Yoshinori Kitase

Yoshinori Kitase (北瀬 佳範, Kitase Yoshinori, born 23 September 1966) is a Japanese game director and producer working for Square Enix. He is known as the director of Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy X, and the producer of the Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy XIII series. Kitase is a vice president, a member of the board of directors and an executive officer at Square Enix.[1] He is currently the head of Square Enix's Creative Business Unit I and the Final Fantasy series Brand Manager. He was the head of Square Enix's Business Division 1 during its entire existence as well as a Corporate Executive. He is also part of the Final Fantasy Committee that is tasked with keeping the franchise's releases and content consistent.[2][3]

Yoshinori Kitase
At the E3 in Los Angeles, California in 2009
Born (1966-09-23) 23 September 1966
Japan
Alma materNihon University
Occupation(s)Video game director, game producer
Years active1990–present
EmployerSquare Enix
Notable workFinal Fantasy series
TitleVice President

Biography

In July 1978, at the age of 11, Kitase watched the movie Star Wars for the first time and was deeply impressed with it. He later examined the making-of video to it and became interested in the creative process of the film industry. Kitase decided to attend the Nihon University College of Art and studied screenwriting and filmmaking. Although he enjoyed filming, he showed a much greater passion for post-production editing as he felt it allowed him to give the footage a completely new meaning and to appeal to the viewers' feelings. In his first year after the graduation, Kitase worked at a small animation studio that produced animated television programs and commercials. When he played Final Fantasy for the first time, he considered a switch to the game industry as he felt that it had potential when it came to animation and storytelling.[4] Despite having no software development knowledge, he applied at the game development company Square and was hired in March 1990. In the ten years to follow, he gathered experience as an "event scripter", directing the characters' movements and facial expressions on the game screen as well as setting the timings and music transitions. He has compared this work to directing film actors.[5] Kitase continued directing cutscenes in spite of filling other roles in later projects; for example, he directed part of the event scenes in Final Fantasy VIII and was event planner for the Nibelheim section of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.[6][7]

Yoshinori Kitase (right) and art director Isamu Kamikokuryo (left) at HMV's Final Fantasy XIII launch event in London in March, 2010.

When many players responded to the sci-fi world of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII by requesting a "simple fantasy world", Kitase tried to expand the definition of the word "fantasy" beyond that of a medieval European setting. This led to Southeast Asia being the backdrop for Final Fantasy X.[8] Kitase referred to Final Fantasy VII and its protagonist Cloud Strife as his favorite game and character, respectively.[9] In an interview, he said that he loves first-person shooters.[10] Kitase supervised the Final Fantasy VII: Technical Demo for PS3. Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi feels that he "handed the torch to" Kitase as far as heading the series is concerned.[11]

