FFXIII in this weeks Famitsu

[byoushinn]

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063
http://www.imagebam.com/image/6e7ec924240068
http://www.imagebam.com/image/18382524240156
http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160

Famitsu scans are out
it's largely what was already covered (Sazh) but there's a few new shots in there
The quality is poop so hopefully better stuff surfaces

[Thunder]

Wow thanks By ^-^

[BlankChocobo]

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063
http://www.imagebam.com/image/6e7ec924240068
http://www.imagebam.com/image/18382524240156
http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160

Famitsu scans are out
it's largely what was already covered (Sazh) but there's a few new shots in there
The quality is poop so hopefully better stuff surfaces
Is this this week's Weekly Famitsu or is it a leak?

HEY! I think I figured out ATB. It was so simple. XD The reason we have two ATB bars is because the ones on the RIGHT allow us to see the entire party's ATB at once. The info on the LEFT is only the character who is currenly receiving commands. The number by the names is probably HP.. blah blah.. we already know, shut up, Blank.

If we didn't have the bars on the right, we wouldn't be able to see non-active characters' ATB. The bar on the left makes for easier command issuing.

Everybody who already knew this. Slap me. Lolz.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k126/kdr82/ATBproposal.jpg



Everything below this line may or may not be true. I can't read them well. :lol: Section Titles are underlined.

Translation:

They indeed say Sazh is the one on the train with Lightning (scene in the beginning of the JF trailer), which means he's New Character 1 on the audio rip we have. He's the one who says "they're coming," and then Lightning says "be quiet."

Sazh's age and profession are unknown.

Sazh is carrying a rocket launcher on his back in the pic of him with Lightning under the info box on page 2.

They mention that Cocoon's written language is visible in the train.

They suggest that Sazh has not lived a life in which he has had contact with battle, looking at his reaction to whatever he and Lightning are looking at on the seventh page.

Last Page

The box yall were asking about: The title is "Maximum number of characters in a party is 3?"
Contents(summary-ish thing): They also call that bar ATB. They mention again that te yellow flag is most likely the currently controlled character. They say something about a 3 character party with Snow. They say it's possible, judging from the layout of the bars, that three may be the most characters you'll have in battle at one time.

Famitsuu claims that the fire burst in the screenshot of Sazh up close to the enemy monster is a close range magic attack performed by Sazh.

[byoushinn]

@Blank, it's a leak for this weeks Famitsu

[xaleskx]

So I'm guessing the image in the upper left corner of the last scan is real time. The game play scenes just look as good as that or just about identical.

[Wandering Hands]

... Eh. There's been so much stuff lately, that I've stopped caring, really.

So whatever, I suppose.

[Nex]

^I wasn't aware you ever cared about FFXIII? You wouldn't have any issues if it was The 3rd Birthday. =P

Awesome, looking forward to the translations Blank. Drink heaps of Nex. =D

That last scan looks like the most interesting, they've got a close up of the bars we're still confused about! Maybe it's an explanation? Man I really need to learn Japanese.

[BlankChocobo]

^I wasn't aware you ever cared about FFXIII? You wouldn't have any issues if it was The 3rd Birthday. =P

Awesome, looking forward to the translations Blank. Drink heaps of Nex. =D

That last scan looks like the most interesting, they've got a close up of the bars we're still confused about! Maybe it's an explanation? Man I really need to learn Japanese.

They seem to be confused about them as well, but I can't read these scans very well. =/

And yeah, Imma go buy myself four liters of Nex at the grocery store in a few hours. You're so cheap over there. <3 :lol: If it's this week's, it should be out soon... maybe... I think....... I can't remember which mag comes out which day. Gah.

[byoushinn]

They seem to be confused about them as well, but I can't read these scans very well. =/

And yeah, Imma go buy myself four liters of Nex at the grocery store in a few hours. You're so cheap over there. <3 :lol: If it's this week's, it should be out soon... maybe... I think....... I can't remember which mag comes out which day. Gah.

i think it releases on friday

[Nex]

They seem to be confused about them as well, but I can't read these scans very well. =/

And yeah, Imma go buy myself four liters of Nex at the grocery store in a few hours. You're so cheap over there. <3 :lol: If it's this week's, it should be out soon... maybe... I think....... I can't remember which mag comes out which day. Gah.

LOL, I'm kind of curious to see what I taste like, but they don't sell me here. >.<

Famitsu are confused about it now as well? Well at least that pretty much confirms it's not an ATB... though I do see the letters "ATB" in that section where they talk about it.

[BlankChocobo]

LOL, I'm kind of curious to see what I taste like, but they don't sell me here. >.<

Famitsu are confused about it now as well? Well at least that pretty much confirms it's not an ATB... though I do see the letters "ATB" in that section where they talk about it.

You taste like pretty normal diet pepsi.

And I think SE just didn't give anyone any information about it. It makes sense that they wouldn't give Famitsu what they didn't give Shueisha (Jump publications). I don't think it confirms or disproves anything. XD

I think they suggest some meaning, but I can't really read what. ~__~;

[Wandering Hands]

^I wasn't aware you ever cared about FFXIII? You wouldn't have any issues if it was The 3rd Birthday. =P

I haven't stopped caring for almost 3 years, but I've become disillusioned with certain aspects of the game.

[Thunder]

I haven't stopped caring for almost 3 years, but I've become disillusioned with certain aspects of the game.
lightning not being a trannie? :cathryn:

[Final]

Thanks a lot Byoushinn :D Can't wait to see if there stands anything new in 'em ;)

[NikDK]

Nice ^_^ nauw we just need a proper scan so Blanky can translate it. :aldo:

[Shock]

Wow, love the new images in the screenshot. I'm drooling for more. Nice find. ;)

[pseudocognition]

I love him <3 he's so expressive.

