When are we expecting news?

[olu]

I'm starting to have my suspicions that they may be taking so long because they're pivoting to console, like Genshin and Zenless Zone Zero, but that requires a rework of how certain content is accessed without GPS.

I thought the GPS thing was intended to be completely optional so I imagine it would just be a matter of just....omitting it out a hypothetical console version?

The last closed beta of the game had issues, but none that saw that could potentially stunt development for an extended period of time. And I think it's way past the stage of them going "oh wait, this mobile game ISN'T actually a very good/profitable idea!"

Regardless, the radio silence is very bizzare. Watch it be something miniscule like "oh we just needed more time to polish the game up". But that's just wishful thinking.

 

[Squood!]

I thought the GPS thing was intended to be completely optional so I imagine it would just be a matter of just....omitting it out a hypothetical console version?

The last closed beta of the game had issues, but none that saw that could potentially stunt development for an extended period of time. And I think it's way past the stage of them going "oh wait, this mobile game ISN'T actually a very good/profitable idea!"

Regardless, the radio silence is very bizzare. Watch it be something miniscule like "oh we just needed more time to polish the game up". But that's just wishful thinking.

It's just wack how they think keeping their mouths shut for this many long periods of time is a good idea.

 

[Phoenix]

KH4 taking its time for news is one thing... It's an AAA game that has a lot of investment and expectation, and is seen as a tentpole for SE in the current generation, especially after FF7R underperformed. But Missing Link taking this long not just to come out, but to even have any WORD on a release window is just... I'm not exaggerating when I say that Kingdom Hearts has never looked so publicly confused with itself. They're fumbling this one BAD.

The idea was probably too expensive, the gacha strategy probably looked super aggressive to make up for the long-term development and high cost, but then, perhaps, the gacha elements looked TOO aggressive and they thought they might have an expensive failure that no one will play on their hands... I'm starting to have my suspicions that they may be taking so long because they're pivoting to console, like Genshin and Zenless Zone Zero, but that requires a rework of how certain content is accessed without GPS.

I feel there's a risk of what's good enough for a mobile title would be judged far more harshly in a console port. Like, I don't think anyone's raving about the beta. I've seen the spectrum from "it's not that bad" to "the gacha is godawful". A mobile title can get away with "it's not that bad". But a proper game? I dunno, I'd feel they'd have to change more than the GPS.

 

[Chaser]

The core fundamental design of the game would need an overhaul and that would take more than just a couple of months to execute. They’ll keep it as a phone game and without a console port version, for sure. Would love to be wrong though.

I’m also glad we’ve also pivoted away from thinking any event under the sun could have trailers. SDCC is coming up and I was surprised no one bet their life on it being there

 

[Launchpad]

I don't really get how gacha works or what the best way to pull players in is, but wouldn't playable characters or cosmetics be a better way to get the whales to pay up than.. statues, or cards, or paywalling specific types of attacks? Aren't the whales a bit more receptive to paying for a chance to do more with characters they're infatuated with?

Even I, a true gamer, would pay the big bucks to pull for a chance to have Anti-Aqua in my party

 

[Squood!]

I don't really get how gacha works or what the best way to pull players in is, but wouldn't playable characters or cosmetics be a better way to get the whales to pay up than.. statues, or cards, or paywalling specific types of attacks? Aren't the whales a bit more receptive to paying for a chance to do more with characters they're infatuated with?

Even I, a true gamer, would pay the big bucks to pull for a chance to have Anti-Aqua in my party

I am unironically serious when I say they shoulda just copied Genshin

 

[Chie]

I don't really get how gacha works or what the best way to pull players in is, but wouldn't playable characters or cosmetics be a better way to get the whales to pay up than.. statues, or cards, or paywalling specific types of attacks? Aren't the whales a bit more receptive to paying for a chance to do more with characters they're infatuated with?

Even I, a true gamer, would pay the big bucks to pull for a chance to have Anti-Aqua in my party

I think it shows just how profoundly cynical gacha is that the vast majority of gacha I've seen fall under this "this doesn't even feel like it's aimed at fans" thing. I think of the late Evangelion mobile game that just repeated the five main characters from Rebuild over and over and over for its units, because that's on-brand, when it surely would have drawn more attention to include deep cuts that fans would be surprised to see again. Most other microtransaction games I've seen are the same.

 

[Launchpad]

I think it shows just how profoundly cynical gacha is that the vast majority of gacha I've seen fall under this "this doesn't even feel like it's aimed at fans" thing. I think of the late Evangelion mobile game that just repeated the five main characters from Rebuild over and over and over for its units, because that's on-brand, when it surely would have drawn more attention to include deep cuts that fans would be surprised to see again. Most other microtransaction games I've seen are the same.

It's the basic thing that's repeated in my head over and over again. You want me to play this Kingdom Hearts game... where you're expected to occasionally pay to have good attacks and make progress (which makes creating deliberate difficulty impossible), I have to wait for updates to the story, and... NO SORA? NO GOOFY? NOT EVEN A MEASLY ROXAS FOR ALL MY TROUBLE????

