"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" October 2010 update

"Oh dear... Isn't this worrying"

Its been seven (7) days since I should've providesd this update and whereas I had plenty of oppertunities to do so, I have been failing to do so until now (08/10/2010). I could give several reasons for this and the lack of satisfactory development which has hindered this project for months but the fact of the matter is this: I have found it increasingly harder to continue the project on a daily basis while factoring work, increasing fatigue and consumption of my thoughts over worrying over someone else. Hopefully the solution will come when I purchase my own personal netbook (small laptop) which will allow me to work on the project wherever and whenever (as long as I have it with me and there is sufficent power).

With that being said there was some development in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Not a lot and a dismal effort due to fault of my own but some at least. I can't forgive myself when I do woefully but I would do myself harm if I were to not make any contrubutions for a week. A month? I don't even want to think about it.

The most notable change is the relationship between Lenne and Shuyin which focuses much more on them staying together while Zanarkand weeps and woes over the devastation inflicted by Bevelle. Lenne reveals more of her emotionless self and regard for her own wellbeing as Lenne tries to help as much as she can despite her condition. Lenne doesn't like to make excuses for failing to fulfill her duty whenever she can. And yet Lenne shows more dependance on Shuyin besides his new objective to ensure Lenne's safety and wellbeing as Lenne's guardian.

The grudge against Shuyin from Jece and Aeroon is more profound as additional contend has been added to the scene prior and after the sending Lenne proforms for the prepared casaulties from Bevelle's attack. Despite what happens in Luca, Shuyin remains professional even when Jece and Aeroon are getting on his nerves which can't be said for Jece and Aeroon who are very arrogant and won't miss a chance to bully Shuyin.

Yunalesca introduces herself to Shuyin and tries to be friendly despite he father being uneasy and treats Shuyin like an infant. Just before Shuyin reluctantly enters Yu Yevon's carrige along with Yu Yevon and Yunalesca, one (1) of Lenne's memories from 1000 Words originates when Shuyin notices a tear running down Lenne's face. "Save your tears 'cause I'll be back". Although Lenne won't confess her worries about Shuyin perhaps not making it back it becomes evidant that Lenne's feelings for Shuyin, though regarded as distracting and wrong are growing.

In Novemeber (2010) I hope to do much better then in August and before the end of October to shake off the bad luck and unfortunateness (perhaps isn't a word or spelt right but you know what I mean) hindering the project. Until then... See ya!

"The Final Chapters" September update

"Oh no. We're here". Its September; the summer season has come and gone for another year and the dawn of Autumn and golden orange tree leafs falling upon routes and pavements. Now Autumn is my favourite season nof the year but inevitably I have to get past my birthday which tends to leave me as red as a robin's chest. But if you were to see me then you may already see some red in my face caused by the frustrations of August. August is one I'll remember for mostly the wrong reasons. This has had an effect on the project and the development of "The Final Chapters".

Despite all the ideas in my mind I could not get them implemented in "The Final Chapters" throughout the course of August. I could give numerous reasons but the truth of the matter is I let everything get the better of me and at least two (2) instances my wellbeing took me away from "The Final Chapters" for more then a day. If you're reading this you might be thinking: "what's the bigi about that? No one is totally committed all the time you know". Sure, there's that but for me, working on the project removes me from the annoyances of living and brings enthusiasm, smiles and laughter when the outlook is grim at times.

"So was there anything implemented?" Kind of... The most substancial change is the reworking of the destructive morning over Besaid and Luca. Brother is much more bleak and upset when the Celsius airship is as good as debris floating upoin water. Rikku is overjoyed to have at last met with Tidus since his return and quickly is annoyed by the lack of communication between herself, Yuna and Paine. As for Yuna and Tidus there is teasing and fun remarks about the kind of games they play. If you're familar with the playfulness and upbeat attitude of Yuna in Final Fantasy X-2 then you can probably guess what Yuna and Tidus like to get up to when their not taking on fiends and resolving other people's problems throughout Spira.

Sadly August has now passed which means "The Final Chapters" has time to rest while I resume my efforts in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". I don't know how both Lenne and Shuyin feel about being apart again because of Yu Yevon's orders for soldiers and summoners to brace the frontlines and meanwhile taking Shuyin along with him to learn more about Zanarkand's foe Bevelle. Probably none to happy about it and no better both physically and mentally either.

