"Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" Update August 2011

"Oh Shoopuf!" - Shuyin

First off, my apoligies for the latenss of this update post, ultimately there is no excuse though it may seem understandable when I've been very busy at my new place of employment and have been needing to rest.

To be honest, not much progress has been made, certainly not to the level I would be happy with. I would've been happy if Lenne and Shuyin had found themselves in the Zanarkand Underground, but sadly that has not been the case.

So what has been done you may ask? Well... Lenne opens up to Shuyin as to why she is so driven to fulfill her duty as a summoner despite Shuyin's disliking (because it will mean Lenne will surely die) and obeying the king Yu Yevon who is an uncaring, cold and scheeming mad man. Yunalesca confesses that one reason for the intensity of the Machina War is because of family (i.e. Lord Zaon oppossing Yu Yevon for the sake of Yunalesca's life). Captain Lupens and Major Shaft find Lenne and Shuyin close to the Yevon Estate and follow the orders of Yunalesca to bring Lenne and Shuyin inside despite Yu Yevon's orders. Lastly, the battle with an underwater machina has been expanded so that it will in theoty allow the player more flexability and options whilst in battle.

"Its not much, but its enough" - Yuna

Hopefully come September, I'll be back on task and implement the implements that I need to do for "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". For the month of August however, the focus pioritises on "The Final Chapters". Any hints? How about this; both Yuna and Tidus become increasingly wary of the antagonists' actions to Spira, the Eternal Calm and to Yuna and Tidus as their dreams or rather nightmares seem far too real to be imaginative.

More to expect in September's post which will hopefully not be late coming. Until then, see ya!

"The Final Chapters" July 2011 Update

""Its not much, but its enough" is no longer enough" - Yuna to Tidus while locked away and seperated in prison chambers in the Via Purifico. (chapter three (3)).

The extracted quote above should give an impression of development made in June to "The Final Chapters". Putting it simply, development focused in chapter three (3) which although means the countless developments later in "The Final Chapters" have still yet to be implemented, it means a lot of devotion has been placed on rewriting Yuna's rescue and the party's indefinate imprisonment in the Via Purifico. The extracted quote is among the several Yuna narrates to Tidus empathising that knowing and seeing Tidus alive and safe is not enough for Yuna. Yuna is scared and growing wary of the anger and aggrivation growing inside fueled my not being able to fulfill her need to be with Tidus. Yuna believes if Tidus is beside her then Yuna won't be antagonised. For Tidus, the same can be said although instead of anger and aggrivation, Tidus feels depressed not being seperated and locked away from Yuna.

This hopefully gives an explanation and an impression of how Yuna's and Tidus' relationship and feelings for one another have grown to the point where not being together is difficault. Truth be told though this is expressed by Yuna's narration throughout Final Fantasy X-2, so this is essentially following on Yuna's and Tidus' story.

Of course the development on "The Final Chapters" during June (2011) hasn't been entirely focused on purely Yuna and Tidus (though in essence it has). The vital antagonist; Raphas has been taughted somewhat and now has Yuna imprisoned over the Via Purifico Sewers differently then previously. Raphas also sheds a little more light on his ambitions and natrually his over confidence. Though Raphas take pleasure in entrapping Yuna in chains above the Via Purifico Sewers and reflecting on his plans, Yuna is resilient and somewhat rude which is insulting to Raphas.

Prior, Yuna awkens after yet another horrible dream or vision involving Tidus in a beyond fatal situation taking place in Besaid. These dreams/visions indicate something terrible that actaully happened but both Yuna and Tidus are bewildered and conflicted after these dreams/visions. As soon as Yuna awakens from this dream/vision however Yuna calls out Tidus' name. From here on Yuna refers to Tidus by his name, not by "him" or "you" anymore.

Now this is a monumental decision, to have Yuna actually refer to Tidus by his name. I have been speculating about deciding whether Tidus' name is actually used since the very beginning of the Final Fantasy X-3 project. I thought I should honour Final Fantasy X and X-2 by sticking to "him" or "you" whenever Yuna or the party refer to Tidus and allowing the player to name Tidus differently if desired. This I have implemented into X-3 but then I have been playing Dissidia 012 Duodecim Final Fantasy and hearing Yuna say Tidus' name not only resolves the pronounciation of Tidus' name but sounds right. At the moment only Yuna calls Tidus by his name, I've made it as though Yuna gives Tidus his name upon Yuna being rescued by Tidus. It will take some further implemention but I think Yuna calling Tidus by his name is better than refering to Tidus in person or through narration by "him" or "you".

All this shared on this post is of course only a taster of the development undertaken in June (2011), I won't spill all the beans. But I will state that as a result of these implementations "The Final Chapters" has reached a milestone of 500 pages. That's over 287,000 words and yet there is still more to come. While this in July though, my focus will revert to "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". The next post will come in a month's or a so's time so until then, see ya.

