Official Interview
“FIGHTING EX LAYER” 1st Anniversary Interview (Part 2)
In this 2nd part, I was able to hear about: what impression the development team got when participating in the FEXL event, the stories behind the characters' attack name/ rendering, about the future ARIKA fighting game, etc.
Awareness of Market Overseas
- Marina：
- I think FEXL is particularly supported by overseas users when viewing Twitter replies and YouTube comments. Was this intended for overseas?
- Nishitani：
- Like the announcement we made first was at EVO, I wished of course that it could be sold not only overseas but also in Japan, North America, and Europe.
- Takano：
- In terms of being aware of overseas, the reason Terry Bogard was added as a collaboration character was that we heard the opinion of overseas people.
- Marina：
- I didn’t know that!
- Nishitani：
- I think it was good that we added Terry. Everyone quite likes him.
- Takano：
- I agree. Though it was already like a collaboration character, it was not treated yet.
- EVO: The Evolution Championship Series is an annual eSports event that focuses on the fighting games being held in Las Vegas.
- Marina：
- Mr. Nishitani has been visiting overseas game events several times, but was there something you were glad to see/hear, and have you been surprised by the differences in game culture?
- Nishitani：
- I was surprised at the way they become lively was different. The Japanese do say “Wooow!!”, but they don’t give a standing ovation. However, people overseas give a standing ovation with joy. Also, I thought that they really say “USA! USA!” when they cheer American! LOL
- Marina：
- I really love how they liven up the atmosphere! Did you have something you got glad?
- Nishitani：
- When there was Skullomania on the PV we announced at EVO 2017, their joy was amazing.
Even before the announcement, many people came and asked me, “Skullomania not yet!?”
LOL
But to be honest, I still don’t get it why he is much-loved! - Kato：
- Mr. Takano and I were staying in Japan, so also surprised to hear that he is so popular abroad, but in fact, I don’t think that everybody is enthused about him. LOL
- Takano：
- Maybe they like it as a character, not as using it.
- Nishitani：
- Well, I think he is still popular even now, but I feel FEXL players are not using him and playing that much, huh? LOL
- Takano：
- After all, the character which can win a lot is better?
- Kato：
- But it’s not that many characters with a high win rate are used.
As for Skullo, I think they demand amusingness, not strength.
Maybe we should increase the motion pattern of “Skullo Dream” rather than strengthening Skullo. - All：
- Rigghht.
- Marina：
- Mr. Kato and Mr. Takano have been to in-country events, is there anything that left an impression on you?
- Kato：
- As an impression before the release, I thought this was a title with a lot of avid fans. I think FEXL is now supported by a small tournament and the community of people who are actually playing at the game center.
- Marina：
- I think that is common not only to Japan but also to those who support us overseas.
- Kato：
- Right. We think that we want to try to interact with people all over the country
and around the world as much as possible.
The story of whether to have the development team an opportunity to play against the users on the day of the update and to stream has risen several times. But that is something that the community will do, so there is a problem we administrator side should do it or not. - Marina：
- Ah, I see, that’s difficult. How about you, Mr. Takano?
- Takano：
- Like Mr. Nishitani said, when I saw how they liven up watching the PV
at EVO2017, I was very happy.
And, this is not a story at the event, but I really like the reaction videos of the users overseas watching new character’s reveal trailer. Also, the reaction when Terry Bogard’s EXPERT MODE got cleared was very interesting! I love to and feel happy watching those. - Marina：
- Mr. Kato mentioned earlier about the community members holding the tournament at the game center. Have you ever participated in the tournament sneakily?
- Kato：
- I haven’t, but we have sent a development staff there.
- Nishitani：
- But he couldn’t win, right?
- Kato：
- Was not that bad, but he couldn’t take the first place.
- Nishitani：
- It is no exaggeration to say that he is good at the top level among us, but he lost. LOL
- Marina：
- I didn’t know that! Is there a possibility of other staff going there next time?
- Nishitani：
- Maybe. How about you, Marina? LOL
- Marina：
- NOOOO, I will lose in the first round. I might be able to win if you train me!
- Kato：
- Just to let you know, we are not that indulgent. LOL
- Marina：
- Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
- Marina：
- Is there a different name for the attack name or move of the character called between the development teams?
- Nishitani：
- Hmm, like UFO or spinning top?
- Kato：
- Hayate’s “Tsumujikagerou Kyoku”, right?
- Takano：
- This is an attack that comes out in the air and comes down diagonally while spinning round and round. The ring spins like Saturn, so it’s called “Saturn” within the development team.
- Marina：
- That is so funny. LOL
- Kato：
- And Garuda’s…what was it?
- Takano：
- “Spinning Top” You can use it at the air and the bottom, and it’ s called spinning top since early times, so nobody calls it in a proper name. LOL
- Nishitani：
- The proper name doesn’t come up, like now we didn’t.
- Marina：
- I didn’t know Garuda’s “Kienbu” was called, spinning top. LOL
- Kato：
- They are originally from the EX series so the name hasn't changed that much, but there was a name change of Doctrine's attacks.
- Nishitani：
- Uh-huh. Also Shadowgeist.
- Takano：
- At first, the attacks were all named “Death____”, so for example, we were calling “Death Government” as “Deathgava”. (Abbreviation)
- Nishitani：
- And then it became α, β, and γ.
- Marina：
- Personally, I like when the Darun doll comes out at the Pullum’s intro scene. Are there any other small parts like this where team committed?
