While Square Enix has made no official announcement regarding Final Fantasy 17, a brief moment on stage during a recent Final Fantasy 14 event has reignited conversation about who will steer the franchise’s next numbered chapter. During a presentation focused on the upcoming Evercold expansion, producer and director Naoki Yoshida shared the spotlight with Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. An off-script exchange between the two has since drawn significant attention within the RPG community.
A Pause That Raised Questions
Social media posts translated by fan account aitaikimochi captured the moment Yoshida offered Hamaguchi a notable compliment, relaying that audience members were already voicing hopes that Hamaguchi would helm the next mainline single-player title. “But you don’t have to answer...!” Yoshida added. Hamaguchi visibly stopped himself from replying, a restraint Yoshida immediately endorsed as prudent. Neither elaborated further, but the brief, halted reaction was enough to fuel widespread speculation about whether Hamaguchi’s future at the studio extends beyond the Final Fantasy 7 remake project.
Competing Commitments and a Distant Timeline
Even if enthusiasm surrounding Hamaguchi continues to build, his immediate trajectory suggests limited availability. The Square Enix veteran remains deeply immersed in the third and final installment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy, having already guided its first two entries to completion. Balancing two mainline-scale projects simultaneously would test even the most seasoned producers. Such a workload could push a hypothetical release further into the future than some fans expect, especially since a brand-new numbered entry demands developing an entirely original setting, cast, and narrative framework rather than reimagining established material.
Yoshida’s Clues and a Fresh Direction
In a separate early 2024 interview, Final Fantasy 16 producer Yoshida offered his own cryptic hints about the next title’s creative leadership. He suggested that Square Enix might entrust the project to an unexpected voice, remarking that “maybe it’s time for someone new.” Such phrasing seems to rule out both Yoshida himself and Hiroshi Takai, Final Fantasy 16’s director, while complicating any easy prediction. Hamaguchi has separately stated that after concluding the remake saga, he intends to create a new JRPG. He did not exclude the possibility of an original Final Fantasy game, though that ambition could also point toward an entirely fresh intellectual property.
A Broader Strategic Shift
Whoever ultimately takes charge, Square Enix is expected to structure the launch differently from its predecessor to improve long-term commercial performance. While Final Fantasy 16 debuted as a timed PlayStation 5 exclusive, the publisher has signaled greater interest in simultaneous multi-platform releases. Executives have publicly discussed adjusting distribution strategies to capture wider audiences across PC and other consoles from day one, a move aimed at strengthening sales trajectories for future mainline installments.
Sources: x.com, www.ign.com