ESGS 2019: Interview with Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Producers
This year’s E-Sports and Gaming Summit (ESGS) featured the producers of Square Enix’s mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (FFBE), Kei Hirono and Hiroki Fujimoto. They also discussed their next project, War of the Visions.
Final Fantasy (FF) is a science fantasy role-playing game series first released in 1987, with a total of 14 main-story games released by Square Enix at present.
The franchise has also branched out into other game genres, such as tactical role-playing, racing, fighting, rhythm, and mobile games.
Poster and in-game graphics for Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
As Square Enix’s first mobile game aimed at a global audience, FFBE is designed as a 2D turn-based role-playing game with pixelated characters and a modern twist of incorporating 3D elements.
Philippine Primer got to speak with the producers of FFBE regarding the game, updates, and their next project under the same series, War Of the Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius (WOV).
Can you tell us the inspirations for FFBE?
Hiroki Fujimoto: In the production of FFBE, we thought about how we could incorporate the goodness of the FF series with all the pixelated characters, storylines, and fighting styles in a smartphone game.
Hiroki Fujimoto: There are the main characters Rain, Lasswell, and Fina leading the story and they can be joined by other FF characters all the way FFI to the latest FFXIV.
The game is a mix of 2D pixel art and 3D animation. Please tell us about the design of the game.
Hiroki Fujimoto: We have our own patent with regard to this technology. The game looks 2D and when the character uses special moves there is a 3D effect that comes towards the screen and this is what we’re known for. The 3D animation is made by Visual Works who have been making the 3D graphics of Final Fantasy ever since.
Hiroki Fujimoto: For the character design, we have the original animator Yusuke Naora while the music and sounds are made by our very own Final Fantasy team. Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist since Final Fantasy I designed the pixelated characters for FFBE.
Kei Hirono (left) and Hiroki Fujimoto (right) answer questions from the ESGS media
What are the promotions being done for FFBE and is there a plan to have them here in the Philippines?
Hiroki Fujimoto: We’ve had Japanese artists, commercials, fan festivals, manga, concerts, and musical theater in Japan as our promotion. For the global game, we tapped artists Ariana Grande and Katy Perry to promote the game. We made an in-game character for them and also released songs for FFBE.
Kei Hirono: With regard to our choice of artists, we wanted to expand the promotion of the game other than only the media to known celebrities who can share the game with their fans.
Kei Hirono: As for the events, we have participated in gaming events in America, France, Germany, Korea, and now in the Philippines. We have fan meetings, interactions here so we are looking forward to a follow-up to ESGS where we are testing the waters.
The FFBE producers holding up the latest copies of Philippine Primer
With over 40 million downloads, do you have any idea how many users are there in the Philippines?
Hiroki Fujimoto: We can check the system on which country is accessing but that would mean going through a bulk of users. Furthermore, there are restrictions here such as the speed of the internet so we are looking to make improvements to make the gameplay better for the people as well.
Kei Hirono: Since FFBE has been around for 4 years and the global version for 3 years, we are releasing a new game, War Of the Visions Final Fantasy Brave Exvius. We are planning to launch in Japan in November 2019.
Sample of the new game War of The Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
What is the inspiration for the WOTV?
Kei Hirono: In FFBE, we have been basing it on the main Final Fantasy style but in the past, there have been other games made including a more strategy-based game called Final Fantasy Tactics. We would like to give the users of FFBE a modernized version of Final Fantasy Tactics to enjoy and experience the different aspects of the Final Fantasy series.
Kei Hirono: FFBE follows the usual RRPG set-up with a hero character going through an adventure and gaining companions along the way. WOTV is a war game and is more concerned with the relationships of the nations with their own rulers, religions, beliefs, and opinions within the game.
Kei Hirono: WOTV is set in the historical past of the world of FFBE and in another continent. For this game, we are not using the pixelated characters from FFBE, and instead we have 3D elements, ground elevation, and terrain types.
So both games are different and that there will be no data transfer between the two games?
Kei Hirono: The platform itself will not make it possible. Basically, the world is connected but there is no interaction with the characters. Since the world is the same, there will be instances that the players of FFBE recognize elements from WOTV and vice versa.
What can we expect during the launch?
Kei Hirono: What we can announce is that the initial launch will include a collaboration with the characters from the FFXIV. For the other characters from the past series, please do look forward to them but we cannot formally disclose any details.
The Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Producers expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome from the Filipino fans
After our interview, Kei Hirono and Hiroki Fujimoto joined the ESGS held last October 25, 26, and 27 at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
FFBE had a booth where fans of the game got to take photos with cosplayers of the main characters, play mini-games, and get game merchandise.
Cosplayers portraying FFBE main characters Lasswell and Lid
ESGS is the Philippines’ biggest annual gaming event hosting e-sports tournaments, indie games, gaming equipment retailers, game beta testing, student game developers, and more. This year, they garnered over 42,000 attendees.
You can download and start playing FFBE on your smartphone! It is available on the AppStore and GooglePlay or visit the official website at finalfantasyexvius.com for more game details.
Also read: What to Expect at the E-Sports and Gaming Summit 2019
Written by Heloise Diamante
WAR OF THE VISIONS FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS © 2019 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Co-Developed by gumi Inc.
LOGO ILLUSTRATION: ©2018 YOSHITAKA AMANO
IMAGE ILLUSTRATION: ISAMU KAMIKOKURYO
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS © 2015-2019 SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All Rights Reserved. Developed by gumi Inc.
ILLUSTRATION: ©2014 YOSHITAKA AMANO
