How to build a fantasy world based on reality: a case study of Final Fantasy XV: part III

Abstract

From the onset and during the course of development for FINAL FANTASY XV, we built our world around the theme: "a fantasy based on reality". Under this slogan and based on this world, we created the real-time CG game FINAL FANTASY XV, as well as the pre-rendered CG movie KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV. In this case study, we will explain the problems that we encountered, as well as the solutions we came up with when implementing the "fantasy world based on reality" in the making of FINAL FANTASY XV. Reality has various aspects. For example, in order to create a world that is in a constant state of flux like the actual world we live in, we needed to support both time changes as well as changes in the weather. We also needed believable characters to inhabit the world we created. Moreover, we needed user interfaces and localization to realistically present this world to our users. In this course, Part III, we will talk about our movie KINGS-GLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV as an example of how to create large amounts of assets inside the story world. Then we will talk about user interfaces and localization and how we applied them to present the world both realistically and within the familiar framework of one's culture. We will also discuss our use of snapshots as an example of next-generation screen-shots based on reality. Lastly, we would like to introduce our future projects.