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Motomu Toriyama

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Motomu Toriyama
Toriyama in 2010
Born (1971-02-09) February 9, 1971 (age 53)
Japan
Occupation(s)Director, scenario writer, deputy head of studio
Years active1994–present
EmployerSquare Enix

Motomu Toriyama (鳥山 求, Toriyama Motomu, born February 9, 1971) is a Japanese game director and scenario writer who has been working for Square Enix since 1994. He initially worked on cutscenes in Bahamut Lagoon and Final Fantasy VII before serving as one of the three directors on Final Fantasy X under Yoshinori Kitase where he was in charge of events, music, voice and motion capture.

Toriyama started directing himself with Final Fantasy X-2 and has continued doing so with Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, Blood of Bahamut, Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and Mobius Final Fantasy.

Currently he is serving as deputy head of Square Enix's Creative Studio 2 and is working as co-director on the Final Fantasy VII Remake series and director on Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis.

Biography

Toriyama joined Square around the time of the Final Fantasy VI launch in April 1994. He later mentioned that he enjoyed how everyone on the development team had the opportunity to contribute their ideas without any solid job description. He was assigned to work on Bahamut Lagoon as his first project due to his lack of game development experience.[1] For Final Fantasy VII, Toriyama designed events such as the ones taking place at the Honey Bee Inn. As the designers were given much artistic freedom, he would often create cutscenes that were unlikely to be approved and thus were eventually changed or removed.[2][3] Toriyama also wrote and directed many of the scenes revolving around Aerith Gainsborough and Cloud Strife. He tried to make Aerith an important character to the player in order to maximize the impact of her death later in the plot.[3]

After the merger between Square and Enix in 2003, many rookie staff members had to be trained and there were more new platforms to develop for with the release of the Nintendo DS and PlayStation Portable. Toriyama decided to assemble and direct a team of scenario writers and joined various game projects.[1] He later collaborated with Final Fantasy X main programmer Koji Sugimoto and supervisor Yoshinori Kitase to create a Final Fantasy VII tech demo for the PlayStation 3. Development of this took around 6 weeks.[4] During the first year after the development start of Final Fantasy XIII in April 2004, Toriyama thought up a story premised on the Fabula Nova Crystallis mythology created by Kazushige Nojima. In March 2006, when the structural part of the narrative started to come together and lead scenario writer Daisuke Watanabe joined the team, Toriyama showed him a rough outline of what he had written and asked him to flesh out the story and to correct how everything would connect.[5]

Toriyama has been the scenario director and supervisor on games in the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series as well as Dissidia: Final Fantasy and The 3rd Birthday, which entailed the creation of a story concept and the supervision of the character conception and scenario writing by his team of authors.[1][6][7] For Lightning Returns, he added an online communication system known as the "Outerworld Services". Among others, it enabled players to write posts on social networks that would then appear as a non-playable character's comment in another player's game. Toriyama's goal with this was to create an online community where the individual members would interact and enjoy the game's world together without being online at the same time, as a precursor to online features found in eight-generation video game consoles.[8] The main ideas for all the areas in Lightning Returns came from him as well.[9]

He was an inaugural member of the Square Enix committee tasked with keeping the Final Fantasy series consistent.[10]

Toriyama has been in charge of the music for all of the games he's directed since Final Fantasy X.[11] He also writes lyrics and song titles.

Toriyama was also in charge of motion capture and voice recordings on Final Fantasy X.[12]

He has a wife and at least one daughter.

Game design

Toriyama believes his strength is in directing games that are very story-driven.[13] He also thinks that it becomes very difficult to tell a compelling story when the player is given a huge amount of freedom to explore.[14] According to him, the most important aspect of a Final Fantasy game is the characters.[15] Toriyama explains that there are different approaches to creating a protagonist: with Yuna from Final Fantasy X, the general plot had already been set when the character was conceived; with Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII instead, the character's personality was decided upon before the backstory was written. He feels that a developer needs to "essentially fall in love at first sight with a character" to "keep [themselves] going". Toriyama considers the voice the "main image of the character" and thus "the most delicate part of making the character".[16]

Toriyama has stated that the aim of the linear game design used in the first half of Final Fantasy XIII was to feel like watching a film. This was done to absorb the player into the story and to introduce them to the characters and their battle abilities without becoming distracted or lost.[17] Toriyama explained that the amount of memory and processing power needed to produce impressive graphics was the main reason not to have a seamless battle system for Final Fantasy XIII. He is interested in using first-person shooter games for inspiration rather than Western role-playing video games, as he believes they give a better sense of tension during battles.[18] Toriyama would later use games such as Red Dead Redemption and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim as inspirations for Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, respectively.[19][20] He feels that his role of director marked a shift from creating a game world based on his own vision to unifying a team's ideas into a cohesive whole.[21]

