'Kingdom Hearts 3' release date, trailer & news update: creator Tetsuya Nomura explains "Kingdom Hearts 2 HD 2.8"; timeframe for Sora's new adventure

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"Kingdom Hearts" series director Tetsuya Nomura explains the meaning behind "2.8" and what it means for Sora's storyline.

The announcement of "Kingdom Hearts 2.8" has stirred fans and rumors that the "Kingdom Hearts 3" might be released soon. However, Tetsuya Nomura clears the rumors.

In an interview with Japanese videogame site Famitsu, as cited by Anime News Network (ANN), Nomura revealed that "Kingdom Hearts 2 HD 2.8" is the sequence by which the games come together. Before the newly released games, there was "Kingdom Hearts 2.5", the HD version of "Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance" would be "2.6."

"2.8" comes from adding up "Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth By Sleep" and "Birth By Sleep" which is 0.1 to all of the games released in the series so far. As for "Kingdom Hearts X Back Cover," Nomura did not include it because Sora did not star in it.

When Nomura asked if there will be a 2.9, he laughingly said that the next game would be "Kingdom Hearts III."

According to ANN, Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue will include:

• "Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance HD": remastered version of the "Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance" in the Nintendo 3DS
• "Kingdom Hearts X: Back Cover": new HD theater video of "the series' oldest short story"
• "Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -a fragmentary passage-": new short episode from the 2011 Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix for PSP game.

According to Game Rant, "Kingdom Hearts HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue" will be released for PS4 in 2016. Additionally, the tech for "Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -a fragmentary passage-" will be similar to "Kingdom Hearts 3" which explains why the collection will be available only in PS4, RPGfan reports.

In the report by Neuro Gadget, "Kingdom Hearts 3" will include Disney characters from "Big Hero 6," "Tangled," and "Hercules." There are also rumors that some Disney worlds like "Brave," "Wreck-it Ralph" and "Frozen" will also be included as well as Disney's newly acquired franchises "Marvel" and "Star Wars."

According to game co-director Tai Yasue, the rumors might become a definite possibility as all the titles are owned by Disney.

Furthermore, more details and release dates for "Kingdom Hearts 3" will be released on Nov. 6 to 8 this year at the upcoming D23 Expo in Japan. Square Enix will be showcasing game play features of "Kingdom Hearts 3" and "Final Fantasy XV."