So recent world events aside, it seems like long time series Producer and SE marketing guru Shinji Hashimoto was in Italy for the Lucca & Comics 2016 convention and had a bit to say about the future of Square-Enix in the soon to be post FFXV world. While there is no English transcript yet and only a video in Italian, Siliconera has a short write up on his talking points. This is what he had to say:
final-fantasy-xii-the-zodiac-age.jpgThe game still doesn't have an exact release date but Hashimoto wants to release it really soon. Especially since this year marks the games 10th Anniversary.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Kingdom_Hearts_HD_2.8_Final_Chapter_Prologue_Logo_KHHDFCP.pngThere will be no "2.9" and the next new installment will be KHIII. Aqua's new chapter in the game may sound like it will be short, but it will depend on how the player plays the events. He doesn't consider it short.
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8
final-fantasy-vii-remake.jpgHashimoto didn't bring any info to share but said that the game is still being worked on and it's too soon to be talking about a release date and recent rumors about it being released in 2017 are simply rumors because the company hasn't even discussed a release date yet.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
final-fantasy-x-x-2-video.jpgHashimoto understands that the audio drama has given fans certain expectations but any plans on going forward with it will have to wait until Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshinori Kitase's schedules clear up, which will likely not happen until KHIII and the VII Remake are finished. Square-Enix is focused on finishing games that have been announced and won't make any announcement concerning a possible third installment of FFX.
Final Fantasy X-3
FFXIII.jpgNo plans for the moment as SE is pretty content with how the trilogy wrapped up and did commercially. They do recognize that Lightning is still a very popular character and will try to figure out more ways to expand the brand of the character.
Final Fantasy XIII
XVI has apparently not even reached the planning stages yet and still has no confirmed director, but Hashimoto was quick to mention that fans who are unhappy with XV's setting and being an Action-RPG should not fret over the next installment following suit. The games setting and battle system are determined by its director and he pointed to how all three installments in the PSX generation were all radically different settings. With that said, he said that when the company chooses to work on a new installment in the flagship series, they do so with the mindset of releasing the ultimate fantasy for each generation.