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Iizuka answers our questions in London!
#1
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:09 AM
Ok! I can also tell you that I'm being sent video and audio footage of the event. So you'll be able to cheer on as you see Iizuka be amazed we know about stuff we shouldn't XD;;;; ITS OUR JOB TO KNOW (read on for lols).
I'm going to start off with ArchangelUk's initial notes from the event, then i will paste up our questions ok?
THINGS NOTED DOWN DURING DEMO:
Opening story CGIs look gorgeous.
Release is January 2008 - no specific date has been announced yet.
Game is very easy to play but difficult to master.
Variety of gameplay styles, NiGHTS is NOT in every level.
Dragon Mask = Not affected by Winds
Dolphin Mask = Not affected by Water
Music is gorgeous.
My Dream feature: your own dreamscape created by what you collect in the game using the paraloop technique including Nightmarens and Nightopians. Essentially a Sandbox System. Tamogochi like. Weather taken from Weather Channel if connection active. You can visit the My Dream of "friends" and other NiGHTS users ("Rest of the World") via Nintendo Wi-Fi connection, exchange details (friend numbers) and communicate via symbols.
2P race available via N.W.C - "Nearby Friend" (same console)
- "With A Friend Far Away" (Rest of World)
- "Random Character In The World" (Random global challenge)
2P battle was not seen by us alas...
All controller types covered in NiGHTS
- wiimote control using "Mindsight" target.
WILL and HELEN's Dreams are unique to them.
Much more interaction movies to help tell story.
Boss fights "look simple" but are "quite difficult to complete fast" according to Iizuka-san.
LEVEL DETAILS I WAS ABLE TO GRAB
DREAM GATE
- Main hub, Dream Doors will open as game progresses.
- "Night: #" counter increases everytime you enter Dream Gate, has no effect on gameplay apparently.
- NiGHTS appears there, ability to Dualise and do tutorial, learn to fly, masks, etc...
PURE VALLEY
- In WILL's start to the game Reala appears almost immediately and Nightmarens take NiGHTS away, Will tries to help NiGHTS but ANNOYING OWL (I don't know the name, sorry, lol) says not to interfere as Reala is "much too powerful for you".
- Mission 1: Chase Mission - climb into NiGHTS cage and dualise, bust out and Catch 3 birds to get keys for other cages.
- Mission 2: Link Challenge
- Mission 3: Fluffy Catch
- Mission 4: River Rescue - NiGHTS becomes a boat, Wiimote is held horizontally (similar to Sonic & The Secret Rings controls)
- Boss: Donbalon - NB: 69020 only good enough for a C grade.
LOST PARK
- Mission 4: Coaster Mission - NiGHTS becomes a rollercoaster car with the ability to stretch up onto stilt legs and move lefrt and right in this mode to avoid enemies, obstacles and pass through rings. Must catch coaster ahead of them.
BELLBRIDGE
DELIGHT CITY
- Mission 4: Broadway Guide - Unlike NiD, HELEN and WILL DO meet and can communicate, mission involves WILL having to get a woozy HELEN out of his Dream World safely.
THINGS TAKEN FROM OTHER QUESTIONS IN THE GROUP:
NiGHTS 2 proposed 2 years ago, development began 1.5yrs ago.
Air NiGHTS DID exist but it was merely a prototype created to test the motion technology SEGA were thinking about at the time.
NiGHTS is STILL androgenous, the reason why he is that is so that NiGHTS can appeal much more directly to your POV. If you're male he's male, if you're female she's female. It allows you to associate with the character and make you feel more comfortable with him for both genders.
Iizuka-san's favourite mask to use is the Dragon mask, however for gameplay he said he likes the Rocket Mask as it allowed for a real "different strategy for play".
Everything that Iizuka-san wanted in the game he was able to.
We mananged to get out of him that MY DREAM HAS CONTENT FOR HOLIDAY DATES. Following this rather inadvertant spoiler he said. "You'll have to keep checking."
It's probably easier to control using the analogue stick
Iizuka-san's recommended using the GC controller for NiGHTS veterans as the controls would feel similar to the Saturn controller.
Iizuka-san's favourite controler when attempting a score attack is GC controller for "extra" accuracy.
