Growth of Last Fantasy XV didn’t go easily. In keeping with public information, the sport began life as Last Fantasy Versus XIII beneath the steering of Tetsuya Nomura earlier than it was rebooted in 2012 as Last Fantasy XV and transferred to the route of Hajime Tabata. Nonetheless, it looks like there’s extra to the story than that. Former Eidos Montreal Artwork Director Jonathan Jacque-Belletête has mentioned the developer was as soon as engaged on a Last Fantasy recreation, tentatively titled Challenge W, as the primary western studio to deal with a mainstream Last Fantasy recreation.
What we find out about Last Fantasy Challenge W
Rumors of Eidos Montreal’s involvement within the Last Fantasy franchise have been round for a couple of years, however solely now has anyone concerned with the mission gone on file. Jacque-Belletête advised TrueAchievements that they tried to “do Last Fantasy XV” earlier than it was despatched again to Japanese studios:
[Eidos-Montréal] introduced again Deus Ex. I used to be the artwork director on that — Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Then [I was] the manager artwork director on Mankind Divided. Then we tried to do Last Fantasy XV. Then they determined to convey it again to Japan — which I feel was an enormous mistake, however it’s nonetheless the reality. Ours was actually, actually cool.
Jacque-Belletête’s timeline is barely awry however the remaining is seemingly true in line with an investigation by Youtuber Tremendous Bunnyhop a couple of years in the past. After the profitable launch of Deus Ex: Human Revolution in 2011, Eidos Montreal wished to make an RPG that was closely impressed by Last Fantasy. Sooner or later, the sport’s idea changed into an thought to make Last Fantasy XV and the workforce entered into talks with former Sq. Enix President Yoichi Wada. He gave his blessing for the workforce the work on what can be generally known as Challenge W.
Eidos Montreal created planning, artwork, and fundamental recreation design for Challenge W. The sport can be an area opera RPG with elements of Last Fantasy that western followers discovered interesting, solely house can be made out of fractals. A brand new recreation engine would have the ability to deal with seamless landings and takeoffs between planets. The primary protagonist would have searched the universe on the lookout for his misplaced love curiosity known as Nova, however they’d then meet a feminine warrior that may start a love triangle, creating pressure between the trio as they went on their journey.
The thought was pitched at a gathering with Japanese executives in 2012 however was rejected and growth went again to Japan. Challenge W then turned generally known as Challenge Nova and managed to outlive for one more yr earlier than it was quietly canceled. Publishers like Sony and Microsoft weren’t keen to take the danger on such an bold and costly mission. Eidos Montreal went on to search out success with Deus Ex: Mankind Divided as a substitute.
In different information, Ukraine developer Frogwares has introduced a brand new horror-influenced thriller recreation known as Challenge Palianytsia, meant to be “a transparent center finger” to Russia. Elsewhere, extra rumors of a Purple Useless Redemption Remake are making the rounds however they’re from an unreliable supply.
