Square Enix Denies FF9 Remake in the Wake of FF14 Crossover

Final Fantasy XIV's director, Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P), recently addressed speculation linking the recent FFXIV collaboration event with a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. The collaboration featured numerous references to the beloved 1999 RPG, fueling fan theories about an impending remake announcement.

Yoshida definitively dispelled these rumors. In an interview with JPGames, he clarified that the FFXIV collaboration was a standalone project, driven by the game's concept as a "theme park" for the Final Fantasy franchise. The inclusion of FFIX elements was purely a tribute to the game's legacy, unrelated to any ongoing remake plans.

"We wanted to incorporate Final Fantasy IX because of that [theme park concept]," Yoshida explained. He emphasized that the timing of the collaboration was not strategically aligned with any potential FFIX remake project. "We had never thought about doing Final Fantasy IX in relation to any sort of Final Fantasy IX Remake—we had never thought about it in that commercial sense," he stated.

While denying any direct connection, Yoshida acknowledged the significant development effort a FFIX remake would require. He highlighted the original game's substantial content, stating that undertaking a remake would be a massive undertaking. This sentiment resonated with fans who appreciated the FFIX homage within FFXIV's Dawntrail expansion.

Although the interview dashed immediate remake hopes, Yoshida concluded with a supportive message: "I think potentially if any team was to take on doing a remake for Final Fantasy IX," he said with a chuckle, "I would wish them the best of luck."

In short, the rumors remain just that: rumors. While fans eagerly await a potential FFIX remake, they'll have to content themselves with the existing FFXIV references, or patiently await future announcements.