Gamewatch Interview (full translation linked in first post)

[Elmer the Pointy]

Zeni Notorious Monsters

You added a new battle system with “Zeni Notorious Monsters.”
Ito: It was a concept of letting anyone trigger and challenge notorious monsters. There is a grave challenge at the end of the road, but people can really just fight what they want, whenever they want.

The ZNM triggers are acquired through battles, and the difficulty and party size changes as well.
Ito: That’s right. It’s like Light, Middle and Heavy classes of battles. Party size requirements also change. Drops get better and better as well. We were thinking along the lines of Tu’Lia or Al’Taieu.

Treasures of Aht Urghan’s Alzadaal Undersea Ruins are like that as well.
Ito: We used more of a point-gathering concept here, thinking “Could we use the Soultrapper for this?” and allow the player a lot of freedom. Together, these events comprise the compilation that is Aht Urghan, so we hope you enjoy them.

[Greyman]

New AF2 for old jobs? Or am I reading into that wrong?

I thought that aswell but I just assumed they were implying DNC and SCH AF2, could be interesting though I always said they should just add ToA AF2 to Dynamis or similar event and give the old jobs a 2nd Belt/Cape.

[spooky]

Gondai: We’ve finally completed preparations for Aht Urghan jobs’ AF2. It will only be for Aht Urghan jobs at first, if things go well, we will be revealing it to you soon.

Awesome, just what I had hoped for. I wonder if they mean there will be new ways to aquire previous AF2 for other jobs or if they will add another set entierly. (My money's on new ways to aquire old items.) Nice.

[Thistle]

This is so exciting, just like an update day! So much new info! <3 Elmer!

[Mayareira]

VERY intriguing. This may be one heck of a good addition.

Indeed.

"Allow for a more casual experience" sounds something different than being able to seek on multiple jobs at once. Sure that'd be good but looks like they are working on a different system/event.
Thanks for the translation Elmer!

[Toth]

I thought that aswell but I just assumed they were implying DNC and SCH AF2, could be interesting though I always said they should just add ToA AF2 to Dynamis or similar event and give the old jobs a 2nd Belt/Cape.

As much as I am excited for my jobs to FINALLY get AF2, SE will probably make the acquisition time-consuming and overly difficult. Crafting the AF2 would be the best item imho, with all items being purchasable or (I really hope) questable. The hints are there for this but I suppose only time will tell.

[Xno Kappa]

AF2 for ToAU jobs, that in itself makes the interview pure win. Thank you for the translation Elmer.

[Kkel]

do explain whats wrong with those 2 NPCs..

i think they mean it in a similar sense to how that 1 master caster taru (forgot his nam)will never appear in campaign because in the events of WotG quests, something happens to him...

Mieuseloir B Enchelles and Noillurie both get pulled into Dynamis with the Hydra Corps, as evidenced by the fact that they both hand over relic weapons to players in the present. Noillurie, who looks the same in the past as she does in the present, hands over Amano. Mieuseloir B Enchelles seems like he gets a hefty promotion. His current past armor is replaced with full Valor and he's given Ragnarok to fight with.

Unless the WotG storyline ends right before the Hydra Corps disaster in the Northlands, i don't see how these 2 Generals can continue to fight for San d'Oria [S].

[Starr]

Well they better do it and not be cock teases, I want my COR armor bad.

[Elmer the Pointy]

Balrahn’s Secret Weapons, Adjustment Repercussions, Serpent General Gadalar’s Quest, etc

There are many people complaining about the harsh requirements for Balrahn’s weapons.
Ogawa: That opinion certainly is prevalent. The quest now is just the first half, and once we implement the second half, we will look at adjusting them as a whole.

So there’s still a second half to be completed. Don’t tell me it will be even more difficult than the first.
Ogawa: It is mostly there to close up the story, so it will not be as difficult as the opening half. We do understand there are severely high requirements in the first half, and we will look into it.
Saito: We’re aware of peoples’ reaction to it.

How about a Serpent Quest for Gadalar?
Ogawa:We apologize for keeping Gadalar fans waiting so long, we never forgot about them.

It feels like this will be the last quest; you have really outdone yourselves with the series, haven’t you?
Saito: Yes, we’ve put a lot into it. People might see a much different Gadalar than they are used to… (laughs) But please bear with us a little bit longer.

Are there any plans to continue adding on to Nyzul Isle Assault?
Ito: We thought about it, but then we added Balrahn’s Secret Weapons. Before adding brand new content, we feel we should focus on the new weapons, as well as increasing the rewards gained from Nyzul Isle.

For example, besides the Balrahn weapons, maybe some other weapons we can strengthen. It will provide various goals for people to strive for.
Ito:That’s the kind of thing we’re considering whether or not to implement. But we need a reason before just adding new stuff to Nyzul Isle, so it’s on hold for now.