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

First off... Sorry for the sluggishness of this post, I'm afraid I've been too occupied of late.

Being too occupied of late means of course progress on "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" has been affected. "Booo!" Its not like a week has gone by without some progress being made mind you, its fairer to say not as much progress has been made as initially foresighted.

Continuing from where I had left off before; Lenne and Shuyin awake after taking an unplanned nap upon the Prominence of Mt. Gagazet while still reeling from the thought that Spira's salvations depends on their actions. Niether Lenne or Shuyin can decide on a course of action but decide to return to Zanarkand to see if what the Ronso Elder said is true and that eliminating their king, Yu Yevon is the only course of action. On the way to Zanarkand however, Lenne and Shuyin have an unexpected encounter with Yu Yevon's approaching carriage and are forced to hide in a mysterious and pitch black cave of which Yu Yevon is travelling through oblivious of Lenne and Shuyin.

That's the progress made in a nutshell. I have expanded on Maechen's input in "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story" and hinted at what lies within the mysterious cave of which no one inside can see past the pitch blackness. Hopefully by July I will have expanded onto the Zanarkand Underground lying underneath the Yevon Estate and reached the conclusion of "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story".

One thing I have to do first though is resume with "The Final Chapter" and get the thought of Yuna going omnicdal on Spira upon obtaining the worst epilogue of "The Final Chapter" (Omnicide - death/destruction of everything). Yes this sounds like turning Yuna, the leading female protagonist of the Final Fantasy X series into a vengeful antagonist (sort of like how Seprioth in Final Fantasy VII started off as a protagonist (or rather a hero) and becoming the leading antagonist) but then think of it this way; if you're Yuna, keeping you're desires under the weight of saving Spira/ensuring the continuation of the Eternal Calm and had dreams crushed and broken and then the beloved Tidus fade away forever (where nothing remains of Tidus other then the painful memories with Tidus filling Yuna with regret, sadness and absolute anger, hatred and resentment) wouldn't everything not matter anymore? As did Shuyin in Final Fantasy X-2, omnicide would be the only course of action when the only one thing that truly matters in gone and nothing will ever fill its space.

"Oops!" I've kind of unveiled the plot of the worse epilogue in a nutshell!

For those who read this post please do not think of committing (spelling!) omnicide or anything alfawl in the real world. A percentage of the world's population may be gamers and encouraged by video games but the overall fiction of any game (where it be a shoot em'up like Call of Duty or a gritty supernatural adventure like Silent Hill) should never be replicated in reality, in reality people seen as enemies from the narrative of a game are not lines of code which imply no real world implications such as horror and consequences of killing someone. We can take influance from a game and it may educate and encourage people (as Final Fantasy X and X-2 have encouraged me to embrace who I am and sought for a more upbeat and fulfilling outlook on life) but some things that one may have heard from this blog or seen in other video games (such as leaping from one skyscraper to the next recklessly like in Mirror's Edge or slaying demons like in Devil May Cry) should not be tried in real life.

Sorry for the parental guidance like lesson there but do heed the advice and think with responsibility. I shall see ya next month (or earlier).

"The Final Chapters" May 2011 update

First off, I apoligise for last month's post. The presentation of the post was a shamble and I couldn't do anything to correct its presentation (I tried, honest I did) but nothing I did worked and that is why the post looks like it does without spacing to illustrate the paragraphs. I guess this is what happens when you use a different computer for posting posts, I'll try to not make the same mistake again.

Development of the, "The Final Chapters" has been primarily on Chapter three (3) where the party have escaped to the Farplane to evade Raphas' suprise attack in the form of Bahamut's Mega Flare. Previously the duriation and events in the Farplane were minimal with Tidus meeting Lenne and Shuyin and the party reuniting with Auron temporarily to battle Braska's final aeon who had been manipulated by Raphas. The duriation in the Farplane has been greatly extended and as of yet, yet to reach its conclusion. What's been added? I won't give away much but now Lenne and Shuyin become party members in the duriation of the party visiting the Farplane, Maechen returns and Tidus has another fight with his father Jecht.

While devotion and progress in implementing "The Final Chapters" should've been better, there has been decent progress, in particular regarding the Fayth's revelation to Tidus which will put Yuna's and Tidus' story in futher turmoil. This means futher implementation in "The Final Chapters" will be inevitable which in turn means "The Final Chapters" will likely reach 500 pages and exceed 280,000 words. Overkill? Perhaps and I haven't even got to the additional quest for Yuna if the bad ending is obtained. For those who think Yuna can be an antagonist (villian), this will sound appealing. Unfortunately one will have to wait until June (2011) for any more development upon "The Final Chapters".

This now being May (2011), focus and development will be on "Lenne's and Shuyin's Story". All I'll say in terms of spoilers is that its about time Lenne and Shuyin return to Zanarkand and decide their and Spira's destiny.

Until June (2011), see ya!

"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!