Hamaguchi, the game director, assures fans that the sequel is under active development, but urges patience for further updates. He highlights the success of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth in 2024, citing its award wins and global appeal as a foundation for expanding the game's fanbase with unique challenges in the third installment.
Hamaguchi also acknowledges the impact of Grand Theft Auto VI, expressing admiration for Rockstar Games and their work under the pressure of GTA V's immense success.
While specifics regarding the third game remain undisclosed, Hamaguchi offers reassurance that development is progressing smoothly. This is noteworthy, considering the recent release of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. However, he promises a truly unique experience for players.
Despite this positive outlook, the director acknowledges that Final Fantasy XVI's May 2024 launch sales underperformed, falling short of initial projections. While precise sales figures remain confidential for both Final Fantasy XVI and VII Rebirth, Square Enix maintains that Rebirth's sales aren't considered a complete failure, and that Final Fantasy XVI still has potential to meet its targets within the allotted 18-month timeframe.