Final Fantasy Creator, Hironobu Sakaguchi, Teases Development of New "Dark Fantasy" Game

Renowned Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi dropped some major hints about his enigmatic upcoming game in a recent Famitsu interview. Confirming that the entire plot has been penned down, Sakaguchi disclosed his current focus on shaping the overall scenario while striving to capture the essence of fun within the title. Anticipation is high as production for Sakaguchi's secretive project is set to kick off in 2024.

"I’m starting work on a new title. I’m currently writing the scenario, having gone through the scenario plot. At this stage, it’s important to condense and infuse what makes it fun. I will do my best."

The mastermind behind Lost Odyssey initially teased this project during Famitsu's 2022 year-end creator interviews, hinting at a dark fantasy game without divulging further specifics. Sakaguchi resurfaced with an update about this enigmatic venture just a couple of months ago, sharing a post on X detailing his visit to Japan's Ise Jingu Shrine to express gratitude for the "new project."

Recent developments suggest that Hironobu Sakaguchi has gained substantial momentum in the past few months, potentially hinting at an imminent reveal. This secretive IP marks the producer's return after Fantasian, the Apple Arcade RPG he once believed would be his final creation.

Notably recognized for birthing the iconic Final Fantasy franchise, Sakaguchi's creative prowess extends across directing the first five games and producing the sixth and seventh installments through his original narrative and concepts. His repertoire also includes titles like Blue Dragon and Terra Battle for Square Enix, while his influence extends as an executive producer for Kingdom Hearts, Parasite Eve 2, and Chrono Cross.

For those delving into Sakaguchi's legendary portfolio, Mistwalker, his studio founded in 2004, holds significant weight. Delivering successful new IPs, such as the critically acclaimed Blue Dragon (2006) for Xbox 360 and the highly praised Lost Odyssey, Sakaguchi's knack for crafting compelling narratives shines through. Lost Odyssey's commercial triumph even prompted considerations for a franchise by Microsoft. With such an illustrious track record, Sakaguchi's next creation promises to be an intriguing addition to his repertoire.