Episode Details

Final Fantasy IX began development shortly before the release of Final Fantasy VIII.

A small glimpse into the early process of the game was revealed on the internet by Sakaguchi in 2010.

On Mistwalker's blog (Sakaguchi's company), Sakaguchi posted early notes for the opening of Final Fantasy IX. Although the blog post is now impossible to find, an amature translation was jotted down in a forum deep inside the internet:

This is probably the biggest glimpse we'll ever get into the process of the making of any of these games:

The game's title and then fade to black.

-Movie 1-

Light emerges as the camera glides over an ocean following a landscape of trees, rivers, and fountains. The sky nears sunset as the camera moves onto the surface of a light fog and behind an airship called the Utsutsu. A large shadow approaches from behind revealing the Theatre ship.

-Darkness-

Loud rings of machinery fill the area. A dark figure walks forward curiously.

The player makes an input for the character's name. The default name is Zidane.

*Scratch*

The protagonist Zidane lights a match brightening the room with a dim glow. (The match can be moved without the risk of the flame extinguishing, but it will go out in a short period of time. Ignite the match quickly and light the lamp at the center of the room.)

The lamp brightens the room completely revealing an arrangement of strangely shaped vases and boxes crawling on the pipe wall at the end of the room.

This is the cargo bay area of an airship.

"Don!"

Three thieves walk in when the player opens the door. One of them jokingly asks Zidane for an autograph. The player can respond to it.

Thieves: "Zidane, a Hayakatta."

Zidane: "What happened to the boss?"

At that moment, footsteps sound from the ascending staircase. Zidane and the thieves turn towards the interruption.

"Achoo!" The sneeze sounds boss lol.

Listen Now