Final Fantasy Progenitor's Unceasing Quest for Successor

Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, is defying retirement plans to develop a new game, envisioned as a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. This follows the successful release of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially intended as his final project.

A New Chapter, Inspired by FFVI

Sakaguchi's decision stems from the positive experience collaborating with the team behind Fantasian. He aims to create a game that blends familiar elements with fresh innovation, describing the project as "part two of my farewell note." While inspired by Final Fantasy VI, he's confirmed it won't be a direct sequel or revisit any previous works.

Development Update and Speculation

A 2024 Famitsu interview revealed the project is underway, with scripting completed a year prior. Sakaguchi anticipates approximately two more years until a suitable development milestone. The recent Mistwalker trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" has fueled speculation about a potential sequel, though this remains unconfirmed. The new game will likely maintain Sakaguchi's established style of fantasy RPGs.

Reunion with Square Enix

The partnership with Square Enix for the multi-platform release of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (December 2024) marked a significant reunion for Sakaguchi, who began his career at Square (now Square Enix). While appreciative of the collaboration, he maintains his focus on new creations rather than revisiting past successes. He considers himself a "consumer" rather than a creator when it comes to his past works, including the Final Fantasy series.