Shifting Focus to PC Gaming
For many years, PC gamers have often found themselves in a secondary role when it comes to the beloved Final Fantasy series, which has predominantly favored console platforms. However, recent developments suggest a potential shift in this dynamic. Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, has officially declared that the PC is now regarded as the “lead platform” for the series’ development.
In a revealing conversation with Automaton, Hamaguchi elaborated on the creative process behind their multiplatform games. He explained that the team typically begins by crafting visual assets for high-end environments, subsequently scaling down for less powerful systems. “Our 3D assets are created at the highest quality level based on PC as the foundation,” he noted, emphasizing a commitment to delivering visually stunning experiences. Players have already observed this enhanced graphical fidelity in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Hamaguchi assured that this philosophy will remain steadfast for the trilogy’s concluding installment.
Despite the fact that PC gaming is still “gradually expanding in Japan,” Hamaguchi acknowledged the burgeoning international market for PC gamers. This growth has prompted the development team to tailor their assets with a broader PC audience in mind. The success of recent Final Fantasy VII Remake titles on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store further underscores this strategic pivot.
However, a lingering question remains regarding the release timeline for PC gamers compared to their console counterparts. The first installment of the Final Fantasy VII Remake made its PC debut a full 19 months after its PlayStation 4 launch, while Rebirth arrived on PC 11 months post its PS5 release. Additionally, the PC versions of both Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy XV were not available until over a year after their respective console releases. As the landscape of gaming continues to evolve, the anticipation surrounding future releases only grows, leaving fans eager for more clarity on what lies ahead.
