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

In the words of Shuyin adressing Lenne upon the Prominence, Mt. Gagazet: "How the holy shoopuf did it come to this?". Sorry for the odd opening but this question certainly says a lot about the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" has had some evolution over the course of March (2011). An example of this is the expansion upon the Ronso Elder and gathered Ronso confronting Lenne and Shuyin. Previously there is no confrontation with Bevelle's relentless machina but after the month of March, there is. Continuing from where the story was left on the end of January, both Lenne and Shuyin continue among their divided paths. Lenne among the summoners and soldiers of Zanarkand beside her face the seemingly endless machina from Bevelle on the frontlines. Shuyin on the other hand is having trouble trying to flee from the Bevelle Underground. From theses events and up to Lenne and Shuyin making it to the Prominence, Mt. Gagazet (which is where I left the story to be continued in May (2011)) I have greatly expanded the story telling between the two (2) points. Now, the Fayth of Bahamut and Lord Zaon play roles earlier in the story then previously written. I have also expanded on the implications of Stamina depletion, the injuries Lenne and Shuyin encounter and phenomenons of the Thunder Plains and the changing environment (i.e. nightfall). For me, getting to Lenne's and Shuyin's reunion on the frontlines was the goal for the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" in March and I am happy that I have reached that point and expanded futher. Although I wanted to implement another development (the secrets lying under the Yevon Estate) in March, March ran out and so I'll implement the development in May (2011) instead. Fine by me, at this rate "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" will reach 300 pages and futher. Isn't a bit much? Perhaps, but then this is a fictional concept like the other concepts found on the internet (unless Square Enix implement use of my concept...) With March gone and April upon us (I know its April Fools day but it changes nothing), development shifts back to "The Final Chapters" and there's a lot to be done. One thing that I haven't been able to get out of my head is a couple of scenes in Bevelle that happen prior to "The Final Chapters" involving Yuna and Tidus. The events lead up to the conclusion in Luca of Chapter one (1) where Yuna and Tidus talk about their future. I won't disclose any more information not while the events are still in my head and not on a Word document. If I were to imply that Yuna and Tidus are being themselves and alone to themselves to boot then you can imagine it yourselves. Its wrong in many ways but then gaming is as much a form of media to educate people then to amuse players these days. For me its impossible to argue that gaming has a reached a state of revolution in terms of story telling, forms of interaction and graphics which are used to educate and help people understand the ways of the real world through a media that is growing and is accepted around the world. Topics about sex, violence, history, ethnics and cultures (and so on) are now becoming more evident in gaming and with the influance gaming has on the education and employment of people, it is more and more important that the world embraces gaming and not criticise the use of real world situations such as the war against the Taliban (as evidenced in the development of the 2010 Medal of Honor). I can go on and on but this is not the post of blog. All I can say is that if topics and issues covered in games and the contents of my concept of FFX-3 such as sex are offensive, controversal and to be put down by others (like the "skimpy" appearance of Yuna in Final Fantasy X-2 being met with controversy) then I apoligise for being human. "Whoa!" If that is adressed to the public, its going to attract some mixed attention. I'll focus on the development of "The Final Chapters" and be back in May. See ya!

"The Final Chapters" March update

February (2011) has passed which means development with "The Final Chapters" has concluded for a month and development with "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" will resume. The time devoted to "The Final Chapters" has been rather good despite the loss of a week or so due to the month being February. The word count has extended beyond 260,000 and 455 pages. However development has been primarily focused on chapter two (2) which means the ideas for the later stages of "The Final Chapters" have not been implemented and will have to wait until April (2011).

I can't complain though, chapter two (2) has been expanded significantly and now develops the circumstances Yuna and Tidus find themselves, in particular to their friends (Wakka, Lulu, Rikku, Paine and Kimahri). Yuna and Tidus are confronted with the same nightmarish dreams and fears and sought to find the connection and cause behind the nightmares and terror across Spira. But both Yuna and Tidus choose to protect their friends by not sharing their fears with their friends because the daunting thoughts will cause hurt and frieght.

