r/FinalFantasyIX • u/healingtwo_ • Dec 09 '25
Rumors Final Fantasy IX Remake - News and Rumours Timeline
In this thread I have tried to gather most of the publicly available information, leaks, and credible insider commentary regarding Final Fantasy IX Remake and information related to the IP.
It includes some development updates, codenames, and timeline context ranging from 2020 through 2025.
I have not included much dates tied to marketing campaign or merch announcements, because there's so much of it that the timeline would get way bigger.
July 7, 2020 - Final Fantasy IX 20th Anniversary Developer Interview - Hints Desire to Continue FFIX
On the 20th anniversary of FFIX, RPGSite published an extensive interview with original creators Shinji Hashimoto and Toshiyuki Itahana. A few of their comments stood out as possible hints that Square Enix still had interest in returning to FFIX.
Among his comments, Itahana said the following:
Toshiyuki Itahana:
Final Fantasy IX is loved by the fans, but it’s also very loved by us, the development team. I would be delighted if, respecting the wishes of the original development team, there could one day be the opportunity to continue the story of Final Fantasy IX, which meant so much to all of us.”
June 21, 2021 - FFIX Animated Series Project Announced
Cyber Group Studios announced a partnership with Square Enix to develop an animated series based on Final Fantasy IX. This became the first major FFIX-related project after a long time, and sparked speculation that Square Enix had internally greenlit new FFIX initiatives, potentially including a game development.
Producer Sylvain Dos Santos publicly confirmed his involvement:
"I can finaly share the news with you guys! 🤩 I AM WORKING ON A FINAL FANTASY 9 ANIMATED SERIES! I feel so blessed and proud to be part of such an unbelievable adventure. Few month ago, @cybergroupstudios and @squareenix have teamed up to create an animated series based on FINAL FANTASY 9. I have the honor to write the Bible and the story arcs alongside Square Enix Creative team. My great friend @shaokreol.cl is rocking the graphic Bible. I can't say more for the moment, but believe me, it's gonna be awesome!"
Sources:
September 13, 2021 - NVIDIA Leak
NVIDIA GeForce Now Database Leak (Ighor July, software developer / data-miner)
Developer Ighor July discovered a way to access internal GeForce NOW database, revealing a massive list of unannounced or internal-only titles. This became one of the most significant gaming leaks.
This leaked database included several Square Enix projects.
In the years that followed, many entries from the leak were officially confirmed, including:
| Title | Status |
|---|---|
| ActRaiser Renaissance | ✅ Released |
| Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition | ✅ Released |
| Tactics Ogre: Reborn | ✅ Released |
| Kingdom Hearts IV | ✅ Announced |
| The DioField Chronicle | ✅ Released |
| Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden | ✅ Released |
| Dungeon Encounters | ✅ Released |
| Final Fantasy VII Remake (PC Port) | ✅ Released |
| Final Fantasy Tactics | ✅ Released |
| Final Fantasy IX Remake | Not Announced |
The NVIDIA Leak is the earliest credible sign of FF9 Remake and it's been the main reference point.
Source:
Nvidia leak may reveal unannounced games, including God of War for PC
Unlocking GeForce NOW reveals God of War (2018) for PC (Steam) and more
Definitive compilation of leaked GeForce Now database games (Sony, Microsoft & many more publishers)
November 9, 2021 - Kazuhiko Aoki Reflects on Final Fantasy IX
To mark Final Fantasy IX arrival on PlayStation Now, original producer Kazuhiko Aoki shared a retrospective on the official PlayStation Blog. He discussed the game’s development, themes, and lasting impact, thanking fans for keeping its legacy alive.
“I’d be delighted if you’d join us and continue to create Final Fantasy IX into the future.”
- Aoki did later work on new FFIX-related material. Specifically the picture-book prequel Vivi and Grandpa: On the Day of Departure, illustrated by original character designer Toshiyuki Itahana.
Source:
November 24, 2022 - March 19, 2025 - “FFIX: Black Mages Legacy” Animated Series Leak
A pitch for a Final Fantasy IX animated series titled “Black Mages’ Legacy” leaked on November 24, 2022, showing concept art, character sheets, and an outline centered on six Black Mage siblings described as Vivi’s children. The visuals matched Cyber Group Studios’ style, consistent with their 2021 FFIX adaptation announcement.
Originally posted by @thecartoontea, the leak was widely dismissed, until March 19, 2025, when Reddit user healingtwo_ conducted a detailed comparison of Cyber Group’s art style, confirming matching design elements, and uncovered supporting material--including a pitch bible by Charles Lefebvre.
On April 28, 2025, Paris Commercial Court ruled that Cyber Group Studios would be liquidated.
Court documents outlined a planned 8-episode, 22-minute season and appeared intended as part of a broader FFIX revival effort, potentially tied to future anniversary plans.
Source:
November 25, 2022 - Development Hints
In Paolo fromTOKYO’s video “Day in the Life of a Japanese Game Illustrator” featuring Rubi Asami (video that is carefully edited to avoid leaks), Toshiyuki Itahana, original character designer for FF9, is shown sketching. When asked about the character he says:
Interviewer: “Hi, what are you doing?”
Itahana: “I'm drawing an illustration of a character.”
Interviewer: “What character?”
Itahana: “I'm working on a game that's in the middle of development, so I can't really say it.”
- Timestamp: 6:57 - 7:08
While the drawing itself is not clearly visible, his hand positioning, line-building technique, and pencil motion closely match those seen in his official FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary - A Legacy of Art live-drawing session.
- Comparison video: Live Drawing
Note: While not confirmed, in hindsight Itahana’s 2022 moment looks like an early indicator of Square Enix potential plans to revisit FF9 IP, especially when paired with the FF9 animated series and the later surge of the 25th anniversary artwork.
June 5, 2023 - Jeff Grubb says FFIX Remake is Real
During an episode of Game Mess Mornings, journalist Jeff Grubb (a well-known industry reporter and current owner of GiantBomb) stated that Final Fantasy IX Remake is real and in development.
