based on a way to make it work in real time.

Is the painted looking visual something that you’ve wanted to implement for a long time?

Nomura: Since the very first title, the graphic gradation was made with the intention of representing the painted look of Disney's animations. But with the hardware back then didn't have the capability to adjust the lighting freely, so we tried to portray a painted visual in the textures we used. But this time the hardware's capabilities are better, there is no option of "not using light." You don't get a sense of graphical evolution just by setting old graphics to HD, my goal with the next gen isn't to do something that reproduces the pre-rendered scenes from KH1 & KH2 in real time. I considered the concept of the visuals and thus the representation Kingdom Shader was created.

I think all the fans are wondering, what worlds will appear, what enemies will we battle against, etc... Do you have anything to share about that?

Nomura: Not yet right now. (laughs)

Nothing, huh? But of course new worlds will be introduced, right?

Nomura: As for worlds, I've made some choices and started making them, but at this stage I can't announce what world and which characters. Information will come little by little... There are a lot of new worlds since there are so many Disney titles that haven't appeared yet. As for familiar worlds and characters, you can expect that the locations will be completely, the visuals will be different.

Are the plans for KH3 to utilize the DUALSHOCK 4 functions?

Nomura: Like Final Fantasy XV, KH3 is being developed in DirectX 11, so in what ways it will use the PS4's functions hasn't been decided concretely yet. Right now we're in a stage where we are making note of the hardware and it'll become clearer in the future. When I have an idea, I think how about we use the DUALSHOCK 4 touch pad? So I think I'd use it in some form, but right now nothing is decided.

Are you thinking about corresponding functions with tablets or the PS Vita?

Nomura: Naturally I'm considering external devices, but I'm still thinking of ideas right now.

Many things can be realized with the PS4, but there seems to be a lot of troubling things too.

Nomura: I suppose so. Ideas I think are original are already being realized by other makers, so we are waiting to see what they do, but it's also nerve wracking. So far I've made games on a variety of hardware, but since I want put in as many elements as I can, I have a lot to think about. Because there are various possibilities, I want to make the kinda games that stand out as interesting.

As someone who has seen the generation changes of many systems, what about the PS4 has impacted you?

Nomura: I thought it was overkill. (laughs) As expected I gradually accepted it and then I wanted one. (laughs) Players are swelling with expectations, but to make something suitable for this system, this is a hurdle that developers must overcome. The things you can do have increased immensely, so once you start broadening the possibilities, it doesn't end, the possibilities just grow. You're pressed to choose what ideas to keep and what to toss. The announcement at E3 has passed, and I am still feeling the huge response that KH3 received. Everyone was so happy in that moment, I'm challenged by how I'll live up to that expectation with this title. It's a big challenge when you have this system where the power of expression is so high. There have been a variety of systems so far, but I feel like this one is the greatest mountain to overcome.

Not just in Japan, but fans around the world are waiting.

Nomura: The mountain is being exceeded so far. I think we'll be able to do something, I believe in my staff.

So are the Final Fantasy XV team and Kingdom Hearts 3 team influencing each other in any way?

Nomura: Well, when they see the other team, they get inspired by the great things they see, but that's because that's how things were created in the Square era. KH3's development started later, so it's not as far along, but I think that it's good motivation.

By the way, we'll see the end of the Dark Seeker Saga in KH3, but what will happen after that?

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts is a Disney title, so I can't speak for them, but naturally, in my own mind I have ideas about what happens after KH3. About characters, and developments. Maybe sometime there will be a chance to talk about that, but rather than thinking out the concrete details regarding that, right now my first priority is completing KH3. I want to put out KH3 quickly.

We're looking forward to it. Alright, any last messages for the viewers?

Nomura: Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts 2 were for PS2 and we skipped the PS3 and now we are releasing Kingdom Hearts 3 onto PS4. The power of expression has increased drastically, and from the developments accumulated so far, even the gameplay by itself, I think that it's become something with depth. So that the day fans can experience it for themselves, we are all working are hardest, so please look forward to the next update.