A Final Fantasy IX remake was reportedly in development at Square Enix as a single game and had progressed significantly before the project eventually stalled. The claim comes from Alex Donaldson, Features Editor at VG247 and owner of RPGSite, who discussed the project on ResetEra.
According to Donaldson, the remake was not intended to follow the multi-part structure used for the Final Fantasy VII Remake project. Instead, Square Enix was reportedly planning a smaller-scale project that could tell the full story in one game.
Donaldson said the project had reached a very advanced stage before development stopped for various reasons. He suggested that the situation may not necessarily be permanent, as Square Enix has previously revived projects that had effectively been cancelled.
“The new mobile Dissidia game spent the better part of a year effectively cancelled before being revived, for instance,” Donaldson wrote. “So nothing is concrete and in the case of 9 that work is still there waiting to be revisited.”
The journalist also pointed to Square Enix publishing artwork associated with the original game’s 25th anniversary as a possible indication that the remake was no longer active. According to Donaldson, some of those illustrations had reportedly been created as potential box art and key art for the remake.
“I did feel the game was truly dead when illustrations created as potential box art and as key art were just tweeted out for the anniversary,” he said.
Donaldson also discussed comments from Square Enix executives regarding the company’s approach to Final Fantasy remakes. He argued that the publisher has increasingly recognised the need to focus on new stories after completing the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, rather than continuing to rely heavily on remakes of older games.
He added that plans at Square Enix can change considerably during development, meaning the current status of a project does not necessarily guarantee its long-term fate. As a result, while the Final Fantasy IX remake is reportedly no longer moving forward, Donaldson believes the work completed on the project remains available should Square Enix decide to revisit it.