Iizuka-san's favourite controler for flight as NiGHTS is wiimote.
NiGHTS PS2 is NOT coming to Europe - There is a Japanese fund to rework certain games (apparently) and to keep them alive, NiGHTS was the game in question this time around.
There is no plan to release NiGHTS on to VC......"..............So far."
...
.COM QUESTIONS:
(*note from TRiPPY- there were 20some questions in total, we may still have the others answered personaly through email)(These were at a media event and long questions dont really get asked at that kind of thing)(So stay tuned).
TRiPPY:4.) Something that hasn't really been made clear to the media yet is Journey of Dreams appears to be a remake/alternative version of the original idea. Or is Journey of Dreams a true storyline sequel? Helen and William appear to be overwriting the original dreamers, the bosses have similarities to the original cast... Is this a sequel or a rewrite?
Iizuka: It's deffinately a sequel not a remake.
TRiPPY:5.) Much to my delight, the new city of Bellbridge looks very much like Britain / London. As well as the cast all having strong English accents and mannerisms. What made SonicTeam finally decide to give us U.K people some fanservice? You made a lot of British fans happy!
Iizuka: It does indeed have London influences, Iizuka-san said that he and SONICTEAM were aware that the overall modern style of Sonic games is very American based. As such he wanted to make a game that had a distinctive European flavour - both in architecture and characters. In that sense Will and Helen could be from most anywhere in Europe.
TRiPPY:6. The original game taught children to reach for their ambitions and overcome their fears. What message and moral does Journey of Dreams carry? It seems to deeply deal with family problems.
Iizuka: "NiD was about conquering your fears, JoD is about the importance of family."
TRiPPY:7. Compared to the original, how many staff members are working on JoD?
Iizuka: "26 people" were involved in the development of JoD: Sonic Studio USA did the game, SOJ the music.
TRiPPY:9. Why was Jackle not included in Journey of Dreams? A lot of fans are disappointed as he has the same size of fan following as Reala does. Is the Chameleon boss his replacement? Will Jackle ever return? We all adore him.
Iizuka: "*Laughs*" He likes Jackle a lot but in order to give the games a bit more of a sense of difference (sequel vs remake -see Q4) certain changes had to be made and unfortunately Jackle was indeed one to not make the new game.
TRiPPY:10. The second biggest mystery of the NiGHTS fandom is regarding the deleted boss 'Selph' from the original game code. Can you please please please tell us who or what Selph was supposed to be and why he was cut from the game? His music on the OST was awesome. What did he look like? Even though Selph has never been seen he has a fan following and a LOT of speculation XD;
Iizuka: *BIG Reaction somewhere between surprise and outright suspicion* "Whaaa? How do you know about Selph?" The conversation went on a long time - Sylph DID exist, however Sylph was a concept only and was not going to be anything specifically.
I'll be honest I was worried I'd somehow insulted him, the reaction was very big to that question... as it happens he wanted to know EXACTLY how you guys knew, I just indicated you were clever like that.
*TRiPPY cracks up laughing at email*
TRiPPY: 21. NiGHTS into Dreams had the rare 'King' or 'Super' Nightopian that quite a few of us managed to actually obtain through research and downright obsession. Will Journey of Dreams have something similar for us to aim for in terms of A-life development?
Iizuka: (A lot of explanation was needed here) "You can create your own creature by mixing Nightopian and Nightmarians." "There will be a 'Super-ian'." (Iizuka-san laughed at the Translator's attempt to explain, I think he liked the term, heh but he definately said there would be a Super)
TRiPPY: 22. Since the Wii has the same sort of online functions as the Dreamcast, can we expect to see a worldwide scores table somewhere? There are some incredibly talented gamers out there who love the link and score system in NiGHTS. We love a challenge.
ArchangelUK- Again this I'll answer - YES. There is a ranking system, when you open the journal of Will or Helen it'll connect the Wii to the network and update your journal, you'll be able to see your GLOBAL rank. Yay.
TRiPPY:23. In the future NiGHTS fans were hoping that a game would be released in which you can customize your own dreamer character to give added 'game immersion'. People would love to wander about NiGHTS' world as themselves. Perhaps even using the Mii's. Do you think the SonicTeam will ever consider this? Fans love custom characters.
