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Exclusive interview with Arc System Works

We have had the opportunity to interview several key members of Arc System Works. Before we begin, we want to thank Arc System Works America for giving us the opportunity to have this interview.

We will divide the interview into 3 sections: “General”, “Daisuke Ishiwatari” and Tosimichi Mori.

General

Q. The first question is going to be a tough one, but the community has been very vocal about it so we would really want to begin with this one. Will GGPO (Good Game Peace Out) be implemented in your next projects? If not, would you consider its implementation at some point in the future? We are not talking specifically about Guilty Gear Strive.

A. We’ve heard your passionate requests, and we’re working on a netcode that will live up to everyone’s expectations.

We’ll have more information for you later.

(Guilty Gear Strive Director: Akira Katano)

Q. Fighting games aside, do Arc System Works has plans to do more action games like Hard Corps in the future? Especially with the Guilty Gear engine. We recently saw Code Shifter as your latest brand new platform action game or your collaboration with Wayforward, which are always welcome.

A. We’d definitely like to try genres other than fighting games, such as action games.

This would include plans to use Arc System Works’ 2.5D animation style in non-fighting games, of course.

However, we don’t have any concrete plans to share at the moment.

(Producer: Takeshi Yamanaka)

Daisuke Ishiwatari:

Q. Thank you so much for taking the time for our questions. Since the announcement at EVO, we are really excited to know more about Guilty Gear Strive, and we have read all the interviews and your philoshophy about this game and its gameplay. So, what would you consider to be the lead factor for this change?

A. Thank you for your excitement about Guilty Gear Strive.

The biggest reason for changing the gameplay is to make a game that can reach the current generation of gamers.

I feel that through previous Guilty Gear titles, we have more or less perfected the Guilty Gear formula.

It may very well be possible to tighten that up and make a further refined game. But, even if we did, such a game would create a disparity between new players and veterans who are used to the game’s systems.

So, we wanted to reset the start line for everyone. But of course, this doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten our appreciation and respect for long-term fans and accomplished players.

Q. One of the main focus seems to be drawing the attention for new players and esports while adapting the HUD and the gameplay/action to everyone so it can be enjoyed by a wider audience. That´s interesting, but how will you make new players invest time in your game and wanting to improve their skills at their own pace? For example Granblue Fantasy Versus could be a good example since it has a big focus on its RPG Mode to do so in case beginners are not doing well while playing online.. Will you take a new approach this time with the Story Mode or single player content?

A. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything concrete at the moment.

However, the game will offer an experience of learning and discovery for both new and advanced players. Our game design is even more focused on that now, than ever.

I can’t guarantee that it will make it into the game, but we are also thinking of ways to further strengthen the community.

For example, currently most players aren’t very familiar with the top players.

But if they realized there were stars similar to Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather playing the game, wouldn’t they want to know how that person got so skilled?

We’d like to provide something to help players who aren’t too deeply into the game a way to enjoy it as a whole, like fans do with soccer or basketball.

Q. As of today, we know that you are gathering feedback regarding the main points of the new gameplay so I´ll save it for later, but as for the music, we are noticing a lot of emphasis on vocal tracks. Will this be the Guilty Gear with the biggest number of vocal tracks? will we get new versions of themes like “Holy Orders” or “Give me a break!?

A. Yes, I believe GGST will feature more vocal tracks than any prior title.

That is one of our many decisions in attempting a complete renewal.

We aren’t currently planning vocal arrangements of previous songs, however.

The only example I can think of where that went well would be Queen’s Seven Seas of Rhye.

Of course, if there were enough requests, there are songs I would love to create vocal versions of.

Q. A lot of people are requesting characters from past games like Testament or Bridget, but of course, we know that you can´t confirm any detail by the moment. However, I would like to know if we could get just a small hint about past fighters coming back to the scene.? Can we expect more original characters to be added to the game besides the cyborg samurai from the first teaser?

A. All I can say is, there will be characters from the previous series and this new character too. Please look forward to it!

