Blue Dragon

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Hironobu Sakaguchi

Interview: Topping Final Fantasy

Words: Andy Robinson, CVG UK

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A lot of Japanese RPG developers are switching to real-time combat systems where as you're still sticking to the turn-based method. What's the reason for that?

Sakaguchi: I feel that the turn-based and real-time genres can co-exist, in fact one of the games that I'm currently working on is an action RPG called Cry On. I think that these genres can exist and play multiple roles.

As for Blue Dragon of course the game is turn-based, but there are a lot of strategic elements in the game such as the fact that you can actually charge up your attacks and put in a different combat order - so there are strategic implications right there.

In the case of Lost Odyssey there are new revolutionary real-time elements that are going to be incorporated into the battle sequences. The fact that it's turn-based doesn't mean that it's backwards but there's a series of evolutions that are taking place.

What do you think the biggest differences are between Japanese RPGs and Western RPGs?

Sakaguchi: I'm not too familiar with Western RPGs! I'm a big fan of Gears of War and also EverQuest the online game, so Final Fantasy XI is an online game.

I really want to stick to what I want to create and what I envision, not depending on the trends that have been happening in the industry. I love trying to create a game that has the warming effect after you finish it. I want to kind of make the gamers warm-hearted, that's what I'm trying to create.

Gears of War is great but after you finish playing there's a great deal of exhilaration, but there's no warm-heartedness there. So that's what I'm trying to create.

Do you think Blue Dragon could become as popular as Final Fantasy?

Sakaguchi: I don't know. I see a gradualism in the success that the Final Fantasy series has attained. The very first installment sold 350,000 units and then has built on as the series of installments has reach the marketplace.

Blue Dragon has sold through more than 200,000 units in Japan and again will continue to build momentum as we get into things like BD2 and BD3 - and that's what we're hoping; to really build on the franchise. Maybe it'll take ten years (laughs).