That's a hint of what development has been undertaken. With March (2011) upon us, development will be based on where development was left off with "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". I intend to expand on Lenne's and Shuyin's return to Zanarkand which in turn leads to the discovery of Yu Yevon's intentions and ultimately his defeat. From there on development will focus on the intersections between Yuna, Tidus, Lenne and Shuyin. With these implementations implemented; "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" is essentially completed.

"What the... Shoopuf?!"

Tributes

Whether one has noticed or not, there are hundreds of fan made tributes from everything from baked beans to fictional characters. The Final Fantasy series is no exception and like thousands of popular games and characters, there are tributes for Yuna, Tidus and so on. Please don't think that I'm biased, there are just as many tributes for other characters of equally popular games such as Cloud from Final Fantasy VII or Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Series, perhaps more.

The point is there are these tributes made by fans of Final Fantasy X and X-2. These tributes can be from a range of different things from cosplay, posters, fan fiction, reenactments, duplications of characters on ohter games (Second Life amongst others), videos, letters and so on. What I thought I focus on though is video tributes, there are many video tributes for Yuna and Tidus (on youtube for example) where videos from Final Fantasy X and X-2 are created together with a song that is not from the referring games. For example: one can find a tribute to The Spring/Yuna's and Tidus' love scene from Final Fantasy X with "Hero" from Enrique Iglesias. There are tributes which use different songs from the singer Jade "Valerie" "Villalon who sung "Real Emotion" and "1000 Words" for Final Fantasy X-2.

Now I'm not one to condemn anyone's efforts whether it be a tribute or a parody. I truly appreciate that Final Fantasy X and X-2 are popular among fans and their efforts and devotion. This Final Fantasy X-3 project is a sign of my passion and devotion for Final Fantasy X and X-2, as well as the posters in my room. If I had the patience or time to create my own tribute video, I would do so but I'll think I'll stick to writing fan fiction for Final Fantasy X-3 since I'm so deep and devoted to the cause. That said it hasn't stopped me from wondering about the possible tributes made if my concept of Final Fantasy X-3 were made into an offical and A+ game.

In "The Final Chapters", there is a developing situation where Yuna's and Tidus' relationship falls apart. Tidus believes he has hurt Yuna and broken Yuna's heart once more and falls apart when left alone on 60th floor of Yadokoni Tower. Tidus feels weak and lost without Yuna and wishes he can amend their torn relationship. Of course Yuna and Tidus do pull through and their relationship was never in doubt but in the meantime Tidus feels accountable and wants to apoligise to Yuna for their dermise.

Now I don't envision Tidus singing like Yuna does (unless Square Enix are to think differently (please don't!)) but an idea for a video tribute can be made for this scene. I've been listening to "Lucy" from Hypnogaja and envisioning Tidus falling apart over the grief he thinks he has caused Yuna. If the lyrics "Lucy" were replaced with "Yuna", it would make sense. I'm not suggesting Hypnogaja or James Arnold Taylor (the English voice for Tidus) makes an edit for Final Fantasy X-3 "The Final Chapters"but in the same way that tributes are made using songs that relate to the given scene(s) from Final Fantasy X and X-2, a tribute like the one stated above could be possible (if Square Enixx were to make Final Fantasy X-3 into a game based on my fan fiction). If my fan fiction were to be made into an A+ game, the amount of tributes for the compilation (series) of Final Fantasy X would rise due to the raise of fans.

If you think i'm being mad or delusional about this or anything regarding my fan fiction of Final Fantasy X-3 then you have the right to say so or comment. I'm open to feedback and suggestions. Unless I have any other spontaneous moments or thoughts which I feel I should address to readers and followers, I'll be back with an update on "The Final Chapters" in March. Until then, see ya!

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

The first (1st) month of 2011 has now past but certainly not forgotten. Mainly because of the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" which is great but also because of personal dilemmas which are bad. But then this blog isn't about my personal life (trust me nothing exciting really happens) so enough with the excuses!

Upon inspection I decided to designate all 2011 entries of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" to a seperate folder so it will be easier to find an entry with a specific date. The previous setup includes the storing of all the entries I had done for "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" in 2009 and 2010. That's 194 entries accourding to the laptop from 2009 to 2010. Bearing this in mind that I am after just the most up to date entry among the 194 entries so I can continue development can be difficault at first when each entry has the same title with a different date. Not that I've ever had any difficaulty with the system but others may well do so with the new folder setup, its easier to find the latest entry and keep the folder easier to navigate and tidier.

