Square Enix ‘Wouldn’t Say No’ to a Western Developed Final Fantasy

A number of Final Fantasy titles are on the way from Square Enix Japan including A Realm Reborn, Lightning Returns, Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III but the publisher "wouldn't say no" to a game in the series being developed by a Western studio. 

Speaking to RPG Site Final Fantasy brand director Shinji Hashimoto commented that "I wouldn't say no straight away!"

Expanding on his comment Hashimoto said "It depends on the proposal and everything, though, of course. Obviously Final Fantasy is traditionally a Japanese game, so it would really just depend on how discussion goes. But, yes – if any Western studio actually approached us, we'd of course think about it.

"I don't know why, but one of the things about Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts is that they're very unique – it's a very unique proposition that we have. I think that's why it's quite difficult for people to approach us with such ideas" he added.

Now defunct Swedish studio GRIN was developing 'Fortress' in 2008 which was envisioned as a sequel to Final Fantasy XII for PS3 and Xbox 360. The game saw Queen Ashe in an ever-expanding fortress players had to battle through. It's believed the game was Final Fantasy but with an Elder Scrolls flavour. 

Square Enix then pulled the project from GRIN before cancelling it entirely. 

Yoshinori Kitase, who's overseeing A Realm Reborn, said at the time that "We really can't see it happening" with regard to a Western developed Final Fantasy.