Eurogamer published a new feature today about Monolith Soft and studio head Tetsuya Takahashi. You can read the full thing at this link, but we’ll be sharing some of it here as well.

With Xenoblade Chronicles on Wii, the team encountered some issues and were in danger of missing the launch deadline. But Nintendo producer Hitoshi Yamagami swooped in and assisted Takahashi in getting things back on track.

The situation was different with Xenoblade Chronicles X, as Takahashi explained:

“We wanted to achieve something that was more about us as Monolith Soft being able to create an open world system, to implement online features, and to transition into the high definition era. With that game we’d learned how to create locations that are fun to explore on a budget. If we had no restrictions at all in terms of costs, then for example we could easily make a varied and interesting map simply by creating textures and models for four or five different to use in a single 20km squared area. But within restrictions we had the difficult task of creating varied and fun locations using just the textures and models for a single kind of environment.”

Takahashi also mentioned also said that lessons were learned when making Xenoblade Chronicles. Monolith Soft was able to achieve its goals despite certain restrictions it put on itself, such as not using middleware to increase the speed of production.

Head past the break for a few more comments from Takahashi.

More: interview, Monolith Soft, Tetsuya Takahashi, top, Xenoblade Chronicles X

Xenoblade Chronicles X – full North American site open

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 0 comments

Nintendo has now opened the full North American Xenoblade Chronicles X website. Find it here. You can catch up on some videos, view concept art, download wallpapers, and more.

More: Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles X

Project X Zone 2 pre-order bonuses also planned for Europe

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 0 comments

Last week, Bandai Namco announced some pre-order bonuses for Project X Zone 2 in North America. These same items are now confirmed for Europe as well.

By pre-ordering Project X Zone 2, consumers will receive:

– 1 exclusive challenge stage “The Woman From 10 Years Ago”
– Rare Items Pack, which includes: Sun Sword, Diamond Medal Accessory, Amethyst Medal Accessory
– 1 exclusive customized theme

You can check out the 3DS theme in visual form above.

Source: Bandai Namco PR

More: Bandai Namco, Europe, Monolith Soft, pre-order, Project X Zone 2

Xenoblade Chronicles X – “Survival Guide” episode 4

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 3 Comments

Nintendo has gone live with the fourth of five “Survival Guide” episodes for Xenoblade Chronicles X. You can watch the new video below.

More: Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles X

Xenoblade Chronicles X – Primordia in-depth exploration

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 0 comments

Nintendo UK has posted a new Xenoblade Chronicles X video featuring speed-runner Alexander ‘Bowie’ Pett, who gives an in-depth tour of Primordia. Check it out below.

More: Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles X

Full lineup of English voice actors in Xenoblade Chronicles X

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 20 Comments

All of the English voice actors in Xenoblade Chronicles X have been found through the RPG’s credits. Below you can see the main cast, avatars, and those who helped out with additional voices.

Voice Cast (English)

Elma – Caitlin Glass
Lin – Cassandra Lee Morris
Tatsu – Chris Cason
Irina – Carrie Keranen
Gwin – Michael Sinterniklaas
Lao – Matt Mercer
Doug – Patrick Seitz
L – Ray Chase
Ga Buidhe – Cindy Robinson
Maurice – Kirk Thorton
Goetia – Rachel Robinson
Dahgan – Patrick Seitz
Celica – Mela Lee
Rock – Nicolas Roye
Yelv – Kaiji Tang
Boze – Chris Jai Alex
H.B. – D.C. Douglas
Frye – Doug Erholtz
Phog – Josh Grelle
Alexa – Cherami Leigh
Hope – Alexis Tipton

More: Monolith Soft, Xenoblade Chronicles X

Monolith Soft boss on appealing to Japan/the west, “mass” hiring clarified, more Xeno games

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 49 Comments

GameSpot has posted another feature with Monolith Soft head Tetsuya Takahashi. In today’s interview, Takahashi commented on things like making games that will appeal to both Japan and the west, the “mass” hiring the studio had in October (which carries a rather interesting response), the possibility of additional Xeno games, and more.

Continue on below to read up on Takashi’s comments. You should also give GameSpot’s original piece a look here.

More: interview, Monolith Soft, Tetsuya Takahashi, top

Europe will have access to the Xenoblade Chronicles X data packs on Monday

Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 3 Comments

Those who plan on picking up Xenoblade Chronicles X can download four data packs for the game. These are intended to improve loading times and enhance the overall gaming experience.

In North America, each one of the data packs has been up since November 12. We knew they’d be heading to Europe as well – it was just a matter of when. And now we have an exact date, thanks to a response from Nintendo UK’s customer support team. Wii U owners in Europe can begin downloading the packs starting on Monday.

Source