Final Fantasy 15 director explains how 'Final Fantasy disease' impacted development
"We're not special. Wake up." Not exactly the most inspiring pep talk from the man in charge of the next Final Fantasy game, but that's what Square Enix employees got when Hajime Tabata took over the Final Fantasy 15 team. In an interview on Japanese site 4Gamer (as translated by Kotaku), Tabata says there was backlash at the studio when he assumed his role as game director - backlash he attributes to "Final Fantasy disease."
So what is Final Fantasy disease? "It refers to people within the company who can’t imagine anything other than their own view of Final Fantasy," Tabata says. "Since the root is a strong self-affirmation, one’s own view of Final Fantasy takes more priority than the team’s success."
"If that view of Final Fantasy isn’t fulfilled, then they’re convinced that it’s bad for Final Fantasy," Tabata continues. "They think, 'Since Final Fantasy is a special team, then we are also special because we are making it. When the new Final Fantasy comes out, everybody is going to be so into it.' But that’s not the reality of the situation, is it?"
In other words, people assumed that a new Final Fantasy needed to fit the mold of what the series had been, and those working on the game assumed that it would do well, just because it was a Final Fantasy game. Tabata obviously disagreed.
Interestingly, Tabata notes that once information about Final Fantasy 15 started going more public, he realized the infection was not limited to Square Enix. "Everyone has Final Fantasy disease," he says. I admit, Final Fantasy means something very specific to me, and I'm unsure how I feel about FF15 overall, partly due to the number of changes from that specific formula. I think I'm going to schedule an appointment with my primary physicians, Doctor Xbox One and Doctor PS4, for September 30. Just to be sure.
So Tabata-san Admits "Final Fantasy Disease" effected the development staff of FFXV. I think I understand what he means, fans of the series each have a certain perspective of what consists of FF games, and it was so much so the case in the development team it had to be addressed. I think its funny because its basically saying something that we have know for a long time, Final Fantasy is one of the most scrutinized series ever. I just find it surprising that even the development team could not agree, but then when you think about it a bit, it makes alot more sense. I guess when Tabata-san got on board he kind of had to right the ship to get the team focused on a collective goal, or maybe this issue was more of cultural thing among the staff, its very hard to tell as its kind of vague to what it actually means. Still this is an odd piece of news, explaining the series causes disease? I mean... i think I get what he means but to put it like that doesnt exactly sound good. Its very strange, but what does everyone else think?