A light-hearted moment during the European Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival has sparked speculation about who could lead the next mainline Final Fantasy game.
During a stage presentation, Final Fantasy XIV director and Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida, better known as Yoshi-P, welcomed Final Fantasy VII Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi to discuss the latest collaboration raid for the Evercold expansion. While speaking to the audience, Yoshida joked that many fans would like to see Hamaguchi take charge of Final Fantasy XVII.
According to a translation shared by Aitai Kimochi, Yoshida said, “I think it’s one of the biggest compliments people were saying in the comments they wish Hamaguchi is making FF17. But you don’t have to answer…!”
Hamaguchi began to respond by saying, “If I answer…”
Yoshida quickly interrupted with, “No, no, don’t!”
The exchange was accompanied by laughter from Yoshida, who looked towards Hamaguchi following his unexpected reaction. While the moment has prompted speculation among fans, neither Yoshida nor Hamaguchi confirmed that the Final Fantasy VII Remake director is involved with Final Fantasy XVII.
The discussion itself focused on the new Final Fantasy VII Remake collaboration raid coming to the Evercold expansion for Final Fantasy XIV, with the brief exchange serving as a humorous aside during the presentation.
