FFX-3 "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" February 2012 update

Following from the aftermath of January (2012), plans leading into the following month have hit a bit of a roadblock. But this FFX-3 concept hasn't! While things outside FFX-3 stutter and fall to pieces, the FFX-3 concept goes on strong. That said; I think a new name is required for Final Fantasy X-3 "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" because while the primary focus stays on Lenne and Shuyin, there is growing involvement of Yuna, Tidus and Spira in general as it stands in the present.

Confused? The way "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" plays out is that it is set after Final Fantasy X-3 "The Final Chapters" providing the correct conditions are met to unlock "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Therefore this is a direct follow-up or a direct sequel as it were and in significance "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" takes place in the present Spira (i.e. Lenne and Shuyin died 1000 years ago and Spira has been saved for the third time by Yuna and her friends). However "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" also plays out from the past perspective of Lenne and Shuyin from when they were alive and the Machina War was raging. To define when "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" changes from past and present; different font style is used and the past is referred as "Reflection" (because it is Lenne and Shuyin essentially replaying their live up until their deaths) and the present (where Lenne and Shuyin interact with Yuna and Tidus in the present Spira) is referred as "Unsent Privilege" (because Lenne, Shuyin, ,,,, and ..... are unsent and are using the privileges of being dead (to explore Spira and so on).

Why? Despite having died 1000 years ago and being reunited thanks to Yuna and her friends in the events of Final Fantasy X-2, Lenne and Shuyin cannot rest or be themselves because the lingering story of their past still haunts and prevents Lenne and Shuyin. So despite what Lenne said: "That was all a thousand years ago, we've come too far to look back now", neither Lenne or Shuyin cannot find respite even after helping Yuna and Tidus and their friends at the near end of Final Fantasy X-3 (The Final Chapters". Lenne and Shuyin feel by sharing their story with Yuna and Tidus can bring solace and help Lenne and Shuyin from guilt and the shackles of their past.

How? How can Yuna and Tidus help? Feeling closer then brothers and sisters, the endless similarities and experiences make it easy for one another to understand and feel for each other. Not lovers in that Lenne, Shuyin, Yuna and Tidus exchange partners and mate, hell no! Yuna is entirely devoted to Tidus and vise versa while Lenne and Shuyin are entirely devoted to each other. The fact that Lenne and Shuyin have helped Yuna and Tidus and know their story makes it strikingly compelling in relation to Lenne's and Shuyin's yet untold story. Additionally Lenne and Shuyin see Yuna and Tidus as inspirations and helpers to help break the wall of which Lenne and Shuyin feel is dividing one another from each other (or stopping Lenne and Shuyin from being as close as they want to be).

So one can see; "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" is focused on Lenne and Shuyin but there is as much regard to the present with Yuna and Tidus and Spira in general. While I can't think of a better title then "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" at this time, I will state that the later paragraph regarding how Lenne and Shuyin feel towards each other and admire Yuna and Tidus as inspirations has been central to the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" during January (2012). Seeing as how Yuna and Tidus coexist happily and creatively despite life's tragedies and bad times, Lenne (more so) and Shuyin aren't envious (unlike Rikku) but aren't ignorant either and share their dilemma with Yuna and Tidus in the need of some help or guidance. But Yuna and Tidus aren't partner councilors and they do not have any publication that gives advice and suggestions to deprived couples (i.e Lenne and Shuyin). While Yuna and Tidus will help in what ways they can, "Lenne's and Shuyin's problems are Lenne's and Shuyin's problems".

In terms of the "Reflection" part of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story", there has been a revision on how Yu Yevon creates Sin and there is an additional "Situation Critical" event where Shuyin is on the brink of falling off the Kelvin airship and falling to his time paradox death. Lord Zaon has more to say and express though pain and torment before blacking out.

That's the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" through January (2012) in a nutshell, a rather big nutshell but hey. Now that its February (2012), focus reverts to "The Final Chapters" and I think chapter three will have a significant amount of intense action flying over Yadonoki Tower.

Until next time, see ya!

The Ambitious Nature of FFX-3 (2011 Review)

First off, hope to all of a satisfying 2011 Christmas and New Years Day.

Secondly, my sincere apologies for the delay in providing this post.

While normally I would have a post with the heading: "FFX-3 (The Final Chapters) January 2012 update", I have been doing some reflecting and come to the conclusive nature of the Final Fantasy X-3 concept. Here is a defining statement which sums up the nature of the FXX-3 concept: "Final Fantasy X-3...Is it too ambitious?"

