Business news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Final Fantasy’s Yoshinori Kitase Teases What’s Next for Square Enix, Says Company Will Prioritize New Games Over Remakes
Square Enix is more likely to invest in new games than remakes, according to Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase. He said remakes can still make sense when creators have a strong connection to the original and want to introduce it to new players, as with the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy.
Kitase also said characters and their development are central to Final Fantasy’s appeal, alongside a mix of European and Japanese cultural influences. He would welcome future games or television series based on the franchise, and praised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for drawing inspiration from Final Fantasy.
In short
- Square Enix expects to focus more on new games.
- Remakes may still be made when creators see a strong case.
- Kitase is open to future Final Fantasy games or TV series.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Prioritising new games could give Square Enix more room to develop original ideas, respond to current players and build the series’ future instead of relying heavily on familiar titles. Remakes can still be worthwhile when creators have a strong artistic connection to the original and can make it meaningful to a new audience, as Kitase says of the Final Fantasy VII trilogy.
The case against
Remakes can preserve and renew influential games for players who missed them, while letting creators revisit stories and characters with modern technology and design. A focus on new games may also mean passing over established titles with lasting audience interest; carefully chosen remakes can complement original projects and keep the franchise’s history accessible.
Explained simply
Square Enix is a Japanese game company best known for series such as Final Fantasy. The games are role-playing adventures, usually centred on a group of characters whose relationships and personal stories unfold alongside a larger conflict.
Yoshinori Kitase is a long-time Final Fantasy producer, involved in shaping and overseeing games in the series. Final Fantasy VII, first released in 1997, became one of its best-known entries; Square Enix later reworked its story as a trilogy of remake games for both returning players and newcomers.
Remakes revisit older games, while new games introduce fresh stories and characters. The choice between them matters to players and the company because it affects which parts of the series are carried forward and how familiar ideas are presented to new audiences.
Business Companies Entertainment Film Gaming