You'll hear soon enough as for though, see ya!

"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" August 2010 update

The last month of summer has dawned upon us which means I bid farewell (but not goodbye) to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" and turn my efforts to "The Final Chapters". Reflecting upon the project's development during July can only be described as pitiful. I'll be honest, I've had my mind occupied on others things such as starting my first (1st) employed job and getting through the first (1st) week along with other hurdles. This means "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" hasn't progressed as much as I would like. But let's not jump to conclusions and state July was a complete failure for the project, some things did surface.

For starters, I have revised the night in Zanarkand when Bevelle unleases its assault which leaves Zanarkand not in complete ruins but certainly worse off. Whereas Shuyin is unhappy playing BlitzBall in Luca during the annual BlitzBall tournament, Lenne is training to become a summoner but quickly proves to be exceptional and an issue for the rest of trainee summoners along with her. In the midst of this, Bevelle launches a suprise attack sending only a few of their machina to hamper Zanarkand's defences before the fatal night (or more accuately early hours of the morning) where everything in Zanarkand changes. At the moment of attack, Lenne finds Shuyin washed ashore. Their unexpectedly sooner reunion is devstated however when the night sky pours with Bevelle's machina. The story of the attacks are now much more descriptive and no longer feel as hollow as a couple of sentences.

A new character, Painenarok who is Lenne's trainer at the summoner's training facility meets her untimely demise after being found by Lenne and Shuyin a few hours after the attack began. What's been made more evident in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" from the previous working month is that Lenne sees the good in everyone except herself. When Shuyin or Painenarok ask after Lenne has acknowledged and helped them, Lenne reclines and puts a brave but untruthful acknowledgement about herself. Most of the time its clear that Lenne has little regard to what happens to her as long as she believes she is doing the right thing. Although telling Painenarok that they are not machina but are human beings who are strong, fighting for their hopes and dreams and in the meantime caring for one another, Lenne feels she is not like that and much more cold and duty oriented like a machina.

Outside "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" I have been revising my ideas for the Sphere Grid and the use of the Garment Grid in terms of developing the attributes of the playable cast and intiating bonuses whilst using a particular Garemnt Grid in battle. I have also been revising Yuna's nightmare-like moment alone on Besaid in chapter two (2) of "The Final Chapters" in my mind. I intend to implement this during the course of August and develop on the concept and implications of Shadow Surge.

Well that's about it. I'll have more next month so until then, "see ya!"

Outside

"The Final Chapters" July update

When I look back at June, all I can say is "oh poopie!" I have all these thoughts regarding what happens in each chapter and yet do I implement them into "The Final Chapters"? The answer is no. I admit my plan do swap between the two stories after each month has its flaws or in other words "it sucks" but I don't like going back on what I said. I don't give myself nearly enough time each monh for each story but then that's me.

One of the thoughts going through my mind is changing the contents slightly when "Disasterific!" Occurs so when Yuna loses her cool then Yuna really loses her cool and behaves with surpassing rage and break stuff from someone's bones and then leaving his or her life at the hands of an unmerciful terror to breaking through one of the prison spheres located in the Via Purifico. Imagine what you will what happen's when Yuna in a foul mood enters the Manor/Manson in Guadosalam and finds Seymour. The result is frieghtening and yet Yuna has yet to know the truth of what's happened. It begs the question what will happen if Yuna really lost all control having lost the only person that matters in her fragile state. Yuna's loyal companions who have fought beside her and the world she has saved for a third (3rd) time can rot because it won't matter at all to Yuna. Scary huh?

Because that's stuck into my head like the replicas of Yuna's tail (long red hair braid) are held together with all sorts of super glue, I won't forget to add this to "The Final Chapters" for a long time. So what did I do with "The Final Chapters" by the end of June you might ask. I've fiddled around with the early goings of chapter one (1) and have added additions that indicate that life together in the Eternal Calm doesn't exactly give what Yuna and Tidus a break from helping others across Spira. Of course Yuna and Tidus aren't frustrated by this and believe their magic words "No matter where we go and no matter what happens, it won't matter aslong as we are together". Wakka meanwhile strives to become fit and in shape after gaining "presence" which Wakka finds out he can't have any longer while his son grows up (Vidina is only a year or so old but already Wakka is feeling the consequences of his actions for his family". Paine also makes an addition during the first (1st) day of which "The Final Chapters" begins. Instead of introducing Paine during in the midst of the choas in Kilika on the second (2nd) day, I decided to intrroduce Paine earlier and paint a clearer picture of the complications between Nooj, Baralai and the fractions which they lead. This adds to the depth of trouble Spira faces not only from strange and sudden attacks thought Spira but also the tensions between the Youth League and New Yevon reaching the point that they did in Final Fantasy X-2.