If you are familiar if the ideas and processes of this FFX-3 concept then you ought to know there are a lot of implentations (spelling!) that are supposed to make a gaming experience like no other Final Fantasy title to date. To name a few; visual damage appearing on characters (i.e. blood, cuts etc.), stamina, intimidation, pounce, multiple endings and greater exploration. Needless to say the list goes on and then you must factor the story, plot and all the practical developments needed to make this concept into a reality such as voice acting, soundtrack, motion directing and so much more! There is so much going on and so far Final Fantasy X-3 is all but a pipe dream and blogs, videos on YouTube and other fan made material. While "The Final Chapters" and "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" and the related documentation continues to grow (in page numbers), it is at the moment only a library of Word documents with these ideas and plot recorded word by word in English (and Al Bhed).

This is not to say I am going to give up on the Final Fantasy X-3 concept, oh no. I want Final Fantasy X-3 to exist and I will help to through ideas into the circle (even if they go unnoticed).

To sum up on development on "The Final Chapters" throughout December 2011, there now lies a nonphysical wall between Yuna and Tidus, made up from their emotions of despair, frustrations and many traumatic emotions and experiences. This wall divides Yuna and Tidus mentally though it does not stop either from proceeding to their goal together or working together. That's really all that can be said (I'm keeping my cards close to chest this time around).

What I will say however is that during Christmas 2011 and subsequent days following (today included), I have been playing Corpse Party Blood Covered Repeated Fear on my PSP and while I have quickly groan to appreciate and like the game and its plot, I have also shivered and cried at some of the events and game-play in general. Its an unnerving game to say the least (especially in the dark), I can't look at bathroom stalls or scissors the same way ever again. While I like the game and shiver, there is something else which I have found to appreciate and that is the voice acting. Its Japanese and if it weren't for the English subtitles, I would've find Corpse Party very hard to understand, apart from when the characters scream and sob as a result of a horrific death. And yet it works very well, in fact I'm convinced that Japanese voice acting is better then English voice acting plain and simple. I've looked at several games such as Final Fantasy titles (X, X-2, XIII, XIII-2 for examples) and others like Star Ocean The Last Hope and find that the Japanese voice acting is better sounding and better inline with the animations and characters. Is isn't exactly surprising since these games start of in their native country and are then reconfigured to work with English voices for international release (Europe and North America to be precise).

The point is the FFX-3 concept is written in English which will make it harder to work with and relate if and when Square Enix in Japan get hold of my contributions. Sure it will make it easier for European and North American versions using the voices of Hedy Burress, James Arnold Taylor, Tara Strong and so on (who voice Yuna, Tidus and Rikku respectively). But on the other hand it will make development of FFX-3 that much harder for the Japanese version of which traditionally each major Final Fantasy has started of in life as and I am not fluent in Japanese so I can't help in that dilemma. Yet one more reason why the FFX-3 concept is being regarded as overly ambitious. But then nothing in life is easy or straight forward, otherwise we as species would've died of boredom long ago.

Well, since its January 2012 (yes 2012), development has shifted to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Hopefully I will have something interesting and fresh to share in the next post. Until then however, see ya.

"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" update December 2011

First off: my sincere apologies for the delay of this update post, work (as a cafe cleaner) has been unpredictable thus far and have occupied my available time and left me too wearisome in evenings.

The most significant update to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" has been the more profound usage of Yunalesca while Lenne and Shuyin try to flee from Zanarkand. Because of Yu Yevon's assassination, his daughter; Yunalesca is now the ruler of Zanarkand and despite horrific loses to her family, Yunalesca makes near immediate use of her authority to prevent Lenne and Shuyin from dying in Zanarkand Port by vengeance seeking soldiers, summoners and civilians and machina. Previously Yunalesca was not involved in Lenne's and Shuyin's exodus.

Lenne's and Shuyin's intent to hide in the Floating Ruins of Mt. Gagazet has been expanded to involve more realism (after escaping for their lives barely in tact, ascending a peak high in the clouds shouldn't be straight forward right?).

At the end of November (2011), Shuyin is left barely twitching on the white plains of the Prominence of Mt. Gagazet after Yu Yevon's airship attacked Bevelle and then went after Lenne and Shuyin on top of the Floating Ruins Summit. Lenne is supposedly on board the airship held captive by an unknown figure. What happens next? Wait for the January 2012 update!