Iizuka: See: My Dream for half an answer.
ArchangelUK- Iizuka-san has been emailed the entire pack by the Brand Manager and you might well get more answers in the future. I obviously only had a certain period of time I could answer questions in - Iizuka-san was exhausted - you may even get more concise answers to the ones above if he gets back to you.
Okay, now are you ready for the rest?
Firstly: TRiPPY, I showed Iizuka-san some of your art. He was VERY VERY VERY impressed, in fact he was quite enthralled by it especially Paradox (my favourite incidentally). The Silver one we were trying to figure out what it had to do with NiGHTS, in the end I just said "Oh there's a definate NiGHTS overtone" (not noticing him in the bg) and he accepted my judgement, lol.
Secondly: I explained the significance of NiD.com and he was genuinely interested in what I was saying. He was very impressed you guys came up with such questions, they definately sparked his interest.
Thirdly: There may very well be exclusive assets heading your way - at least that has what has been indicated to me. We shall see......
Fourthly: Monday I will be sending you a couple of items. I will not say what these are at this point in time, only that you'll be rather pleased... DiGI, I suggest you make sure TRiPPY is sitting down. Lol.
Fifthly: As of this moment and not saying anything concrete one way or another I NEED you to keep the week of January 14th-18th free of ANYTHING. Don't go anywhere, don't arrange to meet anyone, or go out, ANYTHING.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*TRiPPY FEARS ABOVE POINT* D: Oh god it's an assasination squad ahahah.
i also got a FINAL LEVEL SYNOPSIS but uhhhh... I don't want to spoil anything for you guys regarding the last level because Gameradar sort of already done it for me. I'd like to keep this one under my hat with all due respect. It'll be out soon anyway nodoubt : )
And that concludes tonights fanservice. I'm sure i'll have more next week XD;
TRiPPY
xxx
#2
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:12 AM
I hope is looks are along the "wow they are smart" and not the.. "Who tattled? WHO LEAKED?"
^.^
#3
Guest_Ekairi_*
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:16 AM
~Squeal~
I hope is looks are along the "wow they are smart" and not the.. "Who tattled? WHO LEAKED?"
^.^
LOL
I doubt they gave questions that shows that someone leaked something out.
#4
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:25 AM
...Sounds nice though. I can't wait for the Q&As. :3
#5
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:30 AM
Nice info!
#6
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:34 AM
But yeah, BRILLIANT! And by the time I actually post this there will be more news!
#7
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:39 AM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sega was working on motion sensing technology? I wonder how that would have turned out. NiD not on VC...so far...? I almost like the sound of that.
Nice info!
Something like this:
source: http://www.gwn.com/a..._Prototype.html
#8
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:41 AM
#9
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:47 AM
Thanks iLL. Wow, that looks...strangely familiar. Don't know why.
here's something more weird lol
#10
Posted 01 December 2007 - 03:51 AM
#11
Posted 01 December 2007 - 04:43 AM
Hmmm... since you couldn't go visit Iizuka... maybe he's going to come visit you?! ...Nahhh... that's crazy... still.... 0_0
#12
Posted 01 December 2007 - 04:44 AM
#13
Posted 01 December 2007 - 04:45 AM
YEAH!
Thirdly: There may very well be exclusive assets heading your way - at least that has what has been indicated to me. We shall see......
#14
Posted 01 December 2007 - 04:55 AM
I've not really digested any of this info yet, its 5am and I'm wired on pasta. Brainburn uhhhhhhhhr.
The thing about Selph makes me seriously crack up though. I can't wait to see this video response of him XD;;;; I want his expression screencapped for all eternity.
What Iizuka doesnt realise though is that Selph was already common knowledge within the fanbase because of the OST official website mentioning him. Plus all you have to do is pop your NiD game cd into a PC and it says his name there. I mean lol. He even had theme music cmonnnnnnnn. Like we'd miss THAT. That to me was the best thing ever. *REACTION* money. can. not. buy.
NiGHTS fanbase. Serious business.