There's more to it then that of course but i don't want to give the plot so much so that someone else can copy the project and claim it as their own (whether that's already happened or no I don't know). The result of these additions mean that the contents of day one (1) on its own consists of fourteen (14) or so pages of A4. ?!??!!!!! Overkill certainly crosses the mind and yet I'm not quite finished with the first (1st) day. ?!??!!!!????!!! I still have to think of the lyrics of Yuna's song.
????!!!!!!!!!??????????!!!!!

"The Final Chapters" now stands at over 403 pages and consists of over 230,000 words. Only know I'm beginning to think that my project might be rejected by Square Enix not because of financial costs or lack of interest but because its far too long. Hedy Burress and Mayuko Aoki (English and Japanese voice actors for Yuna) may faint at the amount of dialouge for Yuna in the entirety of Final Fantasy X-3 (because FFX-3 consists of "The Final Chapters" and "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" lets not forget!)

More posts when progress develops. Until then, "see ya!"

"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" June 2010 update

May has come and passed which means the focus is switched from "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" to "The Final Chapters". What did I do? I've made a few tweaks to the early story and introduced new contents which focuses on Lenne and Shuyin individually prior to the assault that destroys most of the machina in Zanarkand. The BlitzBall tournament is being held in Luca and as captain of the reigning champions, the Zanarkand Abes, Shuyin has a duty to ensure their triumphant success. Lenne meanwhile stays in Zanarkand to embark on becoming a fully pledged summoner. Lenne desires helping her people as much as she can and is prepared to go off into the frontlines as a summoner to defend her people. Of course Shuyin isn't aware of this but writes Lenne letters to update Lenne thoughout the duriation of the BlitzBall tournament. The lyrics in 1000 Words "Wait for me, I'll write you letters" is burrowed from Shuyin's vow to Lenne during the night before departing to Luca. Meanwhile Lenne befriends Yunalesca, the daughter of the ruler of Zanarkand Yu Yevon and a fellow summoner also training to become a fully pledged summoner.



Whilst attending to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" I have been "fiddling" with designs for the Kelvin airship which will orginates from the Machina War and is reused in "The Final Chapters". Now I'll admit I know nothing about airship design and I'd be hoping on the infamous designers behind the Final Fantasy series to produce a far better design then I can (providing my concept of Final Fantasy X-3 is taken up). In the meantime I have come up with a few 2D side designs of which I'll share the latest.


I am still thinking of a four winged airship but I looked at my past designs and thought they're somewhat bland and uninspiring for airship design. When I produce a front view of this airship design I'll share it but for the time being imagine the angel tipped wings flying through the air and the gun emerging from the centre of the airship in an instant when pitted in a dogfight.

There's still much to do and in particular with "The Final Chapters", a fair amount to update. So I'll get to it and update this blog in the start of August or sooner. Until then, see ya!

Final Fantasy X-3 "The Final Chapters" April 2010 update

It being the month of May now its time to switch from "The Final Chapters" to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". I most be honest that Aprul did not go well for the "The Final Chapters". Yes, I upped the word count to over 220,000 and chapter (2) has much nore depth then it had previously. I've essentially restructured evnts such as Yuna's nightmare on Besaid Island and the demise of Djose Temple. And on the plus side I've started to revise the Sphere Grid and designs of the "Kelvin" airship. But I can't help but feel I could've got a lot more done if it hadn't been for a hinderance. This was the monitor of the home PC kicking the bucket, without a monitor the PC was practically useless for up 'til a week or so when I got a working monitor. I'm not too disheartened because I can remember of where I left off and what I intend to do for up to a month while working on "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Eventually it will come together, I know it.