Works

Video games

Year Title Credit(s) Ref.
1996 Bahamut Lagoon Story event planner
1997 Final Fantasy VII Event planner, submarine chase section planner
1999 Racing Lagoon Scenario writer, event planner, map planner
2001 Final Fantasy X Event director, scenario writer, music director, voice and motion capture director [22]
2003 Final Fantasy X-2 Director, scenario
2006 Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy in Itadaki Street Portable Message (text writing)
2007 Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings Director, scenario writer, event director [23][24]
Itadaki Street DS Text writing
2008 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a King Scenario writer
Dissidia: Final Fantasy Scenario supervisor
2009 El Ark Scenario draft
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord Scenario director
Blood of Bahamut Director, scenario writer
Fullmetal Alchemist: Prince of the Dawn Scenario director [25]
Fullmetal Alchemist: Daughter of the Dusk Scenario director
Final Fantasy XIII Director, scenario designer, lyricist [5][26]
2010 Front Mission Evolved Senior scriptwriter
The 3rd Birthday Scenario director
2011 Imaginary Range Supervisor
Fortune Street Wii Text writing
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Director, lyricist [27]
2012 Imaginary Range Ep.2 Supervisor
2013 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Scenario writer (Lightning Strikes event) [28]
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Director, lyricist [29]
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Supervisor
2014 Spirit Yankee Soul Scenario director (Racing Lagoon event) [30]
2015 Mobius Final Fantasy Director, lyricist [31]
2017 Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary Scenario supervisor
2020 Final Fantasy VII Remake Co-director, scenario designer, lyrics, song titles
2021 Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier Supervisory support
2023 Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Director [32]
2024 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Co-director, scenario, lyrics, song titles

Other projects

Year Title Credit(s) Ref.
2005 Final Fantasy VII Technical Demo for PS3 Director
2009 Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero: Promise Original concept [33][34]
2010 Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero: Promise Fabula Nova Dramatica Alpha Original concept [35]
Final Fantasy XIII Side Story: A Dreaming Cocoon Falls into the Dawn Original concept [36]
Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero: Promise Fabula Nova Dramatica Omega Original concept [37]
Final Fantasy XIII: Episode i Original concept [38]
2011 Final Fantasy XIII-2 Fragments Before Original concept [39][40]
2012 Final Fantasy XIII-2 Fragments After Original concept [41][42]
2013 Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Chronicle of a Chaotic Era[A] Original concept [43]
2014 Final Fantasy XIII: Reminiscence -tracer of memories- Original concept [44]
2023 Final Fantasy X kabuki play Supervisor [45]

Additional credits

Year Title Credit(s)
2007 The World Ends with You Special thanks
2009 Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days Special thanks
2011 Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Special thanks
2015 Dissidia Final Fantasy (2015 video game) Special thanks
2016 Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV Special thanks
2017 Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward (Patch 3.56) Special thanks
Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood Special thanks
2018 Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Special thanks
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Special thanks
2019 War of the Visions: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius Special thanks
2022 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Final Fantasy VII Remake team: Co-director, scenario design
2023 Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Special thanks
2024 Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Deputy head of studio

Notes

  • A The novel was cancelled due to the author falling ill, however material from it would be included in Final Fantasy XIII: Reminiscence -tracer of memories-.[43][44]

