At Anime Expo 2025, Final Fantasy legend Naoki Yoshida sat down with Anime News Network to share insights on where the franchise is headed and what comes after Dawntrail in Final Fantasy XIV! And he even discussed if we will ever see turn-based combat return to the mainline series.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the interview with the FFXIV and FFXVI producer Yoshi-P.
Final Fantasy Going Multi-Platform for Good
Yoshida confirmed Square Enix’s new direction: future Final Fantasy titles will no longer be PlayStation exclusives, and the company is fully committed to multi-platform releases.
He pointed to the upcoming Final Fantasy Tactics: Ivalice Chronicles, launching September 30 on multiple platforms, as a sign of this new strategy.
“It is safe to assume that we will strive for multi-platform release moving forward.” – Yoshi-P
Turn-Based Combat Isn’t Gone – But It’s Not Coming Back Just Yet
With the success of turn-based RPGs like Claire Obscur: Expedition 33, many are wondering if Final Fantasy might return to its roots. Yoshida explained that combat systems evolve based on the overall vision for a game, not just fan expectations.
“It’s not a clear-cut answer… We don’t want to put future directors or producers on rails.“
In short, it is up to whoever directs Final Fantasy XVII and beyond to decide if the series will stay action-based or bring back traditional turn-based gameplay.
What Comes After Dawntrail in FFXIV?
While Dawntrail marks the start of a new chapter for Final Fantasy XIV, Yoshida revealed the team is already planning as far as expansion 10.0. That is multiple expansions ahead of the current update.
He teased that Dawntrail is a “roller coaster” with “ups and downs,” and emphasized that the deep lore from versions 1.0 to Endwalker (6.0) will still matter going forward.
Creative Influences: From Tolkien to Sherlock Holmes
Yoshida mentioned a wide range of influences on his creative work, including:
- The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien)
- Vampire Hunter D (Hideyuki Kikuchi)
- Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
- Agatha Christie’s mysteries
He also reaffirmed his love of manga and anime, which continue to shape the tone and worldbuilding of his games.
Future Projects and New IP Dreams
While Yoshida is not pushing for a specific Square Enix franchise, he mentioned a desire to work on a new online game unrelated to Final Fantasy XIV someday. He also floated the idea of creating an original IP, something unique and outside of existing Square Enix brands.
Lessons Learned From Final Fantasy XVI
Reflecting on Final Fantasy XVI, Yoshida said one of the biggest takeaways was how to produce a high-quality game efficiently. He wants to apply that knowledge to reduce dev time in the future without sacrificing polish or scope.
Yoshi-P Has No Plans to Retire Anytime Soon
When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, Yoshida laughed off the idea of retirement. He drew inspiration from creators like Hideaki Anno and Ridley Scott, who are still active well into their 60s and 80s.
“Compared to them, I am still very green. I still have a lot more to go.”
Naoki Yoshida remains one of Square Enix’s most forward-thinking minds, and this interview confirms that Final Fantasy is in good hands. From cross-platform releases to flexible combat styles and long-term expansion planning in FFXIV, Yoshi-P’s vision continues to aim for unique and amazing things!
If you are interested in more details, you can read the full interview over at Anime News Network.