[BlankChocobo]

LOL, I'm kind of curious to see what I taste like, but they don't sell me here. >.<

Famitsu are confused about it now as well? Well at least that pretty much confirms it's not an ATB... though I do see the letters "ATB" in that section where they talk about it.

They claim it is an ATB. I don't know how they 'know,' so they could have just forgot the "we think." XD

[Nex]

I just don't see how it could possibly be an ATB. And would Square really let Famitsu advertise their battle system falsely for so long? Surely they would have corrected them?

Ooooo, I sound tasty. XD

[Hynad]

It was stated countless times by the producers that Final Fantasy XIII's battle system is a version of the ATB system.

Look it up yourself.

And if for whatever reason you can't seem to find anything about it, any intelligent person will notice that "ATB" is displayed on the battle sequence screens.



DUH!

[BlankChocobo]

It was stated countless times by the producers that Final Fantasy XIII's battle system is a version of the ATB system.

Look it up yourself.

We're talking about the function of a specific bar in the displays, genius. Please read above before mouthing off. XD

EDIT to match yours: And no, there's two bars that could potentially display ATB. That would be why magazines, whose job it is to figure this crap out, can't agree on it despite having received this stuff directly from SE.

[Hynad]

If you're talking about the bar that is separated in 3 segments, then it is indeed the ATB. While right under it are the actions the character can take and their costs next to them.

The bar fills up and as it does you can spend actions points (for example Cure, and all the level 1 spells = 1 ATB cost, while Firaga uses 3).

Which means that while you may perform many lower level actions at a rather fast pace, you'll have to make your character wait a bit longer if you want to cast stronger spells or higher level actions (I'm guessing that there will be some command actions that will fill up the bar, or that the Defend command won't use any points...).

Genius.

[BlankChocobo]

If you're talking about the bar that is separated in 3 segments, then it is indeed the ATB.

It fills up and as it does you can spend actions points (like Cure, and all the level 1 spells = 1 ATB cost, while Firaga uses 3).

Genius.

No, we're not. Please try again.

We've already been talking about the bar you mentioned for a long time in regards to ATB. What we can't figure out is why the magazines keep insisting that the bars by their names are ATB. If you're going to say they're HP, don't even bother.

Edit: Actually, please do. It's obviously HP, right?

[serpent]

thanks for the scans :)

[Hynad]

BlankChocobo, why such the irritated "tone"?


In regard to that bar, since you/they claim it isn't the HP, where the hell would they be displayed then? http://www.ps3hyper.com/news/more-details-about-final-fantasy-xiii-battle-system-vanille-and-the-demo/
http://kotaku.com/5125932/final-fantasy-xiiis-battle-system-detailed

If that bar is the value of an obscure ATB gauge, why the fuck would we be allowed to see the opponent's HPs but not ours?

That doesn't make sense, unless HP and that obscure ATB bar are the same pool.

[BlankChocobo]

BlankChocobo, why such the irritated "tone"?


In regard to that bar, since you/they claim it isn't the HP, where the hell would they be displayed then? http://www.ps3hyper.com/news/more-details-about-final-fantasy-xiii-battle-system-vanille-and-the-demo/

If 444 is the value of an obscure ATB gauge, why the fuck would we be allowed to see the opponent's HPs but not ours?

That doesn't make sense, unless HP and that obscure ATB bar are the same pool.

The reason I'm "irritated" is because you're acting like we're all retards when you don't even understand what we're discussing.

Guess what. You're like a month late on news. See below. Oh, and either LURK MORE or MOUTH OFF LESS. Thanks.

Edit: My theory on the bars in my initial post (http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/forums/showpost.php?p=146480&postcount=3).

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k126/kdr82/106.jpg

[Wandering Hands]

Oh, and either LURK MORE or MOUTH OFF LESS. Thanks.


I'd add the suggestion that you just leave entirely, but I am still getting lulz out of you.

[Hynad]

A nice way to overreact there. I never mentioned anything about you all being retards, if you think so then that's not really my problem.

In regards to that bar now, I'm doing my brainstorming here. You know, the one you did last year...

The reports mention that you can perform various actions before it empties... An other guess would be that while you can take up to 3 actions, you have that gauge that empties itself, requiring you to input your commands in a timed fashion.

That would fit into the ATB way of doing things, and certainly makes the battle more fast paced.
But I'm not sure if the part where they say that it empties itself faster if you take actions that cost more would fit that kind of system.

But those last pics you posted out of spite might be pointing in an other direction... Since on the first screen the cost bar is empty and the action menu is opened with their cost next to them... hum...


Discussing it might give us an answer though. If you're ever up to that kind of thing that is. Which sure doesn't seem so, so far.


And also, Shuyu, you can go troll somewhere else.

[Wandering Hands]

And also, Shuyu, you can go troll somewhere else.

Well shit, I lol'd.

You know I secretly aspire to be just like you.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7923/belikeyouaz6.jpg

Get it? Because it's a little bumblebee! That's funny! You like my jokes, don't you, because if you don't that means you don't like me. If you don't like me, I'm going to kill myself. I can't bear a life where you don't like me. I JUST WANT YOU TO LOVE ME, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.

[BlankChocobo]

It was stated countless times by the producers that Final Fantasy XIII's battle system is a version of the ATB system.

Look it up yourself.

And if for whatever reason you can't seem to find anything about it, any intelligent person will notice that "ATB" is displayed on the battle sequence screens.

DUH!


Genius.

Don't even. You were acting like a lamo know it all and we hadn't done our research.

I don't mind people who don't know their stuff, but please don't tell me that I should go look up basic information about the game. That's obnoxious.

