Square Enix is easily the most prolific role-playing game publisher in the business, and recently it teamed up with Microsoft to bring a handful of original RPGs to the Xbox 360. Developed by tri-Ace, Infinite Undiscovery is an Xbox 360-exclusive set to be released worldwide this September. We had the opportunity to sit down with Square Enix producer Hajime Kojima to discover more about what's in store.



GameSpy: Can you tell us about the origin of the name "Infinite Undiscovery" and what it means?
Hajime Kojima, Producer: We realize that "undiscovery" is a made-up word. (laughs) It's not that you can't discover anything, but there are many things that remain undiscovered in the game.
GameSpy: One of the main premises behind the game is that the main character is supposed to be the spitting image of a famous hero in the game world. Are you eventually going to have a party with two identical characters fighting side-by-side?
Hajime Kojima: Yes, there will be two characters that look alike together in the game. While we can't reveal too much at the moment, it won't be two identical people.
GameSpy: So one will have a flute, and the other a giant sword?
Hajime Kojima: (laughs) Well, the main character is a flute player, but he's actually pretty good with a sword as well.
GameSpy: There's a flute magic system for the main character, Capell, correct?
Hajime Kojima: There's a variety of ways to use the flute, yes. He can play it to get the enemy's attention. Or you can use it to block magic attacks. A third way to use it would be to play the flute, and if there's a wall before the players that blocks the way ahead, it can be an illusion, and playing the flute will dispel the illusion, clearing the way.
GameSpy: So tell us more about the "discovery" in the game.
Hajime Kojima: As we showed you in the demonstration earlier, there are many examples of interactive objects that can be used in the game like the barrels that you blow up to defeat the ogre.
GameSpy: Can you move and shoot at the same time?
Hajime Kojima: When you want to shoot, you engage in Connect-action mode. You can only stand still and aim at objects.
GameSpy: What is the bar on the side of the screen that looks like a sword?
Hajime Kojima: That's the AP gauge. It measures when you attack a heavy enemy, and how much you lift it off the ground.
GameSpy: One of the core concepts of the game is the Situation Battle, and we've seen a few where you have to run away from the enemy and complete the encounter by working with the environment. Are most situation battles going to be about running away from a strong foe?
Hajime Kojima: Not all situation battles are about running away from enemies. The demos we showed did focus on running, but there are definitely situation battles where you have to fight. One example is a battle where you're fighting a monster, but during the fight you have to avoid tornadoes as they move across the battlefield.