Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, recently spoke about the importance of the team’s decade-long collaboration in shaping the success of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. Hamaguchi emphasized how working with the same group of talented individuals over the years has been crucial to their growth and expertise.
Despite still being in the midst of developing the third and final installment of the trilogy, he expressed excitement about what the team can accomplish with the experience they’ve gained once the project is completed.
Hamaguchi reflected on how the team’s experience and knowledge have evolved over the course of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake games. He acknowledged that the plot for the third part has already been written, but emphasized that the focus remains on finishing the trilogy before considering future projects.
While he is uncertain about what the next project will be—whether it will be another Final Fantasy installment or an entirely new brand—he is enthusiastic about the possibilities for the team’s next chapter. He believes that the expertise they’ve accumulated over the trilogy will be invaluable moving forward.
A significant point in Hamaguchi’s remarks was his appreciation for how his team has stayed intact despite the challenges faced by the video game industry in recent years. With numerous layoffs, studio closures, and high-profile acquisitions happening across the industry, retaining a specific and skilled team has been no small feat.
Hamaguchi suggested that the ongoing success of his team can be partly attributed to the rising technical demands of modern game development. The complexity and high expectations of today’s gaming market require a level of experience that his team has developed over the course of their work on Final Fantasy 7 Remake.
He also touched on the broader context of the gaming industry, acknowledging that many major companies, such as Sony and Microsoft, have been acquiring studios with established expertise. These acquisitions, he pointed out, are likely due to the difficulties of developing high-end games without a solid foundation of experienced developers.
Hamaguchi’s comments highlighted the importance of expertise in handling the demands of modern game development, and how his team’s long-term collaboration has given them an edge in tackling those challenges.
Looking ahead, Hamaguchi is optimistic about the future. He expressed confidence that once the trilogy concludes, his team will be well-positioned to tackle new and exciting projects. The experience gained throughout the development of Final Fantasy 7 Remake and its sequels will provide a solid foundation for whatever direction the team chooses to go in next.
Whether continuing with Final Fantasy or exploring new ideas, Hamaguchi believes that the team’s deepened knowledge and cohesion will be key to achieving even greater success in the future.
