Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, is back in the game development arena, despite previous retirement plans. His new project aims to be a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI.

A New Chapter After Fantasian

Initially intending Fantasian to be his final project, Sakaguchi's positive experience collaborating with his team on Fantasian Neo Dimension inspired him to embark on a new adventure. He described the project as "a successor to Final Fantasy VI," a testament to his enduring passion and the team's creative synergy. This new game will be, in his words, "part two of my farewell note."

Development Update and Speculation

In a 2024 Famitsu interview, Sakaguchi revealed that development is underway, anticipating completion within two years. The trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" by Mistwalker fueled speculation of a Fantasian sequel, though this remains unconfirmed. The new project will reportedly maintain the fantasy RPG style of his previous works.

Square Enix Collaboration and Future Plans

The recent partnership with Square Enix for the multi-platform release of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (December 2024) marked a full circle moment for Sakaguchi, returning to his roots after founding Mistwalker in 2003. Despite this collaboration, he has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise or his past works, preferring to focus on his new creative endeavors.

Sakaguchi's career spans decades, from directing the original Final Fantasy in 1987 to producing titles like Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy XI. His post-Square Enix career includes notable titles such as Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Now, with a new project on the horizon, the gaming world eagerly anticipates his next creative masterpiece.