I'm not sure if you realize it, but I'm the one who translated the reports. :wacky: /endselfhorntooting

[Hynad]

Yeah, I didn't specifically state it, but I replied to a post that stated it couldn't be an ATB. You then mentioned that you were talking about the bars (which I didn't see, since I didn't read 2-3 comments that were in the middle of mine and the few first ones, while I read the others x_X).

Then I started giving ideas of how I think that thing could work, but here we are still, trying to prove someone wrong while he's trying now to be constructive.


Unless you really want an ego fight, I say I prefer keeping the constructive approach.

[Purple]

Chill people.

Anyway, thanks for the scans.

[Neal]

... Eh. There's been so much stuff lately, that I've stopped caring, really.

So whatever, I suppose.
You'll be moaning about lack of trailers and saying you're not going to buy the game because theywont advertise it to you in no time. :wtf:

[Wandering Hands]

Oh, no I wo--

NEW TRALERS PLZ SQAURE EBIXC!!!!111

[Thorondir]

I really can't wait for March so that we can finaly see how the battle system works. I also hope they add FXIII trailers along with the other FNC games.

[Wandering Hands]

March? What's happening in Mar--

... I suggest you go catch up on the news you missed.

[Adam Blade]

Looks interesting.

[NikDK]

I really can't wait for March so that we can finaly see how the battle system works. I also hope they add FXIII trailers along with the other FNC games.

Like Shu said. :aldo:

http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/2009/01/19/final-fantasy-xiii-demo-delayed-until-april-16th.html

[Sabin]

Nothing new, but I will post it anyway.
IGN tries to translate some of the Famitsu info.

The trickle continues.
by IGN Staff

January 21, 2009 - Final Fantasy XIII got its latest blowout in Famitsu this week through a massive eight page feature. So, you're probably expecting an equally massive report here with all the details, right? Unfortunately, in typical style for anything Final Fantasy XIII-related, those eight pages are filled primarily with screenshots and speculation based off the screenshots.

Most of the info in the magazine was already revealed in a recent issue of Jump. Famitsu has at long last introduced its readers to Sazh Katzroy -- you know, the guy with the afro and the little baby Chocobo that lives in the afro.

We did manage to pick out a few notable bits, though. First off, a tiny bit about Sazh's combat style. While it was known that he makes use of dual guns, Famitsu also reveals that he can make use of magic as well. In the latest screens, Sazh is shown casting a fire spell against a giant enemy as Lightning takes what appears to be a blocking posture in the background.

Sazh's use of guns should contrast nicely with Lightning, who appears to be more suited for up-close combat (although it should be noted that Lightning can use guns too). We'll get a chance early on in the game to see the two in action together, as Famitsu reveals that Sazh is Lightning's very first battle partner in the game.

In a previous update, Famitsu.com mentioned an unidentified man who's in the company of Lightning when she infiltrates a train that's making its way to Pulse (this is the train from that very first FFXIII trailer). The mystery man is almost assuredly Sazh. He and Lightning have apparently taken the disguise of prisoners in order to get on the train.

FFXIII director Motomu Toriyama shared a tiny blurb with Famitsu's readers about the game. The baby Chocobo who accompanies Sazh, said Toriyama, was born recently and can only fly just a bit. The creature has yet to be named. We're not sure if Toriyama means that Sazh has yet to give it a name as part of the game's storyline, or if the development staff has yet to decide on a final name.

Finally, just one intriguing little bit for those who are trying to get an image of what FFXIII's battle system will be like. While the ability to mix and match commands as you like seems like it will give the game a strong strategic side, Toriyama notes that those commands are chained into combos resulting in a variety of actions, allowing for a cool, refreshing fight.

This presumably means FFXIII's battles are going to look pretty darn cool. Hopefully, Square Enix will start sharing some footage so that everyone can see for themselves.

[liljc91091]

You all are so entertaining lol

[BlankChocobo]

Nothing new, but I will post it anyway.
IGN tries to translate some of the Famitsu info.



Wait, some of this was already in Famitsu. D: I thought the last two paragraphs were from an earlier issue.

Could you link me the IGN article, Sabin? I wanna see.

Nice find!

In a previous update, Famitsu.com mentioned an unidentified man who's in the company of Lightning when she infiltrates a train that's making its way to Pulse (this is the train from that very first FFXIII trailer). The mystery man is almost assuredly Sazh. He and Lightning have apparently taken the disguise of prisoners in order to get on the train.

^ I'm not sure what to make of this. o.o I assumed it was our orange haired dude, but the hood never came off, so...

This would mean we've heard Sazh's voice.

[JmLopez]

The trickle continues.
by IGN Staff

January 21, 2009 - Final Fantasy XIII got its latest blowout in Famitsu this week through a massive eight page feature. So, you're probably expecting an equally massive report here with all the details, right? Unfortunately, in typical style for anything Final Fantasy XIII-related, those eight pages are filled primarily with screenshots and speculation based off the screenshots.

Most of the info in the magazine was already revealed in a recent issue of Jump. Famitsu has at long last introduced its readers to Sazh Katzroy -- you know, the guy with the afro and the little baby Chocobo that lives in the afro.

We did manage to pick out a few notable bits, though. First off, a tiny bit about Sazh's combat style. While it was known that he makes use of dual guns, Famitsu also reveals that he can make use of magic as well. In the latest screens, Sazh is shown casting a fire spell against a giant enemy as Lightning takes what appears to be a blocking posture in the background.

Sazh's use of guns should contrast nicely with Lightning, who appears to be more suited for up-close combat (although it should be noted that Lightning can use guns too). We'll get a chance early on in the game to see the two in action together, as Famitsu reveals that Sazh is Lightning's very first battle partner in the game.

