Square Enix wants to show Final Fantasy 16 at TGS ‘but probably can’t make the deadline’

Final Fantasy 16’s producer has suggested it could be a while before fans see more of the action RPG.

Speaking as part of a special Japanese Final Fantasy 14 live stream on Friday (translated by Aitai Kimochi), Naoki Yoshida – who is known for his directing work on 14, but is a producer for the upcoming 16 – said Square Enix would ideally like to show the new game at Tokyo Game Show, which runs September 30 – October 3.

However, Yoshida suggested that the game’s development team might not make the deadline, and indicated that he’d like to next show FF16 when it’s closer to release.

“We really want to show something for Tokyo Game Show 2021, but we probably can’t make that deadline… we definitely want to show it, but isn’t it better if when we do, you’re able to play it right after?

He added: “I personally don’t like it when small bits of info is release to string people along. I talked about this with the team and director Takai-san. We want to reveal something where people will say, ‘I want to play it now! Release it now!’ And we can reply, ‘sure, here you go!’

“I know as a company they want us to show it at TGS at the very least.”

Elsewhere in the live streamed event, Yoshida said that work on Final Fantasy 16’s scenario was now complete, and that its audio voice recording was also nearly finished.

“Development is going well,” he said. “It’s quite difficult to make sure the quality is amazing. We want the next announcement to be something where everyone says, ‘I’m going to buy this game!’ This, we are putting a lot of effort to make sure the quality is great.”

Final Fantast 16 was announced last summer as a PlayStation 5 exclusive release. Final Fantasy XVI’s adventure takes place in a land called Valisthea, Square Enix later revealed, an area which is studded with colossal mountains of glittering crystal called Mothercrystals.

Final Fantasy 16 is being directed by Hiroshi Takai, the designer who performed the same role for Final Fantasy XIV and The Last Remnant.