The Next Game; Which would you rather?

[Luap]

We've been waiting for Kingdom Hearts III for a long time. But, because Nomura's main project is Versus XIII, development hasn't even started, and won't for a long while. Fortunately, for more reasons than one, last year Versus went into full development, and in the last Famitsu interview Nomura said they are prepping to present for information about Versus (probably at E3, or an earlier event; TGS is a bit far away to be prepping now). Optimistically, we might see Versus XIII out sometime in 2013. So, after waiting all these years, KH3 could start development next year. Still a while away, but it's great to know.

Now, we supposedly do have another KH title coming out after 3D and before KH3. Ya know, that one everyone calls Birth By Sleep Volume 2 because those words appeared at the end of Zero Points. E3 2010, I believe, was the last time the game between 3D and KH3 was mentioned; following the chronologically of the story though, we know from more recent interviews, KH3 is next. 3D sets the stage for the final battle against Xehanort. What if, though, the mystery game that we call BBSv2... doesn't exist anymore? E3 2010 was quite a long time ago, you'd think we'd hear something more about about this BBSv2 by now, right? But we haven't. Could it possibly have been cancelled? We know Square isn't afraid to veto what Nomura wants to do with the series. We learned just recently how Nomura wasn't allowed to end 3D how he planned to. This makes me think... maybe how he wanted to end 3D would of allowed BBSv2 to exist, but instead he was told no to the making of BBSv2, and in turn, that ending. This is a big "if", but it's possible, right?

"The story of this game will serve as the opening chapter of the final conflict, and, as always, will be full of surprises..." said Tetsuya Nomura

Honestly, why hype up the inevitable KH3 right now for the last title with the 3rd-to-last title's release? It'd make sense with the 2nd-to-last title. We've known for a long time that Nomura is under pressure from both Disney and Square to make KH3, so maybe they made him change his gameplan. No actual proof, but it's not unlikely.

What if KH3 is in pre-development? Like how Versus was not so long ago. Being worked on very slowly, but enough so that when Versus is done it can hop right into full development, and then released.

So, what I'm asking here in this thread, which would you rather the next game be: BBSv2 or KH3?

[Taochan]

Honestly? I would totally prefer BBSv2.

I'm enamored with the idea of a game that covers in the gaps the Xehanort saga (Riku's period of absence, Aqua's time in the RoD, Mickey's journey to obtain the IKK). It would be fantastic to have a game that doesn't revolve entirely around Sora and gives these other great characters another chance to be in the spot light.

KH3 has been so out of reach for so long, that I doubt BBSv2 coming before KH3 would even affect its development. Osaka would undoubtedly be in charge of BBSv2 which I'm sure they could finish while KH3 would still be in the conceptual development (picking out worlds and writing the script). So, I don't see why we shouldn't have BBSv2 before KH3.

[alexis.anagram]

We learned just recently how Nomura wasn't allowed to end 3D how he planned to.

It's actually not at all clear that this was the case. Nomura may have chosen not to follow the plot he had originally scripted; it isn't known why the ending was changed because it isn't known what the original ending was. Here's the quote I'm referencing by the way:

In fact, the first ending I thought up quickly became no good due to various circumstances... As a result, we tried to do something unique for the ending this time.

"Various circumstances" could entail anything. To me, it sounds like the story just wasn't working out as desired, not that anyone vetoed the concept, although that is a possibility.

Obviously Square (and to a larger extent, Disney) has always had final say over how the games are run, but Nomura has also been working with them for a very long time. He has an entire series under his supervision, for which Square has allowed five different portable titles at this point, and all have been met with relative financial success (to my knowledge, anyway). If that's the case, there's no reason, from a business standpoint, for them to block any creative output from the franchise when it isn't failing to meet expectations.

That said, Disney's the real wild card here. They could have any kind of issue with anything Nomura does, depending on how closely they're paying attention (and given that he's dealing with Mickey Mouse as a main protagonist these days, I would say they're definitely paying attention). If anyone told Nomura there would be no BBSv2, I would bet it was them. Even then, however, one would have to imagine it was due to a conflict of interest with regards to the concept (maybe it was too violent or dark), but given that this has never been an issue in the past, it's a bit hard to imagine that Nomura would suddenly be itching to axe our Disney friends or anything of the sort.

