YoshiP “Torn" Over What to do with the Scions (Interview)

[Carin-Eri]

https://www.pcgamesn.com/final-fanta...hida-interview



“When it comes to this, I’m really, really torn,” he responds via translator. “Honestly speaking, and this corresponds to 7.0, I wanted to see what sort of a reaction we would get from the players.”

Will be interesting to see how he interprets the reactions...

[Supersnow845]

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the scions but they need to stop putting them ALL front and centre every expansion and they need to start transitioning some of the scions who’s arcs are complete from the front lines to the back lines

Alphinaud and alisaie didn’t get nearly enough development but the story idea of “we are going along as emissaries because we want to learn more to help garlemald” was IMO a good direction for the twins in terms of their characterisation. Y’shtola stepping back to finally fully focus on her shard research is another good example they seem afraid to commit to

The only member of the party that HAS to be there at any one time is the WOL, they can bring in scions for limited stints now and then as well as focus on newer characters, krile, erenville and Otis for the short time we had him were examples of what they could do there

They also need to stop being so afraid of using present NPC’s in duty support, there is literally zero reason why oblivion couldn’t form the majority of people you do origenics with

[Carin-Eri]

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with the scions but they need to stop putting them ALL front and centre every expansion and they need to start transitioning some of the scions who’s arcs are complete from the front lines to the back lines

Alphinaud and alisaie didn’t get nearly enough development but the story idea of “we are going along as emissaries because we want to learn more to help garlemald” was IMO a good direction for the twins in terms of their characterisation. Y’shtola stepping back to finally fully focus on her shard research is another good example they seem afraid to commit to

The only member of the party that HAS to be there at any one time is the WOL, they can bring in scions for limited stints now and then as well as focus on newer characters, krile, erenville and Otis for the short time we had him were examples of what they could do there

They also need to stop being so afraid of using present NPC’s in duty support, there is literally zero reason why oblivion couldn’t form the majority of people you do origenics with

The issue seems to be that they tried to please everyone, but managed to please no-one.

The interview states that they were concerned that players might complain if the Scions were not there. So they put them in the story, but reduced them to cardboard cutouts meaning those who wanted them got characters who looked like them but didn't really have their personalities, and the players who didn't want them got them anyway.

[Katish]

“we are going along as emissaries because we want to learn more to help garlemald”

This was actually something I had an issue with in the storytelling, they are effectively ambassadors and left Garlemald to fend for themselves in their time of rebuilding. That is bad, and I mean extremely bad in terms of being an ambassador. And to make it worse, the story has them quote they didn't learn ANYTHING of value, THIS IN THE WRITING. So they really shouldn't have come...and them coming is just fulfilling the Scions must always be present scenario. They only further stole from what little was supposed to be Krile's limelight...every time I saw the verbose use of the twins speaking vs what little Krile did...I was kind of irked. They gave up their responsibility to take a vacation...I am not sure what more to say.

[honest_psycho]

Hot take: The scions should have died in Endwalker, to reaaaaally drive that despair home.

[Supersnow845]

Hot take: The scions should have died in Endwalker, to reaaaaally drive that despair home.

I think the problem they are running into on this front is that it’s hard to actually characterise the WOL’s response because everyone has a different headcanon around how much their WOL interacts with others (for example in my headcanon my WOL hates graha for reasons that’s are way to complex to explain), they seem to be trying to dodge around this with Azem ever since they stopped using Alphinaud as a standin for how the WOL should be feeling in that particular situation but DT really had some bad points where they forced you to feel a certain way that they have avoided up till now

If all the scions died around the WOL everyone would have a different belief in how they think their WOL should have responded to the situation because square refuses to commit to anything more than the scions could be anything from barely tolerated work colleagues to life long friends

[Talamh]

Well I always hated the Scions.
I never wanted to join them, I never wanted my character to pick up the mantle of Warrior of Light.
As a result, my character barely feels like my character. A slave to the story and it's decisions.

But you are forced, to do the story whatever or not you want to and I've always despised that with XIV.

Stormblood was my favorite expansion. Felt like we did something of use there.
Followed by Endwalker where it felt like they finally took some daring risks.

But the Scions.... Just... make them go away..
I hate them, the Top 1%....

Hot take: The scions should have died in Endwalker, to reaaaaally drive that despair home.

If it were up to me, they'd died earlier.
But XIV lacks guts when it comes to killing characters.

I think the problem they are running into on this front is that it’s hard to actually characterise the WOL’s response because everyone has a different headcanon around how much their WOL interacts with others (for example in my headcanon my WOL hates graha for reasons that’s are way to complex to explain), they seem to be trying to dodge around this with Azem ever since they stopped using Alphinaud as a standin for how the WOL should be feeling in that particular situation but DT really had some bad points where they forced you to feel a certain way that they have avoided up till now

If all the scions died around the WOL everyone would have a different belief in how they think their WOL should have responded to the situation because square refuses to commit to anything more than the scions could be anything from barely tolerated work colleagues to life long friends

According to the game, the Scions are your bestest of bestest friends.
It's hammered in like Titan spamming Weight of the World.

I can't really distant my Wol's responses anymore from what the game dictates and I hate that.
The best I can muster is a frown and a nod.

The Scions was a mistake.

[Carin-Eri]

If it were up to me, they'd died earlier.
But XIV lacks guts when it comes to killing characters.

Noraxia (counting her since she wouldn't have been with the Scions if you hadn't shown her how special helping others can be), Moenbryda, Haurchefant, Ysayle and Papalymo disagree.

Though it has been a while since they pulled anything like that.

[Luluna]

I missed the scions I have a great love for them and after years of playing it did stand out to me in DT. I felt like a spectator and wanted to go spend more time with them. I know they are not everyone's cup of tea but they are mine and I think the expansion felt empty without them being there as much. I did miss having them around.

I did not mind less of the twins and I would like to see more of Lyse and love to see Hilda involved and Yugiri. I also miss Gosetsu.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Bringing one or two of the Scions along would be fine. We know them pretty well, so it gives us a grounding point to learn about other characters (especially since the WoL is functionally mute most of the time). Even having a couple more pop in or out, like Estinien in Dawntrail, is fine, because it makes sense that they gravitate towards whatever new opportunity or problem is happening. It's just what they do. The problem is when they're there but don't really DO anything. Dawntrail didn't really give them much purpose other than filling out Trusts, since the story is so focused on Wuk Lamat instead.