In a previous update, Famitsu.com mentioned an unidentified man who's in the company of Lightning when she infiltrates a train that's making its way to Pulse (this is the train from that very first FFXIII trailer). The mystery man is almost assuredly Sazh. He and Lightning have apparently taken the disguise of prisoners in order to get on the train.

FFXIII director Motomu Toriyama shared a tiny blurb with Famitsu's readers about the game. The baby Chocobo who accompanies Sazh, said Toriyama, was born recently and can only fly just a bit. The creature has yet to be named. We're not sure if Toriyama means that Sazh has yet to give it a name as part of the game's storyline, or if the development staff has yet to decide on a final name.

Finally, just one intriguing little bit for those who are trying to get an image of what FFXIII's battle system will be like. While the ability to mix and match commands as you like seems like it will give the game a strong strategic side, Toriyama notes that those commands are chained into combos resulting in a variety of actions, allowing for a cool, refreshing fight.

This presumably means FFXIII's battles are going to look pretty darn cool. Hopefully, Square Enix will start sharing some footage so that everyone can see for themselves.


thank you xD

[Shock]

Nice, thanks a bunch Sabin. I'm waiting anxiously for the rest of Famitsu weekly scans.

[Thorondir]

March? What's happening in Mar--

... I suggest you go catch up on the news you missed.

Damn i forgot about it when i wrote it, cause i have been paying attention to the news (check almost every day) but slipped my mind.

[Nex]

Geez Hynad, you come in here and start mouthing off, Blank points out you made a mistake and jumped to conclusions, so what do you do? You mouth off MORE? Why didn't you just read his post calmly and accept it? You were ranting about things we all KNOW because we discussed it a MONTH ago, and even though all Blank did was try and point that out,, you similtanousely mouthed off at everyone while claiming you weren't mouthing off at all.

I don't think any of us would mind talking with you, but you seem to think that you've been hard done by when YOU'RE the one that snapped. You've been chucking a skits while all of us have been "WTF?"ing at you. O_o

That's my 2 cents, sorry for bringing it up again.

[Hynad]

Can you contribute anything worthwhile or do you want to deliberately dismiss the post I made where I admit that I missed something before making my original remark?


I think your attitude is being worse than anything there. You're bringing back what was already settled a page earlier in the hope of proving or achieving what?

Basically, you're just stirring shit for no reason, and of course acting out of ego.


If that's the worth of your 2 cents, I'm not that poor.



Just because you might not know, since you're meddling in other people's business, BlankC and myself have sorted all of this out. kthxbye.



Sorry to all the others wishing to have a constructive discussion.

[Nex]

Can you contribute anything worthwhile or do you want to deliberately dismiss the post I made where I admit that I missed something before making my original remark?


I think your attitude is being worse than anything there. You're bringing back what was already settled a page earlier in the hope of proving or achieving what?

Basically, you're just stirring shit for no reason, and of course acting out of ego.


If that's the worth of your 2 cents, I'm not that poor.



Just because you might not know, since you're meddling in other people's business, BlankC and myself have sorted all of this out. kthxbye.



Sorry to all the others wishing to have a constructive discussion.

Calm down. In your last post you very suddenly turned around and claimed you were "now only being constructive", though in the post before you had (once again) insulted Blank Chocobo numerous times. Sorry, but I have an issue with people who insult others without reason, and when they realise they're wrong, act and claim they never did anything wrong and what they said was justified. It wasn't, you were still crying your eyes out when you claimed you were being "constructive". That is why I replied. Because it pissed me off.

Every post you makes gives me the impression that you're an annoying little shit who only insults people when their backs are turned, and you haven't yet noticed that you can't do that on the internet. No offense.

I'm hardly "meddling in other people's business", your original rant was aimed at the conversation Blank and I were having. I believe it was actually directly aimed at me.

Now just drop it, I don't really care now I've said what I wanted and you keep claiming you only want to be constructive, so there isn't much reason to keep going is there?

[BlankChocobo]

Relegating flame war to bottom of my post. From now on, please have content related to the topic at hand at the top of each post if you feel the need to continue. Let's not derail our own topic. Me, too.

Nex, I'm interested to know what you think about the ATB bars, since you're the one I've been talking to about them since a month ago~ish. The idea that the ones on the right are necessary so that you can see every member's ATB and HP at once, while the one on the left displays the ATB of one character only (no HP information, etc) because the left side of the menus is for the purpose of issuing commands to the currently selected character, hence the bar's sectionalization (although it would be useful on the right side, too). But that's why I think Famitsu might not just be being stupid. If we only had ATB on the left, we wouldn't know when other characters could attack.

This also seems to me to say that we'll have considerable freedom in issuing commands to characters in any order, since that's why we would need to be able to see the ATB gauge's of all of them at once. That way we can know when to swap to another character without having to scroll through. I feel like FF9 had some similar system with ATB? Not.... sure.... it smells really familiar though, like tons of FF games have done it. Been too long, FF. =/



You've been chucking a skits while all of us have been "WTF?"ing at you. O_o


Actually, I do believe I bit his head off too, not that I'm apologizing. I wanted to, and it was fun. End of story.


BlankC and myself have sorted all of this out. kthxbye.


The fact that I don't scream for bans, block people on IMs, or refuse to talk FNC with them when they act like dorks does not mean you have been any less of a backhanded asshat this whole time. You were still trying to correct me in MSN as well and bashing my personal opinions while saying you weren't. In other words, please don't pretend I'm pleased. kthxbye.

[Nex]

I think you're on to something. =D I've been wondering why that bar was the only thing we could see for all characters at the same time, but I hadn't come to that conclusion.

I've gone through all the gameplay pics and there's only one inconsistancy. Possibly because of an action that's just been used? Any ideas? -

http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/06.jpg

So I think it's definantly a possibility. It makes sense... even if it is a waste of a perfectly good bar. =P There's only one issue I can think of, like you said, why wouldn't the bar on the right be split into three as well?