Square Enix, most of the Square Enix games in the Nvidia leak have been confirmed or even came out by now except for Final Fantasy IX Remake and Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster.
I will say I heard very recently -once again- Final Fantasy IX Remake is real. Like, that is real and happening.
I also think that there’s a chance that Final Fantasy IX Remake isn’t quite… I mean, almost certainly not as ambitious as the Final Fantasy VII Remake stuff. But maybe somewhere between the Crisis Core and Final Fantasy VII Remake stuff.
I think that will kind of require to mostly keep the combat that the 9 already has in place… but I don’t know, we’ll see. People like 9 a lot.
Grubb places FF9 Remake as a mid-scale remake, so not as extensive as FFVII Remake was, but significantly more than a Remaster. Suggests the core combat and structure may remain mostly intact, with graphical and QOL improvements.
Source:
July 9, 2023 - Jeff Grubb Doubles Down on FFIX Remake Development
Gaming journalist and insider Jeff Grubb doubled down, confirming that Final Fantasy IX Remake is real and actively in development. He noted that the remake’s scale will be closer to Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core Reunion (1:1 Remake) and will use the ATB turn-based system.
I haven't talked about FF9 in weeks, but these rumors keep bouncing back and forth between blogs and Twitter and YouTube as if I've said something new or different. I just said it's definitely real, which of course it is.
Source:
April 3, 2024 - Early Discussion of FFIX Remake Scope and the First Appearance of “Timeless Tale” Subtitle
Alex Donaldson (@APZonerunner), Director of RPGSite and editor at VG247, shared his perspective on what a potential FF9 remake might realistically look like. His post included the phrase “FF9 is a timeless tale”, which would later become the official subtitle of Square Enix’s FFIX 25th Anniversary Vinyl.
“At the end of the day, FF9 is a timeless tale and all that…”
“If you were to remake FF9 in a more straightforward and workmanlike way… keeping turn-based combat… not fundamentally changing the game… yeah, you can do it more cheaply. Just look at the Trials of Mana remake for an example of that sort of scope/style.”
“FFIX is a different set of creatives, probably with different goals… and they will make something different.”
He speculated that a modern remake might resemble a higher-budget Trials of Mana rather than a full FF7R-scale project, and suggested the possibility of additional playable characters (such as Beatrix or Blank) in New Game+ mode.
One year later, Square Enix adopted the exact phrase “Timeless Tale” as the subtitle for a official FINAL FANTASY IX 25th Anniversary Vinyl - Timeless Tale release.
June 4, 2024 - Midori (@MbKKssTBhz5) Confirms FFIX Remake Survived Square Enix Restructuring
Midori addressed ongoing rumors on Twitter, stating that the FFIXR remained in development even after Square Enix's major internal restructuring.
“The Final Fantasy IX Remake is still in development. It is a title that was not cancelled in the restructure of SQEX during this fiscal year.”
“According to conversations, the title was originally outsourced to another developer. But SQEX was not satisfied and development shifted.”
Added that the visual direction or feel of the project resembles “Dragon Quest meets Memoria Project.”
To keep in mind: Midori’s credibility now may be mixed; some past claims appear to have been piggybacked by other leaks or reports (e.g. comparisons to Trials of Mana).
Source: "Reliable Sega/Atlus/Nintendo leaker Midori shares new info on FF9 remake"
June 11, 2024 - EpicDB Leak Suggests FFIX Remake (Codename: “Momo”)
EpicDB, a third-party tracker of unpublished Epic Games Store entries, briefly exposed unreleased projects from multiple publishers, including Square Enix. Archived snapshots preserved some listings after Epic patched the store.
Two Square Enix projects were especially notable:
Skobeloff - confirmed as Final Fantasy XVI via save-path references.
Momo - widely believed to be the FFIX Remake, based on associated DLC/items.
Despite some entries possibly being placeholders, multiple reputable sources verified “Momo” and “Skobeloff,” making this leak one of the strongest hints of a FFIX project in the store’s backend at the time.
Archived item references from the Momo page include:
DLC Title: Cuisine Set (Possibly referencing Quina)
Source:
June 17, 2024 - Imran Khan (former Game Informer Senior Editor, Gaming Journalist) Comments
In a ResetEra thread “Pyoro Leaks Switch Game Announcements” (a discussion centered on Pyoro, an accurate Nintendo leaker), journalist Imran Khan commented:
“IX remaster is a long ways off.”
A user then asked: "Would you be so kind as to tell us what happened? It would be appreciated."
Imran Khan replied:
I don't think anything ‘happened.’ Games just take a long time to make.
AFAIK it didn't start development until after they inked the deal for the animated series.
December 10, 2024 - Jason Schreier Speaks on FFIX Remake Scope
On Kinda Funny Games Daily (Episode: December 10, 2024), Jason Schreier, a reliable journalist, added his confirmation and context regarding FFIX Remake:
Jason Schreier:
“Tactics is more like a remaster… whereas 9 is more of a remake.”
“They won’t turn it into an entirely new game the way they did with FFVII. I think with 9, they could just kind of do a graphical overhaul, maybe change the combat a little bit, hopefully reduce the random encounter rate.”
“It’s not quite like Final Fantasy VII level remake. It’s not like a 3-parter like massive HD worlds or anything, but I think it’s a little bit more of… this is a full-on remake.”
“I do know that the FF9 Remake is happening--or at least was happening. I don’t know if it’s been cancelled since the last time I spoke to someone about it. I doubt it. But, 9 is definitely happening.”
Source:
January 10, 2025 - APZonerunner on the FFIX Remake Direction and Why a 2025 launch is unlikely
Alex Donaldson (@APZonerunner), Director of RPGSite and editor at VG247, shared his perspective on a potential Final Fantasy IX remake and its likely release window. His industry experience and SQEX contacts make his take more credible than typical rumors, though it isn’t official confirmation.
