Next big news about the game coming in Spring 2022

Dec 28, 2021 05:10 GMT  ·  By

Although everyone was quite excited about the Final Fantasy XIV’s Endwalker expansion, many fans of Square Enix’s franchise were looking for new information about Final Fantasy XVI, the next big title in the series.

With The Game Awards now behind, Final Fantasy fans were left wondering what’s happening with the game’s development and why Square Enix didn’t reveal anything new at the event. Today, the game’s producer Naoki Yoshida announced in a letter that work on the PlayStation 5 exclusive RPG has been set back by half a year due to COVID-19.

When last we spoke, I promised I would have more information on Final Fantasy XVI sometime later in 2021. However, I regret to inform you that I will be unable to keep that promise as complications stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have delayed the game’s development by almost half year.

Yoshida went on to explain that the project amassed a much bigger team, which further hindered the development cycle. He even said that due to lack of communications with the Tokyo office, some asset deliveries have been canceled altogether.

Final Fantasy XVI has amassed a sizeable team composed of talented creators from around the world. However, in an effort to offset the effects of COVID-19, we’ve had to decentralize that workforce by permitting staff to tackle their assignments from home. This has unfortunately hampered communication from the Tokyo office, which, in turn, has led to delays in – or in extreme cases, cancelations of – asset deliveries from out outsource partners.”

Square Enix had to spend almost all the year to address these issues, which is why there hasn’t been any news about Final Fantasy XVI yet. That being said, Yoshida announced that the next Final Fantasy XVI big reveal is set for Spring 2022, which isn’t that far away. Take all the time you need Square Enix, Final Fantasy fans will be here waiting patiently.