Tag: Final Fantasy

  • Dissidia Final Fantasy Duellum Update Showcase May 23

    Dissidia Final Fantasy Duellum Update Showcase May 23

    Key Takeaway

    – The May 23, 2026 update broadcast will showcase new characters, abilities, and fixes, with Naoya Matsumoto presenting the segment starting around 2 am PT / 5 am ET after a beta-tournament finale.
    – The event marks Square Enix’s first formal roadmap-style communication for Dissidia Duellum since launch, addressing direction beyond filler events.
    – A persistent bug involves bursts and abilities triggering unintentionally against bosses, which developers plan to address in the update.

    Square Enix will hold the first official Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy update broadcast on May 23, 2026, with producer Naoya Matsumoto set to outline upcoming characters, new abilities, and game adjustments. Viewers will first sit through the final round of a beta test tournament before the update content begins roughly two hours in.

    Broadcast timings and content shift

    The stream opens at 12 am PT / 3 am ET, but the actual update content shifts to 2 am PT / 5 am ET when Matsumoto takes over. His segment is expected to address new character additions, ability drops, and fixes for known bugs. One persistent issue involves bursts and abilities triggering unintentionally when facing bosses, which developers have flagged for attention.

    Roster and future roadmap questions

    The last characters added to the roster were Rikku from Final Fantasy X and Clive from Final Fantasy XVI. Fans have been waiting for a clearer roadmap for future picks since launch. Whether Matsumoto provides one on May 23 remains the broadcast’s biggest unanswered question.

    Upcoming events and scope

    The only confirmed upcoming event before the showcase is a Final Fantasy Record Keeper collaboration landing at the end of May, limited to new abilities rather than playable characters. That scope makes the May 23 broadcast the game’s first meaningful communication about where it goes beyond filler events.

    Launch reception and player sentiment

    Dissidia Duellum launched on iOS and Android on March 24, 2026, to mixed-to-positive reviews. Players praised the 3v3 combat and art direction while aiming for the gacha system and the pacing of story access. This broadcast is Square Enix’s first formal attempt to address the game’s direction since launch, and it arrives at a point when player confidence in Square Enix’s mobile commitments is already under scrutiny.

    Context within Square Enix’s fan engagement

    The May 23 broadcast lands as Square Enix’s broader relationship with its fanbase faces friction on multiple fronts. For more on that tension, read our report on how Final Fantasy VI creator Hironobu Sakaguchi stood by his praise of an AI-generated remake video despite significant backlash.

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  • Final Fantasy 7 Remake Director on Game Preservation Challenges

    Final Fantasy 7 Remake Director on Game Preservation Challenges

    Key Takeaways

    1. Lack of Documentation: Original game developers in the mid-1990s did not preserve key documents, making remakes challenging.

    2. Experienced Team Members: The remakes benefit from the expertise of original creators, but more archived materials would enhance development.

    3. Availability of Playable Versions: Older playable versions exist, but they lack original source code and high-resolution assets.

    4. Source Code Issues: Overwritten source code from previous updates complicates the remaking process, as seen with Final Fantasy Tactics.

    5. Changes in the Remake: The remakes introduce expanded narratives and new areas, but not all fans are satisfied with the changes.

    It appears that gamers are discovering new remasters or remakes of beloved titles almost every week. However, recreating these games can become quite challenging due to the absence of key assets, similar to the situation with the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, director Naoki Hamaguchi shared that there are very few documents left from the original Final Fantasy games.

    Lack of Documentation

    When discussing the mid-1990s, Hamaguchi mentioned, “There’s practically no documentation left from that time, almost none at all.” He noted that developers back then didn’t focus much on preserving games. Because of this poor management of information, the team working on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake often had to depend on their own recollections.

    Experienced Team Members

    Yoshinori Kitase, who directed the original RPG, is now a producer for the remakes. Hamaguchi is also able to rely on the skills of artists like Tetsuya Nomura and writer Kazushige Nojima. Nevertheless, he expressed that having archived materials would be more beneficial. In the interview, Hamaguchi stated that he aimed for the new Final Fantasy games to avoid feeling like “fan fiction.”

    Availability of Playable Versions

    Before Square Enix initiated its remake projects, playable versions of the game were already accessible. However, these releases usually cannot replace the original source code or visual assets. Older gaming consoles did not support higher resolutions for images and videos, which affected the quality.

    The company encountered a similar issue with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. Director Kazutoyo Maehiro revealed that the source code had been overwritten due to updates in language. In some instances, fan sites have stored information that helped fill in some gaps.

