Honestly speaking, responding meaningfully to your first post, Luminous-Night, is difficult, and as such I won't attempt to take on such a behemoth task (pun intended). However, rest assured that I did read the entire thing.
To put it succinctly:
- Any time a person praises or hates a game developer (or any creator, be it a novel, film, etc.) to the point of irrationality and name-calling of the opposing side, that person really ought to check priorities. On the internet, it's easy to lose sight of common humanity.
- Yes, even as early as June 2013, Square Enix, and probably Nomura himself, wanted to make clear the fact that this game is no longer Versus XIII. It is Final Fantasy XV. The last few lines in Japanese literally say:
"This is the counterpart/opposite fantasy." (i.e. "Versus XIII")
"No, the world always changes. [This is the] 15th."
- However, without Square Enix telling us what exactly happened to this project, we the public will never know for sure. If you happen to be "on the inside" about this project and are reading this, chances are you probably joined the project later in its life, not when it was first conceived as Versus XIII in the mid-2000s.
- Thus, conjuring up narratives to reassure ourselves about what happened to Versus XIII, and what has been happening to XV, is futile. Both the cynics who decry Tabata and blame him for everything that's gone "wrong" with FFXV, as well as the defenders who are quick to say that Nomura and Nojima approved of all these changes, no questions asked, are making the same mistake: we think we know what's been going on all these years. We may have seen signs here and then of the aftermath, but we can't say we really do know what's been happening at Square Enix Japan. (We just know that a lot's been going on, lol!)
tl;dr
Hate on Tabata is unwarranted; the man doesn't run Square Enix. Lots of people are involved on FFXV, most of them newcomers to the project.
Trailer analysis is interesting but is probably grasping at straws in a few places.
Nomura is still "main character designer," so he would have redesigned Regis (unless somehow Regis is no longer a main character, which is, as evident in the latest trailer, not at all the case). Whether or not Nomura likes the change or grudgingly accepted is another matter (this is where the narratives we've made for ourselves come in to play).
GC is meant to be the START of the REBOOT of XV's promotional campaign. The whole problem so far is that SE haven't shown enough of the current game as it stands. After TGS let's hope the company are willing to say more about the next mainline FF.
Firstly, I very much appreciate your input. Differences in thinking is what makes the world so interesting!!!
To start, your quote, "Trailer analysis is interesting but is probably grasping at straws in a few places." is completely correct haha! Though thats what makes it interesting. I know fully I may be down right wrong. My way isn't divine nor better than others. I just wanted to present a new take on the FFXV fan argument of Nomura VERSUS Tabata (Pun intended as well =])
I did this in an effort to dispel through logic and another perspective the Human Hate that is spewed from that black or white argument while also trying to bring a bit of Humanity through civility and understanding. I believe that, "Sure these people spew hate but really they just hate change and are vocal on a medium that allows no consequences besides moderation and I hate change too, and sometimes I can be hateful too." So naturally I try to see them like people and not just faceless jerks.
The Second point you make I agree with too, mostly. "However, without Square Enix telling us what exactly happened to this project, we the public will never know for sure."
I believe if we look logically and see all the evidence we get a very good picture of what kinda went down. Although, that too is still theory, just backed up by evidence that does not give a FULL concrete answer. So I agree and semi agree lol =p
Third, I do think they should have waited to show that "Dawn" trailer towards the middle of their promotional campaign. It would have been a lot safer. Instead of showing that trailer I agree that they should have shown a more current image and trailer as it stands gameplay included.
In the end, I posted that "novel" firstly in order to try to bring more harmony to an argument that seems to constantly turn sower.
Secondly I thought the were interesting points to announce wondering if any other people saw something different or noticed them as well.
Finally thirdly, we all are still in the dark about a lot of FFXV whether it be Nomura's view on the changes or why its taken so long in the first place. Though I do believe he was apart of the changes, it wasn't just Tabata.
My final thought is, why is the unknown bad? It is exciting to me!! I mean we have dedicated our time sure, but thats because its so intriguing in the first place. So "conjuring up narratives to reassure ourselves about what happened to Versus XIII." is in itself kinda fun if we don't mind change. If we don't let it affect us, ya know? Because when it does thats when arguments break out and when that happens, because of our anxiety, we increase the chance to turn hateful. Maybe its cause we feel anxious and attacked. At least thats what I think, I may be wrong.
I think instead of "conjuring up narratives to reassure ourselves." Conjuring up narratives to intrigue and enjoy ourselves is a lot more enjoyable and healthy and leads less to hate because it isn't based on anxiety its based on fun.
I love to hear others opinions and narratives because they can see what I cannot.
Did you notice anything in that trailer that you think is interesting?
Sorry for the long response... =p
