Questions about Koichi Ishii

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who created the Mana series?

Koichi Ishii is the creator of the Mana series. He joined Square in 1987 and developed the franchise that has defined action role-playing games for decades.

When did Koichi Ishii pitch Seiken Densetsu?

Koichi Ishii pitched a game called Seiken Densetsu in 1987. Square rejected the idea before he finished planning it, and he did not develop it as a Final Fantasy Gaiden until the early 1990s.

What game mechanics did Koichi Ishii design for Final Fantasy XI?

Koichi Ishii designed the skillchain system, the game economy, and an EXP penalty upon death for Final Fantasy XI. He created these mechanics alongside Hiroshi Takai to encourage cooperation and teamwork among players.

Which World of Mana game was a real-time strategy title?

Heroes of Mana is the real-time strategy game within the World of Mana series. The team chose the world of Seiken Densetsu 3 for its plot involving warring states to suit the RTS style.

Why did Koichi Ishii implement an EXP penalty upon death in Final Fantasy XI?

Koichi Ishii enforced an EXP penalty upon character death in Final Fantasy XI to make players feel empathy for their teammates when they got knocked out. This design choice aimed to create a social experience that encouraged players to work together.