No other system has been like that in FF. The ATB system from FF4 - FF9 was exactly the same, except for what actions paused the metres. =)

I guess another question should be raised now. In those shots Lightning is still the leader when Sazh is attacking. Unless the player has switched to Sazh, pressed triangle and then switched back, is it safe to assume there's some kind of AI control for party members?

[BlankChocobo]

I personally think the bar on the right should be split, but it's not. I think that's just a matter of SE's aesthetic tastes, though..

I saw that pic too, and I don't have an answer for it. I guess.. maybe... there could be lag between the disappearance of executed commands and the disappearance of the old info on the left. Or.... it could be that you're allowed to input more commands than you have ATB for, but you can't execute them until you regain it...

As for the Sazh-attacks-while-Lightning-is-receiving-commands issue, I think that's easier.. It could (I think it probably must) take time to execute a string of commands. Once you hit Triangle to start the command execution, your best next step would be to move to your next character to start planning your strategy from there.

Personally, I think they chose to have Lightning receiving commands to hide Sazh's command options, but that doesn't change the fact that one character can receive commands while another attacks. You didn't have to wait for an attack to finish before sending the other two characters to attack in FFX-2, either.

I highly doubt we'll see AI doing full controlling in 13. I don't know if we'll see gambit-like things or not, though.

[Nex]

I personally think the bar on the right should be split, but it's not. I think that's just a matter of SE's aesthetic tastes, though..

I saw that pic too, and I don't have an answer for it. I guess.. maybe... there could be lag between the disappearance of executed commands and the disappearance of the old info on the left. Or.... it could be that you're allowed to input more commands than you have ATB for, but you can't execute them until you regain it...

As for the Sazh-attacks-while-Lightning-is-receiving-commands issue, I think that's easier.. It could (I think it probably must) take time to execute a string of commands. Once you hit Triangle to start the command execution, your best next step would be to move to your next character to start planning your strategy from there.

Personally, I think they chose to have Lightning receiving commands to hide Sazh's command options, but that doesn't change the fact that one character can receive commands while another attacks. You didn't have to wait for an attack to finish before sending the other two characters to attack in FFX-2, either.

I highly doubt we'll see AI doing full controlling in 13. I don't know if we'll see gambit-like things or not, though.

I was a huge fan of the Gambit system, but I don't think it's a good idea to bring it back, too many people didn't like it/were too friggin stupid to understand it. And Gambits would have to be really complicated with the "Put in up to three commands at once" feature.

I think you're right that they might just have switched back to Lightning after choosing Sazh's moves.

I think we're just going to have to wait and see with the inconsistancy in that pic. We might know next Wednesday! =D

Another thing I've been thinking about. Free movement. Do you think it'll be possible in battles? I really have no idea. I really want free movement, but I think it would be too hard to pull off considering what they're doing with the system.

If you can move around of your own will it would be so much harder for the battles to be cinematic.

[BlankChocobo]

I think it's possible to have it, but I can't see SE doing it or really having a reason to, considering the system. Also, being able to move the characters around would interfere with the chain attacks, possibly. And would be impossible to do skillfully with 3 characters to control. XD

It would be nice to see some good effort in making it look like the characters are moving around the fighting space, though. The lining up and taking turns attacking thing just looks silly nowadays. XD;

[Rokuro]

Maybe the ATB bar will work like the mist charge thing in XII, and thats why its split into three parts.
Does anyone know if they have an update on how the limite break works? (last year I read it slowed time or something)

[BlankChocobo]

Maybe the ATB bar will work like the mist charge thing in XII, and thats why its split into three parts.
Does anyone know if they have an update on how the limite break works? (last year I read it slowed time or something)

We haven't heard anything definite about 'Overclock' in a long time. T__T

As for ATB, it's split into three parts because the bar has three 'charges.' Different commands cost different amounts of 'charge' to execute. Sort of like quickenings, but it's for normal attacks, and I don't think it has Mist Charge's random regeneration, as far as we know.

[Nex]

I think it's possible to have it, but I can't see SE doing it or really having a reason to, considering the system. Also, being able to move the characters around would interfere with the chain attacks, possibly. And would be impossible to do skillfully with 3 characters to control. XD

It would be nice to see some good effort in making it look like the characters are moving around the fighting space, though. The lining up and taking turns attacking thing just looks silly nowadays. XD;

Yeah, if they're trying to make the fights look AC-like I don't think we'll see characters standing around in the background too often. ^__^

I think it's just another thing we'll have to wait and see with.

[Kätharina]

The fact that I don't scream for bans, block people on IMs, or refuse to talk FNC with them when they act like dorks does not mean you have been any less of a backhanded asshat this whole time. You were still trying to correct me in MSN as well and bashing my personal opinions while saying you weren't. In other words, please don't pretend I'm pleased. kthxbye.

He was added you to MSN to re-correct what he thought was wrong?
What a cunt :aldo:

[Sabin]

@ Nex and BlankChocobo: I think the bar at the left is the ATB bar. It is split in three.

To the right is the characters HP. And the bar under the HP is just like the bars in any ATB game. It shows you how it fills up. When you choose one command it fills up quickly and you perform your move. When you issue 3 commands it takes longer to fill, wich means you can not act as fast.

These statements are all wild guesses.

EDIT-
Lightning fighting alone. She has only issued one command in this pic. Look at the bar that is split in three. It has the chosen command over it. Only 1/3 of the bar is filled.
http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/07.jpg


Lightning fights alone. But this time she has issued two commands. The bar is filled 2/3 and there are two commands over it.
http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/06.jpg


Agian- Lightning alone. One command has been selected.
http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/03.jpg


Agian- Lightning alone with two commands. 2/3 of the bar has filled.
http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/screenshots/05.jpg



When Sazh comes along there are two bars to the right. As I said, I think it is only a bar like in the older games.

