Final Fantasy Creator Set to Develop New Game Inspired by Final Fantasy VI Before Retirement

Nearly 40 years since the release of the original Final Fantasy game, and 4 years after his alleged retirement, the series creator is on the brink of making a comeback to develop one more game – a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy 6.

In a dialogue with The Verge, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi discussed his previous game, 2021’s Fantasian, which saw its PC and console release last month, and how he initially intended to step back from work simply following its release. However, while he “hoped Fantasian would be my final project before retirement,” he now plans to end his career with a game he considers “a successor to Final Fantasy 6.”

Fantasian is a title that has been likened to Final Fantasy 6, the last installment in the series to employ the classic 2D-pixel art style that defined the series during its early years, although Sakaguchi has a different perspective. “My method of creating Fantasian was distinct from my earlier works. For this project, I aimed to connect with my inner creativity to sincerely craft an RPG once again, so I found drawing comparisons with existing titles to be unnecessary,” he elaborates, before characterizing Fantasian as “somewhat of a farewell message from me.”

Nonetheless, Sakaguchi found the process of developing Fantasian to be so enjoyable that he chose to remain involved to create another game with the team. “The wonderful team that was put together to finalize [Fantasian] was such a pleasure to collaborate with that I found it difficult to say goodbye,” he shares, “I’m currently engaged in a new project with the same team that worked on Fantasian.”

While he seeks to explore the premise of a successor to Final Fantasy