It is. The premise suggests science-fiction, but it really is a history book, analysis of games, business practices, design, with a seasoning of philosophy and sprinkle of self-help.

Though I must say, you bring up an interesting point. At what point did time travel change from fiction to nonfiction? Was it retroactively applied to all history the first time we traveled, or did it only become nonfiction in the time period traveled to and from, but remains fiction in all other periods where time travel had not yet occurred in reality and is still fantasy?

Either way doesn't affect you much, since here you have a book from a historian, so here it's nonfiction, but interesting question nonetheless.

Capcom was NOT involved and knew not of it before release. It's unaffiliated, unauthorized, and unofficially unauthored as it's a paradoxical item of unknown origin, but despite its being unapproved by Capcom, had I thought they'd disapprove of its unoriginal delivery you'd not have this book to read.

In other words, while the book was fair in recounting Capcom's mishandling of BOF, for it couldn't be an accurate history book otherwise, I had faith the company would take no issue with being praised for producing some of the greatest pieces of storytelling art in history, for that was its predominant and recurring theme.

As a reminder, neither in the book nor here was it stated that Capcom will be involved in all future events. It refers only to their praiseworthy past. Future works were credited to "the studio" whomever that will be, and this term was never intended to imply that will be Capcom.

Of course, as current owner of the Breath of Fire intellectual property and possessor of all rights to decide its fate, they will be essential to the next step and involved in some form with making that history, but how you must wait and see.

No comment.

Generic terms (Console A, Franchise B, etc) were used to avoid targeting people. Even when examples seem to refer to a specific real-world company, product or event, the focus was on behavior. Everyone can learn from what they and others have done wrong and right, so it's unfair to condemn anyone for any one action in the past, and the book avoids names so readers will consider the actions, not the performers.

Most examples were inspired by your past, but most are applicable to more than one real-world company, product or event (some being from your future), so don't waste your time trying to guess who or what any anecdote or analogy could be referring to. For most, there isn't a single right answer.

A question from many BOF fans, not all, and indicative of the mentality that motivated the writing of the book. Some people are angered by something being different, get stuck in their initial anger, and have difficulty considering other angles.

Present fans of BOF5 have speculated that had it been released years later when another series gained acclaim it may well have been very popular, and future scholars have speculated the term "Souls-like" may well have been "SOL-like" in another time, but that's the tragedy of being too far ahead of the curve. The game's difficulty and innovative structure came at a time when most weren't ready for it (and marketing errors didn't help).

Personally, I didn't like it the first time I played it, but returned years later, went in with different expectations, and saw it for what it was: a good game, with a bad name.

In fact, returning to the point on motivation, I think this game and its past turmoil is representative of the problem with BOF. Remember the renaming of BOF5 to the unnumbered "Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter"? Think about that. Capcom made a mistake, accepted it, and tried to correct it, but it didn't make things better. Fans have oft said a BOF resurrection will be amazing if done right, but that's easier said than done, and Capcom knows from experience that trying to do what's right can go tragically wrong. If you only take one thing away from these FAQ, let it be this: Capcom had a good heart. Go easy on them. They were trying to give the fans what they thought you wanted most. But without a Dragon Tear, that's hard to guess.

Because Capcom has cooties! Just kidding.

This question reflects a common sentiment among Breath of Fire fans, and it's born from a lack of empathy. Hate wasn't the problem. Many fans assume Capcom neglected BOF due to apathy, that a refusal to supply what you demand means they don't care, not considering the consequences of not neglecting it.

Ego can lead to ruin, and giving them the benefit of the doubt, should you not instead see neglect as Capcom recognizing its faults and embracing its strengths, accepting that it never figured out how to make the most of this franchise and thought it best to move on rather than inflict more abuse on fans? They've shown their ability to unleash the full potential of numerous properties, and shown their inability to unleash others. Think like a supporter of Capcom and BOF, and ask yourself: Would you rather they give you another Breath of Fire 6, or let it rest in peace? Often, truly loving something means having the humility to let it go.