As for the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story", I have rewritten and expanded the scenes where Shuyin is trying to find his way through the Bevelle Underground and the scenes unfolding in Zanarkand involving Lenne in the meantime. One thing I do find is when I return to what I've written is how daft and in poor grammer the existing text and dialogue is. When Yu Yevon is adressing the armed forces and residents of Zanarkand after his return from Bevelle with Yunalesca and Shuyin (who doesn't return) for example, the dialogue implies his unsympathetic attitude to the drastic measures the Machina War has resulted in. That's fine for a tyrant which Yu Yevon kind of is but it didn't make much sense when he is trying to encourage and talk "effective strategy" to the disheartened and desperate audiance. With a few tweaks however Yu Yevon expresses a more human and understandable side which is frieghtening but also alluring to the audience making it easier to encourage the audience. Of course it doesn't take long or much for the familar tyrant part of Yu Yevon to terrorise the audience.

There has also been changes and implentation of Yunalesca's actions and dialogue which expresses a much more human personality compared to her father Yu Yevon and the friendship and respect between Yunalesca and Lenne.

There's a few hints of the developments undertaken to take away. With Febuary here, the development of "The Final Chapters" resumes. I'll return to the blog in March so until then, see ya!

"The Final Chapters" December 2010 update

2010 is over and 2011 is upon us. If you're familar with the structure and organisation I take with the project then you should now that with the dawn of January 2011, the focus shifts to Lenne's and Shuyin's Story.

2011 should be an interesting year for the project as 2011 celebrates the tenth (10th) anniversay of Final Fantasy X (2001 being the release date for Final Fantasy X for Japan, Canada and America). At the start of the project I set an ambition to complete the FFX-3 project and have it available to Square Enix in 2011. I intend to meet that and will indeed try my best. However I am wary that Square Enix will be aware of the milestone anniversary of Final Fantasy X also and it will be interesting but not suprising as to how Square Enix celebrate the milestone. Maybe Final Fantasy X-3 is secretly in the works that is different from my concept, who knows?

Of course with 2010 over it means development on "The Final Chapters" is sidelined until Febuary 2011. December 2010 was good for "The Final Chapters", Yuna trashes Seymour Guado and general enhancements have been made to the existing story. One addition in particular is the presented option dueing chapter two (2) is contribute to the affinity between Yuna, Rikku and Paine. Affinity is present in Final Fantasy X where depending upon the player's actions towards a particular party member, the relationship between Tidus and the given party member prompts in scenes. I intend to implent affinity in Final Fantasy X-3 though it should be noted that the affinity between the main playable characters (Yuna and Tidus, Lenne and Shuyin) will be unaffected by the high affinity that Yuna may have with Paine for example.

Well... I besr leave it to that for now, so until the next update, see ya!

FFX-3 (The Final Chapters) - Christmas 2010 update

Whoopsie! I said I would create a post on Christmas day 2010 (25/12/2010), but I became so fixated in Yuna's meltdown and taking her frustration out on Seymour that I got a little carried away...

Should I forward my project to Square Enix, I would think initial reactions should be of shock and unwillingness to comply with. Square Snix will propably consider the dark and twisted side of Yuna to be too unfaithful to Yuna's character and can't work. I foresee sufficent controversy aimed at me for suggesting such a different concept for a Final Fantasy and the ambitousness of some of the ideas.

Then again, Square Enix were taking risks with Final Fantasy X-2 and personally I believe it was a tremendous success. Sure there are mixed reactions, with Yuna's changes in particular but look at this way, if Final Fantasy X-2 and the controversial changes to Yuna were unsuccessful then Square Enix wouldn't have rolled out as much related merchandise or made a connection between Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X (X-2 mostly). Who can doubt the success of Final Fantasy X-2 when the English release of Final Fantasy X-2 won the Seventh Annual Academy of Interactive Arts & Science award in 2004 for "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance" (lookup link here: http://www.square-enix.com/na/company/press/2004/05032004/).

