Talking tactics

Shingo Kosuge on the PSP system debut of Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions.

Shingo Kosuge joined Square Enix in 2005. Working as Co-producer on Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, he oversaw various aspects of the development process and managed the production schedule. During his time at Square Enix he has worked as assistant producer for the 2006 remake of Final Fantasy III.

For those new to the Tactics series, can you explain how the game differs from other Final Fantasy titles?

Unlike the numbered Final Fantasy titles [Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy XII, etc], Final Fantasy Tactics is a strategy RPG. While there is still a very strong emphasis on story, equal emphasis is placed on party formation, strategic assignment of jobs and abilities, and combat tactics.

How faithful is The War Of The Lions on PSP to the original PS one title? Are there new elements or features to the game?

We wanted to remain as faithful as possible to the original release. As such, we made only the most minimal adjustments necessary to the existing gameplay elements, while adding entirely new elements such as movies, Wireless play modes, and new jobs and characters.

What challenges did you face in bringing The War Of The Lions to PSP?

We were dealing with game data that was ten years old, so simply getting our heads around how things were put together took quite a bit of time. Reformatting the various game interfaces for the PSP's 16:9 widescreen display also took a lot of work.

Can you tell us more about Ivalice, the setting for The War Of The Lions?

A year has passed since the loss of the Fifty Years War. The Prince, though but two years of age, has ascended the throne, his father having been claimed by a sudden malady. Too young to rule, the Prince requires a regent, who would be King in all but name. The Queen's brother, Duke Larg, had seemed the obvious choice for the regency. However, fearing the influence such an appointment would give the Queen, the Council refused to back him. Instead, they appointed the King's younger cousin, Duke Goltanna, as regent.

Duke Goltanna and Duke Larg were both generals who had distinguished themselves during the Fifty Years War. Duke Goltanna counts as ally the greater part of the aristocracy loyal to the Crown. However, the fallen nobility and free knights left in the aftermath of the Fifty Years War have aligned themselves with Duke Larg. With Duke Goltanna under the banner of the Black Lion, and Duke Larg under that of the White, the stage is set for what history would one day record as the War of the Lions.