Q. About the gameplay, as I said earlier, I believe that it’s necessary to wait until the beta version for us to have a proper idea about it. Since I still haven´t had the chance to play the game I can just express my opinion as a spectator. I believe the overall gameplay seems interesting according to what you want to achieve but doesn´t the wall break mechanic interrupts the flow of the match a bit too much for the spectators? I feel the same with restricting combo routes, won´t it be monotonous if we ever watch the same, or really similar routes?

A. Don’t worry. The developers are creating GGST with both a casual and hard-core perspective in mind. There may be some aspects that don’t quite satisfy series veterans, but we will create new depth that will motivate them to learn something entirely new.

Also, even if the Beta Test is not well received, you will see our answers to your feedback in the game upon release.

Finally, could you share some words and thoughts to your fans in Spain?

Currently, we are steadily releasing news about GGST. However, the gameplay itself is still very much in development. Our plan is to continue to evolve the game as we receive feedback from the players. Please look forward to it.

Toshimichi Mori:

Thank you so much for giving us the chance to give an answer to our questions. We have read everything that could lead to a future Blazblue or Persona 5 Arena so I´ll try to make interesting questions for everyone.

Q. First of all, I would like to start with Blazblue Alternative Dark War. Will it be possible for you to share some more details about it? Last time I heard from the game I was taking notes at the London Comic Con.  If you can´t share any details, could you give us a hint about when could we know more about the game? Also, I love the sketches that you publish from time to time!

A. Thank you very much.

However, I can’t say much about Dark War right now–only that I, personally, am working so that you guys can play the game as soon as possible. I believe that as long as the players are supporting the project, it will move forward. So please keep talking about it.

Q. Talking about the London Comic Con from last year, I remember that I asked about Alpha 01 and you said that this year we should have news, but this year I want to add something else to the same question. Besides Alpha 01, when could we know something about Gamma 03 as well?

A. I’m really glad that for whatever reason, so many people like Alpha.

I understand some are really looking forward to her making an appearance, but it will be some time… So please wait a little longer.

Q. As of June of 2018 you said in an interview with Gamerevolution that you are saving ideas for future Blazblue and future Persona Arena Projects. Also, in an interview with Gearnuke (January 2020) you said that you would like that your next game will be 2.5D and that the next Blazblue will have new system mechanics. Taking all of this into account, could you please give us further details about what would you like to achieve with a new Persona Arena (which people are really vocal about it) or Blazblue project?

A. I appreciate your enthusiasm. However, I can’t really discuss anything at this moment. Please understand.

Q. Moving on to Blazblue Cross Tag Battle and talking about the same interview from Gearnuke, we read that companies are not approaching you to add their characters in the game. Have you considered “small” companies like Nihon Falcom or Vanillware to see beloved characters like Adol Christin from the YS series or Gwendolyn from a cult classic like Odin Sphere? I feel that they are characters that most of us known or we have heard of but they still didn´t have the chance to shine outside of their games.

A. I get a lot of requests for characters in BBTAG. Honestly, there’s lots of characters I would like to include, myself.

I won’t say it’s impossible for the characters you mentioned to join the cast, but we don’t have any plans for this at the moment. Regardless, I would really like to do some form of collaboration in the future.

Q. Sticking with Blazblue Cross Tag Battle, will we see more characters from RWBY or Senran Kagura? Is there a chance to see Persona 5 characters in the game (unless a Persona 5 Arena is in the works of course) or Kyoko and Misako from River City Girls?

A. We’ve just released Season 2, so we don’t have any definitive plans for the next characters yet.

Right now, we’re still thinking about the next step and listening to everyone’s requests as we work with the current version.

Going back to Blazblue main story, now that the phase C came to an end, and with Rachel´s words being “I shall find you, I promise” at the end of Blazblue Central Fiction… Will we get a follow up to this arc, or it will be a completely new arc? Also, are you planning to do another anime or manga?

A. We are preparing for the start of a new story… Sadly, I can’t guarantee when it will happen. I think that when that new chapter begins, you will understand what Rachel meant.

Finally, could you share some words and thoughts to your fans in Spain?

Thank you for loving the BlazBlue series.

I can feel that love you have, so I hope I can meet all of you in person someday. Thank you for your continued support.

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Update!

Hey, guys. Kept you waiting, huh?

So I said I’d throw one or two updates every now and then while I’m still on hiatus (god I can’t believe it’s already been half a year).