In the end, it seems a lot more likely that the mystery game will go into production as planned and they haven't said anything about it because, well, there's nothing to be said. DDD is clearly Nomura's primary interest right now, even before Versus, so another KH title is probably a faraway thought which will only be touched upon once KH3D has been released. I'd expect to hear something about the mystery game in a post-release interview, maybe.

And it's speculated that the reason they seem to be hyping KH3D as the final chapter before the climax of the story is because, chronologically, it will be. The mystery game is widely thought to be a prequel or interim title of some sort. None of that is confirmed, obviously, but it does make sense that if KH3D is the last journey Sora goes on prior to his final confrontation with Xehanort, they would want to preface the game in that way.

[Hillboy]

I would rather KH3 and hope DDD awnsers everything
I just hope BBSv2 doesnt end up like Days and put in stuff we didnt need to know or wouldve been fine without knowing
*cough*Xion*cough*

[SeaSalt]

*cough*Xion*cough*

watch xion become vital to the storyline, lol.

id rather have BBSv2, but when you think about it it might loose people who have been waiting for KH3.

The only reasons i would want KH3 first are:

1. if DDD leaves a huge cliffhanger

2. if its delayed and winds up becoming playable only on a new Playstation, like PS4. Thats too much money

[Taochan]

I would rather KH3 and hope DDD awnsers everything
I just hope BBSv2 doesnt end up like Days and put in stuff we didnt need to know or wouldve been fine without knowing
*cough*Xion*cough*

I agree that Days was one of the worse KH games, but Xion is looking like she may be important in the future. Or at least, it looks like she's going to appear in 3D.

watch xion become vital to the storyline, lol.

id rather have BBSv2, but when you think about it it might loose people who have been waiting for KH3.

The only reasons i would want KH3 first are:

1. if DDD leaves a huge cliffhanger

2. if its delayed and winds up becoming playable only on a new Playstation, like PS4. Thats too much money

There's no reason that BBSv2 would delay KH3 at all. It makes perfect sense for Osaka to work on BBSv2 while the main team finishes Versus and starts with the conceptual aspects of KH3. Then as soon as BBSv2 was finished, the teams could join together (which they better, because Osaka is wonderful).

And I doubt that BBSv2 would be what loses people's interest in KH. All the casual players already have very little to no interest in the portable games.


I can definitely understand your feelings about the possible cliffhanger that 3D may leave us, but I still stand firm that BBSv2 being created wouldn't affect KH3's development at all. :3

[Sephiroth0812]

I agree that Days was one of the worse KH games, but Xion is looking like she may be important in the future. Or at least, it looks like she's going to appear in 3D.

Several things that look "unimportant" right now may become important in the future, that's expectable in a series which has an interconnected story and isn't yet finished.

There's no reason that BBSv2 would delay KH3 at all. It makes perfect sense for Osaka to work on BBSv2 while the main team finishes Versus and starts with the conceptual aspects of KH3. Then as soon as BBSv2 was finished, the teams could join together (which they better, because Osaka is wonderful).

And I doubt that BBSv2 would be what loses people's interest in KH. All the casual players already have very little to no interest in the portable games.


I can definitely understand your feelings about the possible cliffhanger that 3D may leave us, but I still stand firm that BBSv2 being created wouldn't affect KH3's development at all. :3

Agreed, furthermore, if Nomura wants to keep his one game-a year promise he will have to cook up something for that. I can't believe that anyone, not even the loudest KH III-whiners, would want a rushed KH III made in only one year development time.
I think to get something decent we have to give Nomura and co. at least two and a half years of time to properly create a worthwhile KH III.
Since Versus is the last time Nomura is involved with Final Fantasy in a bigger role and he wants to concentrate fully on KH this can only benefit the series, and by extension KH III and the "mystery game".

If I remember correctly the "mystery game" was said to fill in the last remaining gaps and riddles from the timeline before the finale in KH III, therefore supplementing DDD in its role as preparation for the final battle.

[Zephyr]

I kinda don't mind either way really. They both seem like great games and worthwhile experiences. Although if BBSV2 were to come after KH3, we would have to expect some unexpecting/surprising things.

[Taochan]

Several things that look "unimportant" right now may become important in the future, that's expectable in a series which has an interconnected story and isn't yet finished.

