FF6 - Forgotten Story
A new game from Fierce Legends Software
 January 21st, 2003
Ever since the original FF6 came out in 1996, it’s been fundamentaly untouched. The game was re-released only three years later with better graphics and FMV's for the new platform, but it was still basically the same game. FF6 is still considered one of the best of the series and it has a special place in many hearts of the fans. And now, we’re finally getting more - FFVI: Forgotten Story, developed by Fierce Legends Software, a gaming house containing only fans of the series who wanted to see the story continuing. FLS wants to emphasize that they are not affiliated with Square in any way, and that the new game is totally made by the fans. Though this is technically illegal, since the game is copyrighted by Square, FLS has managed to sort out the legal issues with Square - since they don’t intend to gain any profit from their game. Adam Harvey - the lead figure of the studios - reminds us that this is just something they wanted to do for the fans of the game.
The game takes place during the War of the Magi, 1000 years before the original FF6 starts. So the plot is only loosely attached to the original game, thus giving the game developers more freedom with the storyline and setting. The process has been going on for over two years now, but around six months ago the project was handed over to Adam Harvey, and now we’re finally getting some results.
Interview, 12th Jan 2003 with Adam Harvey, CEO of Fierce Legends Software, conducted by Sari Hyyppä.
Sari
Why did you decide to make a prequel instead of a sequel?
Adam
Basically, the reasoning was that a sequel would have destroyed too many things in our opinion. If we brought characters back, it would have been cliché. If we left them out, it would have felt wrong. If we had Kefka brought back that would have been bad, but if we left him out that would have felt wrong too, it would have been too forced. We thought a sequel set during the War of the Magi would have been good, since we could have kept the FF6 'feel', but made a new story and set of characters that people could enjoy without destroying too much of the wonder of FF6.
Sari
So, how much from the old FF6 have you included in the prequel? Are all the events of the War of the Magi mentioned in the original game there?
Adam
Yes, plus new ones. There will be references, a lot of the way the world in FF6 is will be described in the story; how some cities came to be built, or destroyed, and obviously information on Espers and humans and their battle, and some surprises too.
Sari
Sounds very interesting!
Adam
(laughing) Let’s hope so.
Sari
Can you tell us anything about the main characters? How many playable characters can we expect? FF6 was known for having lots of playable characters in one game.
Adam
I certainly can, the first part of the story will focus on a young man known as Razin. Initially, the story will really revolve around him and his relevance, but we plan to have between 9-13 playable characters. The story will eventually encompass all these characters, and each one shall play an important role, and not just supporting cast.
Sari
How far into the development are you? How long do we have to wait until we can get to play it?
Adam
We hope to have the demo ready by mid February, and then a larger demo ready maybe two months after that, but as for the completed game, its very difficult to say. We're hoping for sometime this year, but whether it is late summer or winter we're not sure. But I'd say late 2003/earl 2004, with constant updates and media in between.
Sari
And this game will be for PC only. Could you tell us something about the operating system and the specifications required? How good does your computer have to be to play the game smoothly? My friend is concerned is the game will not run on his system, because his computer is rather old.
Adam
Absolutely, well, at the moment we're developing for PC only, but after the initial PC release, we plan to add support for MAC later on, amongst other things, a good example of a perfect operating system would be:
- Pentium 2 233mhz
- 64MB RAM
- Around 15MB Hard Drive Space
- A simple graphics card
Though, a less powerful computer could still run it, and we're optimising the code to make it run on Pentium 1's smoothly if we can.
Sari
How are you planning to distribute this game? Where can we get it? And is it really going to be completely free?
Adam
It will, without doubt, be completely free at every phase. We will not be asking any money for any aspect of the game. As for where you can get it, we're still working that one out, but hopefully from 40-50 sites and various dedicated servers by the final release. We've been networking with friends of ours to get a massive release party, online celebrations and everything (if the game drums up enough support). So it'll be a big event and everyone can get a copy from many different places, for absolutely free.
Sari
Will FF6: Forgotten Story be graphically much different from the original?
Adam
The graphical style will be identical. We're obviously creating unique sprites and tiles, and the world will have a slightly different artistic style, since it is set in a different time, but overall, the graphics are very much based on the originals.
Sari
Is the gameplay system still the same? Are you able to equip Magicites as in the original game?
Adam
We're still working out the fine details, and although gameplay will be similar, the magic and battle system will be altered to suit this game - much like it is altered to suit every individual Final Fantasy.
Sari
So this game will have nothing ‘borrowed’ from Square other than the plot? Or will you be using music tracks or such from the original?
Adam
The music is original, but a few themes will find their way back into this one (some of the FF6 themes will be in this, as well as standard FF themes). So, very little is taken from Square directly, but of course, the entire FF concept is taken from them.
Sari
But you’re still not afraid of getting sued over this?
Adam
Not yet anyway. I hope it doesn't come to that, and we're going to try and stop that happening, by being non-profit and by keeping the thing purely online. Square would spend more money suing us than they would get from us, so it would be a wasted venture. We pose no threat to their fanbase, nor are we slandering the FF name, so I believe as long as we stick to these ground rules we'll be OK.
Sari
Thank you for this interview, we hope that you will get lots of fans for this new game and good luck with everything in the future.
Adam
Thanks a lot. I'll be giving you some artwork and screenshots in the next few days.
Sari
One more thing before we end. What do you have to say to the fans who are against this plan to make a prequel for FF6? There are many people who don’t wish to see sequels or prequels to their favourite games at all.
Adam
I would say approach it with an open mind, and more importantly, remember our stance on things is not one of 'official'. We're making this because we adored the original, and we are going to pains to make it capture the spirit without treading on the toes of the old story. Its just one group's take on what might have been, we're not trying to tell people what it was. And, I hope that people can play the game and maybe gain something from it, and, if not, then just to understand the spirit of tribute and tenderness we are approaching the game with.
Sari
I hope all the fans will find the game and will like it. It’s great to see that there are still people who are willing to put so much effort in things like this.
If anyone wants to know more about the project, Adam Harvey is more than happy to answer all the questions. Fierce Legends Software is also always willing to hire new talents to work with the game. You can find him at: alan.harvey10@ntlworld.com.
It will be a while before we can get the full version of the game in our hands, but the demo coming out next month should give a good glimpse of what we can all expect from the actual game. The game itself should be just as long as any of the original Final Fantasy games, offering over 70 hours of gameplay.
We’ll see if Fierce Legends Software will be able to stack up to Square in terms of storyline and music composing, but at least there isn’t lack of enthusiasm inside the team.
Here is some early artwork and screenshots from the upcoming FF6: Forgotten Story, developed by Fierce Legends Software.
Stay tuned, we’ll get back to you at the time when the first demo will be released.
Article and interview written by alhana
Special thanks to Adam Harvey, the CEO of Fierce Legends Software for this exclusive interview.
Special thanks to Fierce Legends Software for all the screenshots and media.
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