Here’s what’s happening in my life:

I’ve finished university. Just need to get my last marks back and get a real job.

I met Mori!!! I attended MCM this weekend and got to not just meet him, but have my copy of Calamity Trigger signed! Honestly it was an amazing experience, and one I’ll never forget.

So don’t worry, I’m healthy, might still return if BBDW news arrives.

Ciao!

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Astraea here. I’ve come with news that I finished rewatching the entirety of BlazBlue Radio and uploaded all the insert images to the Wiki. You can find them in the respective character’s gallery or you can look at them by episode on each season’s page. This was a difficult job, but it’s something I’ve always been meaning to do. Sadly I haven’t uploaded all the chibi portraits yet among other details but I need to rest. 

Wanna thank @lawfulevilchao​ for setting up the automated gallery and helping out with some episodes. 

(Also I’m using the Vector theme for the Wiki, you can change the Wiki’s theme if you have an account.) 

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Let’s talk about the future.

Yes, I know, we’ve been dead since the summer. Stuff went down. We went to Vegas. It was great.

Anyways, here’s the deal. Apparently BlazBlue is porn! Who knew, right? Instead of addressing their illegal content issues like a normal, competently ran social media service would, Tumblr has scorched the earth, and somehow in the process, flagged everything to do with our favorite fighter as NSFW.

Even something like Celica picking some flowers or something? That’s as lewd as the most disgustingly detailed Arakune hentai you can possibly imagine now.

If you’re imagining that AND enjoying it, let us know so we can call the cops.

ANYWAYS. I’m just delaying the inevitable here. Much like our lovely friend @abyss-of-the-azure, we’ll be closing up shop here. The blog will stay up, as long as the powers that be allow it to, at least. However, no more updates will be posted here.

We do have a Twitter, @CalamityTexter, which is where any updates will be posted in the future. You can also find links to your humble admins’ twitters there as well.

It’s been real, y’all. We’ll see you over on Twitter, hopefully with some fresh new texts in the very near future.

–ya boi gnu

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Goodbye (for now?)

Okay I guess we all saw this one coming.

This blog will no longer be active.

Honestly, I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and I guess “BlazBlue” being marked as an NSFW tag really nailed it home for me that Tumblr just isn’t the same as it was and the BlazBlue community on it has really dwindled.

So at 1600 followers, I guess this was a good run, but I want to be clear on several things:

This blog isn’t being “deactivated”. It’s now gonna serve as a kind of archive for old questions, fotds, etc. so everyone can still access it

FOTDs are gone. Honestly, even pushing it back to every week was a stretch for me because I came up with most of them about 3 minutes before they were posted.

I’m really not as strong with BB lore as I used to be. In the past, I used to be a monster but now I’m kinda like a chew toy.

I will still be occasionally posting here. It will mainly be reblogs from the other BlazBlue Wiki staff members (who I’ve been relying on for the last few months for FOTDs actually...)

This kind of blog thrives on receiving questions and, honestly, I haven’t had any really. I guess that’s to be expected, BlazBlue is having a massive dry spell. If BBDW or any other future BB project does really well and is really popular then I’ll come back in a triumphant return!

I have so been struggling to keep this blog alive. With very few facts left to post as well as receiving no questions, it was... difficult. Then I also have my university work (am in my final year so expect graduation photos in many months), social life, my irl job, and working on the BlazBlue Wiki... yikes.

With all those points out of the way, here’s some stuff.

I have a Twitter. I shitpost and retweet more than what should be allowed. It’s here: https://twitter.com/Abyssoftheazure

If you still crave FOTDS, then there is an equivalent called “Did you Know?” which is on the BlazBlue Wiki Twitter. If you have Twitter, definitely follow this account because it’s everything that this blog really could’ve and should’ve been. It’s here: https://twitter.com/BlazBlue_Wiki

If you’re looking for an archive of information for BlazBlue then go to it’s wiki (NOT THE WIKIA). This is the ultimate resource for BlazBlue information and it’s growing more every day. Myself and other editors, particularly @cielsulfur, @ogiga99, and @lawfulevilchao, have worked very hard for the community so that they can enjoy this resource. If you want to, then please help us out and make it even better. The link is here: https://blazblue.wiki/wiki/Main_Page.

