Final Fantasy IX Remake Rumors Debunked by Director

Yoshida, the acclaimed producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV, recently addressed speculation about a potential Final Fantasy IX remake, fueled by the recent FFXIV collaboration event featuring FFIX references.

Yoshida Quashes FF9 Remake Speculation

FFXIV Collaboration Independent of Potential FFIX Remake

Yoshida clarified that the FFXIV Dawntrail expansion's nods to Final Fantasy IX were solely a tribute within the FFXIV "theme park" concept, unrelated to any ongoing remake plans. He stated that the collaboration's timing wasn't connected to any commercial considerations regarding a potential FFIX remake.

"The Final Fantasy XIV concept is a theme park for the franchise," Yoshida explained in a JPGames interview. "We included Final Fantasy IX elements because of that."

He emphasized that the decision to include FFIX elements in the collaboration wasn't driven by any inside knowledge of a remake project. While acknowledging the understandable connection fans made between the collaboration and remake rumors, he stressed their independence.

Despite this, Yoshida expressed his team's love for Final Fantasy IX. He acknowledged the game's immense scope, explaining that undertaking a remake would be a massive undertaking. The sheer scale of FFIX, he noted, made it a significant challenge, leading to the decision to create a tribute within FFXIV instead of waiting indefinitely for a potential remake. This approach allowed them to immediately share their homage to FFIX with fans.

While the interview dispelled immediate hopes for a remake announcement, Yoshida concluded with a supportive message: "If any team were to tackle a Final Fantasy IX remake," he said, "I'd wish them the best of luck."

In short, the rumors remain just that – rumors. Fans eager for a Final Fantasy IX remake will have to content themselves with the FFXIV Dawntrail references for now, or patiently await future announcements.