Final Fantasy XIV had been announced by the time that VanaFest 2010(Japan’s FFXI Fan Festival) was held. There was a special stage presentation where Nobuaki Komoto discussed the alpha and beta testing for the game. Afterwards, Nobuo Uematsu came out on stage and gave the first live performance of Final Fantasy XIV music.
The above video is what Square Enix made available after the event and has English subtitles included. We’ve included a transcript of the video below with pictures taken by Square Enix.
Hiromichi Tanaka: We have an exciting annoucement for everyone today, so we invited the director, Mr. Komoto, to join us. Come on out, Mr. Komoto!
Nobuaki Komoto: Good evening everyone! I’m the director for Final Fantasy XIV, thanks for having me today!
Tanaka: How’s the development for Final Fantasy XIV going?
Komoto: It’s a little tough, but everything is moving forward and everyone’s working very hard on it. As you can see, it’s moving forward now I’d like to talk a little about the beta test.
Tanaka: On screen, you can see someone actually logged into the server using the client. Everyone’s been waiting for the results of the beta test selection… When will they hear those results?
Komoto: We’ll actually be announcing the first selection results today, Feb. 28th, here at VanaFest.
Tanaka: So… what are you saying?
Komoto: I’m saying… everyone here attending VanaFest 2010 has been selected for the first beta test!
Tanaka: Oh! So that’s why they collected everyone’s Square Enix account info before attending.
Komoto: Right! We will be contacting the holder of the Square Enix account that was printed on each ticket. Of course, there are players who have been selected for the beta test outside of VanaFest. We’ll be contacting them on Mar. 1st via email. Even if you don’t receive a noticiation this time, don’t give up hope!
Tanaka: We’ve received applications totaling in the hundreds of thousands since last Dec. 17th. We’re gradually increasing the number of beta testers, and we’re hoping to eventually have everyone participating in the beta test. Look forward to it!
Komoto: At first, what you can do in-game will be very limited. So we only selected a small portion as we start with the alpha test.
Tanaka: What do you mean by “small portion”?
Komoto: We wanted the dedicated Final Fantasy XI fans to be the first selected.
Tanaka: Especially those that came all the way out to VanaFest. I can see they’re very dedicated considering they cam all the way out here! Don’t you think so?
Komoto: Definitely. That said, everyone who came to VanaFest today will be participating in the alpha test!
Tanaka: Congratulations everyone! Good think you came! I bet you’re happy!
Komoto: For the alpha test, a lot of specs may be temporary and very rough around the edges. So there will be many changes as we go along. We’d like to ask for everyone’s help to create and exciting Final Fantasy XIV together!
Tanaka: We’re planning to start the alpha test in the near future, and the beta test site will go live on Mar. 11th. Of course, only those selected as beta testers can log into the website. We’d like everyone’s help to make FFXIV into an amazing experience and we at the development team will also do our best! Thanks again, Mr. Komoto.
Komoto: Thank you all!
Tanaka: We have another special guest to bring to the stage.
(Nobuo Uematsu comes out on stage and they both dance while ヒゲのテーマ plays. This scene was removed and shortened in the footage Square Enix made available. We have reinserted it, in its entirety, in the video above.)
Tanaka: I’m sure everyone knows who this is! Welcome Mr. Uematsu!
Nobuo Uematsu: I’m Nobuo Uematsu! Good evening everyone! Wow, we’re already out of breath just from running in circles from there to here…
Tanaka: We’re getting too old…
Uematsu: I’m already 50 years old!
Tanaka: Well, I’m around there, too.
Uematsu: How old are you, Mr. Tanaka?
Tanaka: I turned 48.
Uematsu: You were in your 20s when you became involved in the first Final Fantasy?
Tanaka: That’s right.
Uematsu: It’ll be the same for you guys soon, too! (points to the audience) Just last week… man I’m really out of breath. I got a complete checkup. Horrible. Horrible results.
Tanaka: You went for a complete medical checkup?
Uematsu: The level of uric acid turned out to be pretty high…
Tanaka: To much beer…
Uematsu: Yeah, probably the beer. Of course, I never exercise. All I do is work in front of a PC or keyboard. I should really exercise.
Tanaka: Yeah, definitely. As everyone may know, the Final Fantasy XIV score is being composed entirely by Mr. Uematsu.
(applause)
Uematsu: Thank you! Being assigned to be the composer for the entire score hasn’t happened since… Final Fantasy IX, back in 1999. About 10 years, I’d say. During that time, I was all over the place, doing this and that. But I’m back now, I’m honored!
Tanaka: We had you compose about 80 songs for Final Fantasy XIV. How’d it go?
Uematsu: Well… Final Fantasy XIV is such a huge title. So in a good way, it’s a difficult task. Of course, I’m not saying I slacked off other tasks, but considering I had to compose all the songs, it definitely helped me concentrate. I started work around 2 years ago, about this time of year.
Tanaka: When we listened to them, we were all so excited. think all of the songs turned out wonderfully. Thank you! Well then, is that it for today?
Uematsu: Oh, I heard about the planned after party. I mostly came to drink beer…
Tanaka: Oh, you wanna go drink now? Well, do something at least before we go…
Uematsu: Should I play a song?
Tanaka: Oh, good idea!
Uematsu: Well today, I brought TBM along with me.
Tanaka: TBM? That TBM?
Uematsu: Yep, that TBM.
Tanaka: Oh, really? I thought you guys were taking a long break.
Uematsu: Whaaat?
Tanaka: Oh, I guess I heard wrong…
Uematsu: TBM!
Tanaka: It looks that legendary group is ready to get started! Well then, are you ready?
Uematsu: Ready!
Tanaka: So that legendary band will be playing for us.
Uematsu: You guys should get more excited!
Tanaka: Here we go! Mr. Uematsu and TBM!
(The stage darkens as a logo appears on the screen above. “Tokyo Business Men.” Arrangements of “Navigator’s Glory – The Theme of Limsa Lominsa” and “Sacred Bonds” are performed)
Host: Thank you for the wonderful performance!
Uematsu: Thank you, thank you!
Host: Come on down!
Uematsu: That felt great!
Host: So how did today’s performance go?
Uematsu: Nothing more terrifying than performing in front of a live audience… Oh, let me introduce them. Here we have Michio Kamiya, guitarist from the Tokyo Business Men. Next is keyboardist Narita Tsutomu, who is working arranging the music with me for Final Fantasy XIV.
Host: Thank you all! Is this your first time playing Final Fantasy XIV in front of an audience?
Uematsu: Yeah, it was! I think we should do a concert… should we?
Host: Oooh, a live concert? I think we’d all love to see that!
Uematsu: Well, maybe after Final Fantasy XIV is released. Or… if Final Fantasy XIV sells.
Host: Oh, I’m sure it’ll sell! We’ll also be on the lookout for the soundtrack! Before you go, can we have a message for the audience?
Uematsu: Well, it’s been awhile since I was asked to compose the entire soundtrack, but I’m proud of how it turned out. There are still many theme songs that haven’t been revealed, so keep an eye out for it!
Host: Mr. Uematsu and the rest of the Tokyo Business Men, thank you again!
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