During an interview with IGN Brazil, Yoshinori Kitase, producer of the franchise and director of the original Final Fantasy VII, addressed concerns surrounding lacking sales of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the latest chapter in the Remake trilogy from Square Enix. Back in September, the publisher held a briefing during which it shared its financial results, stating that profits did not meet the company’s expectations despite releasing multiple new titles, including the likes of Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

To put sales expectations into perspective, Kitase pointed towards the recent PlayStation Partners Awards held by Sony Interactive Entertainment in Japan, specifically the Grand Award category, which awarded the three best-selling games of the year. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was ranked among those games, alongside Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree. Being recognized in terms of sales assured him that the game succeeded in reaching a certain level.

However, the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth producer clarified that, while he is confident and happy that the game reached a certain level of sales, it is clear that, due to the nature of modern games (likely referring to increasing development budgets), exclusivity to a single platform is no longer feasible for Square Enix. He believes that the publisher needs to offer Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to as many players as possible.

The Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy has been a timed exclusive on PlayStation, with the first part arriving a year-and-a-half later on PC. With Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the duration of timed exclusivity has narrowed, and the PC version is set to be released next month on January 23, 2024.  Kitase is likely looking to have both games be available on the Nintendo Switch successor and Xbox Series consoles in addition to expecting the third and final part in the trilogy to be released simultaneously across as many platforms as possible.

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During an interview with 4gamer.net, Square Enix producer Naoki Yoshida was asked about the platform that will have the largest player base for Fantasian: Neo Dimension. In response, he said that the Switch will likely be the most popular, particularly because he believes the game is portable-friendly and easy to play. For example, he said that players can progress through the story while traveling on the train, storing all their encounters in the dimensions, and then doing battles all at once when they get home. In that sense, he said that a portable gaming PC like the Steam Deck will also work well.

Yoshida mentioned that Square Enix is also targeting younger audience, and he hopes that there will be plenty of appeal for it on the Switch. Though, he also expressed that he wants fans play Fantasian: Neo Dimension on other platforms as well.

Square Enix will also release an Xbox Series X|S version of Fantasian: Neo Dimension simultaneously alongside other platforms. According to Yoshida, Square Enix will launch a greater number of titles simultaneously across all platform in the future, and this is somewhat of a first step in this regard.

In response to a question regarding a classic game he would like to see re-released in the form of a remake or remaster, Yoshida said that, as a fan of Yasumi Matsuno’s work, he wants to see Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy Tactics be available  on modern platforms so that future generations have access to them. While he doesn’t have much interest in either remakes or remasters, he believes it’s very important for classic games to stand the test of time.

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In its consolidated financial report for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024, Square Enix discussed a change in strategy, whereby it will aggressively pursue multiplatform releases, which includes Nintendo platforms, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs. This is especially true in regards to major franchises and AAA games including catalog titles, as it will build an environment where more customers can enjoy the company’s output. Moreover, the company will engage in initiatives which focus on the acquisition of PC users.

In addition, Square Enix will also pursue a shift from “quantity to quality” as its medium- to long-term philosophy. It will first work to establish the optimal portfolio, striking a balance between a “product-out” approach that reflects the vision of its employees to the utmost,
and a “market-in” approach that leverages customers’ voices and data to inform development efforts.

Square Enix will also focus on the goal of developing titles that are “fun”, delivering enjoyable and exciting experiences to players. The Group intends to be mindful of the need to launch HD titles that can help expand its player base. The company will regularly release AAA titles in its major franchises to maintain and increase its users. In addition, the Group will strive to increase its success rate in Smartphone Device games by launching a carefully curated selection of titles.

Furthermore, the company has announced that it will explore the leveraging of its rich library of IP, suggesting that it may bring back old, dormant series, such as Parasite Eve. It will also be bold in attempting to create new IP, prioritizing novel forms of excitement and striking the right balance with earnings potential. To that end, it will explore new possibilities in entertainment, potentially by leveraging new technology.

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Gaming enthusiast forum Reset Era member Head on the Block, formerly known as the credible leaker Im a Hero Too, has stated that exclusive partnerships between Square Enix and PlayStation are going to get “much, much worse” in the future.

The Reset Era member further explained that these exclusivity deals between Square Enix and PlayStation are fundamentally about the bottom line i.e. money. They added that Microsoft has a larger array of development studios, while Sony, on the other hand, will work towards getting a larger number of exclusive partnerships and building on its existing brand loyalty.

While platform exclusivity is generally frowned upon by the fan base, 30% of the income on all sales coming from such titles makes money for the platform holder. Therefore, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s strategy is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. The only other alternative is more acquisitions, which is also something the console maker will look to explore in future.

