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Yoshinori Kitase

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Yoshinori Kitase
At the E3 in Los Angeles, California in 2009
Born (1966-09-23) 23 September 1966 (age 57)
Japan
Alma materNihon University
Occupation(s)Video game director, game producer
Years active1990–present
EmployerSquare Enix
Notable workFinal Fantasy series
TitleVice President

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]

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

Release Title System Credit(s)
1991 Final Fantasy Adventure Game Boy Game design, scenario
1992 Romancing SaGa Super Nintendo Entertainment System Field map design
Final Fantasy V Field planner, event planner, scenario writer[12]
1994 Final Fantasy VI Director, event planner, scenario writer[12]
1995 Chrono Trigger Director, scenario writer[13]
1997 Final Fantasy VII PlayStation Director, scenario writer
1999 Final Fantasy VIII Director, story, system designer, event scene direction[14][6]
2001 Final Fantasy X PlayStation 2 Producer, chief director, scenario writer[15][16][17]
2002 Kingdom Hearts Co-producer
2003 Final Fantasy X-2 Producer
2004 Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII Mobile phone Executive producer
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories Game Boy Advance Producer
2005 Kingdom Hearts II PlayStation 2 Co-producer
2006 Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Producer
Final Fantasy V Advance Game Boy Advance Supervisor
Dirge of Cerberus Lost Episode: Final Fantasy VII Mobile phone Executive producer
Final Fantasy VI Advance Game Boy Advance Supervisor
2007 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII PlayStation Portable Executive producer, event planner[7]
2008 Sigma Harmonics Nintendo DS Producer
Dissidia: Final Fantasy PlayStation Portable
2009, 2014, 2021 Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows Producer, Crystal Tools development staff (for PS3 & 360)
2010 Sigma Harmonics Coda Mobile phone Executive producer
The 3rd Birthday PlayStation Portable Producer
2011 Final Fantasy Type-0 Producer
2011, 2014, 2021 Final Fantasy XIII-2 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
2013, 2015, 2022 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
2013, 2015, 2016 Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows Producer (PS3, PS Vita), special thanks (PS4, Windows)
2014 Final Fantasy VII G-Bike iOS, Android Executive producer[2]
2015–2020 Mobius Final Fantasy iOS, Android, Windows Producer
2016 Final Fantasy XV PlayStation 4, Xbox One Special thanks, original producer[A]
2017 Flame vs Blaze iOS, Android Executive producer
2019 Final Fantasy VIII Remastered PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows Special thanks, supervisor[18]
2020, 2021 Final Fantasy VII Remake PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows Producer
2021 Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows Supervisor
Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows
Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier iOS, Android Executive producer
2022 Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster iOS, Android, Windows Supervisor
Chocobo GP Switch Executive producer
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Windows
TBA Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis iOS, Android Executive producer
TBA Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PlayStation 5 Producer

Other media

Release Title Type Credit(s)
1995 Final Fantasy VI The Interactive CG Game Tech demo Director
2005 Final Fantasy VII Technical Demo for PS3 Tech demo Producer
2005 Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Film Producer
2005 Last Order: Final Fantasy VII Anime Executive producer
2009 Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete Film Producer
2009 On the Way to a Smile - Episode: Denzel Anime Executive producer
2016 Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Film Special thanks

Additional credits

Release Title System Credit(s)
1998 Xenogears (Japanese version) PlayStation Cooperation
1998 Ehrgeiz Arcade, PlayStation FF VII staff
1999 Chrono Cross (Japanese version) PlayStation Development cooperation
2002 Unlimited Saga PlayStation 2 Special thanks
2003 Hanjuku Hero Tai 3D PlayStation 2 Development cooperation
2004 Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Special PlayStation 2 Final Fantasy part cooperation
2005 Romancing SaGa PlayStation 2 Special thanks
2006 Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable PlayStation Portable Final Fantasy part cooperation
2006 Dawn of Mana PlayStation 2 Special thanks
2007 Heroes of Mana Nintendo DS Special thanks
2009 Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light Nintendo DS Special thanks
2010 Final Fantasy XIV Windows Crystal tools
2011 Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy PlayStation Portable Special thanks
2012 Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Nintendo 3DS Special thanks
2013 Final Fantasy: All The Bravest iOS, Android Special thanks
2014 Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Nintendo 3DS Special thanks
2015 Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius iOS, Android Special thanks
2015 Dissidia Final Fantasy (2015 video game) Arcade Arcade Special thanks
2017 Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (Patch 3.56) Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Mac OS X Special thanks
2017 Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood Windows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS X Special thanks
2017 Pictologica Final Fantasy Nintendo 3DS Special thanks
2017 Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita Special thanks
2017 Final Fantasy Dimensions II iOS, Android Special thanks
2018 Dissidia Final Fantasy NT PlayStation 4 Special thanks
2018 Chrono Trigger Upgrade Version Windows, iOS, Android Special thanks
2018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Switch Original game supervisor
2019 Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers Windows, PlayStation 4, Mac OS X Special thanks
2019 Romancing SaGa 3 remaster PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Switch, Windows, iOS, Android Executive officer
2019 SaGa: Scarlet Grace Ambitions English Version PlayStation 4, Switch, Windows, iOS, Android Executive officer
2019 War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius iOS, Android Special thanks
2019 Star Ocean: First Departure R PlayStation 4, Switch Creative business unit 1, vice president
2020 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition PlayStation 4, Switch, iOS, Android Creative business unit 1, vice president
2020 Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch Creative business unit 1, vice president
2020, 2021 Collection of SaGa Switch, iOS, Android, Windows Executive officer
2021 SaGa Frontier Remastered PlayStation 4, Switch, Windows, iOS, Android Executive officer
2021 Neo: The World Ends with You PlayStation 4, Switch, Windows Vice president, creative business unit 1
2021 Dungeon Encounters PlayStation 4, Switch, Windows Vice president, creative business unit 1
2021 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Windows, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 Special thanks
2022 Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows Vice president, creative business unit 1
2022 Chrono Cross The Radical Dreamers Edition PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Windows Creative business unit 1, vice president
2022 Star Ocean: The Divine Force PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows Creative business unit 1, vice president
2022 Tactics Ogre: Reborn PS4, PS5, Switch, Windows Vice president, creative business unit 1
2022 Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song Remastered PS5, PS4, Switch, Windows, iOS, Android Executive officer

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. ^ a b "【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. ^ a b Studio BentStuff. Final Fantasy VIII Ultimania (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 464.
  7. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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.
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