Arguably Coded was the most "unimportant" game in the series (though it was so fun), but with 3D it looks like all of the trio of games will be implemented in some way.

Agreed, furthermore, if Nomura wants to keep his one game-a year promise he will have to cook up something for that. I can't believe that anyone, not even the loudest KH III-whiners, would want a rushed KH III made in only one year development time.
I think to get something decent we have to give Nomura and co. at least two and a half years of time to properly create a worthwhile KH III.
Since Versus is the last time Nomura is involved with Final Fantasy in a bigger role and he wants to concentrate fully on KH this can only benefit the series, and by extension KH III and the "mystery game".

If I remember correctly the "mystery game" was said to fill in the last remaining gaps and riddles from the timeline before the finale in KH III, therefore supplementing DDD in its role as preparation for the final battle.

If Nomura was intending to keep a "1 KH game a year" rhythm going until KH3, then BBSv2 makes sense as well as a POSSIBLE KH HD release. But, you know the people bitching for KH3 probably won't be happy with whatever they get anyway.

I've never fathomed KH3 taking less than AT LEAST 2 years, which is why I don't see how BBSv2 being created would detract any from KH3. I mean, Osaka could easily develop a game in the time it takes for KH3 to develop a script/confirm all of the worlds with Disney/begin the bare-bones of the game. Then the two teams could merge and help each other develop a wonderful game.

Yeah, that's what was said about the mystery game. And if the mystery game possibly covers things that happen during 3D's timeline (Kairi at the Old Mansion), then it makes perfect sense for it to be released after 3D.

[Mite]

The wait for KH3 had pretty much lessened my hype for the series, but after watching Zero Points it was restored. I'd like for BBSv2 to be next because a game maybe set in the RoD with Aqua and Mickey that covers gaps in the Xehanort saga sounds pretty good to me. KH3 will come out sometime in the future. But if there's a BBSv2 then I could guess it would at least come out before then.

[Sephiroth0812]

Arguably Coded was the most "unimportant" game in the series (though it was so fun), but with 3D it looks like all of the trio of games will be implemented in some way.

Story-wise, it looks like Coded doesn't have much to offer except the events that happened in Castle Oblivion and in the ending, but that can also be misleading.
The story theme "Can a heart be born in an existence made of data" has been brought up by Nomura two times and in-game Mickey also makes some mysterious remarks.
It was said that DDD will have strong ties to Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days and Coded. Bluntly put, one could say that DDD links the branched out stories from the trinity of games after KH 2 together again and combines them into the main plot.
Maleficent is apparently after the data worlds for whatever reason and I am also not entirely sure if we have seen the last of Data-Sora and Data-Riku yet.

If Nomura was intending to keep a "1 KH game a year" rhythm going until KH3, then BBSv2 makes sense as well as a POSSIBLE KH HD release. But, you know the people bitching for KH3 probably won't be happy with whatever they get anyway.

I've never fathomed KH3 taking less than AT LEAST 2 years, which is why I don't see how BBSv2 being created would detract any from KH3. I mean, Osaka could easily develop a game in the time it takes for KH3 to develop a script/confirm all of the worlds with Disney/begin the bare-bones of the game. Then the two teams could merge and help each other develop a wonderful game.

Yeah, that's what was said about the mystery game. And if the mystery game possibly covers things that happen during 3D's timeline (Kairi at the Old Mansion), then it makes perfect sense for it to be released after 3D.

Ah yes, the HD collection. About that parts of the fanbase seem to be at least half as bitching as about KH III. It really gets somewhat ridiculous by now and sometimes I really have to facepalm about being part of this "fanbase"
Those bitching about stuff won't probably be satisfied with anything, just like the hardcore KH 1-purists, so no matter what Nomura does or what KH III will finally really bring about, for those, it will never be sufficient enough.
I actually fear for a similar fate with Versus XIII as well. Expectations just get too high.

It would be independent from the KH III development team anyways. This is was so many KH III-whiners either fail to understand or don't want to understand. The KH-entries on handhelds (I refuse to call them spin-offs, they're all part of the main continuity) are not what delays KH III, FF Versus XIII is the culprit.

