SE devs released a video today responding to the FFXV Episode Duscae survey. I will give a brief summary of the details addressed that I feel to be important; including changes to development. I will not be able to answer any questions as I am going to bed (landscaping work very early tomorrow) but I will link the full video right here.
Here are things I consider to be important. You aren't missing out on much by reading just the following but watch the video if you please. I will update thread as needed:
- Voice Acting: In response to a popular complaint that Noctis' voice was too deep, Tabata announced that final game already has different voice acting. They wanted to include a voiceover in the demo but by the time they realized they wanted a different voice it was too late to implement.
- Camera: There are plans to pull the camera back during combat, as well as the possibility of camera controls for the player.
- Mini map: Will be added, but no radar.
- Difficulty: Japan complained that the game was too hard, NA complained it was too easy. They said it is possible that they will add a difficulty option.
- Jaggies/drops in framerate: The final game will have anti-aliasing. Framerate is prioritized over resolution.
- Battle speed: Movement speed during battles will remain the same, it sounds like. Devs want you to feel "grounded in reality", feel Noctis' speed in E3 trailer was too fast.
- Cancelling attacks: It will be possible to cancel (most) attacks by evading in the final game. There will also be a dodge-roll that does not consume MP.
- Warping: They said since they are inexperienced with open world games, warping long distances (not fast travel) will not be likely to be implemented.
- Monotony: Magic and joint attacks will be in final game to help make battles feel different. Possibility of button remapping.
- Female party members: They reiterated their feelings of the 4-guy road trip thing, but hinted at new mechanical possibilities when a female party member is present. For example, perhaps the tent will be a little cleaner when a female is present, and new dialogue will be spoken at camp. Differences between the four guys being themselves and when they are with a female.
- Demo Version 2.0: Daredevil Shark already made a thread about this, linked here. I have details to add. The devs would like to update the demo in mid to late May as a show of thanks to those who partook in the survey, and to show that they take feedback seriously. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO THOSE WITH CODES FROM TYPE-0! Anywhow it will implement AXB enhancements, better targetting/camera, rebalanced combat and more actions, combat tweaks including dodge rolls. THe final game will also include fixes to lock-on problems and AI.
- I THINK I HEARD TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PORTING TO PC, if it sold really well.
I am very impressed with Square Enix for taking our concerns seriously. For anymore questions please watch the video. I spent a while picking it apart for this thread and have to hit the hay so I apologize for not sticking around. Thanks for reading, leave replies and I will get to them as soon as I can. Cheers!