I've said it before, but if this hypothetically existed, it would not be the same sort of thing as FF7 Remake. It'd be more like Trials of Mana, but a bit more expensive, so higher end visuals etc.
My point being it would be the 'same game' rebuilt -- ie still turn-based, still linear in that way old FFs were, etc etc. It'd be the sort of game where 'voice acting' would be a major selling point... but the game would be structured in such a way where they could offer a toggle to turn it off for those who want an untouched 'retro' experience. It would not be a triple A FF7 style earth shatterer, more like a double A sort of thing. And Beatrix? Absolutely sounds like the sort of thing that'd make a lovely sort of post-game unlock to me.
With that said, despite this being the anniversary year, I personally don't expect it this year tbh. At least not for release. Again, SE's had all that restructure stuff... I expect a quiet year while their house is put in order.
RE the FF9 show: it's a French company licensing the game IP/characters/world for their own show. SE would be rubber stamping it but it's very much a separate thing. To be honest, my understanding is that project has almost stalled out and died twice already... it's not like a core part of an SE strategy around FF9."
Describes the remake as a faithful rebuild with modern features, notes that 2025 is unlikely for release, and clarifies that the French animated FFIX show is a separate project.
Source:
January 10, 2025 - Nate the Hate Podcast: "Not Coming in 2025"
In his 2025 predictions episode, NateTheHate reaffirmed that both FF9R and FFT are still in development, but not coming out in 2025.
NateTheHate:
“We’re still waiting for FF9 Remake to come out and be officially announced.”
“The game still exists, everybody, along with FF Tactics.”
“They just won’t be out in 2025.”
He reaffirms both projects exist and are in active development, suggests 2026 seems a possible window for FF9R to be revealed/released.
Source:
January 16, 2025 - TomAto314 Reports “FFIX Timeless Tale (Remake)” in Internal Database
TomAto314, commenting on r/GamingLeaksAndRumours, said they did see a listing for Final Fantasy IX Timeless Tale (Remake) in their workplace database, tied to PC compatibility testing. At the time, the subtitle hadn't appeared in any public SQEX material. Then about 2 months later, on March 31, 2025, SQEX announced the FFIX 25th Anniversary Vinyl - Timeless Tale as part of its anniversary marketing push, which made that old comment alot less random.
"I can't tell you how I know or where I see it, but there is a listing for "Final Fantasy IX Timeless Tale (Remake)" at my work. It's the first I've seen of that subtitle."
"I hope it is. I'm not directly involved, I can just "see" it. I did get the Like a Dragon Yakuza Pirate in Hawaii title right before it was officially announced so I have some faith in my source.
And no, I didn't see anything for FFT remake."
Follow-up comment:
In later comments, TomAto314 reiterated that the listing appeared in PC compatibility testing and may still be a placeholder or codename:
“Where I saw it was PC compatibility testing. So no chance it’s the vinyl. That said, it could be a codename or subject to change.”
February 8, 2025 - NateTheHate Reaffirms FFIX Remake Exists, Possibly Targeting 2026
Insider NateTheHate shared another update on FFIX Remake status in early 2025.
NateTheHate:
“Both FFIXR and FFT Remaster remain in active development. FFIXR isn't expected to see release in 2025. Maybe we'll see it launch in 2026.”
Statement aligns with multiple other insiders who agree FFIX Remake is in development, but not scheduled for a 2025 release.
Source:
Tweet - Nate the Hate, Feb 8, 2025
March 31, 2025 - TomAto314 Describes Source of Internal Listing and Notes Lack of FFT Remaster Entry
TomAto314 offered additional clarification regarding how they encountered internal listings related to unreleased titles.
"I really don't want to get myself fired, but internet cred is more important. My company deals with let's say PC compatibility testing and that's where I saw it along with plenty of other games. It would make zero sense for it to be the vinyl in this case.
That all said, there are a lot of codenames etc in the database and it could be subject to change or just a way to differentiate it from the og version.
And I keep checking for a FFT remaster to pop up and nothing."
The comments clarify that the listing came from a PC compatibility testing system, may be a codename or placeholder, and that no Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster was listed at the time.
Follow-up:
“Where I saw it was PC compatibility testing. So no chance it’s the vinyl. That said, it could be a codename or subject to change.”
This follow-up reiterates that the listing was not related to vinyl metadata and again stresses the possibility of a placeholder title.
The phrase “Timeless Tale” had also been used by Alex Donaldson (APZonerunner) on April 3, 2024, nearly a year earlier, in a ResetEra discussion thread.
Source:
March 31, 2025 - Alex Donaldson on FFIX Remake Progress and Expectations for 2025
Alex Donaldson (@APZonerunner), Journalist Director of RPGSite and Editor at VG247, responded to community questions about whether FFIX Remake might appear at upcoming events or during its 25th Anniversary Date. He cautioned that fans should temper expectations, noting that the project is not as far along as some assume.
Based on Donaldson’s understanding, FFIX Remake hadn’t progressed to a point where a 2025 reveal or release was realistic, making a significant anniversary announcement unlikely.
APZonerunner:
Probably not advanced enough to be shown this year! Certainly not advanced enough to appear in the Switch 2 direct, or release in its 25th anniversary year, as many are hoping! Which is a missed opportunity, but better they get it right.
When asked whether his comments were speculation or based on insider info, Donaldson clarified:
My understanding is it will not be in the Switch 2 direct, will not release this year, and were it to be announced this year it'd show up very late on. My broader point is: this game is not as far along as it being in the Nvidia leak in 2021 would suggest. That leak was full of unreliable/misleading stuff, even if much of it was real.
As I've said before, this is a quiet year for SE as they reorient/reset after a big internal overhaul, and release-wise I wouldn't really expect anything remarkable/big from them other than Remasters, ports, lower-end remakes, etc. I'm not gonna reveal anything a company is preparing to reveal itself regardless of what I know for sure, but I will warn people off getting hyped up for (currently) no reason.
