Summary
Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator ofFinal Fantasy, has stated that he is not interested in returning to the series. Many gamers who are fans of theFinal Fantasyseries are aware of the legacy behind it, with a history of releases that now spans decades. Although it started out comparatively small,Final Fantasygames now often serve as a benchmark, showcasing the progression of technology within video games as well as the scope and size possible for them.
The firstFinal Fantasygame was released in 1987, selling over 500,000 copies in Japan and preventing the bankruptcy of its developer, Square, now Square Enix. By 2003, the game had sold approximately two million units worldwide, and the series had been cemented as a mainstay for gamers and JRPG fans. Afterthe release ofFinal Fantasy 10-2that year, Hironobu Sakaguchi left Square and eventually formed his independent studio, Mistwalker.
Sakaguchi is reuniting with Square Enix, which will publish his gameFantasian Neo Dimension.Ina Bloomberg interviewabout the upcoming release, he notes that he is uninterested in working onFinal Fantasyagain, and that his relationship with the property has changed. Now, Sakaguchi considers himself “a consumer rather than a creator” who wants no part in thedevelopment process ofFinal Fantasygames, worrying it may impact his enjoyment.
Final Fantasy Creator Prefers to Play the Games Now
Alongside working on other projects with Mistwalker, Sakaguchi now finds himself playingFinal Fantasy 14quite often, playing thenewDawntrailexpansionminutes before his interview with Jason Schreier. He was somewhat concerned about what his experience reuniting with Square Enix might be, potentially worried over apprehension from other staff because he parted ways with the developer so long ago. Instead, he has described his return as akin to a high school reunion with a warm welcome. Sakaguchi expressed excitement towards the hard work the staff is putting towards a common goal.
Although Hironobu Sakaguchi is enthusiastic aboutworking with Square Enix onFantasian Neo Dimension,he has also noted that he is not interested in rereleases of other games he has been involved with, such asLost Odyssey and Blue Dragon.It appears that, in the context of preservation, he is most interested in rereleases for games that face the threat of becoming lost media, such asTerra Battle, a mobile game that was discontinued in 2020. Regardless of what he works on next, Sakaguchi has a large catalog of releases to draw from, and many fans who remain interested in supporting him.
