Final Fantasy XVII Should Be Directed By Someone Else, Says Naoki Yoshida

With Final Fantasy XVI out the door, Square Enix and fans are looking towards what’s next, and what’ll likely be called Final Fantasy XVII.

There’s no real news on what that game will look like yet, but in terms of who’ll be working on it, Final Fantasy director and producer Naoki Yoshida thinks someone new should be given the reigns.

Yoshida-san directed last year’s Final Fantasy XVI and multiple other entries in the series, and could be called one of the ‘old guard’ still working on the series.

Which seems to be partly why in a recent podcast interview with Sony’s own Shuhei Yoshida, the Final Fantasy veteran wants to see some young blood infuse their own ideas into the series.

“I’ve had the chance to work on two of these, 14 and 16, so maybe it’s time for someone new, instead of having the same old guys handle the next one.

I think in some ways it would be good to look to the future and bring in a younger generation, with more youthful sensibilities, to make a new Final Fantasy with challenges that suit today’s world.”

Yoshida-san did also have some advice for whoever does take the reigns though, as a veteran himself.

“Just dive in and first put down on paper what you believe would be the most enjoyable Final Fantasy, before thinking too hard about it.”

You can check out the full interview with English subtitles below.

Source – [Game Maker’s Notebook Podcast via Eurogamer]