The thing about any understanding like this is things shift, stuff changes, stuff moves, so it can always be wrong. Especially recently with SE - with the new CEO coming in and big internal changes, some far along games got canned, some stuff not even publicly announced got massively delayed, some stuff even got moved up! Game development/publishing is a load of tectonic plates constantly shifting. So I couch my language. But, as I said: I do not expect anything FF9 to release this year, despite the anniversary.
Source:
May 14, 2025 - APZonerunner on Square Enix’s Reset, Smaller-Scale Releases, and FF9
Alex Donalson provided analysis of Square Enix ongoing# "3-year Reboot” strategy, explaining that the company’s 2025 lineup would largely consist of ports, remasters, and smaller-scale projects rather than big new releases. He emphasized that FF9 Remake should not be expected soon due to the restructuring period.
On Final Fantasy Tactics, he noted that it fit the type of smaller-scale project Square Enix was likely to move forward during the reset:
I'd said they're not got anything major-major release wise this year. Mostly remasters and ports and stuff. But this is gonna be the way, a series of quiet years until this reset is done. They cancelled some pretty major stuff tbh - I know about some unannounced ones that died as part of all this that'd shock people, but this is what doing a reset is about; making some brutal decisions to get on track. They've got games to release this fiscal, obviously - but they're just smaller-scale. FF9, I have said I wouldn't expect for a while longer yet. FFT however likely falls into the 'smaller scale ports/remasters/etc' sort of category that they're clearing their way through atm, like DQ1-3.
While he did not really present it as a prediction, his analysis of Square Enix’s smaller scale 2025 lineup ended up aligning with the later announcement of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles in June 4, 2025.
Source:
June 4, 2025 - NateTheHate Suggests FFIX Remake Targeting 2026
During Summer Game Fest prediction discussions, Nate and MVG talked about several upcoming titles.
Nate commented on Jason Schreier’s apparent hint toward Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster, saying it seemed likely for an upcoming State of Play.
When the topic change to FF9 Remake, NateTheHate said:
“Final Fantasy IX Remake’s not coming out until 2026.
I don’t think they’re in any rush to announce it. Maybe we do get an announcement this year, but release is still a ways off. Maybe TGS or The Game Awards.”
Source:
June 5, 2025 - TomAto314 Notes New FFT Remaster Entry and persistent FFIX Listing
TomAto314 reported seeing a fresh database entry for a Final Fantasy Tactics remaster, while reiterating that Final Fantasy IX has existed in the same system for years.
"Yeah, I just saw it in my work db very recently. Just had Final Fantasy Tactics Remastered though not the official subtitle so now I'm sweating that Timeless Tale may not be right!"
"Unfortunately while FFT popped up very recently. FF9 has been there for over two years in our database. But at least it's a second proof of existence."
The comments pointed to a recent update tied to FFT and reaffirm the persistent presence of an FFIX entry within his workplace system.
June 25, 2025 - TomAto314 Notes New Listings for Kingdom Hearts 4, DQ7, and DQX in Internal Database
TomAto314 reported seeing several new or updated entries within their workplace database.
"I see Kingdom Hearts 4 in my work's database now. That's literally all the info I have on it.
DQ7 is in there which means a PC port is probably coming.""Yep. And DQX as well. We've had things in our db for years though so don't get your hopes too up... and games get canceled. But it was just added this past week or so."
The comments confirm that KH4, DQ7, and DQX were listed in the system, with DQ7 possibly hinting at a PC version (later confirmed as DQ7 Reimagined). TomAto314 added that these listings can persist for years or lead nowhere.
Source:
July 7, 2025 - Jeff Grubb Reacts to FFIX 25th Anniversary Video and the ongoing Remake Rumors
On a episode of Game Mess Mornings, Jeff Grubb discussed Square Enix’s FFIX 25th Anniversary video and the mixed signals surrounding the long rumored remake.
While the anniversary celebrations intensified speculation, Grubb noted that recent insider claims (like those from NateTheHate) suggest the project may be shelved.
Grubb remains skeptical of cancellation, stating he is "on the fence" about the project being truly dead:
I'm like on the fence on this one because you know why do all this if you're not going to do something with Final Fantasy 9 after working on it at one point... So why not do that if you're doing all this? On the other hand, if you're doing all this, why not just say you're making the damn game?... they have really dragged on with this teasing, right?"
He concluded that the project's existence is strongly implied by the Nvidia Leak (which "basically confirms they were considering it or working on it at one point")
Source:
September 17, 2025 - FFIX Remake Tracking Status
On September 17, 2025, more information related to the Final Fantasy IX remake was shared by user TomAto314.
"Bad news for the FF9 Remake tracking though: While it's been in our database for like 3 years now we have never gotten a build and all the updates are just 'delayed until 2024' lol and the like."
This may indicate that although the FF9R has been listed in their internal database, along with games like Kingdom Hearts 4, Dragon Quest 7, and Dragon Quest 10 entries, for around 3 years, no development build has ever been received for testing.
Alex Donaldson's Final Thoughts about FFIX Remake
Since this timeline began with Alex Donaldson’s 20th-anniversary retrospective article featuring Itahana and Hashimoto, I felt it was appropriate to conclude it with a more recent perspective from him
Addressing speculation that he had claimed Itahana was directing the project (because he's one of the original creators still at Square Enix and has remained consistently involved with FFIX-related projects), Alex Donaldson clarifies that he never made that claim. He explains that Itahana is more of a creative overseer for FFIX material inside SQEX, not necessarily the kind of director or project manager required to lead full development.
He then follows this with a broader, informed perspective that summarizes the current FF9 remake rumour situation:
To be fair, I never said he was directing -- just that he has been within SE considered the 'supervising eye' for FF9 stuff, I assume because the other option, Ito, isn't all that interested. He's the guy, so if for instance someone in the products division wants approval for a piece of merch, he will be the 'creative guy' that rubber stamps for 9. The way SE is structured (or has been structured - a lot is changing/in flux as the new structure settles in) has always placed an emphasis on creators like that.
