Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy, is defying retirement plans to develop a new game, a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI. This follows the successful release of Fantasian Neo Dimension, initially intended as his final project.

A New Chapter, Inspired by FFVI

Sakaguchi's decision stems from the positive experience working with the team on Fantasian. He aims to create a game that blends classic elements with innovative ideas, describing it as "something old but new." This new project represents "part two of my farewell note," suggesting it will be a significant, possibly final, work.

Development Update and Speculation

A 2024 Famitsu interview revealed the project is underway, with Sakaguchi estimating approximately two more years until completion. The recent Mistwalker trademark filing for "FANTASIAN DARK AGE" has fueled speculation of a Fantasian sequel, although this remains unconfirmed. The new game will likely maintain the fantasy RPG style of his previous creations.

Reunion with Square Enix

The collaboration with Square Enix for the multi-platform release of FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (December 2024) marked a full-circle moment for Sakaguchi, who began his career at Square. Despite this, he remains focused on his new project and has no plans to revisit the Final Fantasy franchise. He now considers himself a "consumer rather than a creator" regarding his past works.