Heart's Kingdom

Sitting here watching Kingdom Hearts being played while trying to get through my own RPG adventures is bringing up way too many questions. Its these times when I start to feel like the camera needs to be rolling.

RPG's are the dark horses of Western gaming anyway, so acceptance is something fans (of RPG's) can relate to wanting or not needing.

*???*

Just the image of goofy and Donald going ham on monsters is a little much. Its more than a little much lol but its accepted. Lol its more than accepted too, I wonder why exactly that is. Sure kids would see it and immediately feel a sense of relate-ability, but what about the hardcore audience?

In some way, allowing the 'even more so' enchanting presence of Disney character's to a fantasy affair could've and probably SHOULD HAVE turned the 'hardcore' crowd away. Fact of the matter is it didn't because the game was dope as sh*t. It could've been taken for what it wasn't intended to be.

The integrity of RPG's and squaresoft(enix) in general were really front and center, and thankfully all that needed to be said was 'play the game'.

I'm searching for THOSE times lol. Nah its not about a game. Its about the mindset that allowed the game to be approachable without sifting through layers upon layers of unnecesary bias.

Lol it's STILL weird to see that sh*t though.. The question I'm trying to answer right now (FF7 fans stand up) is how important is the umbrella to me?

*the Tiger head was FINALLY slayed and I said f*ck an umbrella she's dead already lol*

Slow Sundays usually involve getting absolutely nothing done. I'm regretful to not be able to buck that trend today but I guess more down time can't really hurt.

I can't wait to get back on my Mayweather sh*t. I'm damn near there I just aint found the heart to actually go work out lol I'm gettin up in the middle of the night though. *rolls eyes*

'We talking bout' fiction hold up, pardon my back' - Hov

I can't remember the last time I was at a wedding, or if I've ever been. That's weird, but I guess that's one thing I may never have to do. Not hating on marriage even though my faith in that isn't too far off from how I feel about the church. RIGHT NOW anyway, there's always room for change =)

I think I pulled something messing with my conditioning partner. Groin region. All bad. =)

Got me to thinking watching Marley run all things considered today was a fairly good if not unproductive day. I say that with a huge smile and giddy feeling of excitement for what the night may bring.

I know I'm taking 30 minutes out to assume my role as Huey (from the Boondocks. Watch my show geez) after that who knows. If u haven't noticed the fantasies are where its at for me lol.

Hopefully sleep shows up tonight with a pillow a glass of rosé in 1 hand and some nyquil (or whatever put's u out in the other) OD? 'Ehhh' lol. Its whatever if your concerned the phone will be on til I pass out.

How bout these playoffs though?? Still going with LA to win it all. Against... Orlando. Yep, and that's AFTER their game 1 loss to an ever impressive Boston team. Can't those f*ckers just fall off and NOT bounce back for once? I thought it was going to be Orlando/Cleveland but you know...

I'm picking Orlando because they clearly looked like the best team in the playoff pool this postseason {playing straight gumps}, and I believe after the shock of playing a real prepared playoff team, they'll shake off the cobwebs and come to work.

Let's be real their team is built to be dangerous as sh*t and more times than not they succeed.

Suns have looked good too.. Lol that's all I have for them.

Orlando in 7 for the finals rematch. Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing either 1 of those team's going up against LA again, so its all good in my book. Just wish LeBron would've had his sh*t together this year.

Damn there I go... ^^ .. I wish LeBron's teammates had their sh*t together this year.. And he didn't turn the ball over so much lol

Looks like my episode is getting mixed reviews. What ya'll didn't like the social commentary? Lol smh...

Gone!

_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

FanFare Fantasy Sh*t (ILoveIt!)

'you don't understand I suggest you get to reading about my people. Wikipedia we the only people that be speaking through the speakers' Charles Hamilton

Cloud, Aeris, Barret, Yuffie, Red XVIII, Vincent, Cid, Cait  Sith, & Tifa

The nine main playable characters in Final Fantasy VII are Cloud Strife, an unsociable mercenary who claims to be a former 1st Class member of Shinra's SOLDIER unit;[12] Barret Wallace, the leader of the anti-Shinra rebel group AVALANCHE; Tifa Lockhart, a martial artist and childhood friend of Cloud's; Aeris Gainsborough[13], a flower merchant who has been pursued by Shinra's special operations unit Turks since childhood;[14] Red XIII, a wise lion-like creature who was experimented on by Shinra scientists; Cait Sith, a fortune-telling robotic cat who rides an animated moogle doll;[15] Cid Highwind, a pilot whose dreams of being the first man in outer space were crushed;[16] Yuffie Kisaragi, a young thief and a skillful ninja; and Vincent Valentine, a former member of Shinra's Turks unit who was killed and brought back to life as an immortal.[17] The game's main antagonist is Sephiroth, a former member of SOLDIER who reappears several years after disappearing in a battle in which he was concluded to have died.[18]




