Final Fantasy XIV's director, Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P), recently addressed speculation linking the recent FFXIV collaboration event with a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. Let's delve into his comments.
Yoshi-P Debunks FF9 Remake Speculation
Yoshida clarified that the FFXIV collaboration, featuring nods to the beloved 1999 RPG, was entirely independent of any FF9 remake plans. He explained the collaboration's genesis:
"The core concept of Final Fantasy XIV is to act as a theme park for the Final Fantasy franchise," Yoshida stated in a JPGames interview. "We included Final Fantasy IX elements because of this overarching vision."
He explicitly denied any connection between the collaboration's timing and a potential remake project. "The FFXIV event and a hypothetical FF9 remake are completely unrelated from a commercial standpoint," he emphasized, acknowledging the understandable fan assumptions.
Despite this, Yoshida's enthusiasm for FF9 is evident. He admitted, "Many members of our development team are huge fans of Final Fantasy IX." He acknowledged the sheer scale of the original game, stating, "FFIX is massive. Waiting for a potential remake to incorporate its essence into our homage would be a long wait indeed." This sentiment resonated with fans who appreciated the FF9 references in FFXIV's Dawntrail expansion.
While the interview dispelled immediate remake hopes, Yoshida concluded with a positive note: "If any team were to tackle an FF9 remake, I'd wish them the best of luck!"
In short, the rumors of a Final Fantasy IX remake remain just that—rumors. Fans eagerly awaiting a remake will have to content themselves with the FFXIV tributes or patiently await future announcements.
