In a recent message post published by Square Enix via Twitter, Final Fantasy XVI Producer Naoki Yoshida shared new information regarding the game's development. It's revealed that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has delayed production by "almost half a year", ultimately forcing the development team to spend much of 2021 to rectify it. As a result, Yoshida has confirmed that the next big reveal for Final Fantasy XVI will take place in Spring 2022, and apologizes to avid followers for not being able to share anything more about the game this year. Read Yoshida's full message below: Final Fantasy XVI is currently in development for PlayStation 5.

In a panel discussion hosted by Famitsu, Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida took turns asking each other questions regarding the appeal and potential of RPGs. When Sakaguchi asked Yoshida about the progress FFXVI was making, he responded that the main scenario is currently complete, and that the team is working on the last parts of side quests. Character models are just about done, but they are working on quality improvements. There is also a growth system that is similar to a skill tree that has been implemented. Development started with a very small team, and they didn't increase the number of developers until they were confident on the design they were going to implement. For FFXVI, they also focused heavily on the action-based gameplay, and there was a lot of trial and error in doing so. Sakaguchi asked Yoshida, half-jokingly, if he could write a quest for FFXVI, but Yoshida said he could try writing for FFXIV since he's now playing it for the first time - to which Sakaguchi laughed responded that he didn't want to compete with other guest creators Yasumi Matsuno and Yoko Taro. Final Fantasy XVI is currently announced for PlayStation 5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWD9FEIxcsI

With Final Fantasy XVI's voice recording underway, producer Naoki Yoshida further elaborated on the current process during an appearance on the latest episode of Washagana TV. These comments come following words said during Final Fantasy XIV's 14-hour broadcast where it was revealed XVI's main scenario is now complete and English voice recording is underway. He shared a bit of insight into his role on Final Fantasy XIV - wherein he does not attend voice recording sessions due to his own policies. He wants to let the proper staff for those roles do their thing without being overbearing. As for Final Fantasy XVI, he doesn't attend those recording sessions either since he's not the scenario writer. "During story meetings, I do say my opinions like, ‘I think this line should be changed, considering the protagonist Clive’s emotions…’ Although the team has been doing a great job of taking my opinions into consideration," said Yoshida. He also notes that English recording is being approached first with a focus on British English. The team is recording facial movements because they can't possible hand-animate every cut of a scene. They're instead doing full facial motion capture and adding voices on top of that. "So this

During Final Fantasy XIV's 14-hour special broadcast, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida shared some sparse details on the upcoming and as of now elusive RPG. The game's main scenario writing has been completed and the team is working its way through the final English voice recording phase - development is going well but it's difficult because they want to maintain high quality. As they don't want to drip-feed information, the next time they do have content to reveal, they want to make sure to convince people to get the game as soon as they see it so they're still polishing for the re-reveal. Unfortunately, that means Final Fantasy XVI might skip Tokyo Game Show this year despite Yoshida's desire to show something there, but the team is trying to get it into a playable state by then regardless. That said, it was never going to be at E3. The game remains in development for PlayStation 5.

A common trend in modern video games - particularly of the action variety - has been to include several gameplay modes for players who either want a challenge or to focus on the story. It seems Final Fantasy XVI will be the latest to include just that. The game's producer, Naoki Yoshida, appeared during the 'Game Hawk' corner on an episode of Tokyo FM's radio show "One Morning" to share a few tidbits on the in-development RPG. As we know, Final Fantasy XVI is going to be action-oriented, it features both story and action. But what about players who aren't necessarily good at action games? "We really want players to enjoy the story, so we’re preparing a mode for players who want to focus on story," said Yoshida. "Since we have quite the substantial support actions, we’re of course preparing something easy to operate and smooth to play. Don’t worry too much. I’m from the generation that has been playing the Final Fantasy series from the first game in real-time—I’m almost in my 50s. I think the Warriors of Light have grown up in their own worlds, so I want to create a world of Final Fantasy that those who know the good

