Final Fantasy Creator Plans FF6 Successor

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, once contemplated retirement but now aims to develop another game as a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy 6. Discover more about his upcoming project and the latest updates on its development.

Final Fantasy Creator Plans Another Final Game

The Spiritual Successor to Final Fantasy 6

Following the success of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially launched in 2021, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi seeks to create a game inspired by Final Fantasy 6. In an interview with The Verge, Sakaguchi revealed, "I intended Fantasian to be my final project before retirement." Yet, he now wishes to develop another title envisioned as "a successor to Final Fantasy VI."

Despite initially considering retirement, Sakaguchi noted that "the fantastic team assembled for this project made collaboration so enjoyable that parting ways proved difficult." This led him to embark on a new venture with the same team behind Fantasian. Their objective is to "create something that feels both classic and fresh." Sakaguchi describes this game as "the second part of my farewell note."

Development Updates on Sakaguchi's New Project

In a 2024 interview with Famitsu, Sakaguchi confirmed he is actively working on a new project. "I completed the script about a year ago, so I expect to reach a significant milestone within the next two years," he stated. In June 2024, Mistwalker filed a trademark for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE," sparking speculation among fans about a potential sequel to Fantasian.

Sakaguchi indicated the project will follow a style similar to his previous works, primarily fantasy RPGs. No official announcements have been made regarding the game's title or additional details about the upcoming project.

Reunion with Square Enix for FANTASIAN Neo Dimension

Mistwalker collaborated with Square Enix to launch FANTASIAN Neo Dimension on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch in December 2024. Originally released in 2021 as an Apple Arcade exclusive, Fantasian is widely regarded as one of the platform's top titles by numerous review sites and critics. Reflecting on working with Square Enix again, Sakaguchi shared, "It's where my career began, so coming full circle with the game I envisioned as my final work has been a uniquely rewarding experience."

Sakaguchi joined Square, now Square Enix, in 1983. He directed the first Final Fantasy game in 1987 and the subsequent four mainline titles, later producing Final Fantasy 6 through 11. After leaving the company in 2003, he founded Mistwalker, where he developed games like Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. His most recent project, Fantasian, debuted in 2021 and was enhanced through Square Enix as FANTASIAN Neo Dimension in 2024.

Despite the recent partnership with Square Enix, Sakaguchi remains uninterested in revisiting Final Fantasy or his earlier creations, stating he has "transitioned from creator to consumer."