Naoki Yoshida, commonly known as Yoshi-P, is one of the most significant contributors to the Final Fantasy franchise. A prominent figure who’s widely considered as the savior of the series’ MMORPG venture, Final Fantasy 14, Yoshi-P, as fans have come to call him over the years, has been at the helm of Creative Business Unit III ever since its inception, leading the development team for FFXIV since he was brought in to help salvage the game.
Now, Yoshi-P has the success of Final Fantasy XIV and the latest mainline entry, Final Fantasy XVI, under his belt.
Given how successful Yoshi-P’s time with Final Fantasy has been, it would make sense for him to continue directing the future mainline entries, especially since Creative Business Unit I and Creative Business Unit II are busy working on the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy and Kingdom Hearts 3, respectively.
However, if it’s up to Yoshi-P, he’d prefer someone else, preferably a younger creative, to take the lead instead.
In a recent discussion on the AIAS Game Maker’s Notebook Podcast with Shuhei Yoshida, Yoshi-P expressed that those with fresh sensibilities and perspectives, should take the lead for the next installment of the iconic series.
Yoshida’s suggestion for a younger leadership for Final Fantasy 17 comes from his belief that the franchise should continually challenge existing norms and bring new ideas to the table. This approach aligns with the ethos of the series, which has always been about innovation and pushing boundaries. He emphasized the importance of developing games that resonate with today’s world, potentially integrating contemporary challenges and themes. Further, this aligns with his earlier statement that the development team behind Final Fantasy 16 have already gone their separate ways.
The idea of diversifying the direction style for FF17 isn’t just about bringing in new blood. Yoshida also discussed the potential for varied gameplay styles, suggesting a hybrid of real-time and turn-based combat or even a throwback to the series’ pixel art roots. These concepts indicate a willingness to explore different avenues of game design, reflecting the series’ history of evolving with each new title.
Don’t forget, FF16 was the first time that the series went all-in on the action aspect, dialing back from the open-world setting of Final Fantasy 15, and delving into more mature themes, likened specifically by the developers themselves to Game of Thrones.
As previously mentioned, Yoshida’s tenure at Square Enix, especially his role in reviving FF14 and overseeing FF16, has been marked by critical successes. His creative vision and genius has proven instrumental in maintaining its relevance and appeal. However, his recent comments suggest a recognition that the series must continue to evolve, potentially under new guidance, to stay vibrant and engaging for future audiences.
It’s worth noting that these discussions about the future direction of Final Fantasy come at a time when Square Enix is experiencing some market challenges. Despite the success of Final Fantasy 16, Square Enix has faced significant market value losses, attributed partly to other project failures. This situation underscores the importance of innovation and quality in their flagship series like Final Fantasy, which it revealed that it will increase its financial investment in following the failures of Forspoken, among others.
While nothing is set in stone for FF17, Yoshida’s insights offer a glimpse into the ongoing evolution of this beloved and best-selling series. His advocacy for new leadership and fresh gameplay ideas reflects a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that Final Fantasy continues to captivate players with each new chapter.
Creative Business Unit I is currently finishing up its work on Final Fantasy 16, which is getting a new DLC that will expand its story later this year. Finally, a PC port is coming sometime later. Unfortunately, it’s unclear if FF16 is headed to Xbox.
