Famitsu reports on Final Fantasy IX

[05.22.99] » Secret PlayStation RPG reported to be in development at Square Honolulu.

   The FF IX fire blazes even brighter as still more fuel is added, courtesy of revered Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu. In a recent issue, the magazine's editors made several predictions for the rest of 1999. Each page was numbered with a different version of writing the number 9, such as an Arabic numeral or the Japanese kanji. The most interesting prediction, regarding a top-secret Square RPG, came on a page marked as IX -- likely a subtle hint at the game's identity.

   The IX page featured an interview with several key staff members of a Square development team in Honolulu. Most of the interview is devoted to general discussion regarding the team's life in Hawaii and work with U.S. staff members; interesting but hardly exciting information. However, a few pieces of important information regarding the team's work stand out: First, that the team is creating a secret PlayStation (not PlayStation 2) RPG; and second, that more people are involved development team is even larger than the one that created Final Fantasy VIII -- and what PSX game besides Final Fantasy IX could justify a larger staff than FF VIII?

   A large development team working on a secret game seems to fall right in line with previous reports that Square Honolulu had begun work on Final Fantasy IX while Square's Japanese offices were still finishing up FF VIII. Even more convincing is the presence of several key Final Fantasy team members on the game's staff. The battle director of Final Fantasy VIII, Hiroyuki Itou, transferred to the project as soon as he finished work on VIII. Itou has been involved with every Final Fantasy except VII (as he was working on Final Fantasy Tactics at that time). Furthermore, the Famitsu interviews reported that he encountered famed Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu at a Honolulu shopping center. Only rarely does Uematsu score non-Final Fantasy games -- the last was 1996's Front Mission: Gun Hazard.

   Famitsu's editor-in-chief, Hamamura Tsushin, concluded the article with his belief that the secret RPG "seems to be 'that'" -- i.e., Final Fantasy IX. Given the title's large staff, the involvement of major Final Fantasy , and the previous reports related to FF IX's development, the GIA finds it hard to argue with him.

   Thanks to Nick Rox for help with the story.