Final Fantasy Producer Yoshinori Kitase Says Square Enix Is More Likely to Invest in New Games Than Remakes

Longtime Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase says Square Enix is more likely to invest in new games and original projects than to keep producing remakes of older titles. In an interview with IGN, Kitase said remakes could still make sense in special cases, particularly when original creators feel strongly connected to a game and have a clear reason to revisit it. But he said he personally wants to focus on creating new games and does not expect to work on another remake anytime soon.

The comments came during an interview conducted at Lucca Comics & Games 2026. Kitase discussed the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, the publisher’s approach to new intellectual property and remakes, possible film and television adaptations, and the kinds of games he would like to explore for younger players. His remarks are a view from a senior creator, not a formal corporate strategy announcement from Square Enix.

New games are more likely to receive investment

Asked how Square Enix balances new intellectual property with remakes, Kitase said the company is more likely to invest in new titles and new games moving forward. He qualified that view by explaining why Final Fantasy VII was a special case: he and other developers who worked on the original had strong feelings about the project and wanted to create something new around a familiar world.

The goal, he said, was to give new players a way to discover the appeal of the original while offering longtime fans a different experience. That reasoning suggests that a remake can still be worthwhile when the creative team has a compelling reason to revisit the source material and can add something meaningful.

Kitase did not say Square Enix would stop making remakes altogether. Nor did he announce a specific new game or provide a development schedule. His comments describe the direction he believes is more likely, while leaving room for exceptions when a project has a strong creative case.

Kitase does not expect to lead another remake soon

IGN also asked whether Kitase had another classic Square Enix game he would like to remake if he had unlimited resources. He said he felt fulfilled by the development of the Final Fantasy VII remake, but currently did not have a particular remake in mind. He added that he did not think he would work on another remake anytime soon.

Kitase acknowledged that people inside Square Enix and fans have often asked for a remake of Final Fantasy VI. But he did not promise that such a project would happen, and he did not identify it as a game in active development. The distinction matters because fan interest and a creator’s willingness to discuss a possibility do not establish that a publisher has approved a production.

His answer also does not rule out remakes led by other teams at Square Enix. It reflects his own current preference and the broader likelihood of the company investing in new games, rather than a complete list of future projects across the publisher.

A possible interest in more action-focused games

Kitase also discussed how younger players approach games. He said newer generations appear particularly interested in battle-focused experiences, rather than games centered primarily on story. He would like to explore that kind of action-oriented design while retaining the storytelling qualities associated with Final Fantasy.

That comment is an expression of creative interest, not an announcement of a new title. Kitase did not name a project, describe its mechanics, confirm a platform or provide a release window. Still, it offers a glimpse of the types of experiences he may want to pursue after spending many years working on the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy.

The challenge would be balancing faster or more combat-focused play with the character development and narrative depth that Kitase identifies as central to Final Fantasy’s appeal. His comments suggest that he is interested in evolving the series’ approach rather than abandoning its established identity.

Film and television adaptations remain possible

The interview also touched on whether Square Enix could expand Final Fantasy into more film or television projects. Kitase said the Final Fantasy VII remake explored the game’s world in greater depth than the original, and that future games or television series inspired by Final Fantasy stories would be a welcome possibility. He did not announce a specific adaptation, studio partner or production timetable.

The confirmed takeaway is that Kitase sees new games as the more likely investment priority for Square Enix, while allowing that remakes may still be justified in particular cases. He personally does not expect to lead another remake in the near term. Whether Final Fantasy VI will ever receive a remake, whether a new screen adaptation will be developed and what Kitase’s next game project might be remain unknown.