[BlankChocobo]

@ Nex and BlankChocobo: I think the bar at the left is the ATB bar. It is split in three.

To the right is the characters HP. And the bar under the HP is just like the bars in any ATB game. It shows you how it fills up. When you choose one command it fills up quickly and you perform your move. When you issue 3 commands it takes longer to fill, wich means you can not act as fast.

These statements are all wild guesses.

I think we're pretty sure the bars at the right can't be HP, because we see it completely empty in a few screenshots and Lightning isn't dead, which is probably why Famitsu has been claiming for a while that they're both ATB.

Also, in all the screenshots we have except one (where the right side bar appears to have emptied to 1 charge while the left side has 2 charges worth) the amount of stuff in the bar on the right for the character with the yellow flag corresponds to the amount of stuff in the bar on the left.

I think the thing about it taking longer to fill just meant that you wouldn't have a full one for longer because you spent more and therefore had to regain more, but I don't know for sure. It's possible you suffer a time penalty as well for emptying the bar completely.

[RadicalDreamer]

Hi, guys.
Some new Famitsu scans:

http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036013.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036014.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036015.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036016.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036017.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036019.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036020.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036021.html

[BlankChocobo]

Hi, guys.
Some new Famitsu scans:

http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036013.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036014.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036015.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036016.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036017.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036019.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036020.html
http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036021.html

Whoa, they're giant D:

Thanks!!!!!!

EDIT: Crap. They're in Chinese. I can't read them. *sob* :'( Well, they're still huge..

Haha.. Chinese makes no sense to me. T_T Floating Existence Heaven Sky Like Town City... gahhh

[Hynad]

Thank you. Those are of really good quality.

Clearer than what we had so far.

Thanks.

If I'm not mistaken, except for the close up of Sazh's face in the first page, all the game's pictures showing the characters are real-time.

Which really makes me drool.

[Sanji]

I can't see them, it says File not Found

Me is n00b maybe? :wtf: :cathryn:

[BlankChocobo]

I can't see them, it says File not Found
They're loading for me. I've saved them to my comp in any case. If you really can't see em, I'll upload them in a zip for you or something. XD


If I'm not mistaken, except for the close up of Sazh's face in the first page, all the game's pictures showing the characters are real-time.

I think you may be right. I have my doubts about the one of Sazh and the little blond haired kid on the 6th page, but it may just be a really flattering angle for the graphics. The clothing just seems to fall a lot nicer in that one.

His expression on page 5 top made me laugh. :lol:

EDIT: I'm mostly looking at Lightning's hair and the edges of clothing when I say I think most are realtime. Sazh's face looks quite different in some of the realtime shots too, I think.

[Paskoww]

I think the 2 big screens(top left, bottom right) here are definitely pre-rendered!
Not sure about the top right one :/

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063

Looks way to good for realtime....

and here (top left) also pre-rendered

http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160

[BlankChocobo]

I think the 2 big screens(top left, bottom right) here are definitely pre-rendered!
Not sure about the top right one :/

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063

Looks way to good for realtime....

and here (top left) also pre-rendered

http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160

I think everyone agrees with you on the top left in the first link. Not sure about the bottom right one... I thought it was realtime trying to look at Lightning's collar, but Sazh's jacket looks pretty good... hard to tell from scans. >__<;

I think the second link's top left is realtime. Look at Sazh's jacket. It has that textured plane look to it a little.

[Paskoww]

I think everyone agrees with you on the top left in the first link. Not sure about the bottom right one... I thought it was realtime trying to look at Lightning's collar, but Sazh's jacket looks pretty good... hard to tell from scans. >__<;

I think the second link's top left is realtime. Look at Sazh's jacket. It has that textured plane look to it a little.

Bottom right 1st page:

I think her hair looks way to detailed to be realtime, compare it to Stellas hair in the ingame footage ... even if the Versus stuff was an early build, the difference is tremendous.

I think you might be right about the top left of the second page...

His jacket isnt so detailed like in other screens but his facial expressions make me doubt ... >_<

[Xion]

I think the 2 big screens(top left, bottom right) here are definitely pre-rendered!
Not sure about the top right one :/

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063

Looks way to good for realtime....

and here (top left) also pre-rendered

http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160


Scan1 = All CG (except for the old lightning/Vaille/Snow image)

Scan 2 = All Real Time (dont know why the facial expressions would make you think otherwise, this is Square afterall)

[Paskoww]

Scan 2 = All Real Time (dont know why the facial expressions would make you think otherwise, this is Square afterall)

Because of the bad expressions in the Versus trailer... Stella's stupid smile and Noctis' lack of facial muscles... :rolleyes:

[Xion]

Because of the bad expressions in the Versus trailer... Stella's stupid smile and Noctis' lack of facial muscles... :rolleyes:

Perhaps its just the nature of the scene? you do know that game is being developed by the Kingdom Hearts team correct? a game that has like, the best animations of any game to date IMO

[Paskoww]

Perhaps its just the nature of the scene? you do know that game is being developed by the Kingdom Hearts team correct? a game that has like, the best animations of any game to date IMO

Yes, I do know that they made KH... oh my :rolleyes:

Still, that doesn't make the Versus expressions look good (my opinion).

But wait... I'm starting to hate here, I still love both games and the main point was if one picture is pre-rendered or not, no need to tell me that the grapchis are good!

[Xion]

Yes, I do know that they made KH... oh my :rolleyes:

Still, that doesn't make the Versus expressions look good (my opinion).