One such timed exclusivity deal between Square Enix and PlayStation is for the upcoming action role-playing title, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Recently, an interview with producer Yoshinori Kitase revealed fresh details regarding the game’s characters and gameplay. Speaking in response to a question regarding Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s open world, Kitase stated that it is not referred to as an open world internally by the development team.

Kitase explained that Midgar, the setting of the previous game, was a closed terrain, so no matter who played, everyone followed the same story. However, for Rebirth, the development team wanted players to choose which quests or side activities to take on. The catch here is that in order to move from one area to the next, the main story is preserved by having the player meet the necessary prerequisites, such as passing through a specific dungeon or obtaining a new vehicle.

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The livestream, scheduled from 6:00 am to 7:00 am PT, will reveal exciting details about the SaGa series. Fans can expect to see highlights such as an in-depth look at the next mainline entry, SaGa Emerald Beyond, and updates on the popular mobile RPG, Romancing SaGa Re;univerSe. There will be a blend of news, insights, and behind-the-scenes stories from the series’ rich history.

The event will be hosted by key figures from the SaGa series, including developers Masanori Ichikawa and Akitoshi Kawazu, along with Neil Broadley, the localization director, and other special guests. Their insights and experiences will shed light on the series’ evolution and future direction, making it a must-watch for fans and industry insiders.

SaGa Glimmerfest 2023 will be broadcast live on the Square Enix YouTube and Twitch channels, ensuring that fans worldwide can join in the celebration and catch all the announcements as they happen. There will be a Video On Demand (VOD) of the event on their YouTube channel after the stream is over

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In its annual report for the year 2023, Square Enix President Takashi Kiryu stated that the company will work from a medium- to long-term perspective to optimize the allocation of its resources for both development and publishing and to build the optimal organizations to utilize those resources. In doing so, Square Enix aims to bolster the profitability of its Digital Entertainment segment and its AAA games (referred to as “HD games” in the report) in particular.

Additionally, Kiryu mentioned that the publisher’s customer base is taking increasing interest in its Digital Entertainment offerings, particularly its AAA game via digital stores rather than physical ones. He believes that this gives critical importance not only to the distribution channels that the company uses to deliver its products to its customers, but also to the creation of appropriate contact points and communication initiatives within the context of its marketing and sales activities because they enable its customers to learn about its content before they decide to purchase it. By increasing the sophistication of its publishing functions both in Japan and overseas, the company will strive to maximize its sales of both new and catalog titles.

Previously, former Reset Era member Im A Hero Too had some details to share regarding projects that are currently in development at Square Enix. According to them, a Final Fantasy IX remake was originally scheduled for a Summer 2024 release, but they were no longer sure about the release window, as the game needed some further polishing. They also mentioned that the Final Fantasy X remake had a skeleton crew for development, and that it will not be released in time to coincide with the original game’s 25th anniversary.

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The game has been rated Teen by ESRB due to Blood, Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, and Violence.

According to the rating description, the game features frenzied melee combat against monsters and human soldiers, with characters using different weapons such as swords, staffs, guns, and magic spells. Combat scenarios include impact sounds, cries of pain, and explosions. The cutscenes in the game also depict violence, sometimes with blood effects, such as scenes of characters being impaled or slashed with swords, often enhanced with slow-motion effects. Those who have played Final Fantasy VII might know where the story is going here.

Additionally, there are depictions of characters being shot or targeted with a spinning blade. Some female characters are dressed in revealing outfits, showcasing deep cleavage. If you are sensitive to spoilers, you can skip reading the full description shared by ESRB.

This is an action role-playing game in which players follow the story of a mercenary (Cloud Strife) on a quest to save the planet from evil. Players explore fantasy landscapes, perform missions, and battle monsters and soldiers in frenetic melee combat. Characters use swords, staffs, guns, and magic spells to fight monsters and human soldiers; combat is highlighted by impact sounds, cries of pain, and explosions. Cutscenes depict further instances of violence, sometimes with splatters/pools of blood: characters impaled or slashed by swords, sometimes with slow-motion effects; an assassin throwing a spinning blade at a targeted figure; characters shot by soldiers. Some female characters are designed with revealing outfits (e.g., deep cleavage); suggestive dialogue sometimes accompanies camera panning/close-ups of characters’ bodies/outfits (e.g., “Just admit it. You’re obviously captivated by my bodacious beach bod.”). The game contains some alcohol content: as Cloud, players can drink a version of moonshine while at a bar; cutscenes sometimes feature drunk characters slurring their speech. A handful of scenes depict characters smoking cigars or out of hookahs. The words “sh*t,” “a*shole,” and “pr*ck” appear in the game.

