Final Fantasy Producer Discusses Turn-Based Combat Viability, Insights from Final Fantasy XVI, and More

Insights from Naoki Yoshida on Future of Final Fantasy Combat Systems

Naoki Yoshida, the esteemed producer, director, and designer of the Final Fantasy series, recently shared his insights in an interview with Anime News Network during Anime Expo 2025 in Los Angeles. A focal point of the discussion revolved around the potential for integrating turn-based combat into upcoming Final Fantasy titles. Historically, Yoshida has highlighted the challenges posed by increasingly realistic graphics making turn-based mechanics difficult for some players to accept, a sentiment that influenced the exclusively action-oriented combat of Final Fantasy XVI, a move that attracted criticism from certain fans.

Potential Shift in Combat Styles?

Interestingly, following the notable success of the turn-based combat in *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, which enhanced traditional mechanics with real-time elements, speculation arose regarding whether Yoshida’s stance had softened. However, he clarified that while he is open to the idea, there are no definite plans to reintroduce turn-based systems in the near future.

Yoshida emphasized that discussions about combat styles should go beyond just the battle system, as they intersect with broader design goals.“Decisions on combat are intricately tied to the narrative depth and graphical quality we aim to achieve, ” he explained. The choice between turn-based or action combat will depend significantly on the direction the series creators wish to explore. Importantly, he indicated that future projects should not be constrained by rigid expectations, allowing future directors and producers the creative freedom to experiment.

Lessons Learned from Final Fantasy XIV

Having produced Final Fantasy XVI after his success with Final Fantasy XIV, Yoshida reflected on the lessons learned during this transition.“There were numerous valuable takeaways from the process, ” he noted, expressing his commitment to enhancing development efficiency while maintaining high-quality standards for forthcoming projects.

Currently, Yoshida shared exciting prospects for Final Fantasy XIV, revealing that the team has ambitious plans up to version 10.0, with the game presently at version 7.0 featuring the Dawntrail expansion. Furthermore, he expressed a desire to develop a new online game based on a novel intellectual property, reaffirming his passion for creating games at the age of 52, with no thought of retirement on the horizon.

Yoshida’s insights not only outline the future direction of the Final Fantasy series but also reflect a broader trend in the gaming industry, where developers are balancing traditional gameplay mechanics with innovative approaches to meet the evolving preferences of players.

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