Yep, that's it for 2011 regarding "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". The new year will hopefully begin to write the finishing touches. From here, I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a happy new year!

"The Final Chapters" update November 2011

First off, no; I have yet to finish rewriting and reworking chapter three (3). It seems to be taking forever to do this chapter but then there's a good reason for that, following the lateset development of chapter three (3); chapter three (3) is perhaps the most significant to Yuna's and Tidus' future.

Originally I had planned for Yuna to discover the horrific truth, thanks to the events in chapter two (2) becoming a reality Yuna sees and feels and subsequently struggles to cope with. While that hasn't greatly changed and Yuna still pursues to find Tidus with Baralai and Gippal alongside, the inclusion of the same nightmare based upon the ruins of Besaid and the Fayth for Tidus forces Tidus and subsequently Yuna as well to realise their new found connection with one another thanks to the "reluctant" Fayth of Bahamut.

Speaking of Bahamut, I have decided to borrow the concept of Bahamut Sin for Yuna, Baralai and Gippal to battle against in the Bevelle Underground. This marks the third (3rd) time Bahamut is an opponent (a significant one at that, more so then the rest of aeon battles) in FFX-3 and the last (as an aeon that this).

It will grow apparent in the later that while Yuna will now call Tidus by his name and will try to convert her friends (Wakka, Lulu, Rikku, Paine, Kimahri, Baralai, Gippal, Lenne, Shuyin and Auron) and even antagonists such as Raphas to call Tidus by his name, Yuna will be the only one who will do so. This has been taken from inspiration that other than the rest of the Warriors of Cosmos who call Tidus by name, no one else from Final Fantasy X calls Tidus by his name other than Yuna (do comment on that if I'm wrong). This would seem trivial but then this isn't a abrupt change for Yuna to call Tidus by name as it would seem. Yuna has known Tidus' name since the first day they met but hasn't experienced a situation so critical until those in Final Fantasy X-3 during the Via Purifico incident.

With these developments and many more (which I won't spill the beans upon!) "The Final Chapters" has reached yet another milestone. Thus far "The Final Chapters" has the contents of over 303,000 words spread across 560+ pages.

I'd hate to be the one printing the whole document off only to then realise there's the additional documention regarding how to play Final Fantasy X-3, Attributes, Abilities and other parts of Final Fantasy X-3 and then stumble upon "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" which is about 300+ pages on its own! Still it has to be done once I am happy if the written structuring of Final Fantasy X-3 and finalise it all for Square Enix to review. Though perhaps the team behind the Final Fantasy Series and Square Enix Product Development Devision 1 will be much like the one overlooking the printing of the written work of Final Fantasy X-3 i.e. close to eruption when its laid in front of them. No need to panic yet though, there is perhaps another year to go before I get to the stage of printing off the finalised written work of Final Fantasy X-3.

Well... its November (2011) now and time to piroritise with "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Unless I have anything else to contribute before December (2011), I'll see ya then.

Note: Its November (2011) already?! Oh Shoopuf! I must get on with the Christmans shopping etc.

"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" upadate October 2011

"You are a monster! Look at what you've done to everyone in Zanarkand! To the people and races across Spira! To your own daughter and family... You've helped set Spira ablaze and now you must atone for your sins" - Lenne speaking to Yu Yevon.

The extract above pretty much illistrates where "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" is after September (2011). Lenne and Shuyin have escaped certain disaster and time paradox from the Zanarkand Underground and quickly find themselves opposing Yu Yevon.

I'll admit this isn't great progress but I do like it when I compare the updated script to the previous and unimaginative script. Another good thing about the update through September (2011) is that the Zanarkand Underground has now been concluded and there is the potential for Yunalesca to play a more effective role without becoming a victim of dreadful circumstance so soon. Better yet, Lenne's and Shuyin's exodus from Zanarkand follows shortly after which is a lot of fun reading through and adjusting to fit accordingly.

Well... that's the development and future development in November (2011) in a nutshell, I guess there really isn't much more I can add. I will add however that Chapter three (3) of "The Final Chapters" is continuing its complete overhaul and the process is going to be revolutionary and moving.

Until the next update however... see ya.

Worry for Final Fantasy X HD

Since the 14th of September (2011) when the announcement of Final Fantasy X HD was made, my heart has been skipping several beats, or in other words I cried tears of joy. Maybe that sounds wierd and that I am obsessive and really need a lesson on the great outdoors but that's how I felt and almost nothing is going to change that. And while I smile and wait eagerly, I know I am not alone. Final Fantasy X is adored by millions and of whom many would have rejoiced too and wait as eagerly as I do.