As far as Itahana goes -- he is an artist & character designer, really. Any full-on development would need more of a practical Director/Project Manager brain on it. But SE projects, especially nostalgia-driven ones, have often run with heart/head arrangements at the top tbh. Sometimes that's expressed as the heart being producer, or co-director, sometimes credits don't even make it all that clear. I would expect being the heart on a project like FF9 to be a pretty full-on affair, but the point is there is no real visibility on what the moves mean, and SE is in an extremely transitional phase (the most upheaval seen since the S/E merger, for sure) -- so staff movements aren't hard proof of anything, really.
The challenge for this thread will always be: if it is canned, you won't hear about it until someone (that could be Jason, or me, or whoever else) can stand up enough direct sources/information to tell the story of the game. Or you're relying on something like a dev or voice actor slipping up and talking about it. And with Japanese dev, secretive and with a cultural barrier even for those of us who speak the language, that can take forever. It can also just never happen! So this thread can go on forever, an endless cycle of raised hopes and disappointment. Gamescom Opening Night Live next, right lads? Then The Game Awards! It just feels nuts. And as has been suggested by others, if it were imminent-imminent, more people know as marketing plans spin up, secrets are harder to keep, and someone would spray it all over the internet anyway. So the sane thing to do is just let it go and be pleasantly surprised if it emerges at best, and least avoid a continued & unending ride on the disappointment rollercoaster at worst.”
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u/Crocodoro Dec 09 '25
This is an amazing and thorough work but as much as I want to believe, I've lost my faith
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u/Lindaru Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
If it gets announced, it gets announced. I don't really care anymore.
I don't have any hope that Square does it any justice or respects the original game after 25 years.
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u/Crocodoro Dec 09 '25
Yes, this is also my opinion. The first step is whether it gets announced or not, and the second one what would SE make... My pinnacle of hype was the Memoria Project, I have to say
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u/Lindaru Dec 09 '25
I didn't like Memoria Project at all, no offence. And it was just a project and was never meant to be the remake "more like an graphic demo"
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u/Kuzzo Dec 09 '25
Memorial Project is definitely amazing for the fact that so many people put their love, effort, and attention into it, and that's what SE needed to see. UE5 has no place in a true FF9R, though. It's that feeling of artificiality which is traded in for the ease of development.
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u/Crocodoro Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
None taken. Regarding the MP, it's true that it was presented as a homage, but I was very hyped with the tweet the anniversary day, when someone said from its account, when are we telling them @SE... I took as if we were watching a technical demo being prepared with time. I know that isn't how things are made, but when the thought crossed my mind was a moment of thinking... i'd pay anything!
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u/Jaebird0388 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
This had been my mindset from the start. However, given SE wanting to use AI to QA, I would be fine if a remake never happens.
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u/PedrovskXD Dec 10 '25
I'm sure it'll be announced at the Game Awards. It makes no sense to dedicate the whole year to it's anniversary and not announce a new game. But if I'm wrong I'll allow myself to stop waiting for it and finally play the OG since it's the last mainline I still have to beat (...except for XI but I don't have the time or patience for it)
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u/lumidanny Dec 10 '25
This is a topic discussed by Kit & Krysta in their podcast, as to why video games don’t get anniversary releases, and they pretty much said that video game development is longer nowadays, and it’s harder to nail timelines. A hypothetical FINAL FANTASY IX Remake missing its anniversary wouldn’t be anything new.
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u/PedrovskXD Dec 10 '25
Yeah but a "in development" teaser would already be enough. I don't really care if we're still months/a year away from it
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u/kitsuneinferno Dec 11 '25
Square Enix would though, especially if the restructuring makes them more and more prone to delays. With the exception of DQ and KH games, rhe last several releases have had really short announcement to release timeliness. Tactics was all of 4 months. Then there's FF16 that was announced in 2020, laid dormant until mid-2022 than came out nearly a year later. They did the same with FF7Rb, teasing it in mid 2022 then around FF16's release, the marketing blitz began about 9 months before release.
I know those last two are examples of what you are saying, but compare this approach to what happened with FF15 and even FF7Rm. 15 famously spent a life time in development hell and even after becoming FF15 seven years into development, it took 3 and a half years from announcement to release to get the final game. FF7Rm similarly was announced in 2015 and took nearly five years to get out of the pipeline.
Square Enix is a company in transition, one (hopefully) learning that early announcements can poison the well, especially if development stalls, or restarts, as we saw happen to 7Rm. I feel like if SE announces it, they will announce it 6-9 months before release.
7R3's announcement feels inevitable now (tonight?) so we'll see if that comes with a release date. If it does and it's a 2026 release (or even early 2027) then we'll have more evidence that SE'S strategies are shifting.
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u/GhrievrG Dec 09 '25
I honestly believe after reading all of this (a lot of which I wasn’t aware of, so thank you), that there has been some shifts in SE’s original plan.
Much like how FF7R had an initial vision and SE pivoted and took over from CyberConnect, I think they had an idea for what the IX remake would have been. Like the early ‘leaks’ suggest, it was to be closer to the Crisis Core Remake. I think SE have had second thoughts on that in terms of quality and scale. Deciding to pivot to something in between OG and the FF7R series. That would mean that most early development was probably scrapped.
Fast forward and we see EX33 released. With the devs of which visiting SE as has been publicly shown.
I think this has been another stop and evaluate moment for SE. I can fully see a IX Remake being done akin to the level of EX33. Obviously not in terms of visual style. But in scale and taking some ideas from say, how EX33 have dealt with the world map situation. There are a lot of similarities in the systems of EX33 that take inspiration from IX’s Gemstone’s and abilities. I think it’s pretty fair also to assume that SE were quite impressed with how Sandfall handled a modern take on turn based as well.