The game's character designer, Tetsuya Nomura, has expressed that Final Fantasy VII was hindered by graphical limitations, and as such his designs were very plain in comparison to his real style. Cloud's original design of slicked back black hair with no spikes was intended to serve as a contrast to Sephiroth's long, flowing silver hair. Nomura feared that such masculinity could prove to be unpopular with fans, and therefore he changed Cloud's design to feature a shock of spiky, bright blond hair. Tifa's outfit with her dark miniskirt was designed to contrast Aeris's long, pink dress. Vincent's character developed from horror researcher to detective, then to chemist, and finally to the figure of a former Turk with a tragic past. Nomura has indicated that Cid Highwind's fighting style resembles that of a Dragoon Knight, a character class which was chosen because his last name is the same as that of two previous Dragoon Knights featured in the Final Fantasy series, Ricard Highwind of Final Fantasy II and Kain Highwind of Final Fantasy IV.[6]



Due to their popularity, several characters from Final Fantasy VII have made cameo appearances in other Square Enix titles, most notably the fighting game Ehrgeiz and the popular Final Fantasy-Disney crossover series Kingdom Hearts. Dissidia: Final Fantasy is the newest game to include Final Fantasy VII characters such as Cloud and Sephiroth and lets players battle it out with characters from other Final Fantasy games.[19] Aeris's death in the game has often been referred as one of the most emotional moments from any video game.[20][21] Sephiroth remains one of the most popular villains in video game history, unanimously voted #1 by the staff of gaming publication Electronic Gaming Monthly in their "Top 10 Video Game Bosses" list in October 2005,[22] and winning GameFAQs' best villain contest in spring of the same year.[23]

baddest villain ever! Sephiroth...

Development


Planning sessions for Final Fantasy VII began in 1994 after the release of Final Fantasy VI. At the time, the game was planned to be another 2D project for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.[40] Series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi intended the story to take place in modern New York City in the year 1999. Several of the staff members were working in parallel on Chrono Trigger, and development for Final Fantasy VII was interrupted when the other project became significant enough to require the help of Yoshinori Kitase and other designers. Some of the ideas originally considered for Final Fantasy VII ended up in Chrono Trigger instead. Other ideas, such as the New York setting and the sorceress character Edea, were kept unused until the later projects Parasite Eve and Final Fantasy VIII respectively.[41] The original script of Final Fantasy VII, which was written by Sakaguchi, was completely different from the finished product. Tetsuya Nomura recalled how Sakaguchi "wanted to do something like a detective story". The first part of the story involved a "hot blooded" character named "Detective Joe" who was in pursuit of the main characters. The main characters managed to blow up the city of Midgar, which had already been developed for the story.[42]



Development of Final Fantasy VII resumed in late 1995,[32] and required the efforts of approximately 120 artists and programmers, using PowerAnimator and Softimage
3D software and a budget of more than US$30 million.[43] Final Fantasy VI's co-director and scenario writer, Kitase, returned to direct and co-write Final Fantasy VII and was concerned the franchise might be left behind if it did not catch up to the 3D computer graphics used in other games at the time.[44] Production began after the making of a short, experimental tech demo called "Final Fantasy SGI" for Silicon Graphics, Inc. Onyx workstations. The demo featured polygon-based 3D renderings of characters from Final Fantasy VI in a real time battle.[45] This experiment led the development team to integrate these design mechanics into Final Fantasy VII. However, as a result of the high quantity of memory storage required to implement the motion data, only the CD-ROM format would be able to suit the project's needs.[32] Nintendo, for which Square had developed all previous titles in the Final Fantasy series, had decided to continue to use cartridges for its upcoming Nintendo 64 console. This eventually led to a dispute that resulted in Square ending its long, tumultuous relationship with Nintendo, and Square announced on January 12, 1996 it would be developing Final Fantasy VII for Sony's PlayStation platform.[46]



The transition from 2D computer graphics to 3D environments overlaid on pre-rendered backgrounds was accompanied by a focus on a more realistic presentation. While the extra storage capacity and computer graphics gave the team the means to implement more than 40 minutes of full motion video movies, this innovation brought with it the added difficulty of ensuring that the inferiority of the in-game graphics in comparison to the full motion video sequences was not too obvious. Kitase has described the process of making the in-game environments as detailed as possible to be "a daunting task".[32] The series' long-time character designer, Yoshitaka Amano, was busy opening art workshops and exhibitions in France and New York, which limited his involvement in the game. This issue was addressed by bringing Nomura on board as the project's main artist, while Amano aided in the design of the game's world map.[6]