Since then however, there have been developments which makes me wary about Final Fantasy X HD. Mainly the developments of "lazy" ports of games such as Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Code: Veronica X and the first three series intallments of Splinter Cell. These games are said to have had the "HD treatment" and as a result are referred to as the definitive editions of the respected game. Now that would be believable if that were true but there's obvious evidence that these are merely slightly tweaked and upscaled counterparts of their former glory put out for the fan consumer hit. When one plays any these recent "HD remakes" there is the obligation to find differences in the games which prove that the games have been "HD'd" and unfortunately it is evident through the upscaling to 1080p (which most HD TVs display) which reveals the decay of aging graphics more so. Textures, lighting effects are mostly ignored and almost nothing is done to correct bugs and errors from before. Surely if a company like Capcom are to remake one of their games to HD standards then there needs to be an appeal other than nostalgia to make it worth the time and £££ of gamers and fans who this will appeal to. Sadly that's not the case and I won't even go down the line as to what this does to the reception of the game. I'll simply stick to playing the original GameCube Resident Evil 4 on my 32" HD TV, it won't cost me nothing and pretty much does pretty much exactly the same as the HD counterpart.

In turn these money grabbing ports of laziness worries me regarding Final Fantasy X HD. I am still going to have the HD version on my PS3 and on my PlayStation Vita but I can't help feel that this is going to be yet another straight up port and that no real attention and care is given to a beloved classic. Of course the controls will differ (perhaps mainly for playing on the Vita) to the original but for all the love I have for Final Fantasy X, I can't ignore the weaknesses of the FFX. There is no Game+ mode after completing FFX and if one is daft enough to wait for an end to "The End" screen then its perhaps handy to be sitting in a coffin because you could be dead long before "To Zanarkand" and "The End" screen finishes. There is also lag in the lip synch of the characters when speaking (notably more so in the Europe and North American versions) and contrasts of character representations throughout the story (i.e. during an FMV; Tidus' facial details and gear are present to full effect but in gameplay which doesn't involve the player's input such as when moving across the Bevelle Cloister of Trails; Tidus' face is rendered like Solid Snake's is in Metal Gear Solid (PSone)). These weaknesses will only become more evident when ported and upscaled to PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita unless acutal work and devotion is taken into rejuvenating FFX for the 10th anniversary.

Sadly I feel that's not likely to happen and that Final Fantasy X HD will be a cheap port unfitting for the legacy of FFX and repuation of the Final Fantasy series/francise as a whole because Square Enix is currently working many projects such as Final Fantasy XIII-2, Final Fantasy Type-0, XIII Verus Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy XIV and the many other prodjects under the Square Enix flagship such as Hitman Absolution and the latest Tomb Raider. Given the decreasing time until FFX celebrates its 10th anniversary, the team behind the HD remake of Final Fantasy X will have little time to recreate FFX in High Definition and improve on FFX's weaknesses.

....Which in turn kind of puts a dark cloud over my hopes that Square Enix will make Final Fantasy X-3.

But then I can be wrong and I would like nothing more to be completely wrong this time. I hope Square Enix notifies this and proves me and other doubters wrong and shows to other flagship companies like Capcom, Konami and Ubisoft what a HD remake should look and feel like.

The Pros and Cons

If you've been reading my posts on this blog then you would know I am a bit of a fantasist but at the same time aware of logic and reality. I think its clear I want nothing more then Final Fantasy X-3 to become a reality and preferbly (spelling!) based upon my concept not because its what I want but there are fans and people beyond count that would like to see it. For those fans who cherish Final Fantasy X and X-2 like myself, X-3 is like the remake of Final Fantasy VII to fans who crave the possibility, its a fantasy yerned to become a reality. For fans of the characters; would anyone protest against seeing, hearing and playing on behalf of Yuna, Tidus and Rikku just to name a few? For parody makers; new material would fuel their creativity and in turn engage with their fans with their work. For Square Enix and all of the producers, artists and staff behind the Final Fantasy series, a sequel to a sequel would provide a challange and an opportunity to capitalise.


But on the opposite side there are the cons including cost (both financial and time) and negitive responses. Some may dislike the prospect of X-3, partically my concept with the implementation of new ideas etc.


