Final Fantasy 16 is in the Final Stage of Development – Yoshida

Square Enix’s Naoki Yoshida continues to work on Final Fantasy 14 following the launch of its newest expansion Endwalker. However, we’ve seen very few details lately about Final Fantasy 16, the next flagship title in the franchise which Yoshida is producing. But it may not be completely discounted from launching this year.

With the release of Final Fantasy’s 35th anniversary t-shirts in collaboration by Uniqlo, Yoshida recently spoke in the latter’s magazine for this month (as spotted by alberich_ff14 on Twitter. Reddit user MKillerby provided a translation of the same where Yoshida states that, “Right now the development of FF16 is in its final stage.

“As a single player game, we are aiming to integrate story and gameplay even further. Different to a game where many people play online at the same time, the extent to which the game has an individual focus changes how immersed you are in the story. I think it’s become a story with quite a lot of depth.

“To people who have grown up, entered working society and think ‘reality isn’t as easy-going as a video game’ and at some point ended up separating from Final Fantasy, we want them to remember their passion from back then. We’re making the game with that intention.” For an alternate translation with roughly the same information, check out the tweet by Audrey, CEO/Founder of Aitai Japan, below.

Last December, Yoshida said that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had delayed the game by “almost a half year.” Nevertheless, the next big reveal is supposedly coming in Spring 2022. Assuming it still happens, we may get a release window, if not a release date. Perhaps Square Enix will announce a new digital showcase in the coming weeks? Or perhaps an announcement at the Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live show in June? Time will tell.

Final Fantasy 16 is currently in development for PS5 and exclusive to the platform. Despite this, industry analyst Piers Harding-Rolls reported on it being a full exclusive for six months (which means it can then release for PC) and a console exclusive for 12 months. As always, stay tuned for more information.

FFトランプ欲しさに
素早くユニクロにTシャツ買いに来たけど
このフリーペーパーに吉田コメントあるから
吉田ファンは貰っておくといいよ🤗 pic.twitter.com/0OoLIFljA7

— Alberich＠槍鯖 (@alberich_ff14) April 29, 2022

Yoshida Naoki says that FF16 is already in the final stages of development, and he says the story is a very well fleshed out one.

His comment was released in the Final Fantasy 35th Anniversary Uniqlo magazine. Here’s the full translation! pic.twitter.com/X23AFqOXfJ

— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) April 29, 2022