Iizuka you are adored XD;
#15
Posted 01 December 2007 - 04:59 AM
(wonders why such a reaction) maybe it's his hidden secret that no one was supposed to know about?
#16
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:06 AM
I also asked him a question regarding CdS so i'll wait and see if he answers that in email.
*hugs her mask*
#17
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:12 AM
It's good to see he still remembers obscure information about the original however. Keeps him on his toes XD
I also asked him a question regarding CdS so i'll wait and see if he answers that in email.
*hugs her mask*
I hope he does. I would be so embarrassed if he denies it. ^.^;
Giggles.
I am happy the mask found a loving home.
#18
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:38 AM
<3 Yayz.
#19
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:38 AM
It's good to see he still remembers obscure information about the original however. Keeps him on his toes XD
I also asked him a question regarding CdS so i'll wait and see if he answers that in email.
*hugs her mask*
I would love that CD just like I loved the first one
#20
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:40 AM
#21
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:52 AM
What is Selph's music on the OST? (Name if possible, please. :3)
#22
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:52 AM
That Selph bit made me laugh. Yes, we are VERY clever like that.
#23
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:55 AM
Lol sorry ^^; CdS is short for Cirque Du Soleil. It's one of the things that inspired NiGHTS.
I figured that was what it was. I love Cirque. When I was a little kid I wanted to become a contortionist and go join Cirque >_> Yeah, good luck with that now.
What's your favorite show?
</derail>
Wasn't NiGHTS partly inspired by a airplane flight Naka took, too? I remember reading something like that. Something about the feeling of takeoff.
#24
Posted 01 December 2007 - 05:57 AM
Edit: Directed at Gun6. Definately give it a listen. =p
#25
Guest_Ekairi_*
Posted 01 December 2007 - 06:11 AM
Selph.... The dirty little secret.
(wonders why such a reaction) maybe it's his hidden secret that no one was supposed to know about?
I'm going to take the guess that he didn't know the CD wasn't cleaned up enough to disclude the unfinished boss.
Though it sounds odd how he would have said it was only a concept yet there is information in the CD.
Basically a concept is usually just an "idea" not anything solid and normally when work like that is being done they don't put stuff in the product until they have something at least semi-solid. I actually didn't think they would leave something like that in.
Actually out of a strange coincidences it might actually proves my previous theory that I threw out. X_X
Originally I though Selph was a mistranslation of Sylph a type of "Wind Spirit" or "Wind Nymph" before I decided it was the other NiGHTS.
If that be true than I can understand why they threw the idea out.
I had brought that idea out a long time ago on the old forums which wasn't really touched since then.
#26
Posted 01 December 2007 - 06:27 AM
#27
Posted 01 December 2007 - 07:14 AM
I'm really enjoying all these new tidbits. Sounds like cool stuff is coming our way!
One thing I don't quite get, though... if JoD is a true sequel, how do they explain Wizeman and Reala still being alive?
#28
Guest_Ekairi_*
Posted 01 December 2007 - 07:29 AM
...One thing I don't quite get, though... if JoD is a true sequel, how do they explain Wizeman and Reala still being alive?
I'm actually a little confused about this also.
Did they say that this story was happening before or after the previous titles?
#29
Posted 01 December 2007 - 07:33 AM
oh...mah....... gawd.
That...wow.... there really aren't words to describe how awesome that is. *blows up from trying to think of one*
#30
Posted 01 December 2007 - 08:28 AM
Iizuka must have jumped off his chair when he founds out that the rest of the fanbase world knows about Selph.x´D
#31
Posted 01 December 2007 - 08:54 AM
I'm actually a little confused about this also.One thing I don't quite get, though... if JoD is a true sequel, how do they explain Wizeman and Reala still being alive?
Did they say that this story was happening before or after the previous titles?
I will put my opinion out here to be shot at,
They ARE Dream creatures and Dreamgods, whatever... They can be drempt again, no? I mean... I don't think nightmares would still be around if Wizeman was truly defeated... I mean he didn't vanish like the others in the original game when you "Defeated" him. You just stopped him from playing out his plans... also maybe JODS will clear that up more canon-style.
