Final Fantasy IV. ✓ Japanese Release: July 19, 1991. ✓ Platform: Super
Nintendo Entertainment. System. ✓ Introduction of the “Active Time Battle. System
” (Or ...
History Of RPG’s Final Fantasy’s influence on the genre
Origins Of RPG’s
Hobbit (1937), Lord of the Rings (1954, 1955)
Greatly exp anded interest in fantasy fiction
In 1974, Dungeons & Dragons is released and becomes the signature game of the genre
Rogue (1980): dungeon crawling computer game (Unix minicomputers)
Initial develop ment at UC SC , comp leted at UC B.
In 1980, Ultima I is released on the Apple //. This marks the first widely influential Computer Role Playing Game (or, CRPG)
Apple // is dominant platform for CRPGs
Ultima 2 (1982), Ultima 3 (1983), Ultima 4 (1985) W izardry (1981) All b roadly p op ular games
In 1984, the Intellivision game AD&D: Treasure of Tarmin is released.
This is the first RPG for an game console. Later that year Dragonstomp er, another RPG was released for the Atari 2600
In 1986, Dragon Quest is released on the Nintendo Entertainment System
In 1987, five RPGs were released, titles include Dragon Quest II, Fantasy Star, and, Final Fantasy. The RPG craze had begun…
Final Fantasy I
Japanese Release: December 17, 1987
Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Ability to name one’s characters
Detailed battle animation
Expansive world with many different means of transportation
Puzzle Mini game, first to affect the in game situation of the user
Final Fantasy II
Japanese Release: December 17, 1988
Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
Introduction of “Use Based System”
Attributes, like strength and magic, were increased via actions in battle
Key terms could be memorized and then used in conversation with other characters in the game
Introduction of Cid and the Chocobo
Final Fantasy III
Japanese Release: April 27,1990
Console: Nintendo Entertainment System
Job system allowed characters to change various professions.
The combination of Jobs
Final Fantasy IV
Japanese Release: July 19, 1991
Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Introduction of the “Active Time Battle System” (Or “ATB”)
Final Fantasy V
Japanese release: December 2, 1992
Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Used ATB battle system
Revived the Job system from Final Fantasy III
The job system was combined with ATB system to make the user’s character’s fully customizable
Introduction of Moogles to the series
Final Fantasy VI Japanese Release: April 2, 1994 Platform: Super Nintendo Entertainment System Opera house music-based mini game Used a “Steam Punk” art style
Final Fantasy VII Japanese Release: January 31, 1997 Platform: PlayStation 1 First game of the PlayStation Used full polygon rendering for all characters and monsters Materia system allowed characters to combin “materia” with items, unlocking new abilities Many mini games were added
FF:VII Spin Off Games FFVII: Advent Children (Movie) FFVII: Dirge of Cerberus (PS2 Game)
FFVII: Before Crisis (Cell Phone Game)
FFVII: Crisis Core (Cell Phone Game)
Final Fantasy VIII Japanese Release: February 11, 1999 Platform: PlayStation Game Console Draw system allowed characters to steal (or draw) abilities from enemies
Final Fantasy IX Japanese Release: July 7, 2000 Platform: PlayStation Introduction of the Active Time Event system ATE puts the user in the middle of the action of the game
Final Fantasy X Japanese Release: July 19, 2001 Platform: PlayStation 2 First Final Fantasy game on PS2 First Final Fantasy game to use voice acting
Used “Conditional Turn Based Battle” system
Use of the “Sphere Grid” allowed the user to unlock new skills and abilities Spin off: Final Fantasy X-2 First game in the series to use a fully female cast of main characters
Final Fantasy XI Japanese Release: May 16, 2002 Platform: PlayStation 2, PC, X-Box 360 First Final Fantasy game to go online Allowed users on all platforms to play together in an on-line world
RPG’s legacy Pokemon: The worldwide best selling Computer RPG. Selling over 91 million units across 11 different titles as of 2004 The second and third best selling series worldwide are Square Enix’s (originally SquarSoft) Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Final Fantasy has sold 63 million units, and Dragon Quest has sold over 40 million units