As far as Japanese RPGs go, the Final Fantasy collection has extra of a historical past of that includes distinguished characters from a various vary of backgrounds than most. For some time now, followers have been asking if Final Fantasy XVI will proceed that custom – and in a brand new interview, FF16 producer Naoki Yoshida has given a transparent reply.

Speaking to IGN alongside a number of different members of the FF16 growth staff, Yoshida defined that FF16 won’t have as a lot range as another titles within the collection. Yoshida admits, straight away, that his reply “might find yourself being disappointing to some,” noting that range in leisure has been the topic of a lot dialogue in recent times.

“Our design idea from the earliest levels of growth has at all times closely featured medieval Europe, incorporating historic, cultural, political, and anthropological requirements that had been prevalent on the time. When deciding on a setting that was finest suited to the story we needed to inform—the story of a land beset by the Blight—we felt that fairly than create one thing on a worldwide scale, it was essential to restrict the scope it to a single landmass — one geographically and culturally remoted from the remainder of the world in an age with out airplanes, tv, or telephones,” Yoshida notes.

“Due to the underlying geographical, technological, and geopolitical constraints of this setting, Valisthea was by no means going to realistically be as various as say a modern-day Earth…and even FF14 that has a whole planet (and moon) value of countries, races, and cultures at its disposal. The remoted nature of this realm, nevertheless, does find yourself taking part in a big half within the story and is among the causes Valisthea’s destiny is tied to the remainder of the world.”

Yoshida’s response to this query has already triggered scorching debate on social media and message boards, with this assertion mirroring debate round issues like Amazon’s latest Lord of the Rings TV collection, which went the other way by casting a greater variety of individuals than usually seen in fantasy. FF16’s medieval setting may’ve gone both method – however plainly for this title, the staff is making the argument of a geographical authenticity to its inspirations – even when it is also a recreation with large kaiju battles and magic. 

Some are praising this choice as authenticity to FF16’s plain inspirations, whereas others are criticizing the sport for utilizing historic accuracy as a reasoning for this whereas the title concurrently options wildly traditionally inaccurate armor and weapons – with out entering into the uncooked fantasy parts. Others pointedly observe that the phrase fantasy is true there, within the title – arguing that the ethnic make-up of the land of Valisthea may’ve been regardless of the growth staff needed, real-life be damned.

It’s undoubtedly a really completely different dialog than when this identical dialogue passed off round Kingdom Come Deliverance, a way more dour and grounded medieval title. Even in that case, nevertheless, individuals started to notice that medieval europe was extra ethnically various than many understand – one thing storied RPG developer Josh Sawyer has exploited for Pentiment, his upcoming story-focused RPG set within the sixteenth century, which options the standard forged of familair medieval tropes but additionally characters from as far afield as Ethiopia. 

“Ultimately, we felt that whereas incorporating ethnic range into Valisthea was essential, an over-incorporation into this single nook of a a lot bigger world may find yourself inflicting a violation of these narrative boundaries we initially set for ourselves,” Yoshida explains.

“The story we’re telling is fantasy, sure, however it is usually rooted in actuality.”

Elsewhere in IGN’s wide-ranging interview, FF16 translation lead and story steward Michael-Christopher Koji Fox touched on how the sport will deal with feminine illustration – an space the place the Final Fantasy collection has usually finished very effectively. The reply was arguably just like that round ethnic range – revealing that some followers may be disenchanted, however that the selections made have been taken in service of FF16’s meant narrative.

“While [FF16] does function a distinguished feminine protagonist, I’d hazard the similarities finish there,” Koji Fox says, speaking of any similarities between FF16’s feminine heroes and people from the collection’ previous.

“Celes and Aerith are distinctive in that a lot of their video games’ narratives revolve round their very own respective tales. [FF16’s] story, nevertheless, has, for the reason that early idea section, at all times been about Clive. But as is the case with all Final Fantasys, Clive’s story is about encounters. It is about companions. It is about relationships and the way, by way of these relationships, Clive grows. No Final Fantasy character value his or her salt ever saved the world on their very own. Luckily, Clive received’t need to attempt, as he, too, isn’t alone.

“These companions, nevertheless, are usually not merely static, one-dimensional plot gadgets there to prop up Clive. They have their very own pasts, their very own motivations, and these are explored in-depth because the participant progresses by way of the story. One such character does find yourself being featured extra prominently. Strong, but flawed. Brave, but filled with doubt, her relationship with Clive impacts him in ways in which reverberate all through his arc.”

Final Fantasy XVI is due out subsequent summer season – however we must always get a full launch date earlier than the tip of this yr. If you wish to be ready, we might help – we have got primers on all of the FF16 characters revealed to this point, a fight mechanics deep-dive, and profiles on the 2 key figures shaping the sport – inventive lead Kazutoyo Maehiro and director Hiroshi Takai. That’ll hold you busy.