Square Enix has 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 from Square Enix production 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 Rebirth and Final 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 regarding Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth when the time is right. As of now the game is slated for a winter 2023 release. Meanwhile, Final Fantasy 16 has a set release date for June 22 and will be a timed PS5 exclusive until the very end of the year.
With all that in the pipeline this year, plus Square Enix's other major ongoing projects like Final 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 on Rebirth, 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 to Final Fantasy 7 but that he couldn't say anything more yet.
Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of Final Fantasy 14 and producer of Final Fantasy 16, took part as well with a brief greeting and a note on this year's Final Fantasy Fan Festival. Likewise, the Theatrhythm Final Bar Line and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius producers shared a word. The messages also included a unique piece of art featuring Viera characters, most prominently found in the recurring Final Fantasy world of Ivalice, though they are now playable in Final Fantasy 14 as 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 the Final Fantasy 7 setting. In fact, they're more closely tied to the classic PS1 RPG Vagrant 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 a Final Fantasy blast. 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. With Final Fantasy 16 only a few months away, players will have lots to keep them excited until the secret is revealed.
Final Fantasy 16 releases on June 22 for PS5.
Source: Square Enix