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A Final Fantasy 9 remake was reportedly “very far along” before Square Enix put the JRPG revival on ice, but it’s not completely dead yet
A Final Fantasy 9 remake was reportedly well into development at Square Enix before the project was shelved, according to industry insider Nate the Hate. The pause is said to stem from Square Enix's broader financial troubles and a strategic pivot towards prioritising original titles over further remakes, a shift the publisher has hinted at in recent statements about rebalancing its output. This matters to fans because Final Fantasy 9 is frequently cited as one of the most beloved entries in the series, and a full remake had been rumoured for years following the success of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy.
Despite being "very far along" in development, the report suggests the project has not been cancelled outright but rather paused, leaving the door open for it to resume in future. Square Enix has not officially confirmed the remake's existence, and details on how much progress had been made, or when work might resume, remain unclear. The news follows a pattern of Square Enix reassessing its remake strategy amid ongoing commercial pressures across its recent releases.
In short
- Final Fantasy 9 remake reportedly paused despite being far along in development
- Square Enix said to be shifting focus to original titles amid financial struggles
- Project not cancelled, insider suggests it could still resume later
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Square Enix faces genuine financial pressures and must allocate resources strategically. Prioritising original titles over remakes is sound business practice because new intellectual property offers greater creative potential, fuller scope for developer talent, and potentially stronger returns than derivative works. The FF7 remake trilogy, whilst commercially successful, drew criticism for its execution and scope, whereas original content allows the company to set its own creative and commercial terms. In difficult financial circumstances, completing existing projects and shipping new ones matters more than expanding the remake pipeline.
The case against
Final Fantasy 9 is consistently recognised as one of the series' most beloved entries, and a full remake would address a passionate, long-standing fan request almost certain to achieve strong commercial success given the FF7 remake's performance. Pausing a project reportedly very far along squanders development progress, institutional knowledge, and team momentum, whilst sending a demoralising signal to both players and developers that even promising titles can be indefinitely shelved. Remake projects can proceed alongside original content; this is not a binary choice. The decision suggests misalignment between what players demonstrably want and the company's strategic direction.
Explained simply
Final Fantasy is a long-running role-playing game series published by Japan’s Square Enix. Each main instalment has its own setting and characters, and Final Fantasy 9, first released in 2000, is set in a fantasy world and follows a group drawn into a conflict involving kingdoms and a powerful force.
A remake would rebuild the older game for modern systems, potentially changing its presentation while retaining its story and core ideas. Square Enix has remade other entries, including Final Fantasy 7, and its choices about which projects to fund matter to players as well as the company’s plans for new games.
The reported pause reflects wider questions about how Square Enix allocates money and development time between revisiting established games and making new ones. The remake has not been officially confirmed by the company, so its status and any future release remain uncertain.