Nomura: "The KH series has entered a preparation phase for what's next"
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- Published on February 26, 2021 @ 04:10 am
- Written by Arielle
In his message announcing the end of service for KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ Dark Road earlier today, KINGDOM HEARTS series director Tetsuya Nomura also briefly mentioned the future of the series. In his statement, he briefly mentions that the KINGDOM HEARTS series has entered a "preparation phase" for the future, and that this will include the Union χ team.
Once KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ's story is completed, they will be merging with the rest of the KINGDOM HEARTS team to prepare for the upcoming 2nd Phase of the franchise.
You can read Nomura's full message below thanks to goldpanner:
First, thank you so much for supporting us for so long - over five years now. As stated, we have finished writing the final chapter of KINGDOM HEARTS Union χ, and have decided to draw the story to a close. The story of Dark Road has a little left to go, so please rest assured you will be able to continue to enjoy the offline version to the conclusion.The KH series has entered a preparation phase for what's coming next. That includes the Union χ team, so once the story is over I will have them merge with the rest of the team.Personally, I remember how excited I was when I got to see the Unchained χ mobile version final product, and saw how smooth the action looked on a smartphone screen despite being in 2D. That was 6 or 7 years ago now. This series has evolved many times over the years: starting as the browser game χ, then the mobile game Unchained χ, which was updated into Union χ, and then the launch of Dark Road. I feel it's time to move on to something else that will bring a new kind of excitement.There are only a few months left - I hope you stick with us to the end. Also, if you haven't played it before, I'd love for you to take this opportunity to catch up with us at the finish line. The remaining chapters will be several times larger than usual as they cover some extreme turns. I really hope you enjoy them.I'm currently arranging a chance to meet you all again soon. I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope you continue to support the KINGDOM HEARTS series. Thank you so much.KINGDOM HEARTS Series
Director Tetsuya Nomura
COMMENTS
So does this mean they'll help the console teams or does this mean more mobile games?
Today has been full of goodies I'm overwhelmed
So does this mean they'll help the console teams or does this mean more mobile games?
I'm hoping the former but it is probably the latter.
I still want a days remake but now I am afraid it might be on mobile.
I still want a days remake but now I am afraid it might be on mobile.
Sadly this probably will happen, especially considering the announcement of FF7 ever crisis which is essentially a remake of not only the original game, but every single spin-off as well. And of course it's stuck on mobile.
I still want a days remake but now I am afraid it might be on mobile.
Well we could still hope for a Switch port as many mobile games are also on it.
SE also has ported their mobile games that weren’t gacha games to console once they were completed.
SE also has ported their mobile games that weren’t gacha games to console once they were completed.
Yeah, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition is a good example.
As long as it isn't gacha I don't really care where it ends up. Just no evil money schemes please.
SE also has ported their mobile games that weren’t gacha games to console once they were completed.
Excuse me, I'm still waiting for that FF Dimensions port.
Well at least they finally admitted that Khx, Unchained X, and Union X are not considered part of phase 2, cause it’s obvious the story is supposed to be like in between the two phases since khx has been around since 2013, back then there was no such thing as phase 1 or 2 yet
But now Union X will end, Now we can truly move on focusing on the next Saga.
Edit: instead of replying to you in a new Comment I’ll just edit and put my answer here,
Dark Road is technically called Union X Dark Road meaning that the Union Cross rebranding is technically part of Phase 2.
Not Quite, putting dark road aside, it’s true that Union X is also seen as part of phase 2 however the kingdom hearts X up all the way to Union X came out during when it was only phase 1 and also in general this game marks the ending of phase 1 and the true start of phase 2, it may be seen as phase 2 just because of all the new characters that will play role in the new saga, but it’s still heavily connected to phase 1 as much as phase 2, but it’s fine if you don’t see it that way I’m not obligated to force you to believe that, so think what you will Dude.
We knew the end was in sight, but I'm still grateful for this news, tbh. It's been exhausting downloading this and deleting this cyclically over the course of the story updates and trying to push through the power creep. I have some decent memories playing this with friends, but mostly it's become this mind-numbing, repetitive time-suck. The series needs to move on.
Judging by how Nomura said that he won't be the Director of VII Remake Part 2 but the creative director, I think it's safe to say the next title is gonna be a big one on console.
Either a UX remake, a Yozora spin-off or KH4 (most unlikely but, you never know).
Judging by how Nomura said that he won't be the Director of VII Remake Part 2 but the creative director, I think it's safe to say the next title is gonna be a big one on console.
Either a UX remake, a Yozora spin-off or KH4 (most unlikely but, you never know).
Or a game that takes place in the main universe and current time period that sets up kh4.
Well at least they finally admitted that Khx, Unchained X, and Union X are not considered part of phase 2, cause it’s obvious the story is supposed to be like in between the two phases since khx has been around since 2013, back then there was no such thing as phase 1 or 2 yet
But now Union X will end, Now we can truly move on focusing on the next Saga.