Fellows can now be called in the past, but will this become part of the Fellow’s story, or is it simply for fun?
Ogawa: Basically, it was to give you more areas in which to play with your Fellow. So many people wanted Fellow available in Aht Urghan areas, but they are so full of camps, we wouldn’t allow it. Now we have the past. There’s still the possibility of a new story, but there are currently no plans for it.

[Spira]

Mieuseloir B Enchelles and Noillurie both get pulled into Dynamis with the Hydra Corps, as evidenced by the fact that they both hand over relic weapons to players in the present. Noillurie, who looks the same in the past as she does in the present, hands over Amano. Mieuseloir B Enchelles seems like he gets a hefty promotion. His current past armor is replaced with full Valor and he's given Ragnarok to fight with.

Unless the WotG storyline ends right before the Hydra Corps disaster in the Northlands, i don't see how these 2 Generals can continue to fight for San d'Oria [S].

mmm ic

i guess it does end just before the events of Dynamis. I don't think want to delve into that aspect of the Crystal War. Theres also the issue of Crystal War as we know it sans meddling adventurers + cait sith + mission girl lilisette. The outcome of the war is probably the same.. but the events that transpire might be less severe. It doesn't remove the fact that the present day reality suggests history played out that way.. because dynamis will still be there....

If they explored that character branch, then they'd have to deal with the whole time paradox as well.. so ithink they might just leave it just before that.

[Elmer the Pointy]

Closing Statements

Please give us some last words for the players.
Ogawa: Now that Mog Bonanza has ended, and the hot summer is upon us, there will be several seasonal events and an update coming near the end of the year I think everyone can enjoy.
Saito: Missions and Quests still have a long way to go, so stay with us until the end. The animation and event teams have always strived to create content to surprise and wow our users. Please look forward to it.
Gondai: For jobs, we want to make more adjustments and create a smoother playing experience. Let’s work together to achieve that goal.
Ito: We will be working in earnest on developing Campaign and overall battle content. I hope you continue to enjoy playing.

Thank you very much.

[Dein]

Balrahn’s Secret Weapons, Adjustment Repercussions, Serpent General Gadalar’s Quest, etc

There are many people complaining about the harsh requirements for Balrahn’s weapons.
Ogawa: That opinion certainly is prevalent. The quest now is just the first half, and once we implement the second half, we will look at adjusting them as a whole.

So there’s still a second half to be completed. Don’t tell me it will be even more difficult than the first.
Ogawa: It is mostly there to close up the story, so it will not be as difficult as the opening half. We do understand there are severely high requirements in the first half, and we will look into it.
Saito: We’re aware of peoples’ reaction to it.

Thank god they'll do something about this. 50k Alexandrites on top of all the other requirements to get one of the new weapons is just ridiculous. This interview has a lot of good info in it, thanks again Elmer for translating all of this for us.

[Meian]

Closing Statements

Please give us some last words for the players.
Ogawa: Now that Mog Bonanza has ended, and the hot summer is upon us, there will be several seasonal events and an update coming near the end of the year I think everyone can enjoy.
Saito: Missions and Quests still have a long way to go, so stay with us until the end. The animation and event teams have always strived to create content to surprise and wow our users. Please look forward to it.
Gondai: For jobs, we want to make more adjustments and create a smoother playing experience. Let’s work together to achieve that goal.
Ito: We will be working in earnest on developing Campaign and overall battle content. I hope you continue to enjoy playing.

Thank you very much.

They are purposely putting longer periods of time between each update -_-

[LD]

They are purposely putting longer periods of time between each update -_-

Yes...Never good. If they don't announce an August update soon, I suspect the days of 6 updates a year will be over and 3 a year will begin....

If we're lucky though, maybe they only meant 'after the next one.'

[Toth]

Well, the next update isn't likely until September as per this current cycle, which is close to the end of the year anyway.

Fellows can now be called in the past, but will this become part of the Fellow’s story, or is it simply for fun?
Ogawa: Basically, it was to give you more areas in which to play with your Fellow. So many people wanted Fellow available in Aht Urghan areas, but they are so full of camps, we wouldn’t allow it. Now we have the past. There’s still the possibility of a new story, but there are currently no plans for it.

Who would have thought? SE actually taking something very real into account before deciding to change the game. I'm impressed.

[Meian]

Well, the next update isn't likely until September as per this current cycle, which is close to the end of the year anyway.

I would assume this is the case too but I have a bad feeling they meant October >> /cry

[LD]

Which is also bullshit, but the point is we've had gradually fewer updates a year for a couple years now and they rarely have proportionally more content. Meaning less effort is being put into this game and even more man power is being diverted to other projects.

[Toth]

I would assume this is the case too but I have a bad feeling they meant October >> /cry

Yeah, I would bet on October too alas.

DNC remaining useless to then is disappointing though (assuming of course merits/new abilities will give the job some usage in end game...).

[Akucaen]

I'd make a motherfucking dungeon FULL of greater colibri.