Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Director ‘Very Aware’ Square Enix Needs to Figure Out How to Get the Next-Generation of Fans Into the Franchise
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi has acknowledged a significant challenge facing Square Enix: attracting the next generation of players to the Final Fantasy franchise. With the series having originated in the late 1980s, its player base has traditionally skewed toward older audiences who experienced these games during their original releases.
Hamaguchi identifies two key barriers to younger player engagement. First, the franchise’s iconic roman numeral numbering system (Final Fantasy VII, VIII, etc.) creates an intimidating impression for newcomers, who may assume each numbered entry requires completion of previous games. In reality, most Final Fantasy titles are standalone experiences with independent stories and worlds.
Second, the substantial gaps between major Final Fantasy releases have reduced the franchise’s visibility and relevance to younger gaming demographics. Without a consistent presence, younger players often lack exposure to what makes Final Fantasy compelling.
The director emphasized Square Enix faces a balancing act: providing the narrative depth and complexity that longtime fans expect while simultaneously making the series accessible and inviting to new players unfamiliar with the franchise’s legacy. This challenge becomes particularly important as the company continues its ambitious Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, which represents a significant investment and opportunity to either strengthen generational connections or potentially continue the franchise’s age skew.