Everything We Know About Birth By Sleep | Unversed So Far

[Red Socks Pugie]

so would I, but he didnt have much of a presence in KH II, and i can only assume he is still mickeys teacher then

[Audo]

-BIRTH BY SLEEP UPDATE-

The main post has now been updated with an 'Interview Section'. I will be posting translated interviews after this point that will be linked to in the main post. I may have to double post to do this, but hopefully you can all understand. :3

[ChocobosComet]

Your on a roll R-K! Great job! :3 <3

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Famitsu Interview: September 2007-
(Translated by Xaldin of KH-Vids)
NOTE: KH-Vids do not have the best translations, please take all translations with a grain of salt.

---Can you tell us a bit about the development of Birth By Sleep?
Nomura: Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is being worked on by the same team that created Re: Chain of Memories. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep's development had originally started before the development of re: CoM, but production was stopped to complete Re:CoM. At first it felt a bit weird starting the project again. I believe this project started before the other two of the Kingdom Hearts games, and I also believe it will be the last to hit the market.

---The game still relates to Birth By Sleep? [KH2: FM+'s secret ending]
Nomura: The secret ending is actually a scene from Birth By Sleep, therefore the title of the game is also the same. However, because it is difficult to express such a violent battle as playable content, the secret ending is an image of the end.

---How much talk was put into it, as it seems to be a game taking place in the past.
Nomura: This game goes the farthest back in the Kingdom Hearts timeline, about ten years before the original Kingdom Hearts. There is a screenshot of two children playing on the beach, and I believe the fans can understand what that means.

---In the story it's said that there are "Three Scenarios by Three Heroes". Is there a relation between each scenario?
Nomura: There are three Heroes: Terra, Ven, and another character in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep. We have already prepared a story for each of them. Therefore, in a way you can say three games were made at the same time. (Laughs) It's difficult to zap through the explanation right now, as we are still creating all of the scenarios. However, the beginning will be a bit hard to understand, but by completing all three scenarios, the player will understand the entire story.

---Do the names of the three heroes represent something?
Nomura: In Kingdom Hearts, Sora meant Sky, Riku meant Land, and Kairi meant Sea. In this game, the three meanings make a large impact on the game.

---Do all of the scenarios take place at the same time?
Nomura: All of the scenarios do take place around the same time, however there are also some gaps between the timelines. Also there are times when all three heroes will meet.

---Is the playing order decided yet?
Nomura: I believe it would be better if we gave the players a freedom of choice. However this is still being talked about, but I believe it would be better to choose whoever you want out of the three.

---What is the importance of story?
Nomura: For example, the name Xehanort is bought up in Kingdom Hearts 2. The game will answer several things like, "Why is the elderly person who appears in Birth by Sleep bringing up the same name?" and ,"Why is he wearing the same clothes as Ansem in the original Kingdom Hearts?" Another thing I want to bring up, is ,"Ven has the same hairstyle, face, clothes, and voice of Roxas, but just who is he?

---Is the voice actor of Ven the same as Roxas?
Nomura: Yes, it is the same actor. Therefore the player will only look at Ven as Roxas from Kingdom Hearts 2.

However, are Roxas and Ven really the same character?

Moreover, what about the mystery surrounding the existence of Ven and Roxas?

These are keys that will be revealed from playing Birth By Sleep. You will be able to separate Ven from Roxas with ease; I will hint though by connecting the story between Roxas and Sora, you will understand who Ven is.

---May I believe that the one you fight in KH2FM+, and Terra are the same person? Because they both use a very similar kind of Keyblade.
Nomura: If they really are the same person or not is uncertain, though it doesn't matter if you think they are the same person.

---In Birth by Sleep, after all three are divided, the king appears?
Nomura: It may be deeply related to the story, however I cannot tell whether or not that he is a"King" at that current age. This is because the development of Birth by Sleep will contain a very serious story.