This was a lot longer than I was expecting and I’m sorry about all of this. There’s a good chance I’ll return in the future but please follow those Tumblr and Twitter accounts. That way you’ll maybe miss me a little less (and if you’re following my Twitter, you won’t be missing me at all!)

Peace <3

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The BlazBlue tag is now classified as NSFW.

I’m not sure what to do since that really hinders this blog, like, REALLY hinders it.

Yikes, got some thinking to do.

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Fact  of the day

Litchi underwent numerous concept designs. Mori was worried that some of these designs looked like they came out of Guilty Gear, so reworked them many times.

In the end, her design is meant to convey the coolness of a model instead of eroticism.

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ArcNama Notes - Nov 20, 2018 (BlazBlue 10th Anniversary Stream)

Notes to self.

Keep reading

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Seems to be the first tease for the next BlazBlue game.

○○ッ○○○○・○○○○ブルー（仮） Two words, the second ends with blue(it’s not BlazBlue(ブレイブルー), it doesn’t fit). As for the 1st word, it could be Bloodedge(ブラッドエッジ), but there is nothing to go on. As for （仮）, it just means it’s a temporary name (that could become the final one).

It comes for the 10th anniversary site.

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ArcNama Notes - Nov 16, 2018

Notes from November episode of the scheduled, monthly ArcNama livestream. A surprising amount of info this time, maybe ‘cause the anniversary’s just around the corner? (A blog is a place for notes like these right)

1. (3:40) Halloween charms are getting a restock online (they sold out extremely fast at the Halloween Party despite the amount that was prepared)

Will be available at the Arc System Works Online Shop, probably referring to their Broccoli shop?

Preorders open Nov 22.

This online restock will also be a blind box.

The secret charm was Terumi. The restock adds Terumi’s zombie color version, plus some slight changes for the restock (his charms features a pumpkin instead of a skull; the zombie version’s pumpkin glows). Terumi’s theme is the “original devil”, not Beelzebub but Azazel, that sort of feeling?

2. (22:57) Official lines for three specific interaction’s moves (Ragna vs Lambda’s Nightmare Edge, Tager vs Arakune’s GETB, Terumi vs Nine’s Jabaki Fuenjin)

Ozawa is super nice and wanted to reveal more of them but the sheer volume of lines is just too much.

3. (24:28) BlazBlue characters do have ages but they’re secret. Ozawa wanted to confirm with Mori but Mori’s not here today.

The reasoning is something like: If you release their ages it feels like they’ll age; Street Fighter did but it’s continued for 20 years and makes it feel like ah the characters are +20 years (aging as time goes on) it’s less than desirable. This isn’t straight from Mori-P but it’s along these lines (probably).

4. (28:50) Someone asked about Roy’s birthday but they couldn’t get an answer from Mori since he’s too busy right now. Roy should have a birthday (within his setting) though.

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If you had to compare the cast of characters in BlazBlue to the actual story of Amaterasu in Japan, what roles would they each represent?

Well, honestly the cast extend a bit further from the myth of Amaterasu being inside the cave. Some characters are definitely inspired by Japanese mythology:

(This is gonna be long)

Hakumen and Yuuki Terumi - Susano’o: Susano’o in myth was a bit of a dickhead. He wasn’t a good brother to Amaterasu, and thanks to him being an arse, is the whole reason she hid in a cave - he killed one of her maids, destroyed her rice fields, and then flayed her sacred animal (a horse), and threw it at her looms. However, there’s another side to him. Susano’o went out of his way to save the last daughter of a couple who had lost all hope. It wasn’t simple, and he had to set up an elaborate trap to catch the Orochi which had been consuming the couple’s children. He didn’t have to do this, but he did, and then he gave a sword (the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi) he found in the Orochi’s tail to Amaterasu in an attempt to reconcile. It’s my interpretation that Terumi is a character inspired by the darker side of Susano’o, hence his title, and that Hakumen is the lighter side.

Black Beast - Orochi: This is one of the most obvious inspirations. Both are giant 8-headed serpent like creatures that are slain by a Susano’o (BB’s body is killed by Hakumen, the wielder of the Susano’o Unit, and Orochi is actually killed by Susano’o himself). The Kusanagi was found in the Orochi’s tail, and the Black Beast’s genes were fundamental in the eventual creation of artificial humans… like the Kusanagi.