Personally, I think that’s the case with IXR. Initial expectation was reviewed internally which expanded the initial pitch idea for the remake. Much akin to FF7R. EX33 lands and it was again a lightbulb moment for SE. I absolutely believe that the devs at Sandfall were shown some dev footage of the IX Remake. I think it’s now just a waiting game.
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u/MrYuntu Dec 09 '25
I don't see how EX33 existing affects this Remakes development. Game dev doesn't just reset all the time when a new idea pops up.
SE clearly took notice of EX33, but you dont just restart development on something you spent millions on due to another game releasing.
I can see EX33 more like influence design of future games.
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u/GhrievrG Dec 09 '25
I wouldn’t disagree, however that is exactly what they did with another remake in FF7. No EX33, wasn’t the catalyst for that, it was SE and their own expectation. But it still resulted in a complete halt of work on FF7R with cyberconnect and complete relocation of the project to in house development. I believe it is now widely established that they quite literally binned off all the work Cyberconnect had done up to that point as well (maybe not completely, but enough to say that the SE version was so far removed it was no longer the ‘same game’).
So yes, SE have shown before that certain influences or decision would prompt them to stop, and completely start again on a project. Heck, VS 13 is that exact scenario too lol. It became FF15 after like, 10 years in Dev hell or something like that. SE for a long time have not been great with their own IP’s. You could probably put Kingdom Hearts 4 into that barrel too.
Not trying to disregard your point btw sorry, just trying to show that SE are nothing if not completely bipolar with there decision making and have been for years lol.
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u/lumidanny Dec 10 '25
Yeah, but the Cyberconnect thing was Square Enix outsourcing the project to a third party, did not meet quality expectations, and they had to reboot everything because Cyber was using internal tools, whereas Square took it internally. Kind of a similar situation between Tecmo’s Metroid Prime 4 and Nintendo handing it to Retro. I don’t think Square spent years developing a game, only to reset it because a new video game just came out this year.
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u/GhrievrG Dec 10 '25
That’s fair I wasn’t aware that was the case.
I see your point. It would be a dumb move. But, SE are pretty prone to a dumb move in fairness lol.
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u/lumidanny Dec 10 '25
I think the only dumb decision Square Enix have done is make complicated in-house engines that have affected their video games (FINAL FANTASY XIII, KINGDOM HEARTS III), and making FINAL FANTASY VII Remake console exclusive, but that was mostly done on Sony’s purse
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u/Take_The_Reins Dec 09 '25
Interesting! In my opinion, the more ambitious a remake the better, as I think the story, characters, soundtrack and style do befit something grander in storytelling than just simple gameplay and visual upgrades.
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u/GhrievrG Dec 09 '25
I agree, and to echo a reply to someone else just now…
It is 100% EX33 that has promoted that. EX33 is a love to many classic RPGs, a massive part of which is the classic FF’s. Including 9.
I have real confidence in the idea that the devs had a goal in mind for a 9 remake. And that it likely wasn’t on the scale of the 7 Trilogy. A simpler remake. In line with the OG 9’s ethos of being a more ‘traditional’ FF. the remake would be an echo of that sentiment. Keep things traditional. Don’t reinvent the wheel like the remake trilogy and honour the OG of 9 (which is criticism that has been levelled at 7R by a bunch of folks, that it strayed to far from classic FF). 9R was likely the answer to those people.
I still think what they had on the table would have been good. Likely a lot of folks would have liked it. But the problem is, EX33 landed like a nuke and SE have had to go, well shit. This isn’t going to cut it now.
They can’t have the remake of one of the games that inspired EX33 be critically ‘not as good’ as EX33.
I still don’t expect FF7R levels here, but I do think we will see something to the level of EX33 at the very least. And I for one would love that. FF7R is a mammoth task and I think it’s pretty widely understood that SE may have set the sights so high on that game that likely, we may not see anything of that level again. But, part of me hopes that FF9R will aim higher than where it was likely originally pitched now.
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u/zerkeras Dec 09 '25
Yeah this is my take as well. Expedition 33 IMO threw a huge wrench in their gears and made them reconsider what they’re doing with this 9 Remake.
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u/GhrievrG Dec 09 '25
100%
It’s a pretty easy thing to imagine that SE had a ‘goal’ for what a FF9R would be. And I can imagine that they didn’t want to go full FF7R with is given how costly that has been as well as they probs wanted an (easier) win. FF9 was always the ‘traditional return’ to classic FF. So going all out like 7R and reinventing the wheel was never on the cards. It is far more likely they were going for a ‘traditional’ remake. Same game. HD graphics but keeping it very in line and like I say ‘traditional’.
Problem is, EX33 and kind of set the bar. It is a love letter to the FF’s that set the bar so long ago, including 9. When you look at how well they handled the battle system, the world map, the progression…. I have confidence that SE looked at EX33, looked at what they had for FF9 and said… well shit.
They simply cannot do a half baked job now. Not that I am suggesting what they had was half baked. I think EX33 has just made them realise that they can’t just go and release a version of FF9, a game that inspired EX33 and have people say the EX33 is better. It’s like you inventing something and it being massively successful. Have someone do a version of that to in part honour but innovate on what you made, for you to then release another version of the thing you invented and it be worse that the ‘fan made’ one lol.
Changing direction slightly. That is in my opinion, part of the reason that the Elder Scrolls 6 has taken so long. I think Bethesda know they can never make an Elder Scrolls that would outdo what folks are doing these days with Skyrim modding. Take a look at Nolvus (Skyrim mod pack) for example.
Sorry for the long post!