    Changes in the Remake

    Critics have noted the significant changes in Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade and Rebirth. These games feature expanded narratives and new areas to explore. However, not all fans are pleased with the alterations. Still, Hamaguchi aims to find a balance between staying true to the original and providing fresh gameplay experiences.

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  • Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu on Avoiding AI Use

    Final Fantasy Composer Nobuo Uematsu on Avoiding AI Use

    Key Takeaways

    1. Nobuo Uematsu, composer of Final Fantasy, is not interested in using generative AI in his music-making process, valuing personal investment and creative challenges instead.

    2. Uematsu believes that the joy of music comes from the effort and struggle involved in creation, which he feels AI cannot replicate.

    3. He emphasizes the importance of the human touch in music, stating that listeners connect more deeply with compositions that have personal stories and emotional richness.

    4. Uematsu notes that while video game graphics have improved significantly, audio enhancements have largely plateaued, with potential for future advancements in spatial audio.

    5. Other game developers, like Hideo Kojima, share Uematsu’s view on AI, seeing it as a collaborative tool while maintaining control over the creative aspects of their work.

    In a recent chat with the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers magazine, Nobuo Uematsu, the iconic composer behind Final Fantasy, expressed his clear lack of interest in incorporating generative AI into his music-making process, emphasizing that true joy in composition comes from personal investment and the challenges faced.

    Uematsu’s Musical Legacy

    At 65, Uematsu has crafted music for the first nine main Final Fantasy titles from 1987 to 2000. He made a comeback in 2020 to recreate the key themes for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. During the interview, he remarked that he has “never used it, and probably never will,” in regard to AI tools.

    The Human Touch in Music

    Uematsu delved into the idea that the joy found in music arises from tackling creative challenges, remarking, “I think there’s more satisfaction in something you’ve created yourself after some effort and struggle.” He also pointed out how listeners relate to the human aspect behind the music, connecting with the composer—something he feels AI lacks, as it generates work devoid of personal stories or emotional richness.

    He also said that the “unstable and unique” variations created by humans when playing existing music enhance the listening experience, a quality that AI cannot mimic.

    The Future of Game Music

    When talking about the progress of music in video games, Uematsu shared that while each gaming generation sees significant improvements in graphics, the enhancement of audio was mostly achieved by the time developers started integrating studio-recorded sounds directly into games. He explained, “Beyond that, it’s probably spatial audio. Final Fantasy X already implemented the idea of spatial audio itself, but the question is how much users will demand it going forward. Another aspect is how smoothly the music that’s being played can be transitioned. That’s an era where AI might handle things well in the future.”

    Recently, Hideo Kojima, the mastermind behind Metal Gear Solid and director at Kojima Productions, also shared his perspective on AI being a collaborative “friend” in game development. However, he made it clear that he would take charge of the creative aspects, echoing Uematsu’s sentiments on music composition.

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  • Japanese Survey Raises Concerns for Square Enix and Final Fantasy

    Japanese Survey Raises Concerns for Square Enix and Final Fantasy

    Key Takeaways

    1. The average age of gamers in Japan is 30, with notable older players for franchises like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, averaging 42 years old.
    2. Square Enix continues to invest in its older titles despite acknowledging sales shortfalls in 2025.
    3. Final Fantasy 16 did not attract as broad an audience as earlier games, while remakes like Final Fantasy 7 Remake appealed to nostalgic players.
    4. New gamers in Japan prefer multiplayer games on mobile platforms, with Brawl Stars being particularly popular among younger audiences.
    5. Nintendo effectively engages both younger and older gamers, with titles like Splatoon, Mario, and Pokémon appealing to diverse age groups.

    GEM Partners conducted a survey involving 180,000 gamers in Japan, shedding light on age and gender demographics. The general average age of 30 may not be striking, but there are some interesting findings. Notably, the oldest participants were fans of Square Enix games, particularly titles like Final Fantasy, which don’t seem to attract younger players.

    Age of Players

    The survey indicates that the average age for players of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy is 42. These franchises, which started in 1986-87, naturally have a loyal, older fan base. Nevertheless, Square Enix continues to invest in these games, with both remasters and new releases on the horizon. However, the company acknowledged in 2025 that it was falling short of its sales targets.

    Recent Game Releases

    In 2023, Square Enix shared insights on Final Fantasy 16, the latest main entry in the series. A subsequent financial report revealed that this action RPG failed to capture as wide an audience as earlier titles. While games such as Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth resonated with nostalgic players, they did not significantly alter the average age of gamers surveyed in Japan.