References

  1. ^ a b c Tong, Sophia (March 12, 2010). "FFXIII director intends to keep series story-driven". GameSpot. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  2. ^ Studio BentStuff. Final Fantasy VII Ultimania Omega (in Japanese). Square Enix. p. 569.
  3. ^ a b Cook, Dave (October 3, 2012). "Final Fantasy anniversary interview: Toriyama speaks". videogaming247 Ltd. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  4. ^ "FFX producer developing PS3 Final Fantasy?". GameSpot. June 8, 2005. Archived from the original on August 15, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Final Fantasy XIII Scenario Ultimania (in Japanese). Tokyo: Studio Bentstuff. February 1, 2010. p. 388. ISBN 978-4-7575-2775-1.
  6. ^ Toriyama, Motomu (June 25, 2009). "From Creator". Square Enix. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  7. ^ Toriyama, Motomu (November 22, 2010). "クリエイターズ メッセージ vol.3". Square Enix. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  8. ^ "［E3 2013］「LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII」は3部作の完結編であり，次世代への一歩でもある。北瀬佳範氏＆鳥山 求氏インタビュー". 4Gamer.net. June 13, 2013.
  9. ^ "FINAL FANTASY XIII CONCEPT ART REVEALED AND ANALYSED BY DEVS". IGN. February 21, 2014.
  10. ^ "What Does Square Enix's Final Fantasy Committee Do?". Siliconera. March 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "『FF7 リメイク』音楽面の全貌を把握している鳥山氏が曲名に込めた想いとは――音楽関連インタビューその1：鳥山求氏". Famitsu. April 13, 2020.
  12. ^ "『FF10』開発スタッフに訊く20年越しの想い「ゲームを知らない人にも伝わるものを作りたかった」【インタビュー】". Famitsu. August 2, 2021.
  13. ^ Christian Nutt (March 10, 2010). "GDC: FF XIII Director - Production Drove Content Decisions, Elements Will Return". Gamasutra.
  14. ^ Tim Ingham (February 16, 2010). "Final Fantasy XIII boss responds to review scores". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  15. ^ "FINAL FANTASY XIII Official Release Date Announcement Trailer". Square Enix Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2011. Motomu Toriyama: The most important element of FINAL FANTASY is the characters.
  16. ^ Gifford, Kevin (March 30, 2011). "Motomu Toriyama Talks About Making Heroines". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  17. ^ "News - Director: Motomu Toriyama". FINAL FANTASY XIII Official site. Square Enix Co., Ltd. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
  18. ^ Lynch, Gerald (February 19, 2010). "Final Fantasy XIII 's Motomu Toriyama and Yoshinori Kitase - Interview". News. Tech Digest. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  19. ^ "FFXIII-2: Multiple endings confirmed, inspired by RDR, HD towns "too boring"". VG247. June 9, 2011.
  20. ^ "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Interview with Motomu Toriyama and Yoshinori Kitase". Nova Crystallis. March 21, 2013.
  21. ^ "LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII - Inside the Square - Director's Cut - 27:45". Square Enix. February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
  22. ^ Studio BentStuff. Final Fantasy X Ultimania Omega (in Japanese). Square Enix. pp. 191–193, 476.
  23. ^ "FINAL FANTASY XII REVENANT WINGS UPDATE". IGN. October 30, 2006.
  24. ^ Harris, Craig (May 16, 2007). "Interview: Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings". IGN. Retrieved June 25, 2016.
  25. ^ "FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST DATED IN JAPAN". IGN. May 12, 2009.
  26. ^ Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack Limited Edition. January 27, 2010. SQEX-10178~82.
  27. ^ Final Fantasy XIII-2 Original Soundtrack. December 14, 2011. SQEX-10296~9.
  28. ^ "［TGS 2013］「新生FFXIV」に登場する「LRFF13」コラボはハイクオリティ。「出張プロデューサーレターLIVE in 幕張」（22日分）をレポート". 4Gamer.net. September 22, 2013.
  29. ^ Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Original Soundtrack. November 21, 2013. SQEX-10392~5.
  30. ^ "Square Enix's Latest Countdown Wasn't As… Badass As Expected". Siliconera. November 7, 2014.
  31. ^ "MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY CELEBRATES ONE YEAR OF SERVICE". August 3, 2017.
  32. ^ "『FF7 エバークライシス』少年セフィロスも登場する新規物語に注目。ゲームの基本を紹介しつつ開発陣インタビューもお届け【先出し週刊ファミ通】". September 6, 2023.
  33. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero -Promise-". Square Enix. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  34. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII: Episode Zero: Promise". Yen Press.
  35. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero -Promise- Fabula Nova Dramatica α". Sony. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  36. ^ Benny Matsuyama. Final Fantasy XIII Ultimania Omega (in Japanese). Square Enix.
  37. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII Episode Zero -Promise- Fabula Nova Dramatica Ω". Sony. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  38. ^ Jun Eishima. Final Fantasy XIII -Episode i-. Square Enix.
  39. ^ "小説ファイナルファンタジー XIII-2 Fragments Before". Square Enix. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  40. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII-2: Fragments Before". Yen Press.
  41. ^ "小説ファイナルファンタジーXIII-2 Fragments After". Square Enix. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  42. ^ "Final Fantasy XIII-2: Fragments After". Yen Press.
  43. ^ a b "Release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Novel Canceled Due to the Author's Illness". DualShockers. November 26, 2013.
  44. ^ a b "『ファイナルファンタジーXIII REMINISCENCE -tracer of memories-』著者、渡辺大祐氏にインタビュー" [Final Fantasy XIII: Reminiscence -tracer of memories-: Interview with author Daisuke Watanabe]. Famitsu. July 11, 2014. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  45. ^ 『新作歌舞伎 ファイナルファンタジーX』企画、演出、出演の尾上菊之助さんインタビュー。菊之助さんはファミコン時代からゲームを愛し『FFX』に衝撃を受けたゲーマーだった！. Famitsu. September 14, 2022.
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