Active Time Event



Active Time Events, abbreviated to ATE, is a system that gives the player the ability to view short optional scenes in Final Fantasy IX that are happening at the same time elsewhere in the world. While the player is off in a different location, they can view the actions of their other party members, or non-player characters that occur roughly at the same time. When an ATE occurs, the words "Active Time Event" appear at the bottom left corner of the screen, and a distinct chime is played. The player can then use the SELECT button to view the scene.

All Active Time Events are named. Usually ATEs have no effect on gameplay, though a few allow the player to obtain items. ATEs come in two flavors-- mandatory and optional. Mandatory ATEs are activated automatically, even if the player doesn't press SELECT. Optional ATEs remain available if not selected, and the player can continue to progress through the game without activating them, though leaving a game screen or exiting to the World Map may sometimes cause an ATE to become unavailable. Additionally, activating certain ATEs will sometimes make certain other ATEs or dialogue available.

Lindblum (First Visit)

 * Small-Town Knight In A Big City: Steiner asks a female Red Mage for directions, but she interprets it as flirting and brushes him off. He then tries some Gysahl Pickles from the nearby vendor.
 * Vivi's Shopping: Vivi learns of the Festival of the Hunt from a shopkeeper. Hearing that it involves animals, he is excited and runs off. However, he does not realize that the objective is to fight the animals. One Kupo Nut is received for watching this ATE.
 * Steam Engine: Steiner wanders the city and finds himself in front of the airship yards. An old man then tells him of the new technology called "Steam Power".
 * What Can I Do?: Garnet, stuck inside the castle, is left with nothing to do.
 * Baku And His Crew: The members of Tantalus escape from the Evil Forest and decide to search for a way to save Blank.

Treno (First Visit)

 * Treno Tradition: Garnet is pickpocketed by the Four-Armed Man. The player may press the X button to reduce the amount stolen to 500 Gil instead of 1,000 Gil when the "!" icon appears.
 * Ambition: Two children in the Treno slums plot class warfare to overthrow the nobles.
 * Pursuit: The Four-Armed man gets a good look at Garnet and thinks she's cute. He then decides to move to a new city.
 * Confusion: Garnet has a bad impression of Treno and overhears an old drunk talking to himself.
 * Unexpected Visitor: Garnet wanders into the Auction House and sees a familiar face.
 * Meeting Place: Marcus meets with Baku about the Supersoft. It has been located in a noble's house.
 * Crime And Punishment: Cinna has missed the cable-car once again and is caught slacking off by Baku.

Cleyra

 * Don't Hate Me: Vivi is spotted by Burmecian refugees.
 * No Yummy-Yummies!: Quina is upset to find that Cleyra has no food.
 * I-I Haven't Hurt Anyone: Vivi is harassed by the Burmecians, despite his claims of innocence.
 * There A Mushroom!: Quina eats a mushroom.

Lindblum (Second Visit)

 * Friendship: Marcus goes to save Blank.
 * The Third Jewel: Occupying Alexandrian soldiers load supplies.
 * Brahne's Fleet Arrives: Lindblum soldiers ponder the actions of the Alexandrian invaders, wondering where they will strike next.
 *  How Infuriating: Alexandrian soldiers hear a strange noise.

Conde Petie (First Visit)

 * Vivi And The Couple: Vivi is surprised to find that the Dwarves are not afraid of him.
 * Quina Accused: Quina, not understanding that food needs to be bought, tries to eat food from a grocery. S/he is accused of being a thief.
 * Dagger And William: Garnet learns of a Sanctuary and its connection to a local marital rite.
 * Quina Can't Communicate: Quina finds it difficult to talk to the locals and is again suspected of being a thief.
 * Hungry Bryan: Two dwarves greet a Black Mage.

Black Mage Village

 * Life on the Run: Two Black Mages are shocked to see humans in the village.
 * Gourmand's Nose: Quina sniffs out some food.
 * Everyday Life: A Black Mage practices being a shopkeeper.
 * Life Cycle: The "food" Quina found is actually a chocobo egg being protected by two Black Mages.
 * Different Language: Vivi learns that the Black Mages are escapees from the Cargo Ships. He then learns that several have died, for a reason that is cut-off when the ATE ends.
 * Visitor, Not Invader: Garnet tries to communicate with the Black Mages.

Conde Petie (Second Visit)

 * Nuptial Joy: Vivi and Quina get married.

Madain Sari

 * Vivi's Feelings: Vivi ponders life and death.
 * Dagger's Feelings: Garnet notices that the town is familiar somehow.
 * Eiko's Feelings: Eiko tries to make Zidane fall in love with her by showing off her cooking skills.
 * Eiko's Kitchen: Eiko tries to cook. The player's choices affect later scenes.
 * Eiko's Kitchen 2: Eiko continues cooking. The dialogue is affected by the choices in the previous episode and affects a later scene.