It was recently revealed that the game will feature a graphics and performance mode on PS5. The developers appear to have taken inspiration from the open world of other Final Fantasy games including Final Fantasy XV, and other popular Western games. The story will continue from the events of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will launch on February 29, 2024, exclusively for the PS5.

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During a Q&A session held during the publisher’s 43rd Annual Shareholders Meeting on June 23, 2023, Square Enix revealed that it is considering working on more remasters of older classics from its catalog after the success of the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster.

In response to a question regarding plans to remaster other past titles, such as Xenogears, a Square Enix executive responded by stating that, while the company will refrain from sharing information about new titles, it is indeed considering various ideas internally and hopes that fans will look forward to forthcoming announcements in this regard.

The company also responded to a question regarding longer gaps between game releases compared to its peers. An executive stated that the company believes in strengthening its internal development organization, as the difficulty of developing major titles is becoming extremely high, which also has implications for development lead times. The publisher hopes that this reinforcement of our organization will promote the development not only of major titles but also new IPs under the new management team.

The aforementioned Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series comprises of remakes of the first six numbered titles in the Final Fantasy franchise. These remakes utilize a unified engine powered by the Unity game engine. Initially revealed on June 13, 2021, during the Square Enix Presents Summer Showcase for E3 2021, the pixel remaster series was subsequently released for iOS, Android, and Microsoft Windows via Steam between July 2021 and February 2022, and PS4 and Nintendo Switch on April 19, 2023. These releases were touted as the definitive 2D remasters of their respective games.

The sprite work in the remasters appears to draw inspiration from FF DOT: The Pixel Art of Final Fantasy, a 2018 art book featuring re-imagined sprites from various titles in the series, as well as Final Fantasy Dimensions. Kazuko Shibuya, the original pixel artist for the games and a long-time contributor to the Final Fantasy series, remastered the character pixel art for all six titles from their original versions.

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In a YouTube stream that was planned for the game’s launch in Japan, details around the day one patch were shared by the game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida.

While the developers initially shared that there won’t be a day one patch, they later revealed that after the feedback from the demo, they are planning to bring a day one patch. According to the announcement, Final Fantasy XVI day one update (1.001) will offer the following fixes as outlined in the patch notes.

Final Fantasy XVI 1.002 Patch Notes

• Fix a control flag issue which can make progress impossible under very specific circumstances.
• Fix an issue wherein the game could close unexpectedly under very specific circumstances
• Optimize performance in several places.
• Fix some minor text errors.

The download size of this update has been revealed to be 300 MB so it is a small patch. If you are looking to pre-order the game, you can learn more about the date of the pre-load including the required file size.

While the game is not out until June 22, some of the retail stores have already started to sell copies which means some users have early access to the game. The review embargo for the game is also set sometime before launch.

If you are curious about the download size, it has been confirmed to be around 90 GB and since the day one patch is small, this is not expected to change much. If you pre-order the game, you will be able to play it as the day one patch might already be downloaded with the pre-load.

Final Fantasy XVI will be released on June 22 for the PS5. It is being developed by Creative Business Unit 3 and published by Square Enix.

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According to Alex Aniel, Business Development Manager in the Games Industry, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had stated at GDC that he’s working to improve the relationship between Xbox and Square Enix.

Aniel met Spencer at GDC, and during their conversation, he asked the Microsoft Gaming CEO for his thoughts on Japan. Spencer responded by saying that he admires and respects but also accepts that Xbox will always be a distant third in that region as the “away team.” Regardless, Spencer assured that he is working to improve the relationship between Xbox and Square Enix.

The lack of Xbox ports of popular Japanese titles has been an ongoing problem for the publisher. Recently, it was reported that the absence of an Xbox port for Capcom’s Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection was due to a business decision.

Last year, Twitter user and Mega Man enthusiast Protodude had reached out to Capcom regarding the lack of an Xbox version of Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. In response, the publisher stated that it could not comment on “business decisions”. The company appears to maintain this stance even today, as it had recently sent out an official survey for feedback with no attempt at gauging interest in an Xbox port.

While the survey does generally list not having a console or PC to play the game on as an option for the reason why a respondent may not have purchased a copy of Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, it doesn’t explicitly acknowledge the lack of an Xbox port. Nevertheless, Xbox users who would like to see the game appear on their platform are strongly encouraged to send in feedback to Capcom via the official survey.

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