Final Fantasy Type-0 will be in the hands of Western gamers some time within the next year, Director Hajime Tabata confirmed to Kotaku at today’s PAX presentation of the game. “We probably wouldn’t age another year until it’s released,” Tabata said. “We really do want the PS4 and Xbox One install base to grow in Japan as well, so we do want a release as quickly as possible.”

The HD version of the game started development in the latter half of 2012, according to Tabata – although, as this is an HD rematser, it will contain all of the original content and nothing more aside from HD visuals, updated controls favoring two analogue sticks, and the addition of four difficulty settings.

Announced at E3 2013 to the surprise of many, Type-0 HD will be seeing its release on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, rather than PlayStation 3 or even PS Vita. Tabata says their reasoning for that is to prepare the now new-generation platforms for the eventual fanbase migration to support Final Fantasy XV. “We do hope that it becomes the first basis for Final Fantasy XV when we release that globally,” said Tabata. A Vita version was considered, however, is currently in the cards as Tabata feels the big screen is necessary to bring the best FF Type-0.

Asked if Type-0 HD will delay the eventual release of Final Fantasy XV, the answer is no, it won’t. Final Fantasy XV remains Square Enix’s top priority as Type-0 HD is being built on top of pre-existing content. “So I had personally, I do want to really kinda push the install-base for PS4 and Xbox One in Japan as well,” Tabata said. “I believe that FFXV would play a big factor in that, so I’m prioritizing my time for the development of that, to make sure it releases as soon as possible. Currently for the other titles I’m directing, including Type-0, since we’re not building the game ground up, the contents already exist. We’re at the point where we’re just fine-tuning and balancing the game. My personal time spent on the tuning and balance and whatnot is about 10-20% of my time.”

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is being shown at PAX Prime this weekend as a hand-off presentation. The game is currently 80% complete, although final release timing has yet to be announced.