Why Final Fantasy director almost rejected his dream job

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the Final Fantasy VII remakes, faced a significant decision when he was offered his dream job. This opportunity involved directing remakes of a game that he has loved since childhood. Upon receiving the news, he found himself in a dilemma. He realized that accepting this role would mean dedicating a decade of his life to the project. In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, he expressed his feelings, stating, 'I realized this was going to be 10 years of my life as a games developer and I was a little torn. ' The landscape of video game development has changed dramatically over the years. As games have become more sophisticated, the time and financial resources required to create them have also increased. For those in charge of these projects, it often means committing a substantial portion of their lives, careers, and identities to them. The new Final Fantasy VII series is a massive undertaking, consisting of a trilogy that aims to remake the beloved classic from 1997. These remakes feature updated graphics, full voice acting, and a wealth of additional content, making it a monumental task. So far, the project has been successful, with the first two games, titled Remake and Rebirth, receiving excellent reviews from both critics and fans alike. Recently, Mr. Hamaguchi was honored with a Game Award for best score and music at a prestigious ceremony in Los Angeles. During the Golden Joysticks in London, his game Rebirth also won awards for Best Soundtrack, Best Storytelling, and Best Performance. When Square Enix, the developer behind the games, first announced their plan to split the project into three parts, there was some skepticism. After all, the original game could be completed in about 40 hours. When asked if he felt he had proven the doubters wrong, Mr. Hamaguchi replied, 'I hope we've convinced them. ' He understands that the original game is iconic, and many fans have their own visions of what Final Fantasy VII should be. This makes it challenging to satisfy every single fan. The original Final Fantasy VII featured 3D characters set against 2D backgrounds, which was groundbreaking at the time. Despite his initial concerns about dedicating so much of his professional life to the remakes, Mr. Hamaguchi is grateful he took the plunge. He shared, 'Final Fantasy was one of the big inspirations for me to want to become a game creator in the first place. ' He views this project as his way of giving back to the series that inspired him. However, he also looks forward to exploring new challenges after completing this trilogy. He stated, 'I want to move away from it and take on a completely new kind of challenge. ' Mr. Hamaguchi explained that the game development environment has evolved significantly since the original game was released. Nowadays, creating a blockbuster game for modern consoles can take years. Developers must consider how the gaming landscape will change in the next five to ten years. He pointed out that emerging markets, such as the Middle East and South East Asia, are experiencing rapid economic growth and are producing a new generation of gamers. 'It's really interesting to see so many young people getting into gaming in these regions,' he remarked. The remakes of Final Fantasy VII bring the game up to modern graphical standards, enhancing the overall experience for players. In contrast to the original game, developers now need to ensure that cultural references resonate across various regions where gaming has become increasingly popular. The gaming market has also become more competitive. Square Enix has acknowledged that Rebirth, which was released exclusively on PlayStation 5, did not perform as well as they had anticipated. They have recently confirmed that a PC version will be available soon. Gamers are now more inclined to stick with popular titles like Fortnite, Roblox, or Call of Duty for extended periods, making it challenging to attract them to new games. Mr. Hamaguchi believes that the excitement generated by award nominations can provide a significant boost to a game's visibility. He explained, 'Previously we'd release a game on a console and it would sell very well for the first couple of weeks. ' An award mention can help a title stand out from the competition and push it to the forefront of online storefronts. The legacy of Final Fantasy VII spans over two decades, and Mr. Hamaguchi has some thoughts on where gaming might be in the next 20 years. He envisions advancements in virtual reality and augmented reality, where players can create digital environments that blend with the real world, allowing for interactive experiences. He believes this would offer a very different feeling compared to traditional gaming with standard controllers. Additionally, he predicts that headsets could become more affordable and lightweight, enabling players to engage with games in more immersive ways. For now, however, Mr. Hamaguchi is focused on completing the final installment of the trilogy, hoping to once again find himself on the awards stage.