Final Fantasy is a hell of a drug -- or is it a sickness? In an interview with Japanese gaming site 4Gamer, director Hajime Tabata coined the term “Final Fantasy disease” to explain just how resistant people can be to change in the Final Fantasy franchise. Turns out it’s not just fans who suffer from this crippling disease of the imagination -- it’s industry professionals inside of Square Enix as well.
“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,” said Tabata.
He continued to unpack the perception that the Final Fantasy team had a surefire hit on their hands. “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?” said Tabata ( via Kotaku ).
Change was all the more pressing for Final Fantasy XV due to Tabata’s analysis of the brand’s current state in Japan, one of the first things Tabata did when he became director of the team in 2012.
“The gravest situation of all was that, at the time we were starting Final Fantasy XV, we didn't see an increase in new fans of the franchise," Tabata said in a recent interview with Game Informer. "The brand image of Final Fantasy wasn't really clear. The reality is not that the situation is okay or in favor of us. Rather, it is more grave and serious than we had initially thought.
“The way we understood Final Fantasy after our analysis is that it was a dying IP that had already peaked,” Tabata added.
With the stakes this high for a brand so iconic, it’s small wonder that Tabata concluded, “If the series didn’t modernize, I think it could’ve been done for.” Square Enix has pulled out all the stops to support Tabata’s effort, even issuing more of the Ultimate Collector’s Edition.
Do you have Final Fantasy disease or know someone who does? If so, stop that. Final Fantasy XV comes out Sept. 30 worldwide.
- Engaging main cast of characters
- Fun, fast-paced combat
- A massive, beautiful world to explore
- The Regalia!
- Continuous updates have addressed some shortcomings of the initial release
- Major aspects of the story feel rushed or absent, particularly toward the end of the game
- Stealth sequences feel out of place
