A chunk of Final Fantasy fans cheered after Square Enix confirmed that Yosuke Matsuda was stepping down last year. His reign, which started in June 2013, had been mired with controversy in recent years, particularly due to its unrequited affection towards NFTs and blockchain technology. Many had assumed his replacement would help correct this. But, it appears things aren’t changing at Square Enix. If anything, its love for the controversial pair of “buzzwords” should grow stronger next year.
In a New Year’s letter, Takashi Kiryu revealed, among many other things, the company’s intensified focus on “applying AI and other cutting-edge technologies” going forward.
While the latter part could’ve excited fans, it’s the stuff that Kiryu said elsewhere in his way of welcoming 2024 that has caused some genuine concern.
AI tools like ChatGPT can help developers flesh out concepts more quickly and efficiently. What’s particularly problematic is that AI, at this stage, still needs a human touch for polishing. Thus, for a AAA studio, it feels lazy to hear them use it. This isn’t to say that Square Enix, or other video game developers, shouldn’t use AI. It’s just off-putting to hear one of the most successful video game companies talk about using a controversial piece of technology, let alone emphasizing its part of its future plans.
The good news is Kiryu is promising better cooperation between the company’s development and publishing arms. The two, in recent years, have felt like two completely different companies. Furthermore, the letter reveals the company’s plans to bring back older franchises to modern audiences and publishing newer titles, addressing earlier concerns following its announcement of doubling down on proven properties.
Finally, Kiryu touched on Square Enix’s need to market its products more efficiently while expanding their reach, an area where it’s tremendously lacking.
To be fair, the New Year’s letter is an excellent idea. It’s a chance to show fans that their feedback is valued while giving them a glimpse of the inner workings of the company and hype the upcoming year. Unfortunately, Kiryu’s letter feels less like a letter aimed at fans and more of a message targeted towards investors.
Perhaps it lost some of its original intent in translation. Nevertheless, it isn’t a good look for Square Enix’s newest big boss, especially as fans previously doubted his plans for the company due to his previous experience involving extensive work in the Web3 space.
As audiences, fans, critics, naysayers, and onlookers, all we can do for now is give Square Enix the benefit of the doubt.
While the letter largely feels like a miss, it doesn’t diminish the big year that Square Enix has ahead of it. Soon enough, PlayStation 5 owners can enjoy Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which promises to make audiences see Sephiroth in a new light and introduce new twists to the original trilogy. Afterward, it’s off to Valisthea to join Clive and the rest of the party as they confront Leviathan in the game’s second DLC. Finally, Final Fantasy 14 is expected to hit Xbox sometime later this year, presumably around the same time that Dawntrail comes out.
