Square Enix Abandons the Past: Near-Finished Final Fantasy IX Remake Reportedly Axed
Square Enix is reportedly undergoing a major strategic shift, moving away from its long-standing practice of mining its classic catalog for remakes and remasters. The most significant casualty of this pivot is an allegedly near-finished remake of Final Fantasy IX, which has reportedly been halted despite being close to completion. This news follows comments from producer Naoki Yoshida, who emphasized the immense scale and resource requirements for modernizing titles from that era, suggesting they would require multi-installment releases. The decision signals a potential new era for the developer, prioritizing new experiences over nostalgic revisions.