Works

Video games
ReleaseTitleSystemCredit(s)
1991Final Fantasy AdventureGame BoyGame design, scenario
1992Romancing SaGaSuper Nintendo Entertainment SystemField map design
Final Fantasy VField planner, event planner, scenario writer[12]
1994Final Fantasy VIDirector, event planner, scenario writer[12]
1995Chrono TriggerDirector, scenario writer[13]
1997Final Fantasy VIIPlayStationDirector, scenario writer
1999Final Fantasy VIIIDirector, story, system designer, event scene direction[14][6]
2001Final Fantasy XPlayStation 2Producer, chief director, scenario writer[15][16][17]
2002Kingdom HeartsCo-producer
2003Final Fantasy X-2Producer
2004Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VIIMobile phoneExecutive producer
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesGame Boy AdvanceProducer
2005Kingdom Hearts IIPlayStation 2Co-producer
2006Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VIIProducer
Final Fantasy V AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceSupervisor
Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode: Final Fantasy VIIMobile phoneExecutive producer
Final Fantasy VI AdvanceGame Boy AdvanceSupervisor
2007Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VIIPlayStation PortableExecutive producer, event planner[7]
2008Sigma HarmonicsNintendo DSProducer
Dissidia: Final FantasyPlayStation Portable
2009, 2014, 2021Final Fantasy XIIIPlayStation 3, Xbox 360, WindowsProducer, Crystal Tools development staff (for PS3 & 360)
2010Sigma Harmonics CodaMobile phoneExecutive producer
The 3rd BirthdayPlayStation PortableProducer
2011Final Fantasy Type-0Producer
2011, 2014, 2021Final Fantasy XIII-2PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
2013, 2015, 2022Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIIIPlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
2013, 2015, 2016Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD RemasterPlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, WindowsProducer (PS3, PS Vita), special thanks (PS4, Windows)
2014Final Fantasy VII G-BikeiOS, AndroidExecutive producer[2]
2015–2020Mobius Final FantasyiOS, Android, WindowsProducer
2016Final Fantasy XVPlayStation 4, Xbox OneSpecial thanks, original producer[A]
2017Flame vs BlazeiOS, AndroidExecutive producer
2019Final Fantasy VIII RemasteredPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, WindowsSpecial thanks, supervisor[18]
2020, 2021Final Fantasy VII RemakePlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, WindowsProducer
2021Final Fantasy Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, WindowsSupervisor
Final Fantasy II Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy III Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy IV Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy V Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy VII: The First SoldieriOS, AndroidExecutive producer
2022Final Fantasy VI Pixel RemasteriOS, Android, WindowsSupervisor
Chocobo GPSwitchExecutive producer
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII ReunionPS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Windows
TBA Final Fantasy VII: Ever CrisisiOS, AndroidExecutive producer
TBA Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PlayStation 5 Producer

Other media
ReleaseTitleTypeCredit(s)
1995Final Fantasy VI The Interactive CG GameTech demoDirector
2005Final Fantasy VII Technical Demo for PS3Tech demoProducer
2005Final Fantasy VII: Advent ChildrenFilmProducer
2005Last Order: Final Fantasy VIIAnimeExecutive producer
2009Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children CompleteFilmProducer
2009On the Way to a Smile - Episode: DenzelAnimeExecutive producer
2016Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XVFilmSpecial thanks

Additional credits
ReleaseTitleSystemCredit(s)
1998Xenogears (Japanese version)PlayStationCooperation
1998EhrgeizArcade, PlayStationFF VII staff
1999Chrono Cross (Japanese version)PlayStationDevelopment cooperation
2002Unlimited SagaPlayStation 2Special thanks
2003Hanjuku Hero Tai 3DPlayStation 2Development cooperation
2004Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street SpecialPlayStation 2Final Fantasy part cooperation
2005Romancing SaGaPlayStation 2Special thanks
2006Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street PortablePlayStation PortableFinal Fantasy part cooperation
2006Dawn of ManaPlayStation 2Special thanks
2007Heroes of ManaNintendo DSSpecial thanks
2009Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of LightNintendo DSSpecial thanks
2010Final Fantasy XIVWindowsCrystal tools
2011Dissidia 012: Final FantasyPlayStation PortableSpecial thanks
2012Theatrhythm Final FantasyNintendo 3DSSpecial thanks
2013Final Fantasy: All The BravestiOS, AndroidSpecial thanks
2014Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain CallNintendo 3DSSpecial thanks
2015Final Fantasy: Brave ExviusiOS, AndroidSpecial thanks
2015Dissidia Final Fantasy (2015 video game) ArcadeArcadeSpecial thanks
2017Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (Patch 3.56)Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XSpecial thanks
2017Final Fantasy XIV: StormbloodWindows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XSpecial thanks
2017Pictologica Final FantasyNintendo 3DSSpecial thanks
2017Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th AnniversaryPlayStation 4, PlayStation VitaSpecial thanks
2017Final Fantasy Dimensions IIiOS, AndroidSpecial thanks
2018Dissidia Final Fantasy NTPlayStation 4Special thanks
2018Chrono Trigger Upgrade VersionWindows, iOS, AndroidSpecial thanks
2018Super Smash Bros. UltimateNintendo SwitchOriginal game supervisor
2019Final Fantasy XIV: ShadowbringersWindows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS XSpecial thanks
2019Romancing SaGa 3 remasterPlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Switch, Windows, iOS, AndroidExecutive officer
2019SaGa: Scarlet Grace Ambitions English VersionPlayStation 4, Switch, Windows, iOS, AndroidExecutive officer
2019War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave ExviusiOS, AndroidSpecial thanks
2019Star Ocean: First Departure RPlayStation 4, SwitchCreative business unit 1, vice president
2020Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered EditionPlayStation 4, Switch, iOS, AndroidCreative business unit 1, vice president
2020Kingdom Hearts: Melody of MemoryPlayStation 4, Xbox One, SwitchCreative business unit 1, vice president
2020, 2021Collection of SaGaSwitch, iOS, Android, WindowsExecutive officer
2021SaGa Frontier RemasteredPlayStation 4, Switch, Windows, iOS, AndroidExecutive officer
2021Neo: The World Ends with YouPlayStation 4, Switch, WindowsVice president, creative business unit 1
2021Dungeon EncountersPlayStation 4, Switch, WindowsVice president, creative business unit 1
2021Final Fantasy XIV: EndwalkerWindows, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5Special thanks
2022, 2023Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy OriginPlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, WindowsVice president, creative business unit 1
2022Chrono Cross The Radical Dreamers EditionPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, WindowsCreative business unit 1, vice president
2022Star Ocean: The Divine ForcePS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, WindowsCreative business unit 1, vice president
2022Tactics Ogre: RebornPS4, PS5, Switch, WindowsVice president, creative business unit 1
2022Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song RemasteredPS5, PS4, Switch, Windows, iOS, AndroidExecutive officer
2023Theatrhythm Final Bar LinePS4, SwitchVice president, creative business unit 1

