It has been confirmed by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, that he is not interested in revisiting the franchise. This decision comes as no surprise, considering he left Square Enix in 2003 to establish Mistwalker. However, what intrigued many fans was the reasoning behind his choice. Sakaguchi revealed in a recent interview with Bloomberg that he delved into Final Fantasy XIV in 2021 with the intention of only spending a few hours playing before attending an event. To his surprise, those few hours turned into an obsession, causing him to admit, “Now I almost live in Final Fantasy XIV”. His concern lies in the fact that returning to the franchise in a professional capacity might affect his enjoyment of the game, as he transitions from creator to consumer. The fear of not being able to genuinely relish Final Fantasy XIV if he were to work on it again has led Sakaguchi to distance himself from the brand.
Furthermore, Sakaguchi has made it clear that he has no intentions of reviving older Mistwalker games, such as Blue Dragon or Lost Odyssey, on modern platforms. Instead, he and his team are dedicating their efforts towards creating something completely fresh and innovative. While the specifics of this new project remain undisclosed, speculation suggests it could potentially be a direct sequel to Fantasian. Recently, the company filed a trademark for ‘Fantasian Dark Edge’, sparking rumors about the nature of their current endeavor. It seems that Sakaguchi is determined to explore uncharted territories and push the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay with this upcoming release.
Sakaguchi’s decision to step away from the Final Fantasy franchise and focus on developing new content showcases his growth as a visionary in the gaming industry. By acknowledging the potential impact of revisiting his past creations on his current experience as a player, he demonstrates a level of self-awareness and dedication to preserving his love for the medium. This shift also signifies a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, as he strives to deliver fresh and engaging experiences to his audience. As fans eagerly anticipate the reveal of Mistwalker’s latest project, they can rest assured that Sakaguchi’s creative passion and commitment to excellence will shine through in every aspect of the upcoming release.
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