Yoshinori Kitase Cried While Playing Final Fantasy X for the First Time

In an interview with Famitsu, key members of the development staff for Final Fantasy X revealed new details about the development of the title. This included commentary regarding the conceptualization of the story. Additionally, the Final Fantasy X interview reveals how Yoshinori Kitase, Tetsuya Nomura, Motomu Toriyama, and Kazushige Nojima initially felt about the game. [Thanks, Famitsu!]

The first part of the interview is largely concerned with the conceptualization of the characters. This includes character designs, specifically Tidus, and the original role certain characters served. For example, Auron’s role as a silent character changed due to his role in the story.

The second part of the interview focused on the conceptualization of the story itself. Kazushige Nojima, the Scenario Writer for Final Fantasy X, revealed that the “child and parent” part of the story was one of the final bits to be added. The story was always meant to focus on Yuna’s journey as a summoner. From there, Spira was created. The “feud” between Tidus and Jecht was also added later. Additionally, the story was conceptualized with a focus on history repeating itself like a “spiral.”

Nojima also mentioned that during the early development of Final Fantasy X, he was reading dairies from members of the kamikaze units that existed under imperial Japan. He said that the resignation and determination of the members were inspiration to the core feeling of Final Fantasy X. It was also always the intention to portray Tidus as an outsider to the events of the story. Nojima wanted Tidus to be a projection of the player.

The interview went on to reveal that Yoshinori Kitase, the Producer of Final Fantasy X, cried while playing the game for the first time. He said that he found the story between Tidus and Jecht to be more moving than the story between Tidus and Yuna. He was also shocked by the quality of the voice acting for the Japanese version of the game. The developers then mentioned that the story of the game is what keeps it so fondly remembered even after 20 years.

Final Fantasy X originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. In 2015 Final Fantasy X was first re-released for PlayStation 4 as Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch versions followed. This re-release comes with both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2.