Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo recently took part in an investors question and answer session and one of the investors pointed out that the visual elements of Ys X: Nordics on the PlayStation 5 left much to be desired. Mr. Kondo responded by saying that graphics are an important issue. He went on to say that in order to improve the visual quality of the series they would need to devote both time and money and that it wouldn’t be viable as they intend to produce a Ys game every year. If they wanted to improve the visual quality of the games they would be spending about 4-5 years on each individual game.
Ys X: Nordics is very fun to play. However, the graphics for PS5 were noticeably grainy. I don’t really think HD would have helped either. What was the biggest reason for this? Was it a technical problem, cost, scheduling, or was it a case of the game being released on multiple platforms and the Switch pulled everything down?
Kondo: You have spoken about Nihon Falcom game graphics at various times, and it is an important issue that we are aware of. Graphics are costly, requiring both time and money. If we talk to the designers they reply ‘If we have time and money we can do it’. Our basic plan is to deliver a new game yearly.
We are working hard to stay within that range. We could spend 4 or 5 years on each game, but there is no other company in the country with 65 employees putting out RPGs every year. We are aware of the graphics issues, but I think it is getting better with each game. Please keep the long-term in mind.
Thanks to GreatSong1 for the news tip!
Smart man.
Graphics aren’t everything.
Fun is the most important.
High probability that one “investor” is a hardcore Sony fanboy by the way he worded things.
Couldn’t be worse than a soft nintendo manchild
Cope Snoychud. Nintendo rules Japan unlike Playstation lmao.
Look out! It’s another doughy manchild!
Seethe.
Fantasy worlds are actually pretty nice!
People are too into graphics nowadays what happened to just good games, the ones that anyone could play without the newest most expensive hardware 😭
Thank God Nintendo exist then since their mantra is gameplay > graphics. Also Nintendo 1st party games graphics are fine for the hardware they’re on. Remember that Switch Lite is the cheapest active console at $200 MSRP.
It’s obvious they can do more with more money and time. Obviously the budget isn’t too big for these games and even then they pull out some of the best rpgs out there.
The combat is excellent and fun, and the stories are decent enough and that trumps graphics any day. I would rather they keep them coming as is. One of the few companies still making great jrpg’s
A good RPG should usually take more than a year to make. Unless each yearly one has been in development for another year or two and then they stagger each one and release them yearly, that’s not bad.
Graphics aren’t everything, but if they’re gonna say graphics are costly and they want to rush things to get it done every year, then the price should reflect a rushed, low-cost game, which it doesn’t.
Listen I’m starting to see people say what I’m actually seeing yes the graphics are “GRAINY” by a mile on a next gen system, let’s point out tell them to invest in some bettter designs artists or more if they want to make money at least More of it! A half ass excuse this isn’t a PlayStation 3 here or a Nintendo switch if it it’s that they are aming for like he claims sell it on switch only for a pass!!!!
Honestly, the fun of the Ys series does not come from graphics. Sure, they could be better, but they aren’t what draws me to a game. I’m glad they’re looking to push games out every year, and I hope every one of them make it to the U.S.