Final Fantasy XV might be "make or break" for the series, director talks importance of Japanese market

Fans have been waiting for Final Fantasy XV for 10 years – and while not wholly accurate (the version we see today has only been in development for about 3 of those years) – there seems to be a lot riding on the next mainline series title.

Speaking with Game Informer, director Hajime Tabata shared his thoughts on the current gaming landscape, as well as some honest truths surrounding fan disappointments and the general perception the series faces today. He admits Final Fantasy XV is a “make or break” moment for the franchise, especially for Japan.

“If the Final Fantasy brand is on its demise in terms of its numbered mainline series in Japan, then I feel like it would also follow suit globally,” Tabata explained. “The Japanese console game market is definitely getting smaller and that directly connects to the fact that the demand for consoles and console games are declining. At the same time that means a decline in the Final Fantasy IP.”

Tabata also talks about the sort of vague perception the series has – with Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X standing out among casual fans. This is something he’d like to change with the release of XV.

The full interview can be watched here.


About the Author

Erren Van Duine As a self-professed Final Fantasy fan, Erren created Nova Crystallis in 2009 as a place to collect the latest information on her favorite series. As owner and Editor-in-Chief, she also spends her time as a freelance illustrator.

Comments