Final Fantasy XVI Producer Naoki Yoshida Emphasizes Story as Key Element and Eagerly Awaits Fan Reactions

In an interview with RPG Site, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida has revealed he firmly believes that the game's story will be its distinguishing factor and is eagerly awaiting fan reactions. He expressed his biggest worry and desire to know how players will feel about the story's conclusion and whether they will consider it a great experience.

Yoshida emphasized the team's commitment to delivering a complete story, referencing the launch of Final Fantasy XV, which left many fans feeling unsatisfied with its narrative. He emphasized that Final Fantasy is about the story and that their main focus is on creating an engaging narrative. Yoshida believes that the game's story sets it apart from other action games with similar mechanics.

The production process for Final Fantasy XVI involved an English-first approach, with the story initially written by Japanese creators and then localized for the English audience. Yoshida is also curious about the response of hardcore action gamers to the RPG systems and how Final Fantasy fans will receive the action gameplay. Ultimately, his primary interest lies in the players' perception of the story.

FFXVI will launch exclusively for PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023.