Ninth Final Fantasy confirmed for PSX

[06.03.99] » Digicube, Square's distribution and retail subsidiary in Japan, asserts that the ninth Final Fantasy will be released for the PlayStation by early next year.

   According to videogames.com, Digicube of Japan has officially confirmed that the next installment to the Final Fantasy series will be developed and released for the Sony PlayStation. Digicube, a subsidiary of Square, is a convinience store chain which distributes and sells video games and music. Initially, many had assumed the next title would be released for the next-generation PlayStation due to Square's multiple tech demos, including a dance sequence based on Final Fantasy VIII. The company says it has not yet decided on a date for the game's release, as it would like to avoid conflicts with other titles or the PSX2, but it would prefer to have the title on shelves by early next year at the latest.

   Strong rumors proclaiming Final Fantasy IX's concurrent development alongside FF VIII have been prevalent for well over a year -- if Digicube's assertion holds true, the ninth Final Fantasy would have definitely begun development some time ago in order to meet a Japanese release date now less than a year away. The GIA has also heard strong, persistent (but unconfirmed) rumors of Final Fantasy IX's PSX development for some time.

   Of course, one question certainly remains: are the design documents published early last week, internally named "Final Fantasy IX," indeed sketches and renders from Square's new PlayStation title? Shinji Hashimoto, a senior exec at Square, expressed in a recent interview with Next-Generation Online that the company is uncertain whether or not to title the next Final Fantasy "IX." Until the company makes an official announcement, it's difficult to say which game is which -- even Digicube's confirmed ninth Final Fantasy may not end up being titled Final Fantasy IX.