It's entirely possible that the mystery game will cover stuff all through the series' timeline from the end of BBS to the end of DDD, filling in any holes that are still there.
Like i.e. we would play an Aqua-scenario and a Mickey scenario during the time period between BBS and KH 1 (Mickey's would extend to run concurrently with KH 1), possibly a Riku scenario in the After-CoM/Days/KH2 period and a Kairi-scenario for the DDD period.

[HadesDragon]

i'm not really interested in kh that much, but if i was a kh fan i wouldn't want anymore portable games which would probably be terrible

just saiyan

[Taochan]

Story-wise, it looks like Coded doesn't have much to offer except the events that happened in Castle Oblivion and in the ending, but that can also be misleading.
The story theme "Can a heart be born in an existence made of data" has been brought up by Nomura two times and in-game Mickey also makes some mysterious remarks.
It was said that DDD will have strong ties to Birth by Sleep, 358/2 Days and Coded. Bluntly put, one could say that DDD links the branched out stories from the trinity of games after KH 2 together again and combines them into the main plot.
Maleficent is apparently after the data worlds for whatever reason and I am also not entirely sure if we have seen the last of Data-Sora and Data-Riku yet.

I know, I'm just saying that at this point in time it's currently the game with the least importance to the series. 3D will probably change that.

Ah yes, the HD collection. About that parts of the fanbase seem to be at least half as bitching as about KH III. It really gets somewhat ridiculous by now and sometimes I really have to facepalm about being part of this "fanbase"
Those bitching about stuff won't probably be satisfied with anything, just like the hardcore KH 1-purists, so no matter what Nomura does or what KH III will finally really bring about, for those, it will never be sufficient enough.
I actually fear for a similar fate with Versus XIII as well. Expectations just get too high.

Sequels or games that have been in development too long always suffer from high expectations.

It would be independent from the KH III development team anyways. This is was so many KH III-whiners either fail to understand or don't want to understand. The KH-entries on handhelds (I refuse to call them spin-offs, they're all part of the main continuity) are not what delays KH III, FF Versus XIII is the culprit.

It's entirely possible that the mystery game will cover stuff all through the series' timeline from the end of BBS to the end of DDD, filling in any holes that are still there.
Like i.e. we would play an Aqua-scenario and a Mickey scenario during the time period between BBS and KH 1 (Mickey's would extend to run concurrently with KH 1), possibly a Riku scenario in the After-CoM/Days/KH2 period and a Kairi-scenario for the DDD period.

Maybe I'm just disenchanted with the idea of KH3 at this point, because I'm not even frustrated that it isn't in the works.

i'm not really interested in kh that much, but if i was a kh fan i wouldn't want anymore portable games which would probably be terrible

just saiyan

Depends a bit on personal preference; I thought BBS was infinitely more fun and better written than KH2 so I don't have any qualms with portable games.

[Sephiroth0812]

I know, I'm just saying that at this point in time it's currently the game with the least importance to the series. 3D will probably change that.


Sequels or games that have been in development too long always suffer from high expectations.


Maybe I'm just disenchanted with the idea of KH3 at this point, because I'm not even frustrated that it isn't in the works.

Yep, currently, Coded's story is definitely the one with the least obvious impact on the series as a whole.

*sigh* Even so, that doesn't make it any better.
I wonder though, has it ever be unveiled exactly why Versus is taking so friggin' long?

I was never that big hyped about KH III in the first place, so I am not "frustrated" about it not being there in the slightest. Birth by Sleep was/is one of my best KH experiences yet and when having TAV I didn't even miss Sora or Donald and Goofy.

[D.D.D]

Sorry to sound like a party pooper, but I really don't care much for what BBS V.2(if it even will exist) has to offer. All those untold stories, like Aqua's time in the RoD and Mickey's absence could be quickly explained in a short movie(like a 20 to 30 minute cutscene). And if it is a cutscene, I'd rather have it integrated into KH3.
For example, Nomura could have one of KH3's mini side quests be collecting pieces of scenes or whole scenes throughout all the worlds you explore. That way it'll keep players interested to see what's next and not have to:
A.Buy a whole new console or spend more money on just one short game.
B.Give fans reasons to complain about how, "Get rid of the 'sidestories' already! I want my KH3/whine!".
See, if it's put into KH3, those wanting to see the story can take advantage of seeing the cutscenes there, and fans who despise all of the so-called 'sidestories' will enjoy it more because it's in the game they've been waiting for forever.
IMO, I want KH3 instead.