---In Birth by Sleep, is the gameplay done by choosing action commands lined up in command list?
Nomura: I believe it is necessary to say first, The Command Menu that was shown to the public has now changed. A system close to that of re:COM has been created, feeling like a command deck. However, the present screen shots show it was a bit too close to the idea of re:COM. The battle screens you see in the images now, have already been changed. However the operating sense is similar to that of the Kingdom Hearts series. The gameplay has slight influence from the DS game "It's a Wonderful World" (also known as, The World Ends With You).

---Are there any features for the Growth System? (Leveling System)
Nomura: A new Growth System has been added into the game, in which you have to match four obligations with the scenario (?). We tried this variously because it was a bit hard with the PSP. However we made the best use of its Analog.

---Are there new enemies you can confirm that are not shown in the screens?
Nomura: The new enemy is not a Heartless, or a Nobody, because the story takes place before even they appear. I can only give out more information, little by little, as time passes: an example being like the Shadow enemies that are heartless, and the Dusk enemies that are nobodies.

---With the PSP, will it be possible for two people to communicate through a connection method?
Nomura: It's too early to answer that, however, there will be some features that will be taking advantage of the PSP.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Famitsu Interview: October 2007-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---The Osaka team is diligently working on the development of Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories?
Nomura: Actually, development of BBS started earlier, but we had to interrupt its development in order to improve Re:CoM from it's original plan.

---Then the plot made from before, that image is a reflection of the Kingdom Hearts II: FM+ Secret Movie?
Nomura: Yes.

---Is there special meaning behind the names of Terra and the other characters?
Nomura: The meaning of Terra is earth. Ven has the same feeling as saying wind. But Ven is a nickname, his real name is longer.

---The figure and age of the old man called Master Xehanort is different than the Xehanort from Kingdom Hearts II. Also what are the connections between the character resembling Roxas and Roxas?
Nomura: Because the mysteries about who the characters are is the heart of the story, I think i'll let you imagine the various ways they're related.

---The Keyblade Master that the three characters study under has not appeared in the previous games?
Nomura: That's right.

---The story will center around these three character's progress?
Nomura: Yes. It is a considerably complicated story that becomes serious. Daisuke Watanabe is in charge of the scenarios, he's good at it. By the way, Watanabe is also supervising the other two titles. As for the game play system, the story is played through the 3 character's respective points of view.

---In other words, there are 3 scenarios where each individual story unfolds?
Yasue: Yes. Because each of their personalities and abilities are unique, I think the gameplay for each is different. It almost feels like making three games. (Smiles).

---In Kingdom Hearts Re:CoM, there were two scenarios, one for Sora and one for Riku. Will this be similar?
Yasue: The individual scenarios won't be played in order, after completing one character's story, more unsolved puzzles will become available for the others.

---Kind of like zapping?
Yasue: It's different. The system isn't like the previous games.

---How is the battle system coming along? The Secret Movie and the battle with the Lingering Sentiment was very cool! (Smile)
Yasue: That part is hinting, because it's the last image. (Smiles). While valuing the characteristics of the KH series is important, we are in the midst of building a new system.
Nomura: Perhaps the gameplay of these three announced titles is closest to the former series. The Growth System is the most original idea adopted thus far.
Yasue: "Like a tree!?" he says. (Smiles) It's quite original, and shocking. It grows with some people, and...

---!? Is an option for connect play on the PSP being set up?
Yoshimoto: It's still in the midst of developing more, but cooperating play and competing play on the PSP has countless options to consider, therefore I'm excited.
Nomura: Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days has a completely different multiplay concept.
Yoshimoto: Various ideas emerge, and hurdles rapidly rise, but having fun overcoming these hardships is like a tradition for the KH series. (Smiles).
Nomura: (Smiling) Even if all the mysteries of the story become clear, the game is full of various elements that are enjoyable to play. Please expect a follow-up report.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Famitsu PS3 Interview: August 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---In the recent trailer, their are lines alluding to Master Xehanort aiming for those with hearts of pure light. Is Master Xehanort's goal also to take over the world?
Nomura: It certainly indicates what he's interested in, but that's the first of Master Xehanort's intentions.