But wait... I'm starting to hate here, I still love both games and the main point was if one picture is pre-rendered or not, no need to tell me that the grapchis are good!

well just give it some time to show you something ^^

got any other pics your wondering about?

[Adam Blade]

I think the 2 big screens(top left, bottom right) here are definitely pre-rendered!
Not sure about the top right one :/

http://www.imagebam.com/image/ae202024240063

Looks way to good for realtime....

and here (top left) also pre-rendered

http://www.imagebam.com/image/16f2a524240160

Top left isn't.

[Xion]

Top left isn't.

This is another one that seems to have caused some confusion.

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/3/1/22/f_zvm_9443b78.jpg

its not pre-rendered.

[Adam Blade]

^Yeah. You can also tell if you take a good look at Lightning's hair and Sazh's clothes. Still looks really good.

Thanks for the HQ scans RadicalDreamer.

[Final]

Thanks a lot, a lot Radical!!

[SquallCloud]

Great scans, thanks!

[BlankChocobo]

Wheee~ Got a copy of Famitsu in front of me now.

(talking about shots with main characters only)
First two pages look all pre-rendered.
Third and fourth pages look all realtime except maybe the bottom on the fourth page.
The one on the fifth page looks realtime.
The one on the sixth page(the one with Sazh and the kid), I'm pretty sure is pre-rendered. The jacket looks good. Not sure about the little one of Lightning on the train.
The one on the seventh page looks realtime. Sazh's jacket and the bottom edge of Lightning's really give it away, I think.

[Nex]

First two are all CG, after that it's pretty much all real time. Most of the time, if you look closely, you can tell. Other times its almost impossible. I love Square. ^^

Hey Blank, what do you suppose is up with the menu in the bottom left pic-

http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036020.html

Is that just the faded menu we see behind the main menu in every other shot? What are the commands?

[BlankChocobo]

Hey Blank, what do you suppose is up with the menu in the bottom left pic-

http://ipicture.ru/Gallery/Viewfull/12036020.html

Is that just the faded menu we see behind the main menu in every other shot? What are the commands?

That's a menu that was shown in one of the Jump publications, but I don't know why/when it replaces the normal menu. The commands are "Waza" - Techniques, "White Magic" and "Black Magic."

[Nex]

That's a menu that was shown in one of the Jump publications, but I don't know why/when it replaces the normal menu. The commands are "Waza" - Techniques, "White Magic" and "Black Magic."

Oh yeah, I remember now. That's really weird. I'd say they're definantly the tabs faded in the normal menu, but they're such encompassing things.... if Techniques, White Magic and Black Magic are there, why are the commands in the normal menu-

Attack
Launch
Cure
Fire
Firaga

Any ideas? Maybe what we're seeing is just a demo build where it's been simplified? Maybe you can create your own customised default menu, and if you want to use other commands you go to those three tabs?

I think the second one sounds about right. "Attack" would be a default, "Launch" would be a Technique. I'd say you could choose up to nine commands to put in your Default Menu. I actually really like the sound of that, it would be faster and allow much more customisation in battles.

[BlankChocobo]

Oh yeah, I remember now. That's really weird. I'd say they're definantly the tabs faded in the normal menu, but they're such encompassing things.... if Techniques, White Magic and Black Magic are there, why are the commands in the normal menu-

Attack
Launch
Cure
Fire
Firaga

Any ideas? Maybe what we're seeing is just a demo build where it's been simplified? Maybe you can create your own customised default menu, and if you want to use other commands you go to those three tabs?

I think the second one sounds about right. "Attack" would be a default, "Launch" would be a Technique. I'd say you could choose up to nine commands to put in your Default Menu. I actually really like the sound of that, it would be faster and allow much more customisation in battles.

Oh, I see what you're talking about with the 'faded' tabs, but I still don't know why they come up. What you say makes sense.

I'll read that section now though, and see if they say anything enlightening. XD

[Sanji]

Maybe there could be a "fast menu"? I mean, maybe you'll have a menu with 5 blank spaces and you could put your favourite commands in it. I hope it makes sense :wtf:

[BlankChocobo]

Well, famitsu has nothing to say about it, so you guys' guesses is as good as mine.

Makes sense, though.

[Sanji]

I just realized I was saying the same thing as Nex was saying :wtf: At least I'm not the only one who thinks it'd be a great idea. It was kind of annoying sometimes to choose among all those commands in FFXII

[Wandering Hands]

Copypasta, because I recall saying a similar thing somewhere else.

I want to be able to edit what appears in the commands list in battles. Assuming Lightning DOES get the various upgrades to her spells, I don't want to have to cycle through each and every one of them just to get what I want. Unless it automatically removes them from the list...

Fire has evolved into Fira!

[byoushinn]

I think given that there's so much emphasis on chaining different commands together ,and so executing long strings of attacks, we'll definitely be able to create and save our own combinations so we can perform them faster
if this weren't the case, then there'd be a lot of command management, for each character, and so battles will take longer than previous FF games, which wouldnt make sense considering XIII is supposed to be faster

[Milyc]

http://i40.tinypic.com/34fe62c.jpg

So are these real-time? If you look close in the first pic, there is a subtle polygon joint on Lightning's arm. Very minor, but still not something we'd find in FMVs.

As for bottom one, it looks about the same, so it may be real-time as well.

[Kätharina]

No chance those are in-game :wtf: Despite the shittyness of the scan you can see how clean they are compared to in-game.

[Paskoww]

http://i40.tinypic.com/34fe62c.jpg



definitely pre-rendered!!! !!! !

[Adam Blade]

http://i40.tinypic.com/34fe62c.jpg

So are these real-time? If you look close in the first pic, there is a subtle polygon joint on Lightning's arm. Very minor, but still not something we'd find in FMVs.

