Anniversaries are always something special. Even with big companies. To celebrate the tenth visit of Bandai Namco Entertainment to the Japan Expo 2015 in Paris, we were invited to play a lot of games, witness a great show and, of course, interview some important people. We sent our reporter Rygdea to meet the developers of three upcoming games, that many people can not wait to play.
The last one of the three interviews was with the popular CEO of CyberConnect2 and the man behind the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm-series, Hiroshi Matsuyama. The main topic of the interview was the soon to be released Naruto Shippuden – Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. But still, there was a lot to laugh. Check it out!
JPGames: The fourth installment marks the final chapter of the Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm saga! How do you feel about it?
Matsuyama: As you may know, last year the final chapter of the Naruto manga was released. I, of course, feel a bit saddened by that, but on the other side I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. Now in both the manga and the game everything comes together and forms a big conclusion. My team and I really wanted to put this emotional level in the game and also make it complete.
JPGames: With this title you decided not only to implement characters from the Naruto series, but also from the movies that aired after the manga’s ending. Was it your personal wish to do that?
Matsuyama: Well, I not only discussed this question with my team, but also with Bandai Namco Entertainment, TV Tokyo and even Kishimoto-sensei. We have all discussed this matter deeply to find out, what exactly we can create and what roster would be fitting.
And as you may know as well, in Japan there is this new Naruto project called „the new generation“ and not only the movies belong to that but also a series in the Weekly Jump and at the time of development we were trying to implement as many elements as possible from „the new generation“.
So it was not only my personal decision, but my teams and the licensers as well.
JPGames: What sets Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 apart from all the other games of this long-running series?
Matsuyama: First of all, the hardware on which this game is playable has changed. This game will be playable on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and even on PC. This new generation has allowed us to do so much more regarding expressions and content. So we were able to make the facial expressions a lot more emotional and also to optimize many features and add even more.
JPGames: What can you tell us about the new Leader Change system?
Matsuyama: We were only able to introduce this system because of the Playstation 4 and Xbox One. The major difference on the battle, compared to the older games, is that you can not only call your support character to aid you with one Jutsu, but you can control him completely as your new lead character. This system boosts the strategy aspect of every fight and you have to use it intelligently. The composition of your team is very important. This really brings in a ton of new excitement and depth to the gameplay.
JPGames: Will there be specific combination attacks between those characters?
Matsuyama: Well, every character has both a boss awakening and a secret technique. And about those you have to be careful about how and with wich character you use them. So if you composed a team you always have to have that in mind.
JPGames: Now something a little personal. How many hours do you think have you played the whole Ninja Storm series?
Matsuyama: (laughs) I can only say, a massive amount of time. Certainly way over 150 hours, but the precise number is unfortunatly impossible to know.
JPGames: With this game you have reached the climactic finale of the Naruto Shippuden series. What do you think the future will bring? A new Naruto game completely about the new generation or maybe even a whole new project?
Matsuyama: I think that is the right question for our producer.
Producer: At this moment we try to put all our effort in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 of course. We have no plans about the future yet. But if the gamers will raise their voices about such a new Naruto project we will definitely consider it.
Matsuyama: We will wait until the release of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 and after that we listen to the players and their feedback around the world.
JPGames: They will definitely raise their voice, do not worry about that.
Matsuyama: (laughs)
JPGames: A question for both of you: If you had the skillset of a Konoha ninja, would you use it for good or for bad?
Matsuyama: I personally would like to have the Shadow Clone jutsu. Because then I would just make a shadow clone and leave it in Japan with my team, where it can work to the fullest extend, while I enjoy my life here in France or somewhere else. And after I go back to japan I would just merge with it and everything would go on exactly as planned.
Producer: Well, Matsuyama-sensei wants a clone, so he can enjoy life while working. Thats a good idea but what I would like is the Harem jutsu (laughs). You know, there are a lot of violent jutsus, meant to hurt other people, but I could not do that. As a producer my wish is to please the people. So if I could use the Harem jutsu all of the people would be happy about it. If I had a business meeting, I would just use the Harem jutsu and everyone would be smiling and accept everything. That would be nice. The job of a producer is to make people happy, and I think with this Jutsu it would be a lot easier.
JPGames: Now to the last question: Will you be there for the Gamescom?
Matsuyama: At the moment we are planning to attend to the Gamescom. So please be excited.
JPGames: Thank you very much!