For "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" I intend to resume from where I left off and near its completion. But I have my concerns, at this rate "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" introduces a lot that has never been noted in Spira's history. I just wonder if I were to present it to Square Enix, they might dismiss the concept or argue that the contents of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" cannot be implemented. Of course that would be fine with me and who's to say I wouldn't create alternitive versions of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" along the way. If I do this then if I were to present this to Square Enix (which is what I eventually want to do!) Then I can give options instead of just one idea and give the wrong impression that its "this way or no way".

Sphere Hunting

Sphere hunting grew into a craze after Sin was vanquished for good. With no need to fear of Sin anymore the residents on Spira could enjoy life in the Eternal Calm. As well as fractions like the Youth League emerging and the various races populating Spira being able to live freely, Sphere hunting brought out exploration and keenness to uncover Spira’s past. The Gullwings is at heart a group of Al Bhed Sphere Hunters created by Rikku and Brother which eventually grew including members such as Shinra, Paine and Yuna.

A year on, Sphere hunting has quietened with both the Youth League and New Yevon working together most of the time searching for Spheres leaving Sphere Hunters frustrated to discover Treasure Spheres themselves. Though Sphere Hunters like the LeBlanc Syndicate and Gullwings remain active, it becomes increasingly difficult to hunt for Treasure Spheres with the Youth League and New Yevon beating Sphere Hunters to it. But Sphere Hunters would not rise up and rebel because they sought not to repeat mistakes made previously.

Sphere hunting may have lost some of its competitiveness and eagerness among the Sphere Hunters, the Gullwings in particular with most of its members disbanding to do alternative activities but the interest in Sphere hunting still remains. Even with the Youth League and New Yevon wheeling in most of the rewards, there are still much about Spira’s history to discover. There are still wondrous Treasure Spheres waiting to be uncovered.

In Final Fantasy X-3, Sphere hunting is an optional activity which can be undertaken in much of the game even underwater. Early on, Treasure Spheres can be uncovered in treasure chests but are many that remain unknown to the eyes of the party. This can be resolved however by activating the Search Sphere by pressing Square whilst on the Field Screen. This is the very same Search Sphere obtained in X-2 (which is optional), (yes Yuna has kept it all this time!)

Later on where the party acquire the use of the Kelvin airship, Treasure Sphere waves will be detected which the player can then decide to follow up on or pass. Like in X-2, the party can choose where to go next via a menu listing all the destinations on Spira (minus the Farplane and Dream Zanarkand) once they have obtained the Kelvin airship. Unlike in X-2 however; when a destination is listed as a “Hotspot” in X-3, a “Hotspot” is a destination where a Treasure Sphere has been detected, not the destination to progress on with the game (The objective destination will be highlighted with “Objective” and with a gold highlight instead of red (for Hotspot”)).

When searching for Treasure Spheres via the Field Screen, using the Search Sphere (press Square to activate) will search for any Treasure Sphere waves nearby. If the controller starts to vibrate it means the Search Sphere has found a Treasure Spira; the stronger the vibration, the closer the Treasure Sphere is to the character(s) on the Field Screen. Opposingly the lesser vibration will mean the character(s) on the Field Screen are distancing from the located Treasure Sphere. When a music sequence plays, it means the character(s) are in reach of the Treasure Sphere. Press X and the character(s) will obtain the Treasure Sphere. If the controller does not vibrate, it means there are no Treasure Sphere waves in reach.

Sometimes however, the Search Sphere may pick up waves belonging to Broken Treasure Spheres which are no good unless the remaining half can be found. If two (2) halves of a Broken Treasure Sphere are obtained, the halves will fit together and complete the Treasure Sphere making the Treasure Sphere usable.

Some Treasure Spheres will be more useful then others i.e. a new Dressphere for Rikku to use as opposed to a Video Sphere considered “Junk!” There are Video Spheres however that will lead to additional missions and have bearing to characters in the party like Paine for example.

There are times in X-3 where there is no option to Sphere hunt even in Field Screen. Obviously one can’t Sphere hunt while the gameplay shifts to a video but there are particular events where hunting Spheres is disabled. These are:

Ø “Situation Critical!” events
Ø Whilst controlling Yuna after first (1st) spring scene (chapter three (3))
Ø Via Purifico Sewers
Ø Mission: No More Hurt Time!
Ø Yadonoki Tower