Dark Road is technically called Union X Dark Road meaning that the Union Cross rebranding is technically part of Phase 2.
Why didn’t they give us a MMORPG version of X/ Unchained X/ Union X. That would have been so epic
Why didn’t they give us a MMORPG version of X/ Unchained X/ Union X. That would have been so epic
Technical hurdles + classic SE mismanagement + Disney meddling.
It took them forever to get XIV where it is, can you imagine how long it would take for a KHMMO to get off the ground?
Technical hurdles + classic SE mismanagement + Disney meddling.
It took them forever to get XIV where it is, can you imagine how long it would take for a KHMMO to get off the ground?
Well tbh I didn’t consider that. I only thought about the current version of XIV and completely forgot about the mess it was a couple of years ago.
Well tbh I didn’t consider that. I only thought about the current version of XIV and completely forgot about the mess it was a couple of years ago.
MMOs also require hundreds more staff and multiple times the budget of a mobile game to develop and maintain. They don't exactly have all that lying around somewhere.
MMOs also require hundreds more staff and multiple times the budget of a mobile game to develop and maintain. They don't exactly have all that lying around somewhere.
They have enough to make FF7 Fortnite. :T
Eh, KH always got the short end of the stick when it comes to mobile games.
They have enough to make FF7 Fortnite. :T
Eh, KH always got the short end of the stick when it comes to mobile games.
I was referring to internal staff, not another outsourced studio.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced there’s a decent chance we’ll see a “3.5” type compilation reveal sometime later this year that simultaneously serves as the inevitable PS5/Xbox Series X update. If that’s the case, I can see them going the FF7R: Intergrade route of including new content, but here we could see a Back Cover sequel covering Unchained/Ux in lieu of DLC. I mean, every compilation they’ve released so far has a movie included. Idk, I’m kinda reading “the Union x team will consolidate with the main team” as them preparing to re-tell the Ux story properly. Wishful thinking, perhaps.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced there’s a decent chance we’ll see a “3.5” type compilation reveal sometime later this year that simultaneously serves as the inevitable PS5/Xbox Series X update. If that’s the case, I can see them going the FF7R: Intergrade route of including new content, but here we could see a Back Cover sequel covering Unchained/Ux in lieu of DLC. I mean, every compilation they’ve released so far has a movie included. Idk, I’m kinda reading “the Union x team will consolidate with the main team” as them preparing to re-tell the Ux story properly. Wishful thinking, perhaps.
If that's the case, then I'd better prepare for the recycling of "title make no sense" etc.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced there’s a decent chance we’ll see a “3.5” type compilation reveal sometime later this year that simultaneously serves as the inevitable PS5/Xbox Series X update. If that’s the case, I can see them going the FF7R: Intergrade route of including new content, but here we could see a Back Cover sequel covering Unchained/Ux in lieu of DLC. I mean, every compilation they’ve released so far has a movie included. Idk, I’m kinda reading “the Union x team will consolidate with the main team” as them preparing to re-tell the Ux story properly. Wishful thinking, perhaps.
I mean, I think we deserve a next gen package of KH3 but part of me thinks if they decide to add anything, it’ll be related to the future of the series to continue stringing us along versus another recap.
I mean, I think we deserve a next gen package of KH3 but part of me thinks if they decide to add anything, it’ll be related to the future of the series to continue stringing us along versus another recap.
Perhaps! Though IMO I think that’s the purpose MoM already serves. My impression over the years has been that Nomura is reluctant to take major leaps in the franchise (which I expect is what all the 20th anniversary fanfare is leading toward) without consolidating the story so far (going as far back as Re:CoM). Who knows what behind-the-scenes politicking was behind the decision to shut down Ux/DR, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this was at least in part driven by Nomura’s desire to do some proper recapping before they take the next major step. “Preparation phase” makes it sound like they’re being very deliberate about the lead-up to the next major title ?
Why didn’t they give us a MMORPG version of X/ Unchained X/ Union X. That would have been so epic
Because Japanese gamers prefer portable gaming due to their lifestyle. It's a miracle that Unchained X lasted as long as it did considering the lack of marketing compared to other Square Enix mobile games.
I mean, I think we deserve a next gen package of KH3 but part of me thinks if they decide to add anything, it’ll be related to the future of the series to continue stringing us along versus another recap.
I would love to see a few extra battle gates or a Coliseum if they're willing to do so.
But, I'd prefer the series to continue even if it's a small story like 0.2. (maybe we'll get to see the 0.2 Customization feature back - give Riku cat ears, I know you want to do it Nomura)
They have enough to make FF7 Fortnite. :T
Eh, KH always got the short end of the stick when it comes to mobile games.
Kingdom Hearts is a licensed property unlike Final Fantasy so I can see why the free-to-play games model has shifted to the VII franchise.
Phase 2, as long we don’t overhype it then we will surely enjoy it like we did phase 1 or maybe even more since now there are endless possibilities and ideas to look forward to.
Oracle Spockanort
February 26, 2021 @ 04:35 amOffline