 

[MATGSY]

I think it shows just how profoundly cynical gacha is that the vast majority of gacha I've seen fall under this "this doesn't even feel like it's aimed at fans" thing. I think of the late Evangelion mobile game that just repeated the five main characters from Rebuild over and over and over for its units, because that's on-brand, when it surely would have drawn more attention to include deep cuts that fans would be surprised to see again. Most other microtransaction games I've seen are the same.

Mario Kart Tour having the same handful of characters getting more costumes over adding guys like E. Gadd or Goombella. Or Sega's radio silence on the fan twitter campaign to get Archie/SatAM guys added to the Sonic Forces mobile game.

 

[Chie]

Yeah it's such a paranoid need to keep things "on brand" using the same small selection of "on brand" assets and aesthetics over and over again, and I'm not sure it offers any reward for anyone involved. Mario went especially hard on this even in its real games for like a decade and I don't think a single person liked that???

 

[Phoenix]

Mario Kart Tour having the same handful of characters getting more costumes over adding guys like E. Gadd or Goombella. Or Sega's radio silence on the fan twitter campaign to get Archie/SatAM guys added to the Sonic Forces mobile game.

To be fair to Sega, Penders. They just don't want to deal with that shit, even if they still own the Freedom Fighters.

 

[Chaser]

Where the hell did that come from?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1813536189988892704

 

[olu]

...are the people who created the rumour that Nomura was sick in the room with us right now...?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1813557541693214724

Gonna need Nintendo to drop Super Mario 65 to push the release of KH4...

 

[Liodin]

Interviewer: Do you keep your ideas in the form of a proposal?

Nomura: Yes. To share my vision easily, I first search for images or photos online that could serve as reference material, then create a provisional title screen. After that, I draft a rough outline.

Interviewer: You consider the storyline even at the idea stage?

Nomura: Yes, because if the producer isn’t excited by my explanation, it won’t work. Also, I write the outline to avoid forgetting the content, then store it in a folder.

Isobe: You store it away?

Nomura: Yes. When a new game project comes up, I pull it out, tweak it, and polish it. If it’s not used, I put it back and repeat the process, continuously refining it. The polished proposals go into a folder labeled “NEW.”

Isobe: Do you have a lot of stockpiled ideas?

Nomura: The number is gradually decreasing. But there’s still a folder with many unused proposals, including complete scenarios.

Isobe: I’d love to see that...

Nomura: The folder is so intricately organized that it’s almost a labyrinth. Whether those proposals ever see the light of day is uncertain, even to me.

Interviewer: Please make sure to back up those files!

Really interesting.
How many potential KHs will never see the light of day...
And I am reassured to know that if something were to happen to Nomura the future “canon” of KH is assured.

Man, Nomura has a folder on his computer with complete scenarios, waiting for an opportunity to be told.
I guess one of those would be Verum Rex. And I'm sure Dark Road was in that folder too.

Nomura: I never thought I’d see "NTWEWY" characters in action again. I think Rindo and Shoka, who appear in the collaboration, are well-crafted characters, so I’m grateful they’re being brought to life again. Fans of "NTWEWY" should check out how the characters behave, and those unfamiliar should use this chance to explore "NTWEWY."

No NEO characters in KH4, confirmed?
He says NEO specifically, not Neku and company.

Source: https://www.famitsu.com/article/202407/8741

 

[1millionsquats]

Did he ever say in interviews why exactly the Shibuya cast shows up in 3D? If I'm not mistaken Nomura mentioned before that Quadratum is not the Shibuya from TWEWY, but it'd be really frustrating for the characters not to show up especially after they promise to meet Sora again in Shibuya.

 

[Chie]

What he said was more vague than that, everyone just pretended as if that's what he said. (Ok I guess he said it more explicitly recently.) But yeah it would seem that KH4 Quadratum's aesthetic is "reality" instead of the kind of place you'd expect to see someone like Neku.

OTOH there are pretty direct TWEWY references in KH3 Quadratum.

 

[Launchpad]

"Nomura PLEASE give us an update!!"
"On my health?? I'm fine LOL"

 

[1millionsquats]

What he said was more vague than that, everyone just pretended as if that's what he said. (Ok I guess he said it more explicitly recently.) But yeah it would seem that KH4 Quadratum's aesthetic is "reality" instead of the kind of place you'd expect to see someone like Neku.

OTOH there are pretty direct TWEWY references in KH3 Quadratum.

The FF characters got a redesign to fit into KH's aesthetic before, so I'd wager it would be reasonable for Neku and friends to be able to show up, but redesigned in the same vein as Sora to fit into the new aesthetic. TWEWY (and NEO) characters are already fashionable in a more grounded sense since the games take place in an alternate real life Shibuya, if that makes sense. The RG itself is just Shibuya, the crazy psychs and noise only exist in the UG.

 

[Dandelion]

I'm warning you all right now, because I've had it about as much as I can take it, that Audrey is infamous of getting her translations just wrong enough to be a pain in the neck in terms of tackling misinformation.

You should scrutinize any fan translation, regardless, but keep copious pinches of salt nearby when reading anything that has come from her.

 

[Squood!]

Where the hell did that come from?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1813536189988892704

Bruh lol

People have said more things about KH4's health than Nomura's

This is almost like that Papa Nomura thing