Ueda: Is it all right [to speak] in Japanese?

EX: Japanese is fine.

Ueda: Let's start on the topic of VF-X and exporting...

EX: Actually, that is one of our questions. According to Bandai Visual, are there plans to release MACROSS DIGITAL MISSION VF-X in America?

Ueda: Yes, we're releasing it [in America]. It is not 100% certain, but over 90%. (Laughs.) Bandai America will probably release it.

EX: Will it probably be next year?

Ueda: That's right. The Japan release is set for the end of February. Perhaps the American version will be released several months later, when the narration has been translated entirely into English.

EX: For the development of the MACROSS DIGITAL MISSION VF-X, which computer systems did you use?

Ueda: Well, we use Windows 95 machines for the main programming and development. For 3-D work, we also use PCS with 3D Studio. For the opening CG animation, Silicon Graphics. For the Valkyries' basic modeling, we use Macintoshes with ElectricImage.

EX: Are you planning to release VF-X on other platforms--say, for example Sega Saturn?

Ueda: No, we are not. We did want to create it for the Saturn. We chose Playstation for VF-X for its capabilities, but the Saturn cannot handle the polygons. (Laughs) Before, we planned to make VF-X for the Saturn. At this time though, we cannot make the Saturn handle the frame rate and the polygons.

EX: Please describe the Kawamori's input in this game?

Ueda: Kawamori's role? Hmmm... [in English] Executive direction. (Laughs) The people who actually directed and programmed are all within UNiT. [Kawamori's role is] animation data supervisor. Therefore, he would receive the Playstation [and the game] and say "This is just a little different from MACROSS" and note differences.

EX: So Kawamori would play the Playstation game, and say "Hmm... I think this doesn't quite have same feel of MACROSS"?

Ueda: That's right. By creating the game contents, we've created a new MACROSS "series," a new MACROSS. Until now, MACROSS has been presented on television, OVA, and film. Since Kawamori was involved in this game, we abided by the spirit and the rules of MACROSS. MACROSS exists in Kawamori's head (laughs), so we extracted the image of MACROSS from Kawamori. Kawamori also actually created a new type of enemy. They are Zentradi, but the designs are new. One of them is a never-before-seen transforming enemy Valkyrie.

EX: So the designs are different from the Zentradi designs we've seen before?

Ueda: The reasoning for the game designs is from MACROSS PLUS where humans combined Earth technology and Overtechnology. The Zentradi naturally thought it was a good idea and combined human and Zentradi technology to create a new fighter. This new fighter will be the last boss.

EX: What did you use to make SILENT MÖBIUS and the animated sequences for MACROSS DIGITAL MISSION VF-X? [Note: UNiT also developed the SILENT MÖBIUS "digital motion picture" software for the Pippin and Macintosh for Bandai.]

Ueda: Actually, nothing special (Laughs). We used Premiere as well as...

EX: RETAS?

Ueda: Yes, we used RETAS and Premiere on the Macintosh and Photoshop on Windows 95. That's what we used for Silent Mobius. For MACROSS Digital Mission VF-X, we used Photoshop and Premiere only (laughs). [In English] Very cheap (laughs). This is not a big company, so we use human power. (laughs) [Note: RETAS is the software package used to generate the phenomenal effects in TENKUU NO ESCAFLOWNE]

EX: After SILENT MÖBIUS, do you wish to make more digital anime?

Ueda: Yes, one of our current productions for Japan on Windows 95 [in English] is Video Girl. It was serialized in Weekly Jump.

EX: DEN'EI SHOUJO [VIDEO GIRL AI]?

Ueda: That's right. It will be a simulation adventure game and have four hours total of voice data. It will be for Windows 95. For Playstation, we have Kurumi Miracle, a cute girl magician simulation game (laughs). This will also be digital animation released in March [1997].

EX: My next question is: are there many MACROSS fans in UNiT, Inc.?

Ueda: Myself. I'm a big fan. (Laughs)

EX: Since the first MACROSS?

Ueda: MACROSS, MACROSS II (well...), MACROSS 7 , MACROSS PLUS, MACROSS DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE... I love them all. (Laughs)

EX: Are there others?

Ueda: There are many young people in this company, many in their 20s. There are those who have never seen MACROSS, but most have seen it on television and video.

EX: Besides MACROSS the game and Victory Zone, are there other future projects? [A pause ensues, in which eyes slowly turn toward the whiteboard that was not put away, listing all the secret future projects.]

Ueda: (Laughs as the interviewer admits having seen the secret list) Currently, our big project is a role-playing game. ARC THE LAD is a Sony Playstation game, and we're making a gambling game [based on it] with card games, slot machines and the rest. It may be released next autumn. After that, we have a Saturn gun-shooting game. Our top-secret project is GRADUATION 3D (laughs as he covers up the tape recorder's mike). Also, we are doing VIDEO GIRL as I mentioned above, and of course VF-X II.

EX: There are already plans?

Ueda: Yes, Perhaps autumn of 1997.

EX: And the final item? (points to whiteboard's list and its last item)

Ueda: There is YAMATO for the Playstation, details of which are still undecided.

VF-X Poster Contest!

Neat, isn't it? But unless you bought the MACROSS 15th Anniversary calendar or have a friend at UNiT, this sharp-looking poster is a little hard to come by...
Well, here's your chance at winning one — EX is giving away 2 of these promotional posters. Just tell us what's wrong in this otherwise neat looking image. Give us a correct answer and you'll be entered into the drawing.
Please send all entries to quattro@anime.net. Make sure the subject of the email starts with [contest] so that I can filter the entries accordingly. Good luck!
[Editor's Note: As of March 1st, the contest is now closed. Thanks to all those who participated!]