Square Enix has gone live with the official website for Final Fantasy XVI, revealing brand new details about the game's world, nations and some of the main characters featured from the announcement trailer. Alongside this, game producer Naoki Yoshida shared his own words via the PlayStation Blog about the new information for the game. We've gathered and compiled everything relevant from both the official website and blog post for you folks to check out here. View it all below: The World: Valisthea The land of Valisthea is studded with Mothercrystals—glittering mountains of crystal that tower over the realms around them, blessing them with aether. For generations, people have flocked to these beacons to take advantage of their blessing, using the aether to conjure magicks that let them live lives of comfort and plenty. Countless wars have been fought over the Mothercrystals all around the land, leading to the rise of nations such as the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, the Kingdom of Waloed, the Dhalmekian Republic, and the Iron Kingdom, each with their own culture and ideology. Ongoing skirmishes have forged an uneasy peace between these nations, but with the emergence of the ruinous Blight, that fragile peace is starting to deteriorate. Eikons

A Square Enix recruitment page shares minor details for Final Fantasy XVI today. According to the Japanese listing (translated by Gematsu), basic development and scenario production are already complete. The listing goes on to say the team is currently in the midst of creating large-scale resources and building boss battles while expanding their various development tools. Due to the current pandemic crisis, most of the staff are carrying out their work remotely. The company is looking for people to help complete Final Fantasy XVI's world with various stages/fields, large-scale cutscenes, character actions and more as they work toward completing the newly announced PlayStation 5 title. While more major information on the game is expected next year, according to producer Naoki Yoshida, a teaser site will go up later this month.

On the final day of Tokyo Game Show 2020, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida commented about the development of the game on a "Yoshi-P Sanpo (Stroll with Yoshi-P)" broadcast where he plays Final Fantasy XIV with the community. Yoshida, you may remember, denied rumors he was the "main director" of the newest entry in the franchise -- instead revealing he was "just" the producer of this title and will also continue his role on XIV. Regarding the debut trailer from earlier this month, Yoshida he said he wanted to make the video content and logo reveal moving for a trailer that wouldn't show when it's for sale. He wanted to show in-game footage so that it wouldn't feel as if they were showing off a teaser with nothing substantial -- referencing American fans stating "see you in 2035." While the tuning and optimization of graphics has not been completed, he commented that it'll likely be compared to a title that will release later. Yoshida shared that the teaser site with an overview of the world and characters is planned to go live late in October. While new information won't be shared until 2021, Yoshida added that this will allow the team

During Sony's PlayStation 5 Showcase event that took place just recently, Square Enix has come out of the shadows to announce the 16th title in the mainline Final Fantasy series. That's right, Final Fantasy XVI is official and is in development for the PlayStation 5 as a console exclusive. The single player action-RPG is developed by Creative Business Unit III, with Naoki Yoshida (Final Fantasy XIV, Dragon Quest X) serving as its producer, and Hiroshi Takai (Final Fantasy XIV, The Last Remnant) serving as its director. Viewers were treated with a meaty trailer featuring an in-game look of the upcoming title packed with story bits, real-time combat action, the game's logo by Yoshitaka Amano and plenty more. Following its unveiling, Square Enix went live with the official English and Japanese Twitter accounts for the game, as well as put out a press release featuring high-quality screenshots from the announcement trailer and some comments from the developer. Square Enix will reveal even more information on Final Fantasy XVI sometime in 2021. Feast the trailer and more down below: English Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tBnBAkHv9M Japanese Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUY9beBLIKM Final Fantasy XVI Director Hiroshi Takai and Producer Naoki Yoshida shared a few words regarding the upcoming title: Final Fantasy XVI producer (that’s right, just producer) Naoki Yoshida here. How did you

As the summer season swings in, rumors swirl around potential new game announcements, and the Final Fantasy series has long been part of that tradition. Recently, a 4chan rumor suggested that Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki Yoshida would helm the next numbered entry as its director. Yoshida fielded this rumor during a rebroadcast of the 'Letter from the Producer Live' broadcast series the team is airing as part of the COVID-19 Stay Home initiative. The team has also been providing commentary alongside them in the chat. According to RPGSite, Yoshida candidly wrote: "Ah, looks like some kind of big fake news came out. I'll say it clearly - it's annoying." He went on to say that he would be staying in his role on Final Fantasy XIV "for more years to come (as long as I don't die from sickness or accident)". Recently, following a restructuring of Square Enix's business divisions, Yoshida became the head of Division 3. This divison presides over the development of Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV, and recently put out the lovely Dragon Quest Builders 2. Per a recruitment page Square Enix has hosted for several years (and updated last year to reflect the restructuring) the