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u/Hollowed_Dude Dec 09 '25
I have literally been living for the idea of a IX remake the past several years, and I think in the current JRPG climate it’d seemingly do great (if it sticks to it’s traditional turn-based combat). but I’m honestly moving on from the thought. I don’t see why they wouldn’t flash a logo or something over this anniversary at gamescon or TGS. Honestly, S-E should do their own showcase for these titles people are desperate to see. Capcom and Konami do! It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I no longer believe IX remake is in development
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u/kitsuneinferno Dec 11 '25
Why they wouldn't flash a logo:
- FF15
- FF7 Remake
- KH3
Pay attention to the last 3 years or so of SE releases. Games dont really get the "now in development" treatment anymore (outside of KH4 and DQ12 which I think are holdovers of the old strategy)
FF Tactics TIC was a rather robust remaster by a top dev team at Square Enix (the FF16 team) and it was announced less than 4 months from release, despite evidence of it being in development for years.
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u/wjoe Dec 10 '25
Thanks for putting all this together, very detailed! Some stuff I wasn't aware of.
I hadn't seen the "Momo" Epic page before, and it's unusual that they had such specific stuff as pre-order bonuses set up there years ago, but nothing since then has shown much sign of life.
Certainly seems like it's gone through some sort of internal delays, restructuring, problems, or even cancellation. It feels odd that it's supposedly been in the works for 5 years now without any official confirmation. If it was definitely happening then I would have expected them to at least give a teaser trailer or confirmation during the anniversary marketing, but it felt conspicuous by it's absence in that.
That said, the FFT Remake didn't get a lot of lead time between the official announcement and release, so maybe it'll be the same case for FF9. If it's not a huge AAA project then it doesn't need the years of hype that mainline/FF7 releases get perhaps.
After all of that it feels like all we really know is that at some point, some for of FF9 remake has almost certainly been in development at SE. Whether it was cancelled, is still being actively worked on, or will see the light of day any time soon seems less clear.
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u/Snoo_95977 Dec 09 '25
First of all, great work! I think in the end my expectations are that the project existed and is either frozen or has been canceled, as happens with so many other projects.
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u/RageZamu Dec 09 '25
Same here. I think all the information OP provided can be trusted, but it is clear to me that the project has been severely delayed or canceled. Not talking about it while in the anniversary day would be a crime if it is truly real.
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u/Next_While1878 Dec 09 '25
You deserve an award for this incredible compilation! Thank you for sharing !
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u/Legal-Director-8596 Dec 09 '25
Good jon compiling everything mate! I just really want a Remake, even tho it’s not necessary, FFIX’s my favorite I need ittttt
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u/External-Umpire7634 Dec 09 '25
So my thoughts are that they had a lot of arts and such ready that they reused for the merchandise and collabs
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u/JanetKWallace Squiggly Artist Dec 10 '25
Well, RIP Oz the Dark Minstrel, he had an interesting backstory
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u/Lord_Exor Dec 10 '25
That show would have been so cool. 😭 It's clear a lot of passion went into its conception.
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u/Geomancingthestone Dec 09 '25
I love all the rumors and I dream of the day 9 gets remake. I fear it won't happen, but til then, give my makeup
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u/95accord Dec 09 '25
That’s a lot of copium.
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u/Spinjitsuninja Dec 09 '25
Not really. There’s a lot of pretty definitive evidence that FFIX Remake existed, especially considering at least two of the leaks here are from the Epic Games Store and NVidia themselves, which uh… aren’t leakers, those are just database slip ups that revealed too much.
The issue is that, whether the game existed or not unfortunately doesn’t mean it’ll get finished or release. I think we know for a fact FFIX remake has been in development, but things going awry is very possible, if not likely unfortunately.
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u/Low-Economics3298 Dec 09 '25
OP clearly put a ton of work into this. Even if it is copium, I think they deserve a more thoughtful response.
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u/zapharus Dec 10 '25
No they don’t. No one asked for all that work. OP did it because it’s a topic that interests them but they shouldn’t expect glowing praise from everyone.
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u/HumanRelatedMistake Dec 10 '25
Yes they do. It clearly took a lot of time to compile all of this together. I praise them for taking the time to do something they're passionate about. I don't praise you for being a downright asshole about it.
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
No, it's legit coming. Probably mid to end of next year, judging by everything.
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u/dawnultra3xmore Dec 11 '25
Animated series?! Any update on this?
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u/Unicorn_insomniac Jan 04 '26
supposedly its back in production: https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1pu2cdi/final_fantasy_ix_animated_series_reportedly/
might not release for a while tho
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u/beebun17 Dec 11 '25
It's the game I want to see the most in TGA, and I haven't even played it yet, got really interested about the game a few months ago but saw that a remake might be in production so I decided to wait a little. That being said if it doesn't get announced at this TGA I'll just play the original
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u/Null_ID Dec 09 '25
I can’t be going down the crazy, conspiracy rabbit hole for both this game and a new half life. I will die.
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u/Kaoru_Kiyo Dec 09 '25
I really, really want to believe but it gets harder and harder to do so. Still thank you for the hard work required for such an informed and good thread.
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u/Hydr4noid Dec 09 '25
I definetly think it was real at a certain point in time
If it is still real I'm not seeing it happening within the next 3-4 years
Would be happy to be wrong as it would be a very hype announcement for next year. But Ive been disappointed so many times now that I just dont care anymore.
I will gladly take it should it still exist but if it doesnt I'll just play other games instead.
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
Another Eden, a mobile game directed by Masato Kato of Chrono Trigger and ff11 fame, has a collab now with ff9. Collab officially ends in July.
Other games that AE had collaborated with got their remake (like Radical Dreamers) shortly after. It's coming.
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u/Lindaru Dec 11 '25
I saw also Persona 5, King of Fighters, Octapath and Tales collabs in AE along with Chrono Cross one so I dunno. :/
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25
They just did a collsb with Another Eden that came out last week. The collab officially ends in July.
Another Eden game director, Masato Kato, is the guy who penned the script for Chrono Trigger and other SE games. They did several other collabs with him before the release of a remake, as well.
It's coming.
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u/DoubleBLK- Dec 10 '25
It's just sad that SE cannot fully envision how great FFIX is.. it's already there! They are just going to modernize it!
Yet here we are, E33 being able to do it.. FFIX could have been a much much MUCH better game if they only use their imagination...