In early August 1996, a demonstration disc called "Square's Preview Extra" was released in Japan as a bonus pack-in with the PlayStation game Tobal No. 1. The disc contained the earliest playable demo of Final Fantasy VII and previews of other upcoming games such as Bushido Blade and SaGa Frontier. The demo allowed players to play through the first part of Midgar. However, there were some noticeable differences from the final version, namely that Aeris was featured in the initial party and that the ability to use Summons had not yet been implemented.[47]

The game's release in North America was preceded by a massive three-month marketing campaign, which consisted of three 30-second television commercials on major networks, a one minute long theatrical commercial, a holiday promotion with Pepsi, and printed ads in publications such as Rolling Stone, Details, Spin, Playboy and comic books published by Marvel and DC.[48] Several additions to gameplay and story were made for the game's North American release, such as easier exchange of materia, arrows highlighting exits on field screens,[4] and an extra cutscene, prompting a re-release in Japan under the title "Final Fantasy VII International".[49] In 1998, Final Fantasy VII was ported to Windows-based PCs. This re-release featured smoother graphics and fixed translation and spelling errors, as well as gameplay-related glitches. However, the PC version also suffered from its own bugs, including errors in the display of some full motion videos when rendering in hardware mode on certain graphics chipsets.[50]

Cloud and the city of Midgar

Reception


Final Fantasy VII was both a critical and commercial success, and set several sales records. Within three days of its release in Japan, the game had sold 2.3 million copies.[6] This popularity inspired thousands of retailers in North America to break street dates in September to meet public demand for the title.[59] In the game's debut weekend in North America, it sold 330,000 copies,[60] and had reached sales of 500,000 units in less than three weeks.[61] The momentum built in the game's opening weeks continued for several months; Sony announced the game had sold one million copies on the continent by early December,[62] prompting business analyst Edward Williams from Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. to comment, "Sony redefined the role-playing game (RPG) category and expanded the conventional audience with the launch of Final Fantasy VII".[62] Final Fantasy VII had sold over 9.8 million copies worldwide including Final Fantasy VII International as of December 2005,[63] making it the highest-selling Final Fantasy title.[64] Although Square's announcement that Final Fantasy VII would be produced for Sony rather than Nintendo and that it would not be based on the Final Fantasy SGI demo was initially met with discontent among gamers,[45][46] the game continues to maintain a strong following.

Upon release, the game received near universal acclaim from critics. GameSpot commented that "never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in Final Fantasy VII", expressing particular favor toward the game's graphics, audio, and story.[4] IGN's Jay Boor insisted the game's graphics were "light years beyond anything ever seen on the PlayStation", and regarded its battle system as its strongest point.[7] RPGamer praised the game's soundtrack both in variety and sheer volume, stating that "Uematsu has done his work exceptionally well" and "is perhaps at his best here".[77]




Since 1997, Final Fantasy VII has been selected by many game magazines—including Electronic Gaming Monthly,[78] IGN[79] and Gamespot[20]—as one of the best and most important video games of all time, and has placed at or near the top in many reader polls of all-time best games. Upon its release in 1997, it was referred to by Gamefan as "quite possibly the greatest game ever made...," a quote which continues to feature prominently on the back cover of the game's jewel case.[80] In January 2005, it was selected by Electronic Gaming Monthly as sixth on their list of "the 10 most important games ... that helped redefine the industry since ... 1989". Citing its "beautiful cut-scenes and a deep, introspective narrative", they claimed that "Square’s game was ... the first RPG to surpass, instead of copy, movie-like storytelling." In late 2007, Dengeki PlayStation named Final Fantasy VII as the "best story", "best RPG", and "best overall game" in their retrospective awards feature about the original PlayStation.[81] GamePro named it the fourteenth most important and most innovative video game of all-time,[82][83] as well as the best RPG title of all time.[84] Final Fantasy VII placed second in the "Top 100 Favorite Games of All Time" poll by Japanese magazine Famitsu during March 2006,[85] while users of the video game website GameFAQs voted Final Fantasy VII as the "Best Game Ever"[86] in November 2005 and in 2004,[87] and placed second in 2009.[88]

