Xenoblade Chronicles X executive director on the game’s Skells

The most recent issue of Famitsu has an interview with Tetsuya Takahashi, the executive director for Xenoblade Chronicles X. One of the topics the magazine touched on regularly was the Skells – otherwise known as Dolls.

Regarding what Monolith Soft ordered from Skell designer Takayuki Yanase, Takahashi said: “We ordered frame structures that are easy to design, easy for us to create and easy to turn into 3D.”

Next, here’s what Takahashi said about why there were many designers working to create Skells, characters and weapons:

There are two big reasons. First, there are several forces with their own culture. We wanted to give each force and corporation their unique characteristic similar to how the designs of Toyota and Nissan differ, although both of them are Japanese cars. The other reason is that there are many different equipment in this game and it would be hard for one designer to create them all. That is why we asked several designers to work with us.

Takahashi also shared the following about super weapons for Skells:

Super weapons are very powerful weapons but they aren’t easy to obtain. They were implemented as an objective which keeps the player motivated after obtaining a Skell, but we also wanted to create strong weapons and weapons which change the silhouette of a Skell. Please obtain them and use them for the changed appearance and powerful attacks.

As a bonus, we’ve also translated what Takahashi said about Xenoblade Chronicles X’s Treasure Deal. Essentially, the feature allows players in squads to exchange equipment.

Takahashi noted:

I don’t know how much the Treasure Deal will be used, but for us it’s one chance to turn players’ companionship into friendship. If you become friends, you can join the same Squad and challenge Squad quests.