    Additional Insights

    The GEM Partners report contains a wealth of other information worth exploring. As noted by the Kultur website, new gamers tended to favor multiplayer games on mobile platforms. The MOBA title Brawl Stars was particularly popular, with an average player age of 18.

    Nintendo’s Switch and Switch 2 titles also enjoy substantial popularity in Japan. The company is well-known for appealing to both younger and older audiences with its family-friendly games. Players of Splatoon average 27 years old, while fans of Mario and Pokémon are typically in their early 30s. These findings highlight Nintendo’s ability to engage various demographic groups.

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    Japanese Survey Raises Concerns for Square Enix and Final FantasyJapanese Survey Raises Concerns for Square Enix and Final Fantasy
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  • Final Fantasy 17 Combat System Overhaul After Expedition 33 Success

    Final Fantasy 17 Combat System Overhaul After Expedition 33 Success

    Key Takeaways

    1. Naoki Yoshida, producer of Final Fantasy 16, suggests that the battle system debate goes beyond just turn-based versus action mechanics, impacting overall game design and player experience.

    2. There is uncertainty about whether future Final Fantasy games will lean towards turn-based or action-oriented gameplay, with no clear direction for Final Fantasy 17 yet.

    3. Square Enix acknowledged that Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth did not meet expectations, with mixed reactions to the focus on action-based combat.

    4. Final Fantasy 7 Remake attempts to balance turn-based elements with real-time combat, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 explores innovative turn-based mechanics.

    5. The future of Final Fantasy remains uncertain as Square Enix aims to innovate rather than simply follow trends or revert to older gameplay styles.

    Fans who wish for Final Fantasy to go back to its classic turn-based gameplay should lower their hopes for the time being. Naoki Yoshida, who is the producer of Final Fantasy 16 and the director of Final Fantasy 14, talked about the future of the series’ battle mechanics at Anime Expo 2025. This discussion was spurred by Sandfall Interactive’s game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

    The Battle System Debate

    Yoshida provided a thoughtful take on the ongoing discussion about action versus turn-based combat. He explained to Anime News Network:

    “When we talk about turn-based versus action, it often limits the conversation to just the battle mechanics. It doesn’t really consider what kind of experience the creators want to give to the players. For instance, the level of graphical quality we aim to deliver or the story we wish to present has a direct impact on how we design the game’s systems. This encompasses the battle mechanics, overall game design, and the feel of the gameplay.”

    He went on to express some uncertainty, stating, “It’s not a straightforward answer whether the future will lean entirely towards turn-based or if it’ll shift more towards action-oriented gameplay.”

    Looking Ahead

    Yoshida mentioned that the direction for Final Fantasy 17 hasn’t been established yet, noting that he might not be part of its development:

    “I might not be working on Final Fantasy 17, so we don’t want to restrict or limit whoever will take charge of future titles like 16 or 18. We aim to give them freedom to explore their own vision.”

    In a rare move, publisher Square Enix admitted that Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth “did not meet expectations.” Final Fantasy 16, released in 2023, heavily focused on action-based combat, drawing influence from series like Game of Thrones, Attack on Titan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Godzilla. While some players appreciated the ambitious Eikon battles and combat system, others missed the traditional turn-based gameplay.

    A Different Approach

    On the other hand, Final Fantasy 7 Remake tries to find a balance between its turn-based roots and a real-time combat system.

    At the same time, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took a fresh approach on turn-based mechanics, featuring elements like parrying and dodging. Square Enix has recognized the success of Expedition 33. Yet, Yoshida’s comments indicate that the company is careful about simply chasing trends or going back to older styles just because of Sandfall Interactive’s achievements.

    For now, the future of Final Fantasy remains uncertain. It’s unclear whether Final Fantasy 17 will adopt turn-based gameplay or stick to action-based systems. Creative minds at Square Enix will probably strive to forge a new direction, as has been the trend throughout the years.

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  • Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Set Releases in June, Pre-Order Now

    Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Set Releases in June, Pre-Order Now

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration set will be released worldwide on June 13, 2025, featuring characters and themes from all 16 mainline Final Fantasy titles.
    2. The set includes over 100 legendary creature cards, with borderless versions of iconic characters like Cloud Strife and Sephiroth, along with new card types for famous summons.
    3. Renowned artists Yoshitaka Amano and Tetsuya Nomura contributed artwork, making this the largest collection of Final Fantasy artwork in a single game.
    4. Collectors can find rare items such as serialised Golden Chocobo cards and double-faced transformation cards like Sephiroth’s One-Winged Angel form.
    5. Fans can pre-order the set on the official MTG website and Amazon ahead of its release.