Alexandria

 * It's So Big!: Eiko is impressed by the size of the castle and gets taunted by some kitchen attendants.
 * Long Time No See!: The Nero Family have a reunion.
 * To Fly High: Blank and Marcus discuss Zidane's love life.
 * Artemicion: Artemicion meets with his fellow Moogles. His coat is oddly shiny.
 * I Forgot: Baku realizes that he has lost Eiko's love letter to Zidane.
 * Clowns On A Dark Night: Zorn and Thorn try to reenter Alexandria, but almost run into Marcus and Blank. They then decide to leave again.

Treno (Second Visit)

 * Eiko Talks Life: Eiko and Vivi discuss Zidane and Garnet's relationship.
 * How He Ended Up Here: Vivi meets with Marco. During the discussion, Marco mentions that Vivi should meet with his family. The player then decides if Vivi should visit Quan's Dwelling or stay in Treno.
 * Hippo's Prize: The two economically disadvantaged children from an earlier ATE continue to scheme towards revolution. But then their conversation turns towards a Tetra Master tournament, despite their feelings that it is a game for the rich. This ATE is only available if the player has chosen for Vivi to stay in Treno during "How He Ended Up Here". As a result, Mario will enter the Card Tournament, with the Namingway Card in his possession.
 * Memories By The Water: Amarant runs into the Four-Armed Man, who recognizes him as the "Flaming Amarant" and runs off in fright. However, he then witnesses Eiko talking to Amarant and mistakenly assumes that he has a soft spot for children.
 * City People: Eiko overhears nobles discussing extravagant purchases. The Four-Armed Man enters and attempts to kidnap her, thinking of blackmailing Amarant. He offers to take her to dinner, but at that moment, Quina walks in and overhears him talking about food. S/he scares him off and chases after him. When he flees, he drops a Chimera Armlet, which Eiko then picks up.
 * Home Sweet Home: Vivi goes home, despite the fact that his Grandpa has passed away. This ATE only appears if the player did not go to Quan's dwelling after directing Vivi to go there.
 * Good Old Days: Freya meets Amarant in front of the Auction House and discusses its owner. The conversation then moves to Amarant's past.
 * Lessons Of Life: Amarant tells of his first meeting with Zidane, when he was working as a security guard for the Auction House. Zidane framed him for a burglary, and Amarant has not forgotten it. This ATE only appears if the player chose to ask Amarant about his past during "Good Old Days".
 * Hallucination: Quina is hungry and considers eating the moon's reflection in the water. She jumps into the water, and the deaf old man nearby thinks it is a suicide attempt.
 * Premonition: Eiko discusses her Summoner clan with Doctor Tot.

Lindblum (Third Visit)

 * My Fault: If you chose to have Zidane ask where Garnet is during an earlier scene, Blank will direct him to her. In the ATE, he will remember that he was supposed to tell Zidane to go to Cid's room.
 * Something Washed Ashore: Quina has washed into Lindblum Harbor after jumping into the water at Treno during the "Hallucination" ATE.
 * Self-reproach: Garnet, unable to talk, is crushed by her failure to save her kingdom.
 * Deep Anger: Kuja is injured after the attack on Alexandria and angry at his failure to capture Alexander, but he has not lost his spirits. He continues to plot and scheme, with the help of the Black Mages, Zorn and Thorn.
 * My Hammer: Cinna, Marcus and the Nero brothers are rebuilding the Tantalus Hideout, but Cinna refuses to lend Marcus his hammer.
 * The Rally: Freya meets with her fellow Burmecians. They plan to rebuild their homeland, but Freya must still travel with Zidane's party to defeat Kuja.
 * No Free Lunch: Quina samples some Gysahl Pickles.
 * Give Me My Money: Baku has to pay for the pickles. This optional ATE is only activated if Zidane does not have enough money to pay off Quina's debt for the pickles.
 * Team: Steiner confronts Tantalus during his search for the missing Princess.
 * Recovery: Regent Cid prepares to build a new airship.

Bran Bal

 * Place To Call Home: Zidane behaves oddly while discussing clans with Quina.
 * Where The Heart Is: Vivi tries to talk to the Genomes but finds them anti-social. Zidane then walks by acting strangely.
 * Came Into This World: Amarant sees Zidane being led around by Mikoto. They then talk about family.
 * The Truth: Zidane is led into a teleporter, where he is to meet with Garland. Although he discovers that he was created to be an enemy of Gaia, he declares that he will never join Garland.
 * The Lift: This optional ATE relates to the lift in the castle Pandemonium and simply switches the player's party.