Final Fantasy VII Revelation was developed over three years due to the retention of 95% of the team.
**Summary:** Final Fantasy VII Revelation is set to be released in spring 2027, taking just three years to develop, a significant reduction from the usual five or more years for AAA games. This efficiency is attributed to 95% of the team from Rebirth remaining intact, allowing for a swift transition. Director Naoki Hamaguchi explained that, unlike the common industry practice of disbanding teams after a project, he began designing Revelation a year before Rebirth's release, facilitating a smoother production process.
The development timeline for each game has shortened progressively; Remake took several years in pre-production, Rebirth took four years, and Revelation just three. Hamaguchi, alongside Final Fantasy XIV director Naoki Yoshida, is one of the few leaders at Square Enix who keeps consistent teams across projects, which enhances the efficiency of their successful franchises.
Hamaguchi remarked on the importance of this strategy for the company, especially in light of significant layoffs in the gaming industry as companies refocus spending. The latest game will include player feedback with mini-game rewards being purely cosmetic and featuring a new airship system that allows unrestricted world exploration. A new job system, FITS, will provide characters with four distinct classes and detailed skill-tree advancements.
Notably, only a handful of individuals at Square Enix were aware of the title "Revelation" prior to its announcement. After this project, Hamaguchi plans to move on to something that isn't a remake, potentially considering a AA title, a new Final Fantasy, or an original AAA franchise. Although he wishes to keep the team together, he recognizes the challenge this poses for the company's growth, highlighting how constant changes in staffing can delay progress in tech companies, a situation he has successfully navigated.
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Final Fantasy VII Revelation was developed over three years due to the retention of 95% of the team.
FF7 Revelation was completed in 3 years instead of the typical 5 or more because 95% of the development team from Rebirth remained. This highlights a key lesson in an industry that is losing talent.
