To say that much digital ink has been spilled regarding Final Fantasy XV‘s tortured development may be a colossal understatement, but as the long-gestating JRPG sequel finally inches closer to its worldwide premiere, a new development diary has surfaced featuring Game Director Hajime Tabata and a handful of Square Enix creators chronicling the game’s long path to release.
Arriving by way of IGN, Tabata-san begins by recounting the time in which he took over development from Tetsuya Nomura in 2011 – right around the time the sequel formerly known as Versus XIII was overhauled into Final Fantasy XV – before drawing attention to the ways that not only FFXV has changed, but also the industry around it.
In related news, the esteemed director also coined the term “Final Fantasy disease” when referring to developers and fans who have become entrenched in their own expectations of what a Final Fantasy game ought to be.
“Around that time, I realized that among fans as well, there are people who’ve caught Final Fantasy disease.” When quizzed about the nature of said ailment, Tabata stated bluntly that “it refers to people within the company who can’t imagine anything other than their own view of Final Fantasy.”
“Since the root is a strong self-affirmation, one’s own view of Final Fantasy takes more priority than the team’s success. If that view of Final Fantasy isn’t fulfilled, then they’re convinced that it’s bad for Final Fantasy. They think, ‘Since Final Fantasy is a special team, then we are also special because we are making it. When the new Final Fantasy comes out, everybody is going to be so into it.’ But that’s not the reality of the situation, is it?”
Final Fantasy XV finally makes its debut across consoles and PC on September 30.