FF14 Crossover No Substitute for FF9 Remake, Director Insists

Final Fantasy XIV's director, Naoki Yoshida ("Yoshi-P"), has addressed speculation linking the recent FFXIV collaboration event with a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. The collaboration, featuring nods to the beloved 1999 RPG, fueled fan theories about an imminent remake announcement.

Yoshida emphatically denied any connection. In an interview with JPGames, he clarified that the FFXIV event's inclusion of FFIX elements stemmed from the game's overarching concept as a "theme park" for the Final Fantasy franchise. The timing, he stressed, was entirely coincidental and not tied to any planned FFIX remake.

While acknowledging the marketing potential of such a connection, Yoshida highlighted the extensive scope of FFIX, stating that undertaking a remake would be a significant undertaking. He expressed his team's deep appreciation for FFIX and their desire to pay homage to it within FFXIV, explaining the event's numerous references as a way to achieve this without waiting for a hypothetical remake.

Although the interview dispelled immediate remake hopes, Yoshida concluded with a supportive message, wishing any future team tasked with an FFIX remake the best of luck.

In short, the rumors of a Final Fantasy IX remake remain just that – rumors. Fans eagerly awaiting a remake will have to content themselves with the FFXIV: Dawntrail easter eggs, or patiently await future announcements.