FF14 Collab Does Not A FF9 Remake Make, Says Director

Final Fantasy XIV's director, Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P), recently addressed speculation linking the recent FFXIV collaboration event with a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. The collaboration, featuring nods to the beloved 1999 RPG, fueled fan theories about an imminent remake announcement.

Yoshida definitively quashed these rumors. In an interview with JPGames, he clarified that the FFXIV event's inclusion of FFIX elements stemmed from the game's overarching concept as a "theme park" for the Final Fantasy franchise. The timing was purely coincidental, unrelated to any existing FFIX remake plans.

"The original concept for Final Fantasy XIV is that it serves as a theme park for the Final Fantasy franchise," Yoshida explained. "We wanted to incorporate Final Fantasy IX because of that. We had never thought about doing Final Fantasy IX in relation to any sort of Final Fantasy IX Remake—we had never thought about it in that commercial sense."

While dismissing the remake connection, Yoshida acknowledged the FFXIV team's deep affection for FFIX and the considerable scope of a potential remake. He highlighted the game's substantial size, suggesting that a remake would be a significant undertaking. This sentiment resonated with fans who appreciated the FFIX homage within Dawntrail.

Although the interview dashed hopes of an immediate announcement, Yoshida concluded with a supportive message for any team potentially tackling an FFIX remake: "I think potentially if any team was to take on doing a remake for Final Fantasy IX," he said with a chuckle, "I would wish them the best of luck."

In short, the rumors remain unsubstantiated. Fans eager for an FFIX remake will have to content themselves with the current in-game references or patiently await future developments.