Interview With Square's Hiromichi Tanaka - IGN (original) (raw)

Hiromichi Tanaka is the Executive Director at Square in Japan. A thirteen-year veteran at Square, Tanaka has functioned as either Producer, Director, or Chief Game Designer on Final Fantasy 1, 2, and 3, Seiken Densetsu 2 (Secret Of Mana), Seiken Densetsu 3, and SaGa 2 (Final Fantasy Legend 2).

PSXPower: Could you please explain why the Japanese versions of Final Fantasy 2 and 3 were never released in America?

Hiromichi Tanaka: We had almost completed an English version of Final Fantasy 2 but there were many difficulties between Nintendo and Square at that time. We gave up on releasing Final Fantasy 2 and couldn't develop FF3 for U.S. either.

PSX: Concerning Final Fantasy 7, who will publish the game in America? Square or Sony? In America we have a desire to buy Video Game Sound Tracks but not many are sold so we must import them. Are there plans to sell the FF7 soundtrack in America?

HT: That has not been decided yet. We have only just started to make the english version. We have not made any decisions about soundtracks either.

PSX: Why do sequels to your games never include the characters from the previous game? For instance, why didn't you continue the story of Final Fantasy 4 into Final Fantasy 5?

HT: Many developers don't want to see the same characters. We like to use something new in each game. I think that is the reason.

PSX: Do you think that the transition from Final Fantasy 6 to 7 is larger than the transition from number 3 to 4?

HT: The transition from FF3 to FF4 was small. From FF6 to FF7, it is not just a 'transition'. FF7 is completely different game from before."

PSX: Is it true that Square has decided to release Final Fantasy 5 on PC but not PlayStation?

HT: You are mistaken on that. We will release on both PlayStation and PC. We just released FF4 for PS last week. If its sales are good then we'll try to do FF5 next. PC will be the same.

PSX: Why is FF:Mystic Quest called FF: USA in Japan?

HT: Mystic Quest was released in the U.S. earlier than Japan. It was developed in Japan and of course we had a Japanese version, but we didn't plan to release it in Japan. That project's purpose was to exploit the RPG market in the United States for the next Final Fantasy game. (Square was concerned that, with FF2 and FF3 not being released, the U.S. needed some kind of RPG) That purpose followed on to the Mario RPG project... Japanese players wondered 'Why not release it in Japan?' (they knew we had a Japanese version) so we released it in Japan with a naming of 'the purpose.'

PSX: There is a rumor going around that Square is going to publish their own video game console. Do you have any comment on this?

HT: Never. Square does not employ any hardware engineers so nobody can plan that at this time.

PSX: Does Square feel that the Romancing SaGa series would be too difficult for American gamers?

HT: I don't think so. I know that rumor and it is not true. There are other reasons, but they are confidential. Sorry. I think SaGa Frontier, the next game in the SaGa series will be released in U.S.

PSX: Can you tell us anything about Chrono Trigger 2? Such as what system it will be on?

HT: We have not even started that project yet. I don't think Chrono 2 will be released within the next few years (or possibly never...).

PSX: Does Nintendo, in fact, own a percentage of Square (USA or Japan)? If so, then is Nintendo making money from the profits of Square software?

HT: No. Nintendo doesn't (didn't) own Square. Square is a public limited company, so they can buy Square stocks at the stock market if they want. But I think that would be pointless. Stockholders get profits as their share but Square stock price is about 5000yen/share now and pays a dividend of less than 50yen/share a year(1996). Investors get profits mostly with buying and selling stocks.

PSX: How does your relationship with (Dragon Ball Z creator) Akira Toriyama work? (Toriyama designed the characters for Tobal No. 1 among other Square games)

HT: He is the greatest and most famous cartoonist in Japan. He usually works very hard at his home office to draw his works. We meet with him and discuss ideas when making a new game only. Then he sends us his 'character designs' later.

PSX: There are rumors that you can play as Akira Toriyama in Tobal No.1. Is Akira Toriyama a playable character? And if so, how can you play as him?

HT: Yes. We call that character 'Tori-Robo' (Toriyama the Robot). To play as him you must work out and complete 'Dungeon Mode'.

PSX: And lastly, can you tell us anything on Square's proposed movie?

HT: Sorry but there is nothing to say right now. We're still preparing for that.

Interview by Bob Rork.