Square Enixhas teased a big announcement coming this year, while also discussing a host of its other ongoing projects. The info came in a series of messages directly fromSquare Enixproduction and development teams, and featured many of the gaming giant’s big hitters.
It’s already going to be a big year for the company, as two of its headline projects,Final Fantasy 7 RebirthandFinal Fantasy 16, are both due to come out. As part of a recent interview wherein the remake trilogy was discussed, producer Yoshinori Kitase stated vaguely that more news would come regardingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthwhen the time is right. As of now the game is slated for a winter 2023 release. Meanwhile,Final Fantasy 16has a set release date for June 22 and will be a timed PS5 exclusive until the very end of the year.
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With all that in the pipeline this year, plus Square Enix’sother major ongoing projects likeFinal Fantasy 14, fans might be wondering what else could possibly be announced. In a collection of New Year’s greeting messages directly from some of the company’s most prominent figures, a hint was offered. Kitase gave a brief update onRebirth, saying that “development is picking up speed,” before dropping a hint about a “big” announcement coming up this year. He said the announcement was unrelated toFinal Fantasy 7but that he couldn’t say anything more yet.
Naoki Yoshida, producer and director ofFinal Fantasy 14and producer ofFinal Fantasy 16,took part as well with a brief greeting and a note on this year’s Final Fantasy Fan Festival. Likewise, theTheatrhythm Final Bar LineandFinal Fantasy Brave Exviusproducers shared a word. The messages also included a unique piece of art featuring Viera characters, most prominently found in the recurringFinal Fantasyworld of Ivalice, though they are now playable inFinal Fantasy 14as well.
The choice of art may be a hint that the upcoming big announcement could have something to do with Ivalice. After all, Ivalice and the Viera have nothing to do with theFinal Fantasy 7setting. In fact, they’re more closely tied to theclassic PS1 RPGVagrant Story, which takes place in the world of Ivalice, though the likelihood of an announcement regarding that game is unlikely, especially since the hint came as part of aFinal Fantasyblast. Still, something in the shared world may certainly be a possibility, but only time will tell.
Whatever the “big” news is, Square Enix fans are in for a good year. WithFinal Fantasy 16only a few months away, players will have lots to keep them excited until the secret is revealed.