Amane Nishiki - Uzume: Another obvious one. One of the names Amane is called is Uzume, and they do share a few similarities. When Amaterasu hid in the Heavenly Cave, Uzume was one of those responsible for getting her out, and did some dances (called Kagura… yeah, I know, super-cool) to do so. Uzume was known as the “Great Persuader” and Amane is pretty similar. He’s trying to persuade Carl to join his troupe right now, and is the head of a dancing troupe. Still, there’ll likely be more similarities to come. Amane is still largely unexplored as a character at this point.

Amaterasu Unit - Amaterasu: Yeah, I know, obvious… again. Anyway, the AU and Amaterasu both hid away from the world (the former in the Boundary, and the latter in the Heavenly Cave). It’s only with a sort of ritual that they are able to leave the place they hid in. The Nemesis Horizon, the cauldron that the AU descended from, is written in kanji (I think) as the “Rock Cave of the Heavens”.

Hades Izanami - Izanami: Yes, I know, very simple. There aren’t as many similarities here as with others, but there are some interesting bits. When Izanami got locked inside Yomi by Izanagi, she swore to him that she would take 1000 lives each day, and Izanagi retorts he would give life to 1500. Hades Izanami says something very similar to Rachel at the end of Chrono Phantasma: “Rachel Alucard, I shall gift you death one day, as well”, to which she replies “Then, I’ll present you with life. And I think that would be your end”. Plus, there’s the whole death thing they’ve both got going on.

Iron Tager - Raijin: This one I’ve only really thought about recently, and it’s so thin because concept art of Tager shows that he’s nothing like he is now but anyway. Raijin is sometimes shown with red skin and is a Kami of thunder. Tager is red skinned and uses electricity. Tager is also called a devil, and Raijin is seen with what can be interpreted as devil-like features.

Jubei and Kokonoe - a Bakeneko/Grimalkin: A bakeneko is an old two-tailed cat that’s considered a kind of supernatural entity - a yokai. There are some legends that they could speak, and stand upright. In the English version, Hakumen uses Grimalkin as a friendly jab and insult toward them both. A Grimalkin is a mythical Scottish cat that was thought to be a familiar to witches. Jubei married Konoe Mercury, a witch, and Kokonoe’s their daughter. 

I’ll add more to this later if I find the time. There are also references outside of Japanese mythology. Like Arakune perhaps being a subtle reference to the Ancient Greek story of Arachne.

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Fact of the day

Amane's playstyle was influenced by Sugita, Ragna's JP VA. Sugita suggested to Mori that a character be made whose Drive is about chip damage, and the rest is history.

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Fact of the day

Raquel and Rachel, personality-wise, aren’t all that similar. This is most visible when Raquel and Naoto visit an adult store to find information on Kana. The store was called “Department of Sexual Desires”. Although it isn’t specified what it was, Raquel picked up something thicker than her arm, and asked the store attendant what it is. He said it was too soon for her to use that, so he pointed her to a thinner version. Tldr; Raquel probably picked up a dildo or vibrator and was pointed towards a smaller version she could use.

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Fact of the day

When designing Rachel's personality, Mori initially tried to make parts of her tsundere, but later confessed that he over-tuned her mean nature. Mori also believes that masochists are the kind of people who would enjoy Rachel's JP voice lines.

(Again, big credits to @cielsulfur and @lawfulevilchao for the rips and translated information!)

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Fact of the day

Despite his calm manner, Valkenhayn has a vicious temper, especially when someone insults Rachel or the memory of Clavis. Classic Valkenhayn insults include: To Ragna: “You rude little… turd!” Concerning Terumi: “Don’t they know what that shitty little cur is capable of?!”

To Hazama: “You vile son of a whore!”

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Fact of the day

Rachel's design was inspired by the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, hence her silhouette being that of a rabbit. Mori's original designs had Rachel wear a short Gothic lolita skirt, but it was rejected after other staff members thought it indecent.

(thank you @lawfulevilchao and @cielsulfur for the translations and scans!)