This thus far would sound like old news repeated on and on, and for those who are perhaps getting tired of hearing and reading about it; I apoligise. What I thought I will do is run through some of the pros and cons that come across my mind with regards to my X-3 concept becoming reality.

Pros

• Its not an original idea meaning Square Enix needn't to start from scratch necessarily. In theory the characters and the world of Spira wouldn't be drastically different from Final Fantasy X and X-2. With the development of Final Fantasy X HD, X-3 could simply incoporate the structure in terms of the look and feel of Spira (graphics in other words) and incoporate the new in X-3. Sure that's doing pretty much what was done for Final Fantasy X-2; using much from Final Fantasy X, to which rechieved some negitive responses but come on, Final Fantasy X-2 wasn't a failure (comercially etc.) (although some may argue).


• X-3 will allow the makers, developers, artists etc. within the Final Fantasy series to explore new ideas, theories, practises and experiment with new implementations in gameplay such as in battle situations for example. Additionlly it will allow the opportunity to perfect already existing ideas and implentations in other Final Fantasy titles which may have flaws or not well rechieved.


• Money! I know its a rather distasteful subject but its not like we can ignore the elephant in the room. Sure implementation of X-3 will be hugely costly (what isn't in the world of game development?) but then think of the sucess of Final Fantasy X, accourding to a few resources, FFX has sold eight (8) million copies since 2011. Final Fantasy X-2 has been a comercial success so who's to doubt the comercial success of X-3 when there millions of fans and gamers who would fancy the experience.


• A break maybe? The developers and makers behind the Final Fantasy series much face a mountain at times with the development of new and impending Final Fantasy titles. We all know there's going to be Final Fantasy XV (15) at some point of which will create a new world, characters, story, battles, implementation and so on. I'm not suggesting the implentation of X-3 will be a cake walk in consideration to implentating a new Final Fantasy (and possibly series) like Type 0 but then its not as though Square Enix can only prevail in the new without going back. Crisis Core Final Fantasy VII (7) implented new ideas to the series whilst be based on the story and world of Final Fantasy VII (7) and it wasn't rated as a failure (again some may argue). X-2 in a sense is the same and was successful so therefore X-3 shouldn't be any different (unless of course it was implemented shodily of which there has never been a case of in the main Final Fantasy series).


• Fans, with all the pros above, its undeniable that the popularity of any Final Fantasy will make any follow up, sequel or extension to an existing Final Fantasy a must have for fans. Say for example Final Fantasy XIII (13) has over twenty (20) million fans, the sequel XIII-2 will be eagerly awaited by those fans who will want to purchase the sequel. Do the maths; 20,000,000 x 40 (40 being $40 per copy of the game) = 800,000,000! If an online pass system was implented then in theory more will be gained from used sales as well. At the same time this will fulfil the fans demand in turn may produce even more fans who will be eagerly waiting for future installments whether it be a XIII-3 or a new title in the Final Fantasy series.

Cons

• For everything mentioned above in the pros, the opposite can be said representing a con.


• Cost, at Square Enix's core is a business which needs to sustain itself. Providing fans what they want or may want is all and good but everything must meet a cost efficentcy and if a major project like X-3 isn't going to provide a satisfactory return then its not cost effective and bad for the business core.


• Undoubtably there were fans of FFX who were put off by X-2 which is a blow. It goes without question that the same will happen in the future (with FFXIII-2 possibly).


• Used sales; stories of developers losing out significantly to used games sales would make companies like Square Enix and EA wary. Recent implentations such as online passes have been implented to gain some money back from the sale of used games but it still isn't the same as rechieving the full amount from the same game sold new. In order to make a gain, Square Enix will have to do something for future Final Fantasy titles such as DLC for example. Perhaps DLC in the form of music, themes, maps and costumes are a possibility, Dissidia Duodecim (o12) is currently doing this after all, why not expand?


• Negitive reception.


• This concept is based on several Open Office documents, there's no artistic sketches, no lyrics thought up of, no finalised logo or finalised documentation. I doubt the effectiveness of my concept's presentation to Square Enix if all the documentation and the story plots are written on Word documents. Especially if the smaller story and plot, "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" is 319 A4 pages thus far, who would really want to or have the time to read and go through all the writing of this X-3 concept?

Well... these are used a few that were on top of my mind. Obvivously there are more but what I want to find out is what the readers of this blog think and what Square Enix thinks. If you have a comment then please do not feel alienated about replying to my posts, I appreciate any feedback.

Until my next post, see ya!