Focusing on fewer franchises enables you to put more effort into the quality of the few. Capcom is like a parent with great genetics and many offspring, but not the time to raise them all. They have Street Fighter, Resident Evil. Also, Monster Hunter and Dragon's Dogma. They moved on in their RPG interests, and does anybody win if Capcom divides its efforts further? BOF won't become what it could unless it receives the same investment as its big siblings, leaving less to invest in the rest.

Where does that leave Sten, Deis, Gonghead and Goo? That's a question for another time.

Oh, the many ways fans have tried to coax me into telling them what this book would not. The book is ambiguous on who will effect the rebirth, so I'll respect its gray nature and return your question not with an answer, but with some food for thought.

What do you really want? For Capcom to resurrect BOF, or do you really just want BOF to be resurrected? If the latter, your conversation with Capcom could produce the desired results were you to kindly say: "Dear Capcom, we get it now, we see that you love the games you created, and the fans you created. We grew up with you, and you grew up with us. We have no more demands, just a humble wish. We wish you would give Breath of Fire the future it deserves, a chance to be legend. It's time."

While the book presented Capcom options as black and white, either step up (do it) or step aside (let another do it), the reality is more gray. With BOF, given its past and what's best for the future, the greatest act of stepping up may be stepping aside, saying: "We are your father, but it's best if you continue your adventure with those who can focus their effort on unlocking your true power." Not saying they did that, just that may be.

Or, it might be best to keep BOF in their hands, and it is unless they put it into hands equally or more loving than theirs that company and fans trust will steer it toward a better future.

Whatever your desire, wording is key. If you attack Capcom, you'll force them to be defensive and stubborn, even if they'd rather grant your wish. Instead, give them a chance to be a hero by doing something that will ignite the history books, and you may be surprised at how willing they were to do it.

A new one. An independent one. A well-funded one. One with the freedom to be patient, thorough, and experimental. One whose success depends 100% on BOF (and only BOF).

I hope you're only asking for a hypothetical and not a spoiler, because I'm not saying that's who did it, only saying logically and logistically that's who'd be most capable of doing it best.

Overextending and spreading yourself thin is the doom of any person or group, and handing BOF to an existing studio would have the same issue as Capcom keeping it, but worse. Existing studios have existing properties, projects and goals. Breath of Fire was a property that, properly managed, would define a studio, so the ideal would be for every current studio to keep doing what they're doing, and for BOF to become the foundation for something new.

Think of it like this: BOF is the hero of its own story, a story that began in a wonderful hometown (Capcom), but its destiny is to leave its birthplace and build its own place in the world, a new home with the potential to reach future heights you can only imagine (at present). Basically, its most popular mini-game...

"Me?" (says fishing)
"No, the other one." (says me)

...has always been foreshadowing its fate.

Although, just because you move out of your childhood home, it doesn't mean you stop talking to your parents, so there's no reason this hypothetical new studio wouldn't have a friendly relationship with Capcom. Passing the torch doesn't require burning bridges, and a resurrection would go much smoother with good spirits and (*koff* their engine *koff*) cooperation from everyone. Just saying.

But never remember to forget, this is only one possible ending. Whether it's the one you get... who knows?

I already was by delivering the book, but without you knowing the term I think what you're really asking is will I be working with the studio as a past-consultant? I sincerely don't know, and I'll use the 'information then explanation' approach in answering this (I hope) to the satisfaction of those asking.

Fans don't want BOF to remain buried in the Capcom cellar, nor have its corpse dragged out for further abuse. Which is to say, they don't want a game with "Breath of Fire" on the box; they got one of those in 2016. They want a BOF game, and getting one requires that the right people be involved.

If there's only one timeline, then fans will get what they want, because they already did in our past, but if there's alternate forks, the only way to guarantee results in your future is to have one who knows what was done in my past, and that's me or someone like me, if forks there be. But I'm not special, and I'm not needed to make BOF immensely successful. Anyone with an immense passion for it can do that, and while the Breath of Fire brand would be different than it was in my own time, a forked version might be better (50/50 chance).