    Wizards of the Coast has announced its eagerly awaited Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collaboration set, which is set to be released worldwide on June 13, 2025. A new trailer accompanying a detailed hour-long presentation showcases an extensive card collection that features characters, monsters, locations, and themes from all 16 mainline Final Fantasy titles.

    Card Highlights

    According to official sources, this collaboration includes over 100 legendary creature cards, with borderless versions of well-known characters like Cloud Strife, Sephiroth, Yuna, Lightning, and Emet-Selch. Additionally, beloved summons such as Bahamut, Shiva, and Leviathan are featured through a new card type that captures their lore-accurate presence on the battlefield using lore counters and transformative mechanics.

    Artistic Contributions

    Art is a key focus, with Yoshitaka Amano and Tetsuya Nomura among the artists involved. Amano shared a heartfelt message during the reveal, expressing his joy about blending Final Fantasy’s rich history with Magic’s engaging gameplay. This set claims to have the “largest collection of Final Fantasy artwork ever in a single game,” showcasing ten borderless artist cards illustrated in their unique styles.

    Rare Finds

    In this upcoming card set, collectors can look forward to rare items like the serialised Golden Chocobo cards, black and neon Colourful Chocobo variants, as well as double-faced transformation cards, including Sephiroth’s transformation into his famous One-Winged Angel form.

    As it stands, the Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy collection is dropping on June 13th, just a few weeks away. In the meantime, fans can pre-order it on the official MTG website and also through Amazon.

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  • Steam Square Enix Golden Week Sale: Up to 60% Off Nier & Final Fantasy

    Steam Square Enix Golden Week Sale: Up to 60% Off Nier & Final Fantasy

    Key Takeaways

    1. Square Enix is offering discounts up to 60% on popular game series for Golden Week on Steam and other digital platforms.
    2. The Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece bundle is available at a 40% discount for $59.99, with individual titles also discounted.
    3. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle is 30% off at $52.36, with classic titles like Final Fantasy VII available for $4.79 (60% off).
    4. Lesser-known titles such as SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions and Live A Live are heavily discounted, with prices starting as low as $8.99.
    5. Other notable discounts include NieR: Automata and NieR Replicant, both available at 60% off.

    Square Enix is having a special promotion to mark Golden Week, offering discounts of up to 60% on its well-known game series. These offers are available on Steam and various other digital platforms.

    Kingdom Hearts Integrum Masterpiece

    The Integrum Masterpiece bundle includes Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC), all at a 40% discount, now costing $59.99 (€59.99 or £50.99).

    For those looking to buy them separately, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX is priced at $29.99 (€29.99 or £23.99) with a 40% discount. Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is available for $35.99 (€35.99 or £29.99) at 40% off, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC) is also $35.99 (€35.99 or £29.99) with a 40% discount.

    Final Fantasy

    The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle is now 30% off, costing $52.36 (€52.36 or £38.18) for a set of the first six Final Fantasy games. The 3D remakes of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV are individually priced at $7.99 (€6.49 or £5.49), each with a 50% discount.

    You can snag the classic Final Fantasy VII for just $4.79 (€5.19 or £3.99), which is a 60% discount, while the remake, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, is currently sold for $29.99 (€29.99 or £26.24) at a 30% discount. The sequel, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, is also available for $48.99 (€48.99 or £45.49) with a 30% off.

    In addition, the latest installment in the series, Final Fantasy XVI, is on sale for $32.49 (€32.49 or £29.24), reflecting a 35% discount.

    Underrated Gems

    Now is a perfect moment to dive into some of Square Enix’s lesser-known titles, such as SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions, which is available for $8.99 (€8.99 or £7.49) after a 70% discount. Additionally, the Romancing SaGa 2 remake, titled The Revenge of The Seven, is on sale for $34.99 (€34.99 or £31.49) with a 30% discount.

    The unique RPG Live A Live is being offered at 60% off, priced at $19.99 (€19.99 or £15.99), and the stylish urban Action RPG NEO: The World Ends with You is also 60% off at $23.99 (€23.99 or £19.99).

    NieR: Automata is now available for $15.99 (€15.99 or £11.99) after a 60% discount, while its prequel, NieR Replicant, is also at a 60% discount for $23.99 (€23.99 or £19.99).

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