Nintenderos has published a new interview with Naoki Hamaguchi, the lead developer behind this ambitious Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy. Mr. Hamaguchi says he is aware that they need to grow the potential of the acclaimed Final Fantasy brand as a whole for the next generation. Here’s what he had to say:
Now that the trilogy is nearing its conclusion, do you already have an idea of what kind of game you’d like to create next? Would you prefer to continue with Final Fantasy or explore something completely new?
We are constantly updating our vision on what kind of experiences we can offer next.
As the Final Fantasy VII remake project nears completion, I want to meet the expectations of fans who desire even more depth in this world and its characters. At the same time, I am very aware of the need to consider how we can expand the potential of the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole for the next generation.
On the other hand, as the creator of these works, if there is a demand for new and unique experiences that differ from what we have done so far, I am also eager to face those challenges.
While I may not be able to do everything at once, I’m not only a game director, but also head of one of the studios within Square Enix . Looking ahead, the number of projects I oversee as head of studio will likely increase. Regardless of the form they take, I will continue to deliver engaging experiences to the game fans who have high expectations of both me, Naoki Hamaguchi, and the work of my studio. That commitment will not change.
I feel like a reboot of the franchise that focus on what made the franchise special with traditional turn based combat and a unique theming like what FFVII and FFX did. Even though the new games are good, I feel like going back to the roots that makes it easy for new players to jump in would be the best way to expand the franchise.
That won’t appeal to a younger fanbase the average age of the Square Enix consumer is 43 and honestly that’s the age of most gamers right now. It would just be the same audience and the younger generations would not care. Only Final Fantasy that seemed to do well with zoomers was 15 and that was in part because Nomura was originally in charge so the Kingdom Hearts fandom bought into it thinking it was his. Rebooting won’t help and neither will going back to turn based mechanics it would just be the same crowd this IP is dated for a older demo.
I can agree. I’m not a fan of the franchise itself but I do love the characters in it honestly. But it’s good to expand the franchise even if there was a reboot for next gen fans. The franchise is still very special for fans and Squire Enix developers.
FFVIII Remake next!
There’s no purpose the younger generations doesn’t care give us Kingdom Hearts 4 onwards already and remake Union X and Dark Road. Trying that stuff won’t salvage Final Fantasy. I’d say try to adapt the Square Enix manga into games given anime popularity instead, this is a failed effort. Gen Z been waiting on Kingdom Hearts 4, 5, Verum Rex, Dark Road/Union X remakes, whatever else needed to finish the story.
They need to cancel trash like Kingdom Hearts and put all their effort into rebuilding the mainline Final Fantasy franchise.
Nobody likes Kingdom Hearts apart from emotionally stunted retards anyway. It’s a series for braindead autists who enjoy Disney trash.
Woah. Never heard such words used in this way. Can you explain why you think that?
As someone relatively new to the franchise, the only FF games I’ve enjoyed so far are 7 remake and rebirth, and 16. I really enjoy turn based RPGs as well but I have trouble going back to older turn based RPGs these days. I don’t enjoy grinding and need some kind of twist to not get bored of turn based battles.
I like Persona, and really loved Expedition 33, and I enjoy the Octopath traveller series. Each of those imo does enough to keep the combat interesting, but some of the older FF games’ combat gets stale for me pretty quickly.
I LOVED Remake. That combat system might be my favorite in any rpg ever. The action is fun but I still feel like I need to strategize and can create my own way custom ways of playing like any good turn based system. Materia slotting is so fun. After that I wanted more and tried 15, and have never been more disappointed in a game after having such high expectations for the series after experiencing remake as my first one. Then I tried 16 and really enjoyed it despite the combat being a lot simpler.
I see that the franchise keeps trying different things and I respect that. If they go turn based again that would be fun but I would expect them to modernize it with unique mechanics like E33 did instead of JUST returning to their roots.
Just please make a real proper turn based Final Fantasy again… its been soooo long. I’m so tired and bored of action rpgs.
Well then they need to let their marketing team know. ‘Cause I did some ads for them before, and I used Terra in them. They wanted to know why I used her (I also used Cloud and Sephiroth like they requested). I said because fans love FFVI and other FF games beyond just VII and a lot of fans want to see other characters represented for once. They kept asking over and over but why? We wanted Cloud and one of Sephiroth. Well I gave you those, and I did a few extras for free for you, in case you wanted to try them out, I think they’d do well. But why? Because fans love Terra. But why? … I said I don’t know, don’t use her, just use Cloud and Sephiroth if that’s what you want. Just forget I sent you the Terra ones. They just didn’t get it. They used Cloud and Sephiroth again. For the millionth time. Dissidia is filled with tons of characters and yet the marketing department only wanted to focus on the same FFVII characters they always do. It’s like they didn’t understand there are other games outside of VII. VII was one of my favorites until they just milked it to death and then some. Like I’m sick of seeing those characters even though I love them. But I love tons of the other great characters. But they would say “what other characters?”
Ff9 remake i need that in my life