Legacy


Final Fantasy VII is credited as "the game that sold the PlayStation", as well as allowing console role-playing games to find a place in markets outside Japan, and (as measured in copies sold) remains the most popular title in the series.[92][93][94][95] The game's popularity and open-ended nature also led director Kitase and scenario writer Nojima to establish a plot-related connection between Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X-2. The character Shinra from Final Fantasy X-2 proposes the concept of extracting the life energy from within the planet Spira. Nojima has stated that Shinra and his proposal are a deliberate nod to the Shinra Company, and that he envisioned the events of Final Fantasy X-2 as a prequel to those in Final Fantasy VII.[96] In addition to the PlayStation and PC releases, the game was released onto the PlayStation Network in Japan on April 10, 2009, in America on June 2, 2009 and in Europe and Australia on June 4, 2009. The game has also inspired an unofficial version of Final Fantasy VII for the Nintendo Entertainment System by Chinese company Shenzhen Nanjing Technology.[97] This port features the Final Fantasy VII game scaled back to 2D, with some of the side quests removed.[97]



The full motion video sequences and computer graphics presented in Final Fantasy VII would allow Sakaguchi to begin production of the first Final Fantasy film, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.[98] The game also introduced settings dominantly suffused with modern-to-advanced technology into the Final Fantasy series, a theme continued by Final Fantasy VIII and The Spirits Within.[99][100] Re-releases of Square games in Japan with bonus features would occur frequently after the release of Final Fantasy VII International. Later titles that would be re-released as international versions include Final Fantasy X (as "International"),[101] Final Fantasy X-2 (as "International + Last Mission"),[102] Kingdom Hearts (as "Final Mix"),[103] Kingdom Hearts II (as "Final Mix"),[104] and Final Fantasy XII (as "International Zodiac Job System").[105]

Had to let Wiki go IN! Lol I learned so much today and proved my damn point.
 
Gone!

_ _

 -/Rebel2Society\-v(**)

what's your fantasy?

I try really hard to be a positive person. I start off everyday with a full tank. Even keep 1 on reserve, I know how unexpected this muf*cka can get. I'm sayin all that to say this. Today I was thrust into a situation.

At the end of the day I chose my own fate so I can't really say too much on that end. I can say I was presented a ridiculous amount of time to make a decision. Oh and I was NOT informed of the significance of the entire ordeal. 'Ehhh'.

Basically get me home damn it!

^
^
I swear I was hot (tight/mad) writing up to this point. I realized me being all those things isn't going to get me home any faster. So it'd be best to make the most of my situation instead of being nonproductive cursing it dig me??

That's that positive attitude I was speaking on earlier. Gotta keep that if I lose it its a wrap. Dead*ss.

I'm just excited for my night geez! Me n Jess gonna be chilling how WE do lol. Got the Blind Side and Legions on deck for my cinema watching pleasures. Final Fantasy VII (cult purists chill! Lol) running on the ps3. I'll probably get on modern warfare 2 and little big planet but ff7 is where its primarily at. Maybe purchasing FF8? My bottle of Rosè ayyyeee! Possibly some other things ;)

Yo check it. No sex in the champaign room lmao. Having way too much fun in this back seat. Its been awhile since I knowingly put my thoughts down on anything for you and you and you. Feels good, definitely something I love doing.

Damn can I go IN on this chick for a min?
*nerd alert*

How the f*ck you gonna play Kingdom Hearts and hate on Final Fantasy VII?? Does that make any sense??

*sorry I gotta get this out*

My irritation goes back to me coming out of a state of mind where I feel people/things weren't getting their just due. So don't get me wrong! If you've happened to play both games and your not feeling 1 or the other that's your OPINION. No qualms there.

I take issue when you disregard what's pretty much video game bible law that FF7 is a good game (the shit's great, amazing, nothing short of phenomenal, and one of the best vid games I've played EVER! But that's beside the point). Like come on!

Kingdom Hearts would not even exist if not for Final Fantasy 7! I was told the reason the game is so popular/good is its inclusion of disney characters... I'm glad the video game market's attempt to reel in young kids' lunch money got you.

No, the real reason the game was so widely received and popular was because of the inclusion of SQUARESOFT(ENIX now) characters. AKA final fantasy characters that had not graced a video game since the last final fantasy game they were included in (they don't make true sequels to the game you know. Except FFX.)

So while you were thinking its goofy, tarzan, simba, and Mickey it was really. Holy sh*t Cloud, Sephiroth, Squall, Aeris, etc. Are all back and playable again. Smarten up geez... I feel like this little segment on the history of BOTH of these great games isn't fitting enough..

Maybe a post later?? I said I was going in I just scratched the service though.. Lord knows I don't play with that series lol guess who I am?? (I don't think people could guess if I gave em 5 shots)

Btw can I please just get home? Wtf!? I don't think the scale of which I'm overly willing is ever under the right magnifying scope. There I go...

Gone...

_ _
-/Rebel2Society\-v(**)