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JA: How long has Essence been in development?

KF: Since 2007, when it was first named "Final Fantasy Zodiac."

JA: That reminds me of Final Fantasy Tactics!

KF: That's where I got it from. It was going to take place in Ivalice, but I decided against it.

JA: Instead you chose a unique world that you've created? Why don't you tell me more about that.

KF: Well, I don't know much of Ivalice at all... and making a game with an original world would be kind of good (laughs). It's best not to create a game that shares the same world as another. I also like to have originality.

JA: And originality is good. ;) Which brings me to my next question. Final Fantasy is known for it's variety of job (classes). How true to those will you be saying? Will there be any unique classes for Essence?

KF: I guess I could say yes... Xander being a Samurai, Keira being a Gunner, Storm being a Dragoon, Laine being a Summoner, and so on. Not only that, but they have a secondary job, too. Keira will have black magic, Laine with white magic, etc.

JA: Xander, Keira, Storm, and Laine are all joinable characters. How many other  characters will join the party, and how are they all connected to the story (with as little spoilers as possible)?

KF: I'm seeing if I can go with 6 playable characters plus a hidden character or 2. Let's start with Xander, the main lead. He is a victum of a emperial raid led by Xyla. He is the boy who wants his revenge on the empire, which is soon called Qaros after the ruler of the empire dies. Keira is also a victim, though she knows nothing of her past. She believes that fighting for her country is right and what Qaros is doing is the best for her country. Though, Storm on the other hand, thinks its all wrong. Laine, Jessen, and Spring join later, and I can't spoil any of that! (laughs)

JA: That's understandable, hehe. Don't want to give everything away! I think now would be a great time to ask for a basic summary of the story.

KF: Well, the Essence of the Earth is that keeps everything at balance. Without it, the world would rot and life wouldn't cylce at all. A woman, Xyla, is a woman who became very interested in the Essence as a teen and she has always wanted to figure out what exactly it is. As she grew older, she became a scientist of Salfor, but then was transferred to a more powerful community, which was the empire. She finds out that she could make humans super-beings! She raids one village, one where Xander had resided. He watched what the empire did to his village, and escaped with the village leader Yulka Eldia, who built the small nation of Eldia. Thoughout the tale, there is epidimic events, death, and things you have never really even seen in an FF game! I'm sorry if this wasn't too basic, Haha

JA: No need to apologize, that's perfect! I'm wondering about the 'Essence of the Earth', though. Is there anything else you can tell me about it without ruining anything? Like, where does it come from? What made / makes it so powerful?

KF: The Essence came with the Earth. It's the earth's Cycle of Life. When a human or animal dies, it's soul is absorbed in by the Essence, which creates health for the planet. Xyla is destroying the Essence by mining out it's interiors, which is made up of crystal souls. Hence how the "essence" is essential to live on that planet

JA: And ironically Xyla is destroying the planet while making humans extremely powerful. That's intense! What exactly does the Essence do once it is infused in someone to make them a "Super Human"? And what are the negative effects, if any, that can occur?

KF: It makes the human more powerful, not only that but it gives man special abilities, like the call of magic, Xander's speed, Keira's Gun abilities, Storm's jumping, etc. The negative effects are the lost of any memory before the infusion. It also causes the brain to malfunction for the first few years, it could even cause death. It causes deaths to Adults because their mentality is fully built, unlike a child's.

JA: So basically Essence's effect is unique for everyone infused?

KF: Pretty much.

JA: You mentioned earlier that you may include one or two bonus characters. Are these the only "side-quests" you have in mind? Are you planning any other character-specific sidequests, bounty hunting, etc?

KF: I haven't really thought of many side quests, but I think I can get away with a few side quests. But I can't really think of any at the moment

JA: There's always time to add sidequests if you decide to, so no worries there! Hehe

KF: Of course!

JA: You've combined old-school FF graphics, and Live a Live (correct me if I'm wrong) and it really adds a sense of nostalgia. Was there a specific reason for this style of graphics?

KF: New and refreshing style. Not many people have played live a live or FFV for that matter. So Final Fantasy fans of IV, VI, VII+ should be quite satisfied!

JA: Speaking of satisfied ... (lol) How do you think you'll be able to make Essence appeal to everyone, whether they like Final Fantasy or not? If that makes any sense. Haha

KF: I can't be certain if any non-FF players would like Essence, unless they think of it as a completely new game. I tried to make Essence appeal to most FF players by keeping the crystal concept, using classes from various FF games, and making an epic and powerful plot. I hope everyone enjoys this fangame, but not everyone will be satisfied, but I'm trying my hardest!

JA: What more could we ak for ;) I'm sure it'll turn out to be great! Many people seem to be looking forward to it so far.

KF: I have seen that! Although some people have complained, I'm not going to have them get in the way of this game.


JA: There will alway be people who complain, what's important is staying strong! And you are already have that under control. Just a few more questions

KF: Alright!

JA: We talked a little bit about Essence, and how it ties in with Characters and their abilities. Are there any other special aspects to attacks and/or abilities that you'll be including ?

KF: If I'm answering this right, I will include something called a "Focus" which is very similar to overdrives from Final Fantasy X. Each character has these Focus' and you can level them up too! At the moment, me and Ted are trying to come up with ideas on a system for the game, like Magicite from FFVI, Materia from FFVII, and so on.

JA: That's exactly what I meant =) I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

KF: Likewise

JA: As a game with "Final Fantasy" in it's title, do you plan on adding Chocobos? Cid? Anything else that stands out from Final Fantasy? (Other than crystals!)

KF: Oh yes, Chocobos, Moogles, Cids! Biggs Wedge and all that stuff! Even airships of course!

KF: Oh did I say Cids? I meant Cid.

JA: I know what you meant, hehe. Although I think it would be intersting to have more than one! That'd be crazy, haha.

JA: Sound like you are staying very true to the FF series, and that it's given you a lot of inspiration, which you are using to create Essence. Which games specifically have given you inspiration for this project? Or would you say that you've taken inspiration from all of them?

KF: I have mostly taken inspiration from FFVI and VII. But there are small bits and pieces I got from every Final Fantasy.

JA: FFVI, my favorite, anf FFVII is extremely popular as well, so I can only imagine how amazing Essence will turn out. I think that's all the questions I have for you (and if not I know where to find you mwahahaha). Thanks for your time and good luck with your project!

KF: Thanks Jess for doing this!