---The story follows the viewpoints of the three characters individually, but what happens when the three characters interact together?
Nomura: The three characters will start out together, and then afterwards each of their stories will begin respectively. Within the story, the main characters may encounter one another. The three share the main goal of chasing after Master Xehanort who has disappeared, though each character's exact goal is subtly different.

---As for original masters, they who teach the methods of wielding the keyblade to their pupils, do they exist?
Nomura: Not just that, but also the role of keyblade users, since the thoughts of each master differs, it's their spirit being taught. The reason why a master must train others to use the keyblade is explained in this game.

---The voice of Snow White is very quiet.
Nomura: Actually, we choice a voice that matched the old version of "Snow White" that was released in Japan (1950), so it's the original one, so to speak.

---The changes to the style of battling are an interesting idea.
Nomura: Some players might have wanted a change in strategy. Initially, the player was free to rearrange the commands, as proposed by the team in Osaka, now such a form has been expanded upon. They said, "We want a system different than the form changes of Kingdom Hearts II".

---How about the Shoot Lock System?
Nomura: I asked, "is it difficult to implement?" when the system was being worked on, it was also written into the first planning stages. But for Birth by Sleep, there is still a lot hidden within the system.

---What of the enemies called "unbirths"?
Nomura: There is meaning in various ways, adding "un" creates the opposite meaning of "birth" thus the "unbirth". With this, the "unborn" is given real meaning. Unbirths designate the feeling of this game's motif. The kind of existence they have will be revealed soon.

---During a battle, there are various circumstances indicating commands.
Nomura: It's the developed system of the 'reaction command'. At first, the Birth by Sleep system was designed to be closer to the original series, but it has evolved a lot. Because it is considerably high speed, the first time players may be a bit surprised.

---Even the boss battles have been elaborated compared to the previous ones.
Nomura: The Osaka team has a lot of affection for the enemies. It was handed over to the staff and they were asked to please try it out. They were watched over as they played it. When the player had to be more offensive, they said things like, "It's different! I really can be more of a kid!!" or "Ah, it's strange..." (Smiles)

---Their affection is contagious. (Smiles)
Nomura: Anyways, I think that the testing of various things for the battle system is being finished.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Dengeki PS Interview: August 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

---What about the stories of the three main characters prepared for the PSP title, Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep?
Nomura: As for them, their stories begin at the same point on the time axis, but they take separate actions. The worlds they go to are generally the same places, but how they relate with the worlds is what really differs.

For example, after Terra has visited a world that no one has been to yet, afterwards when Ven comes to it, there is a trace of Terra having been there...... That's the feeling of it. The circumstance and information gained for each character is different.

[Audo]

KINGDOM HEARTS: BIRTH BY SLEEP
-Dengeki Wii + DS Interview: September 2008-
(Translated by bittermeats)

――-What kind of theme is drawn up in the story of KH Birth by Sleep (BbS below)?
Nomura: The theme seems to revolves between "connections of the heart" and "fate." When it is played last, the player will understand that the KH story that take place afterwards is one "not of chance, but a story that becomes inevitable." Unlike the tender atmosphere of the older games, this one is serious. Because it is a very sad story, people have asked "how do you manage it?" when involving Disney works. (Smiles) A painful story unfolds. Though KH "isn't that kind of thing", this time we'll try to progress the story in that direction.

――-Terra, Ventus, and Aqua appear as the main three characters, but what kind of characters are each of them?
Nomura: Terra is the type who makes his goal's his highest priority. But he's not a bad fellow, though his stress on obtaining his goals causes conflict. The story of Ventus seems to feel closer to the ones of KH seen so far. He is able to make friends with the dwellers of the worlds he visits and is the type to blend into a world naturally. Aqua is a serious character, she has a steady mind and often worries about the other two. She is eyewitness to the recent events, therefore she takes that sort of a standpoint.

-―-How does the story of these three advance?
Nomura: They advance by taking separate actions on the same time axis. For example, when Terra visits a certain world and the other two people have not been there yet. There by naturally the connection to the particular world changes too. Such story development will really be the charm of BbS.