- Kato：
- A female designer gave an opinion that wants to put out additional objects for
Pullum, and that’s how the concept was decided.
For example, the heart coming out from the blowing kiss of the winning poses, and a small symbol that looks like a sun in a whirlwind of “Kind Wind”. The action using the tambourine is also an opinion from the designer. - Marina：
- Wooow!
- Kato：
- Another distinguishing character is Rosso. His image is Italian dandy guy and
an attribute is a fire. Therefore there is an attack that makes you imagine a
volcano, but there are other fire-ish effects like Allen’s “Soul Force” and
Kairi’s “Shinki-hatsudou”, so we came up with the idea of cards.
There are 10 types + 4 types of characters cards, and there seems to be an effective program that appears randomly.
But in fact, they wanted to make his winning pose like eating a pizza, so made it partway through but quit because they couldn't express the melted cheese stretching! LOL - Marina：
- He finishes with a cool pose now, so that was unexpected!
- Takano：
- In the case of Skullomania, something like particles appears from “Skullo Ball”, and the Japanese Katakana 「ス」「カ」「ロ」 (“Skullo” in English) comes out when it pops.
- Kato：
- Also, Blair is basically like a female fighter wearing a battle suit, but the designer’s attack image is “ice”. So if you look at the fine grains of particles, things like ice crystals are flying. From things like that, I think you can see how designers are committed.
- Marina：
- Which female character do you like?
- Nishitani：
- Hmm, I think…Blair.
- Marina：
- Why?
- Nishitani：
- I thought I can move her easiest.
- Marina：
- Oh, really? It looks very difficult from a beginner.
- Nishitani：
- Not that difficult for just moving. If there was a character using a fireball, I wanted to choose that.
- Marina：
- There’s Sharon! LOL
- Nishitani：
- She’s a little different. LOL
If you get used to it, it will be quite strong, but the bullets will become empty as soon as you shoot, so you have to use it effectively. But I don’t want to use the gun while thinking so I like using Kairi, but if from female characters, I will choose Blair. - Marina：
- How about you, Mr. Kato?
- Kato：
- I think, Sanane.
- Marina：
- Do you like how she looks?
- Kato：
- Yah, the illustration version is very cute, but I think there is a gap between the illustration and in the game. LOL
- All：
- LOL
- Kato：
- I wonder she is a cheerful character or a beautiful but a little different. I’m attracted to what character she really is.
- Marina：
- Like you said, I can feel Sanane’s cuteness and darkness from her voice too.
- Kato：
- I don't know if it's good or bad, but I thought it was interesting because we can feel like she has two faces.
- Marina：
- Then how about you, Mr. Takano?
- Takano：
- I like Sharon. I think it's because I made her. She was a character that changed so much and it took time to make. In the first design picture, there was a skirt-like maedare (like an apron), but I changed it to make it a little sexy just by maedare.
- Marina：
- That is sooo nice.
- Takano：
- Sharon used to wear a close-fitting pants style outfit, but I prefer the current design so I’ll choose her.
- Marina：
- Last question. Please let us know if you have anything you want to do or challenge with ARIKA fighting game in the future.
- Nishitani：
- Um, …shall we do it with 99 people? LOL
- Marina：
- That is awesome! I really want you to challenge.
- Nishitani：
- Maybe we should bring characters from Fighting Layer and do it like all-stars.
- Takano：
- Awesome. How about “Knitty”? LOL
- Nishitani：
- Sounds nice! Do you know Knitty?
- Marina：
- …. (thinking)
- Nishitani：
- You don’t know ARIKA’s character!?
- Marina：
- Oh, I thought you are talking about some character in fighting games! I know it, sir! LOL
- All：
- LOL
- Marina：
- How about you, Mr. Kato?
- Kato：
- It’s difficult. The element of customization is what I did with Gougi,
but I want to think about the bigger elements that an individual can bring in.
I think a system that gives different personalities to each player can still be explored. But if you do too much, I think the users won't come with us, so it's difficult. - Marina：
- Last Mr. Takano, please.
- Takano：
- The part that we couldn’t do was to let Fighting Layer characters join, so I want to do that. Also, I think it would be interesting to make a game that would work well in a system where many characters appear on the screen.
- Marina：
- So, to sum up everyone’s opinion, I guess we should do it with 99 people!
- Nishitani：
- Well, it looks like the next idea has been decided. LOL
- Marina：
- Next time will be 99 ARIKA All-Stars!
- All：
- LOL
Is That Hero Really Popular Overseas?
Skullomania, the hero loved by overseas users.
Garuda’s “Kienbu” is called, “Spinning Top”!?
Hayate’s Tsumujikagerou Kyoku.
Character Rendering Full of the Ingenuity of Designers
Rosso’s pose with a card.
Favorite Female Characters
The Future ARIKA Fighting Game
Find Knitty on the official website and wallpaper calendar! :D）
Takano:Allen pose/Nishitani:Skullomania pose/Kato: Shadowgeist pose
(Are they trying to join in the next game!?)
(Are they trying to join in the next game!?)
◆Marina’s Comment◆
I wanted to see Rosso’s winning pose with pizza. LOL
If you haven’t seen the “Skullo Ball” particles or Blair’s ice crystals closely, please pause it and look!
At the 3rd part, they answered some questions we received from users. Also, I asked them to predict the FEXL character popularity poll result, but were they able to guess the top 3!? If you are interested, please don’t miss it!