Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Multiplatform Accessibility

In a groundbreaking revelation, Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, expressed his passion for Xbox and his desire to make the beloved RPG accessible to a broader audience. In an exclusive interview with GamesRadar+ prior to the 2024 Golden Joysticks Awards—where the game garnered impressive accolades in four out of six nominated categories—Hamaguchi shared his vision for the future of the iconic series.

Hamaguchi's Vision for Future Accessibility

While maintaining focus on the current project's specifics, Hamaguchi hinted at the potential for wider accessibility, stating, "In terms of Final Fantasy 7, there's nothing really we can say at the moment, but certainly I do want to bring Final Fantasy 7 and the Remake series to as many players out there as possible." His comments suggest a strong push toward creating an environment that allows more players to engage with the franchise beyond its current PlayStation 5 exclusivity.

Square Enix's Strategy for Multiplatform Releases

This sentiment aligns with Square Enix's recent strategy to explore multiplatform releases. Just months ago, they announced plans to extend some of their highly regarded JRPG titles, including Octopath Traveler, to a broader audience across different platforms. This opens the door for the possibility of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy making a similar leap, further intensifying fan anticipation.

Industry Shifts and Changes

Hamaguchi pointed out that Square Enix's newfound flexibility in platform exclusivity reflects a significant industry shift. "I think this goes beyond Final Fantasy 7. It really is a change in the industry, and certainly we're feeling right now that the industry has changed in terms of the many different platforms that people are playing games on these days," he remarked. This perspective illustrates how the gaming landscape has evolved; where once publishers primarily focused on single-platform releases, the market now demands a more diverse approach.

Embracing Multiplatform Strategies

Elaborating on the industry transition, he noted that the decision by Square Enix's CEO, Mr. Takashi Kiryu, to embrace multiplatform strategies is indicative of a broader trend. He emphasized, “It's so much more diversified now, so I think that's why our CEO made that decision to move more in the direction of multiplatform—that's just the way the industry is going.”

Hamaguchi's Personal Touch on Xbox

Adding a personal touch to the conversation, Hamaguchi expressed his own fondness for Xbox. “This is just a personal opinion, but I've got an Xbox myself,” he shared enthusiastically. “I think it's a great hardware platform. I do like Xbox.” This bold admission from the director adds fuel to the speculation surrounding the potential future of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and the Remake series.

A Hopeful Future for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

As fans eagerly await further announcements, one thing is clear: the hope for a multiplatform future for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is on the horizon, potentially welcoming a new generation of players into its richly woven narrative world. Stay tuned for more updates as Square Enix navigates this exciting transition!