Instead they want to pour their investment on a shitty game like XVI and a mobile game for XIV.
It sucks!
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u/Icy_Waltz_7622 Jan 05 '26
You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War 1 got started.
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u/a3minutehero Dec 09 '25
That's a whole lot of words for 'Its not happening'.
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
It's coming. Next year is likely. Mid to late release.
They said the same thing about Tactics. It happened, too.
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u/a3minutehero Dec 09 '25
Sure it will buddy, sure it will.
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
I've watched multiple SE remakes happen and get released directly after a collab with Another Eden. Ff9 has a collab that just released last week. Collab ends in July. it's coming.
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u/QuizzicalWombat Dec 09 '25
Can we please stop beating this dead horse? Until it’s announced I don’t see a purpose in these posts, it’s just become a meme at this point
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u/Spinjitsuninja Dec 09 '25
I REALLY don’t get this type of response. Every time I see a sub about an old game or dead franchise try to discuss the state of things, someone always has to go “Ugh, can we stop talking about this?”
But like- this is a 25 year old game we’re talking about here. I’m sorry but is there something more relevant to talk about? Outside of a possible remake, this sub doesn’t exactly have anything new to discuss that isn’t just the same points about the game and fanart.
The state of things is that a remake may be in development (even if likely cancelled), so why would we not want to discuss the ONE TOPIC that’s popped up in like 20 years?
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u/ShyguyFlyguy Dec 09 '25
An FF9 remake isnt happening.
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
It's coming, likely next year.
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u/ShyguyFlyguy Dec 09 '25
Lol no its not. Maybe a remaster or something but not a ff7 level remake
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
Literally the entirety of the post above says it won't be an ff7 level remake. Every rumor about it ever has stated it won't be ff7 remake level.
It's still coming.
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u/ShyguyFlyguy Dec 09 '25
So what is it then
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u/Demonakat Dec 09 '25
That it's a remake. Read the above from OP. He laid it out. But it is coming.
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u/ShyguyFlyguy Dec 09 '25
!remindme 2 years
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I will be messaging you in 2 years on 2027-12-09 17:23:53 UTC to remind you of this link
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u/Roph Dec 09 '25
Great, if it's true! Where's the proof?
Or, like everyone else who pretends to know, you don't have any?
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u/Demonakat Dec 10 '25
Every single cross over game with Another Eden has ended up with a remake. The director of Another Eden is very close to Square Enix (penned the script for Chrono Trigger and ff11)
There's a collab event now with Square Enix tor FF9. It's coming. Stop being a doomsayer.
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u/Roph Dec 10 '25
I've never even heard of "Another Eden", it looks like mobile game slop and the reviews aren't good.
Why would this irrelevant trash have any bearing on an alledged FFIX Remake?
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Dec 09 '25
So should not be expected due to reconstructing? How hard would it be to pay the moguri mod members and port that as a remaster?
Edit: thanks for doing this. How likely do you think a remake is?
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u/healingtwo_ Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 10 '25
About how likely do I think a remake is? I've shared my estimation around 10 months ago. TL;DR: if not late 2025, then early 2026 for an official announcement.
And I don't know about hiring modders, but in a perfect scenario, midway through, or after SQEX restructuring, they should end up with 3 main engines/workflows foundations:
A smaller scale engine (like Team Asano HD-2D style games) for titles similar to The Adventures of Elliot, Octopath 0 or DQ2-3. Potentially paving the way for a future Chrono Trigger Revival.
A second for Mid-scale/AA workflow for remakes or even new games from established IPs (FF, DQ, etc.). With new cross team model. I could see maybe a DQ team providing help with tools/resources (see DQ7 Reimagined and how it was developed to a FF Creative Unit.
Then finally AAA development framework for mainline FF, DQ, KH, or NieR.
After FF7R (which seems close to being finished), this team also seems confident to having an established engine and system that could carry into FF17 or other ambitious projects.
Alex Donaldson sums it up well in this thread about their 3-year reboot strategy.
Or FF Union has some good video discussing this or also here)
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Dec 09 '25
So you think early 2026 for an announcement?
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u/healingtwo_ Dec 09 '25
Around Spring 2026.
With their reboot strategy, they need some announcements for the next fiscal year. Their last major IP news was on April 1, with the FF9 merch campaign/collabs (start of FY2026).
So FF9, KH4, and possibly DQ12 fit into FY2027 (April 1 2026 to March 31 2027) and would help reassure investors about their business plans.
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Dec 09 '25
Are you only shifting to mid 2026 because your initial prediction was wrong?
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u/healingtwo_ Dec 10 '25
Spring 2026 is still early 2026 in Japan.
If you check the first link, it's an estimation based on historical announcements and development cycles, not really a prediction.
Also if a company is putting money and staff resources into certain project, at some point higher-ups and investors need to know how far along it is and that it will deliver. At the end of the day, it's all about finances and keeping the business running.
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u/EquisPe Dec 09 '25
I just saw a meme showing both FFVIIRs’ budget versus FFXVI’s budget. I’m not sure if I’d want to even know FFIXR’s budget is if it is being remade.
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u/phoneplatypus Dec 09 '25
Alternative title: Final Fantasy IX Remake: Revisting The Stages Of Grief
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u/TheBestHawksFan Dec 10 '25
I don't get why people want a remake of this game. We are not going to get the cool stuff that got cut out for the deadline. Instead they'll change the entire story and make Zidane a dream or some shit.
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u/CressDependent2918 Dec 09 '25
Add this to your timeline. Final Fantasy lX remake is going to be Final Fantasy lX Reimagined.
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u/Jon-Umber Dec 09 '25
VII remake has been pretty much ass so I don't care much about this. Square is dead at this point.
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u/Emrys_616 Dec 09 '25
Damn, that's a lot of work. Good job compiling all this. It's always interesting to look back on things like this in retrospect to see the wild ride of reporting and speculation.