Now, to explain why I couldn't answer this question even if I wanted to. A "past-consultant" is basically a project overseer and quality-assurance filter who tells people in the past what they did in the future, a cheat sheet that ensures producing the best product possible by guiding and coordinating those who did the actual work. Historians who serve in this role never allow their names to be credited in official records, because knowing that YOU did it creates that compulsion to prove freewill by not doing it. It's the same reason we don't include our names in the publication records for history books like this one. To remain sane and do our job, we can't know.

Ergo, I don't know. But you shouldn't care either way, because I repeat: I'm not special. If you read the book, then you know historians don't have good ideas; we just have time machines.

I can't answer that without spoiling the future beyond the intent of the book, but I'll address it because this is probably the most considerate request made by BOF fans. Capcom has released many excellent collections, so this isn't such a bad idea. The only concern would be scope. For a truly complete collection, you'd want Japanese and American versions of all console and mobile games, full history of BOF, including its rotten chapter, with the mobile bunch needing to be translated and converted to work offline (fully, with all content) on modern hardware.

That's doable. Capcom has done it before, but it would take some effort, particularly on those mobile games, so consider the value (to them) in doing this. Be fair. BOF is loved, but how many of its games can be found on their top (million+) seller list, and thus what resources are needed to make it the best it can be versus what's fiscally justified?

But that only applies if they keep it. If Capcom sells BOF, a collection may arise from a collaboration funded by its new owner, a grand sendoff to the franchise and a housewarming, the first new product from the future house of BOF, or it might be developed entirely by the newfound studio. But this only applies if Capcom gives it a better home; if it's worse, you'll wish to Myria they had left BOF in its grave.

BOF fans say they'll be happy with anything, but they won't. A collection of the ashes would be best as a prelude to rebirth, the new age of Breath of Fire, its resurrection. Anything less will disappoint, bringing us back to the merits of that "let it rest" option.

The closest I'll give to a spoiler is to remind you of what you already know: Thus far, the BOF fans haven't been saying the right things to the right people, which is why things haven't happened yet. Once they do, things will.

I am. I travel in real time.

Now quit asking questions that spoil the fun. It's a premise for a book that enables a stylized analysis. Enjoy it, or don't.

What are those colored logos, like the one above?
Warping time machines, great for hunting memories. Click to travel back and revisit where you were in the past. If you're asking what the image depicts, go back to the last 6 words in Answer 3.

Can I ask a personal question?
Have you not read the "Guide" section on this site? Have you not seen Rocky (not the giant chicken in Breath of Fire III; the one that chicken name was an homage to) put a bullet to the head? What you do, you can.

What was your first role-playing game (RPG)?
First I cared to finish (but technically my second)? Breath of Fire

Your real first (got boring once you got the best armor)?
See subtitle of my second. More foreshadowing.

Which Breath of Fire game is your favorite?
The Japanese one.

What's your favorite non-BOF game?
Research Nimrod. Thoroughly.

Can I have Aspara?
Did you call dibs?

How do you say "Barubary"?
I? Say "Bar." Say "rub." Say "Barub" (like "Barb" with an "u" sound as in "ultimate," but subtle, almost imperceptible). Say "Barbary" (like Barbara with a "y" as in "scary") and THINK of words like "savagery" (behavior of a savage, only here it's behavior of a barbarian). Say "Barubary!"

Is that the real pronunciation?
Not exactly, but translating isn't exact, so the real question is what sound harmonizes the two names in the credits (first seen in Japan) with the American script name. End credits weren't wrong, but "Barubary" was Capcom's third official translation, and three eyes, I say third time's the charm.

Why did the book say that in BOF5...?
That you would ask proves you know it well, and as any BOF5 fan knows, sometimes it's the history not found in books that's the truest.

Did you think Breath of Fire 6 was better than Breath of Fire 16?
No.

Ha! Tricked you! BOF16 confirmed! How's it feel to inadvertently spoil the future?
Ha! No you didn't! I only said I didn't think it better. I also don't think caviar (which is real) was better than Gold Fly pudding (which is unreal). You can fool my agent, but not me.

damn
Better luck next time.