IF Wizeman exists, then Reala is bound to be born again! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
#32
Posted 01 December 2007 - 09:07 AM
#33
Posted 01 December 2007 - 09:44 AM
TRiPPY: 21. NiGHTS into Dreams had the rare 'King' or 'Super' Nightopian that quite a few of us managed to actually obtain through research and downright obsession. Will Journey of Dreams have something similar for us to aim for in terms of A-life development?
Iizuka: (A lot of explanation was needed here) "You can create your own creature by mixing Nightopian and Nightmarians." "There will be a 'Super-ian'." (Iizuka-san laughed at the Translator's attempt to explain, I think he liked the term, heh but he definately said there would be a Super)
ROFL, did you really ask him a such question? XD
I imagine his reaction in his mind "omg omg, what the hell is going on here, so many otaku in Europe °°;"
He came to Paris too last thursday, SEGA France offered me the opportunity to try the demo and to meet Iizuka, but I was not able to go to Paris... I'm so sad T.T, life is unfair x)
Thanks for the interview TRiPPY, especially for this question, since I've passed so many hours to find out this secret, it's good to see his reaction ^^
#34
Posted 01 December 2007 - 10:48 AM
It's so brilliant, first official fanbase interview or something, isn't it?
#35
Posted 01 December 2007 - 11:19 AM
And a BIG mad thanks to whatever he has in store for us in the future. I swear, every email we get from him is more cryptic than the last. XD
I'm also very glad Iizuka got to see TRiP's artwork and actually had the time to look at the pieces infront of him and comment on each one. It's about time someone on the main team noticed her NiGHTS art. Well done, boo.
I'm REALLY pissed off with the PS2 news, though. I wanted that remake so badly and it ain't shipping over here. >:[
I'm hoping Iizuka does have the time at some point to write us an email himself. That would be nice.
#36
Posted 01 December 2007 - 11:21 AM
Shame about the PS2 news, yeah. I was really hoping that it'd be released over here. *sigh*
#37
Posted 01 December 2007 - 01:37 PM
Certainly is, Feniiku. This website just raised the bar a little bit, lol! XD I have to thank ArchangelUK for being our representitve at the interview. He really helped us out. If it wasn't for him we probably wouldn't have these questions answered. So, mad thanks to him for doing this for us.
Aye that ArchangelUK is a top notch guy, fun fact about him if you didn't know, he actually comes from the Sonic fan site Sonic Wrecks, so its obvious to say SEGA brought him in probably because he knows the community around these here parts and I'm glad his handling the public relations for the Sonic and NiGHTS fanbase.
Anyway its a darn shame about the PS2 version not being released here, I think it would go down pretty well if it was a budget title. None the less, my Saturn still sort of lives, so it doesn't really matter to me much.
I'm glad to see they've expanded the game with these extra missions, but I'm not so sure if I'd like the exploration segments with the children much, though looking at the rafting stage and the roller coaster parts, I think I'd enjoy that, I'm hoping the missions have a good bit of variety because I think I'll really enjoy them if they do.
I think the Night # has some sort of secret to it, like in Sonic Gems Collection, if you play the game so and so number of times a secret is unlocked. It would make no sense just to have it there...would it?
Also alas Air NiGHTS and SEGA's motion sensory controller, if only they could see into the future, IF ONLY.
EDIT: Guys, SEGAnerds (Rather, G, one of our admins) was over at that event too, and his put of a sort of modified transcript of what the questions were asked, he did ask us at the forum what questions we would ask Iizuka, but we thought it was a joke topic...so as you can imagine it was all about questions on Shadow the Hedgehog, sowwy about that guys = (
Anyway, here is the interview
EDIT 2: Maybe I should post this in the general section as news, but this is the topic about it...oh decisions decisions.
EDIT 3: Then again I suppose Trippy's version of it covers it well, ah, forget I posted this.
#38
Posted 01 December 2007 - 02:17 PM
Malan- i know how you feel D: We only had 24 hours notice and couldn't get tickets there. If i could drive i would've. I asked the pian question specificaly FOR you. Since you put in your work ^^
As for PS2 NiGHTS, i sense another letter to Sega coming on.
#39
Posted 01 December 2007 - 02:26 PM
...makes sense to me, at least.
#40
Posted 01 December 2007 - 02:26 PM
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