As for bottom one, it looks about the same, so it may be real-time as well.

Take a look at Lightning's shiny hair.

[Xion]

those are CG

[AT23]

I'm pretty sure I saw someone saying earlier that the bottom right bar was the HP bar or some thing. I'd say it's close, but the bar is not for the HP.

Some things have changed since the early development stages, if anyone even remembers anymore. The first screenshots of what the battle scenes would look like had a circular thing somewhere on the screen, displaying info but most importantly the "overclock" system that has been banished for now.

It is now replaced by 3 things:

(Name of the character) (Number)
(Bar)

Based on my observations, I'd say the finished product labels will be this:

(Name of the character) (HP)
(ATB)

I've noticed that the numbers to the right of the character, say, Lightning, in some of the in-game battle screenshots change in color. The screenshot of Lightning with 444HP has a yellow font color, and the other one in the 500s (can't remember off the top of my head the exact number) has a white font color. We know from some of the previous Final Fantasy game installments that the HP colors go from white (normal) to yellow (caution, warning), and from yellow to various shades or orange and red (dangerously close to being K.O.'d from battle).
So whereas other previous FF games had say 200/560 HP or something to indicate a fraction or percentage of current HP compared to the full max HP, it seems like XIII will operate solely on the color and numbers of the character's HP to indicate their life status in battle.

This is just my interpretation on top of BlankChocobo's translations and theories.

My question is, I have not seen one thing pertaining to MP (Magic/Mana Points). Does FFXIII even have MP incorporated into it's battle system? Or would it be like FFVIII without MP? This is rather intriguing, and I hope more about the battle system is revealed soon.

[Fantasy]

Maybe Its No MP And You Can Cast Any Magic As Long As You Have Enough ATB For It.

[Sadistic]

Yay, minute amounts of new info. xD

I think some of you are pretty much spot on with the battle system speculation. A week ago I somehow had the idea that it was like Crisis Core's system crossed with that of FFXII. Wtf?

[Milyc]

Then where do these fill in?

http://veraxgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/lightning_large.jpg

http://www.forever-fantasy.net/images/news/related/august-08-famitsu-final-fantasy-xiii-screenshot-01.jpg

Certainly they are not CG. The high-poly models for cut-scenes, more likely. But still, not really too different from the ones in the scan I posted...

[Ordella]

It looks like lightning has very light freckles in the first one and yes the it also looks like it's from a cutscene.
The second one looks like it's ingame.

[BlankChocobo]

Some things have changed since the early development stages, if anyone even remembers anymore. The first screenshots of what the battle scenes would look like had a circular thing somewhere on the screen, displaying info but most importantly the "overclock" system that has been banished for now.

It is now replaced by 3 things:

(Name of the character) (Number)
(Bar)

^ I wasn't around or this. I only came in about a year ago, when the first CLOUD book came out. Can I see pictures of Overclock?

Magazines have said a few times that there seems to be no MP. Also, Spells (Fire and Firaga) are listed on the menu with ATB costs, so I think it would be safe to assume that you'll see no MP.

The color thing sounds right, although I haven't checked it out myself. Well, at least it'll be simple to keep track of?:lol:

EDIT: Actually, I've seen Overclock mentioned recently, but only in guessing that the percentage we see over by the Chain counter is Overclock, and Overclock an indication of Lightning/the party's "haste" factor. Like, when it's at 110% she will regain her ATB/move at 110% normal speed, etc.

[Shock]

Then where do these fill in?

http://veraxgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/lightning_large.jpg

http://www.forever-fantasy.net/images/news/related/august-08-famitsu-final-fantasy-xiii-screenshot-01.jpg

Certainly they are not CG. The high-poly models for cut-scenes, more likely. But still, not really too different from the ones in the scan I posted...

This clearly shows the difference between CG and realtime. http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/media/scans/famitsu/104.jpg (http://finalfantasy-xiii.net/forums/../media/scans/famitsu/104.jpg)

[Adam Blade]

Then where do these fill in?

http://veraxgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/lightning_large.jpg

http://www.forever-fantasy.net/images/news/related/august-08-famitsu-final-fantasy-xiii-screenshot-01.jpg

Certainly they are not CG. The high-poly models for cut-scenes, more likely. But still, not really too different from the ones in the scan I posted...

Yeah but they first one is really old, lol. The 2nd one is from a cutscene but their isn't a huge difference between the gamplay and cutscene models. Not too different but IF you are the one who posted that scan... just take a look at her hair, lol.

[Milyc]

The last pic from Vaan009's scan is the low poly real-time. I think we can be sure of that.

What I find strange is why apparently there is no other real-time pic like showing a detailed model like this one:

http://www.forever-fantasy.net/images/news/related/august-08-famitsu-final-fantasy-xiii-screenshot-01.jpg

The hair is very similar to the pics on the scan I posted, which is why it got me wondering.

[Adam Blade]

No no that one just looks like that from a view plus it's the scan.

It's because if you take a look at Lightning's hair from the pre-rendered shots it's much more shinier and the lighting is way better. While it comes close and the lighting's great but her isn't that close.

[Xion]

The last pic from Vaan009's scan is the low poly real-time. I think we can be sure of that.

What I find strange is why apparently there is no other real-time pic like showing a detailed model like this one


http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/3/1/25/f_118500017m_0986600.jpg
http://img19.picoodle.com/img/img19/3/1/25/f_ff06m_78c9f3b.jpg
http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/3/1/25/f_ff1304m_985960a.jpg
http://img18.picoodle.com/img/img18/3/1/25/f_finalfantasm_fe2b1a3.jpg

ok?

and you are right, its a low-poly (I call them B models) version of lightnings model in that scan. These are the A Model.