Q&As// Final Fantasy V Producer: Hiroyuki Miura

SPOnG: Fans of FFV continually point to its job system as a major selling point for the game. Where did the idea for such a robust job system come from? Do you think future Final Fantasy games will use this feature?

Hiroyuki Miura: The basis for the system was devised by the staff developing FFI. An evolved version appeared in FFIII’s job system, and further enhancements resulted in what we have in FFV. The original FFV developers have said their goal was to emphasize the fun of matching abilities to create the strongest job.

Parts of the system have gone on to take new forms in later FF games. Each installment of the FF series introduces a new system, so it is unlikely we will see a system exactly like that of FFV in any future releases.

SPOnG: This remake adds some new job classes - can you explain these and the uses they may have for the player?

Hiroyuki Miura: FFV features several jobs to begin with, and the addition of entirely new jobs brings a whole new spin to gameplay. The cannoneer combines items to strike, the gladiator unleashes deadly sword techniques, the oracle manipulates omens in battle, and the forbidden Dark Arts of the necromancer conjures the undead.

The real fun is in experiencing the different jobs and then combining the abilities you’ve learned to make the characters all your own. The new jobs have been designed to increase that fun exponentially, so we hope players will try them out and see for themselves.

SPOnG: The game has had more attempts of release in the West than other titles in the series before appearing on the PS1. Why did it take so long for it to be released?

Hiroyuki Miura: I can’t really say.

SPOnG: What is it about the Final Fantasy series that attracts so many gamers, in your opinion?

Hiroyuki Miura: I think the popularity owes to the fact that each release in the series has strived to achieve the greatest quality for its time in every aspect, and that that quality continues to stimulate players’ imaginations.

SPOnG: Which is your favourite Final Fantasy game and why?

Hiroyuki Miura: FFIV left the deepest impression on me, personally. The ATB system was a brilliant innovation at the time, and I enjoyed the story as well.

SPOnG: Do you think there is a possibility of Final Fantasy games appearing on console download portals, such as the Wii's Virtual Console or the PlayStation Network?

Hiroyuki Miura: I can’t say at this time.

Hiroyuki Miura, thank you for your time. Final Fantasy V Advance is hitting the Game Boy Advance on 20th April.