Interactive Fantasies

Welcome to the feature of Final Fantasy: Dynasty Prelude. This feature includes a tad bit of info on Akwende, an interview with him about FF:DP and some screenshots.

Introduction

Akwende started MZXing a few years ago. Almost ever since, he's been busy working on a Final Fantasy MegaZeux project. After the fall of his company Square of MegaZeux, he cancelled FF:DP. Luckily, he got over the Square of MegaZeux 'incident' and started working on this amazing and very promising MZX project.

Interview with Akwende

Hercules:

Welcome, Akwende. First of all - what inspired you to start a big project such as Final Fantasy: Dynasty Prelude?

Akwende:

Well it all started back when I got an ip account in 1998. I had gotten mzx a while back and had gotten pretty good at it without any influence from anyone else. Now I was exposed to a myriad of new possibilities from the community and I started expanding my vision on what you could do with mzx. I do recall talking to someone, who I don't remember, about making a rpg as professional as any snes one. He said that it was extremely hard and while possible may never be done. That clenched it and I started working on FFMZX as it was known then. Soon a teamed up with Raichu876 who had just finished his Final Quest battle engine which was quite impressive. And it began. You can see what was done at these two web pages.
FFMZX Original Page http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/ultima/175/ffmzx2.htm
FFMZX Page 2 http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/ultima/175/ffold.htm

Hercules:

A lot of people have probably played one or more Final Fantasy games. What's the relationship between FF:DP and the Final Fantasy series? Do they have things in common?

Akwende:

Well I've written a complete anthology and history of the FF world. The basic history is that all the FF games happen in the same world and they are all separated by 2000 years. FFDP takes place 1500 years after FF7 (FF8 wasn't out yet). There will be no direct interaction between FFDP and any of the others however every now and then you will find a passing reference to the previous games. As for things in common they do have the same general engine types though nothing is copied. I would compare the game most similar to FF5 in style and technological state. The most obvious thing not in common is the lack of magic. I originally started it with out magic since a magic system is rather complex. However when I tried to add magic it was incredibly difficult without totally rewriting both the battle engine and the status engine so I scrapped it.

Hercules:

Could you please tell us about the plot of the game?

Akwende:

Well I don't want to give away to much but here is the general idea: Group of friends start off on little quest for some $ and get involved in much bigger adventure. 'Conflict' planned for 2000 years after FF7 is happening only 1500 years after. Problem is that the 'heros' to win the conflict aren't born yet so no one is alive that would be able to stop the destruction of the world. Solution, there is a slight chance since 1 boy has been endowed with all the magic in the world and would be able to bring back champions from the past to help win the conflict. Your party must find and protect this boy at all costs.

Hercules:

Quite a few people know about FF:DP's battle-engine. What other kinds of engines and types of game play can we expect in the final version of the game?

Akwende:

Well there is the status engine and the edge less over world engine and the standard walking engine. All of these are similar in format and playability to the pervious ff series. As for mini games: I don't know if I will add a fishing game since so many already have one. There probably will be a airship shooting game(maybe mode7),a chocobo racing game(mode 7), and definitely an battle arena game. Who knows what else.

Hercules:

Could you tell me something about the main characters of FF:DP?

Akwende:

Well as I said before the characters are all friends, who originally were part of a military force, and are now questing together. Tristan- The most ambitious, he is sure of himself but doubts when others are involved. It was his idea to start on the quest. Oliara- Intelligent Strong Woman, and as is today not accepted by society for her abilities. She is only comfortable around Tristan and Merrick as they treat her as an equal regardless of sex. She also is attracted to both of them boarding between strong friendship and love, though she would never admit it. Merrick- Lived a life of poverty and loss, constantly running away from the past. Hold himself responsible for the deaths of his entire family. Tristan is his only friend as he is respectful of the pain full past. Merrick fights to forget and to quench his internal strife.

Hercules:

FF:DP has a large world map. What kind of places will the players be able to visit in the final version?

Akwende:

Well you can see a large(area and file size) map of the over world at: http://members.fortunecity.com/akwende/map.jpg As for locations there are 4 main continents each with a distinct setting. One is a lush land of green fields and forest, aka stereotypical rpg land. Another is much less hospitable, rather like the US west, with large plains, a few croppings of trees, blending into towering mountains. Another is a jungle primeval. The last is a desert waste land with a huge canyon in it. Other locations will include an iceberg, underwater caves, futuristic city,in a volcano, and a few more surprises.

Hercules:

The game seems to be quite big in its current status already. Do you have any idea of how big the final version will be (as in the number of boards and file size)?

Akwende:

I'm acutely aware of the large size of the game as it is. There is good news and bad news in that area, first the game will definitely be getting bigger, though the amount increase will not be as great. The large size is mainly due to the number of songs used in it. Currently there are about 23 songs that will be used. That is a total of 5 MB. There probably won't be much more then that. As for number of boards, there are now 3 out of 4 world files. 1 file will be for general boards,(mini games),(cutscenes); 1 for over world map; and 1 for locations, and 1 for battle engine (+summons), FILE 1 =~ 30 boards, File 2 = 100 boards(exactly), File 3 =~ 80 boards, File 4 =~40 boards. I don't think that these 4 world files will go over 4MB so total size is about 10MB unzipped (this is not that large, Adlo was 11MB unzipped). So I figure it will be about 2MB files, and 4 MB music zipped.

Hercules:

Are there any other people helping you on this project? And are you still looking for other people to help you?

Akwende:

There currently is no one who is actively helping me make the game, Raichu is still involved in the project and he has helped in parts and may well help again. I am always on the look out for people to help. I need people who don't mind making boards using pre made graphics. I have a need for 'filler' boards used often in the different levels. It is pretty easy work however if you know mzx it is much better. Credit is given where it is earned. Anyone who is interested should contact me immediately. Akwende@worldmailer.com

Hercules:

Do you have an idea of when you plan to release the game or send it out to the beta-testers?

Akwende:

Release: Who knows Beta: The main reason that this hasn't started is that the battle engine isn't done so real play hasn't been tried yet. As soon as it is I will be recruiting a team of experienced mzxers to act as beta testers to ensure that the game is free from bugs.

Hercules:

Are there any other things you'd like to say to the readers about FF:DP?

Akwende:

First off, I've shed almost every aspect that people have given me a hard time about. Unfortunately this game has been given more resistance then any other that I know, however that is in the part and I'm pushing forward. In the end I hope that the wait will be worth it.

Hercules:

Thanks for your time. See you later!

Akwende:

Thanks, it's been my pleasure.