――-As for the play order of each character, can the player decide?
Nomura: I assume that it's being developed right now. Therefore depending on the order chosen by the player, if they have not played as Terra yet, and they choose Aqua and start visiting worlds with her, they'll understand the actions of Terra early. (Smiles) That might not be what was expected or hoped for, but I think it will be a little interesting.

――-If all 3 characters come together in the ending, will the entire image of the story become clear?
Nomura: Indeed. For instance, the mysteries of Terra are revealed in Ventus's story. Overall, it'll have this type of composition.

――-Terra is power based, and the from the demo it's obvious Ventus is based on combo + speed, but what type of character is Aqua?
Nomura: Aqua is special. As for the type, she is magic based, though it is considerably tricky. Fight while rotating like a spinning object, doing cartwheels, that sort of thing. (Smiles)

――-After grasping the feel of the game play, the combat system seems considerably based on powering up.
Nomura: Seems like it, with locking on to multiple enemies using the Shoot Lock System to attack and customizing the deck of skills. At the demo the deck of skills was already pre set, but in the actual game you'll be able to edit it freely. At first BbS was expected to have a fighting system closest to the older games, but now it seems that KH 358/2 Days is and BbS's system has evolved. The feeling is more like, "you can't fight like Sora with this system," therefore a real taste of managing the keyblade is shown.

――-Of the stories heard in these three titles, it seems BbS will probably be the last to release, are you thinking about future titles after these?
Nomura: Considering the nature the KH series, I do not intend to end it here. Even as BbS is being made, I am thinking about the future and how it connects. Thus, please continue to support the KH series.

[Red Socks Pugie]

interviews are always good.

what i still dont understand is the importance of mickey being king or not, that just sort of seems irrelevant.

[Ven's keyblade]

I think that mickey being king or not is relevant to the game because in BBS they may tell us how he becomes king and/or why.

[Red Socks Pugie]

Originally Posted by Ven's keyblade

I think that mickey being king or not is relevant to the game because in BBS they may tell us how he becomes king and/or why.

yeah i get that just what does it have to do with the general story of BBS.

i dunno could be something of huge importance.

[bspat13]

i dont know if this has been stated or not, but i think that unbirths are those with no soul. so far there have been enemies missing 1 of the 3 main components to a being: heart, body, and soul

heartless=no body
nobodies=no heart
so i'm guessing unbirths=no soul

and for those of you who are saying that heartless don't exist in BBS, they absolutely do because heartless have existed as long as there has been darkness in hearts. so they can and probably will be in BBS, with Maleficent as their "leader" again

my opinion anyway...

[Chevalier Sombre]

i dont know if this has been stated or not, but i think that unbirths are those with no soul. so far there have been enemies missing 1 of the 3 main components to a being: heart, body, and soul

heartless=no body
nobodies=no heart
so i'm guessing unbirths=no soul

Without a soul, there is no life, so that's out of the question.

and for those of you who are saying that heartless don't exist in BBS, they absolutely do because heartless have existed as long as there has been darkness in hearts. so they can and probably will be in BBS, with Maleficent as their "leader" again

Heartless and nobodies don't appear in BBS, and from Nomura's quote a possible inferrence is that they don't exist in that time yet either:

---Are there new enemies you can confirm that are not shown in the screens?

Nomura: The new enemy is not a Heartless, or a Nobody, because the story takes place before even they appear. I can only give out more information, little by little, as time passes: an example being like the Shadow enemies that are heartless, and the Dusk enemies that are nobodies.

[Red Socks Pugie]

where the hell is everyone getting those avatars.

and the no soul idea id virtually flawed.

[Byronic Hero]

Originally Posted by aquavenkeyblade

where the hell is everyone getting those avatars.

and the no soul idea id virtually flawed.

Cis is doing them.

Unbirths=Born. That goes without saying. Heartless=Heart, Nobodies=Bodies. So the play on words would still be in effect.