Yoshi-P’s Berlin Jokes Hint at Hamaguchi Leading Final Fantasy 17

Key points

• Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) praised Naoki Hamaguchi at the FF14 Fan Fest in Berlin, noting fan desire for him to lead Final Fantasy 17.
• Yoshi-P quickly interrupted Hamaguchi before he could respond, fueling speculation about Hamaguchi’s involvement in the next mainline title.
• Hamaguchi is currently directing Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, which is scheduled to release in early 2027.
• Yoshi-P previously hinted in 2024 that a new generation of developers might lead the series, complicating predictions about the director.
• Square Enix has not officially announced Final Fantasy 17, but the conversation suggests development may already be underway.

Background

Square Enix has faced inconsistent reception for recent mainline entries, including Final Fantasy XIII, XV, and XVI. The Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, directed by Hamaguchi, has been praised for balancing turn-based and action combat, as well as open-world and linear structures. Hamaguchi has previously stated he wants to work on a new JRPG after Revelation but has not confirmed if it will be a numbered Final Fantasy title. The franchise typically releases new mainline entries roughly every seven years, suggesting FF17 could not arrive until 2030 if Hamaguchi is involved.

How outlets are covering it

Kotaku and Insider Gaming emphasize the viral nature of the Berlin exchange, focusing on Yoshi-P’s interruption as a potential confirmation of Hamaguchi’s role. Notebookcheck highlights the logistical challenges Hamaguchi faces, noting that juggling Revelation and a new mainline title could delay FF17’s release. Tech4Gamers frames the event as part of a broader shift in Square Enix’s strategy, noting Yoshi-P’s 2024 comments about a younger team leading the series. All sources agree that no official announcement has been made, but they differ on the likelihood of Hamaguchi’s involvement: Kotaku and Insider Gaming lean toward it being probable, while Notebookcheck questions the feasibility given Hamaguchi’s current workload.

Why it matters

The potential involvement of Naoki Hamaguchi in Final Fantasy 17 signals a shift in Square Enix’s approach to mainline RPGs, possibly prioritizing the hybrid combat and structure praised in the FF7 Remake trilogy. It also reflects fan desire for consistency after years of uneven entries. The timing of the comments, just before Revelation’s release, suggests Square Enix may be laying groundwork for the next mainline title, potentially accelerating development or signaling a multiplatform launch strategy.

What to watch

Square Enix is expected to provide more details about Final Fantasy 17 as Final Fantasy 7 Revelation approaches its early 2027 release. Fans will watch for official announcements or further hints from Hamaguchi or Yoshi-P. The next mainline entry’s combat style, platform availability, and release date will likely be influenced by the success of the Remake trilogy and Square Enix’s multiplatform strategy.