Sorry for the loss of direction there, I guess I'm one who will defend Final Fantasy X-2 to the ends of the Earth if I could. Anyway the purpose of this post is to update the current development on FFX-3 (The Final Chapters). If you hate Seymour Guado as much as I do then you will be pleased that Yuna gives Seymour a much needed thrashing and then goes berserk and makes Seymour beg for mercy numerous times. After the initial battle against Seymour, Yuna will not relent without taking out some of her anger out on Seymour by shooting a downed Seymopur and then kicking Seymour to the back of the Grand Halll of the Mansion in Guadosalam. But Yuna is far from finished and continues despite scaring her party companions. Its only after Yuna gives Seymour a choice to disappear or face further beating that Seymour fades away and the violence halts.

It may seem extreme but you have to consider the difficaulties Yuna is in. Yuna has a terrible and beyond perplexiong experience on a nightmarish Besaid Island and is driven partly insane by all the questions she has that have no answers and the loneliness of being alone and no one to help Yuna except the Fayth of Bahamut who contibutes to Yuna's troubles. As of when Yuna returns to her senses in the Moonflow with Tidus and the rest of the party, Yuna is left with burning questions and emotions of loneliness, fear and anger that follow her allong the North of the Moonflow and Guadosalam. Add to the mix Seymour's return from the Farplane and the dangerous mix will go up like an explosion. Let's not forget Yuna despises Seymour for his intentions to "save" Spira and using her and marrying Yuna and giving Yuna a spine chilling kiss. Does Yuna need any other excuses? At the end of it all Seymour is terrified of Yuna and retreats to the Farplane and the threat from Seymour striving to "save" Spira is foiled. For Yuna the actions justify the means and no one in the party are going to seriously argue with Yuna having witnessed this new and disturbing dark side of Yuna.

Well... that's the update for now. There will be an update on New Year's day regarding the development of FFX-3 (The Final Chapters). I hope this post has satisfied Seymour Guado haters and has given some justification for the project's ambitions. This is the last post of 2010 so I hope you've enjoyed reading it. Have a wonderful conclusion to 2010 and a positive start to the new year. See ya!

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

With November (2010) come and gone it means two (2) thing: one (1); December is upon us which means its the last month of 2010 and Christmas is nearing once again and two (2), my focus shifts to "The Final Chapters".

Development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" has been focused largely upon the first (1st) hundred (100) pages. In particular I have rewritten the beginning of Lenne's and Shuyin's story and have introduced the aggression from Shuyin's BlitzBall comrades by having Shuyin fleeing into the building where Lenne is introduced. I have came up with temporary names for Shuyin's superiors in the armed forces (soldiers division); Captain Lupens and Major Shaft (I got the names from players for the Zanarkand Abes and Zanarkand Duggles).

I've decided that Jece and Aeroon (two (2) Shuyin haters and Shuyin's comrades in BlitzBall and in the armed forces) are disposed of (killed) by their comrades in the soldiers division. The reason being is that they are deliberately offencesive and insulting to everyone they come into contact with including Lenne. Bullying is not tolerated, especially when the whole of Zanarkand is affected and left in near ruins after Bevelle's monstrous machina attack. This act is to demonstrate the kind of ugliness that is brought out by the Machina War and the darkness there is in Zanarkand where the people are in conflict with one another.

A key change in the story is the characterisation of Yu Yevon, otiginally Yu Yevon is a heartless tyrant who cares only about Zanarkand. Shuyin encounters the ruthlessness of Yu Yevon while accompanying Yu Yevon and Yunalesca to Bevelle. Now though Yu Yevon is more calm and much less of a short fuse, Yu Yevon doesn't point a gun in Shuyin's face now for example (beforehand he did). Yu Yevon explains to Shuyin the cause of the hatred between Zanarkand and Bevelle hence the Machina War. Despite Yu Yevon coming out more human and understandable, Shuyin's opinion about Yu Yevon is unaltered.

That's the key changes regarded and as much as I'll disclose regarding the development of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". January 2011 will be the next opportunity for "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". Now that its December (2010), I can contribute to "The Final Chapters". And I have a number of implementations for "The Final Chapters". I'll do an additional post on Christmas Day and give an update on Seymour's condition after Yuna (particularlly) and her friends are through with Seymour as a special treat so until then, see ya!