When are we expecting news?

[Darkspawn]

If the series continues to perform well, I doubt it will be the end of the series. May be the end of Sora’s story, but I hope that Nomura is building someone up to be his successor.

I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think the franchise should end just because Nomura steps away from it. I would actually love seeing a fresh vision for the franchise once Nomura finishes his story. That’s not to say I want Nomura gone any time soon. But when he’s ready to move on, I don’t think it’s some horrible thing for someone else to pick up the mantle. Nomura can be a creative producer for a time after retiring from directing to transition the series over to someone new.

 

[LucemFerto]

Yes, I suppose, as long as it is someone with a similarly strong vision as Nomura - someone who can bring something really special to Kingdom Hearts through original plots and characters - I think it could still work. It's not like Nomura is a flawless writer, but he does have that auteur-esque touch when he works on a game.

My only fear is that is becomes safe Disney-crossover without any distinction to make it more than just a safe Disney-crossover. If that is avoided, I think I would stick with the series even post-Nomura.

 

[bambii (aka foreteller)]

If the series continues to perform well, I doubt it will be the end of the series. May be the end of Sora’s story, but I hope that Nomura is building someone up to be his successor.

I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think the franchise should end just because Nomura steps away from it. I would actually love seeing a fresh vision for the franchise once Nomura finishes his story. That’s not to say I want Nomura gone any time soon. But when he’s ready to move on, I don’t think it’s some horrible thing for someone else to pick up the mantle. Nomura can be a creative producer for a time after retiring from directing to transition the series over to someone new.

I’m good with this, so long as Sora’s story and existing plot threads are well and truly wrapped up by the time of Nomura’s departure. If others are going to pick up and continue the series, it should start completely fresh. Maybe set far in the future, or something.

My only fear is that is becomes safe Disney-crossover without any distinction to make it more than just a safe Disney-crossover. If that is avoided, I think I would stick with the series even post-Nomura.

…also this.

 

[2 quid is good]

KH4 being a soft reset means EVERYTHING. This was a really reassuring interview tbh, I didn't expect quite that much, honestly thought they were gonna pull a "still in development, please look forward to more news"

 

[Darkspawn]

The point about Quadratum being conceived of during KH1 makes me more confident than ever that it is the realization of his original ideas for the World That Never Was. I think a lot of the early KH2 ideas made their way into Versus XIII and now are coming back into KH4.

 

[BufferAqua]

I’m actually hopeful for the future of the series.

 

[Launchpad]

We got Nomura wanting to retire before Missing Link

 

[Zettaflare]

Assuming KH continues or is rebooted past the conclusion Nomura has in mind, I’m perfectly fine with someone else taking over if Nomura decides to retire and give the keys to someone else.

Although by the time that happens there is no telling how invested in the series I’ll be at that point in time.

 

[Squood!]

Am I the only one who feels like this is the 20th time he referred to a game in the series as standalone/more accessible???

 

[HakaishinChampa]

Assuming KH continues or is rebooted past the conclusion Nomura has in mind, I’m perfectly fine with someone else taking over if Nomura decides to retire and give the keys to someone else.

Although by the time that happens there is no telling how invested in the series I’ll be at that point in time.

I'd personally like remakes of the older games after the series ends.

I'm imagining KH2 Pride Lands with the Fire during the climax of the first Visit and then post game the world having grass like the post-credits

SDG having pirate outfits in KH2, maybe giving the crew outfits in Agrabah, etc.

 

[MATGSY]

Nomura: the staff struggles with the story

Also Nomura: I need the staff to remind me of the story

This is a worrisome combination.

 

[Squood!]

I think it's possible Nomura is actually thinking that he will eventually have to at some point rather than in just a few years.

 

[Chaser]

I'm not shocked. Honestly, I thought this was the plan towards KH3's release and they were prepping for Tai Yasue to take over.

I hope they do get new blood to take over and continue the series, whether it's with Sora or not, but I guess it's up to Disney and Square Enix.

But I do wonder, once Nomura is retired, who the internet would begin to blame for any story or lore that requires more than 3 seconds of thinking.

 

[Launchpad]

I'll play KH as long as we have Haley Joel Osment, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, and David Gallagher. I think the day we see one of the 'big four" leave the series will be the point where I stop looking ahead and just enjoy the time I had with these characters

 

[GreyouTT]

But I do wonder, once Nomura is retired, who the internet would begin to blame for any story or lore that requires more than 3 seconds of thinking.

"I don't understand, how does Namine's powers work?"

"Did you read the Ansem reports?"

"What?"

"Mmm."

 

[1millionsquats]

That said, both Missing-Link and Kingdom Hearts IV are being designed with a strong emphasis on being standalone titles rather than just sequels.

This is all I wanted to hear. I'm so glad! So, so glad!

Curious to know what translation is accurate about the last question. Is KH4 intended to work as a series conclusion if they can’t make more games? Or is it only the start of the series’ overall conclusion?

My interpretation is that it's the start of the conclusion. Presumably he still intends to make another game or two.

On the series ending as a whole, I'm not against it. I'd actually prefer it. It's okay for things to end and I personally feel like the premise of the series is bound to get (more) stale as more titles come out, with or without Nomura.

 

[Phoenix]

This is all I wanted to hear. I'm so glad! So, so glad!


My interpretation is that it's the start of the conclusion. Presumably he still intends to make another game or two.

On the series ending as a whole, I'm not against it. I'd actually prefer it. It's okay for things to end and I personally feel like the premise of the series is bound to get (more) stale as more titles come out, with or without Nomura.

Same. I hate how everything gets sequels until the last drop of blood is squeezed from the stone and the property becomes a husk. There's value in a story that has a beginning, middle and end.

 

[Oracle Spockanort]

I’m hoping Nomura goes wild on KH4, then. Just full up all of his wish fulfillment. And that it is the end of Sora’s story if Nomura is going to see KH4 as a definitive end of the current storyline (rather than KH3) as well as a soft reboot of sorts. I feel like Nomura and Sora are so synonymous with each other at this point. End his story, and let Disney and SE have a new cast of characters to play with as they see fit.

I don’t know if I’d stick with the series after he retires, though…

 

[SuperNova]

I'll still play the games as long as it's still Sora and Riku's story, I do want to give the new writers a chance after Nomura retires just out of curiosity on what they can do with the series. But I'm glad to hear KH4 won't be so heavily reliant on the previous games.

 

[Darkspawn]

Pre-orders for the PS5 Pro go live on 9/26. I expect we’ll get a State of Play 1-2 days prior to that. Let’s hope they have something more exciting to show than Horizon Zero Dawn remaster…

The Switch 2 reveal seems imminent as well with the leaks coming out.

Also, Square Enix just released the TGS 2024 trailer for Romancing SaGa 2. So we could start seeing other trailers posted soon.