Notes
  • A Kitase was a producer on Final Fantasy XV until the end of 2013.

References
  1. "Board of Directors". Square Enix. 2019. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  2. "【インタビュー（完全版）】『ファイナルファンタジーVII Gバイク』 いま明かされる開発秘話". Famitsu. 27 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 April 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
  3. "What Does Square Enix's Final Fantasy Committee Do?". Siliconera. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  4. "Everything we know about the man behind the Final Fantasy 7 remake". 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  5. 「ハリウッド映画に負けていますか？」 スクウェア・エニックスプロデューサー北瀬 佳範 (in Japanese). Kodansha. 25 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  6. Studio BentStuff. Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 464.
  7. Martin, Joe (26 April 2008). "Crisis Core: Interviewing Yoshinori Kitase". Interview. bit-tech. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2011.
  8. "Beyond FINAL FANTASY – Interviews". FINAL FANTASY X Bonus DVD. Square Enix Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2011. Yoshinori Kitase: For Final Fantasy VII and VIII, the setting was sci-fi and many players responded by saying that they preferred a simple fantasy world. They seemed to have a fixed notion of what fantasy means to them, and to them, it consisted of a medieval European world. I wanted to change that idea. I wanted to expand the definition of what the players thought the word "fantasy" implied.
  9. "Yoshinori Kitase on FFXIII, FFVII and Dissidia". VideoGamer.com. 8 May 2009. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  10. Cheng, Justin (19 May 2005). "E3 2005: Yoshinori Kitase Interview". IGN. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  11. "Hironobu Sakaguchi and Hajime Tabata Discuss Their Passion for the Series and Behind-the-Scenes Episodes from the Final Fantasy XV Reveal Event". Famitsu. 13 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  12. Parish, Jeremy (24 February 2010). "Final Fantasy: Kitase's Inside Story". 1UP.com. UGO Networks. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  13. "Procyon Studio: Interview with Masato Kato". Cocoebiz.com. November 1999. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2007.
  14. "Interview with Nomura, Kitase and Naora". Shūkan Famitsu. ASCII Corporation. 5 June 1998. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  15. "Interview: Final Fantasy X". Core Magazine. 6 March 2001. Archived from the original on 13 April 2001.
  16. "Interview with Final Fantasy X Developers". The Madman's Cafe. 19 January 2001. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2013.
  17. Studio BentStuff. Final Fantasy X Ultimania Omega (in Japanese). Square Enix. pp. 192, 476.
  18. "Talking FINAL FANTASY VIII Remastered with YOSHINORI KITASE // Meme Review". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.