Motomu Toriyama, the director of the most Final Fantasy games ever (X, X-2, XII: RW, XIII, XIII-2 & LR) has been hard at work on a new project since about Q2 2014.
On December 27, 2014 in a developer survey with 4Gamer.net, Motomu Toriyama provided a message regarding his next project. In 2015, I asked goldpanner to translate it. This is her translation.
Quote:
I am currently working hard on the next project.
We will be able to announce it in 2015, so please look forward to that!
In December 2015, I asked Square Enix about Motomu Toriyama’s new project. They kindly responded to in early Janury. This is what they had to say.
Quote:
The project Toriyama-san is working on is still in development and unfortunately, we are unable to discuss at this time.
I hope we will be able to share more information with everyone in the coming year.
The most likely things his new project would be are the following.
Final Fantasy X-3
Motomu Toriyama confirming he is working hard on a new project that will be announced in 2015. Perhaps since this is an important title they’re holding it back so it doesn’t clash with FINAL FANTASY XV or FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE all whilst they also try to market WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY. They might also wish to give the team more time, their last two projects (FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 & LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII) were developed in 18 months each.
2015 is over. Square Enix cannot comment on Motomu Toriyama’s next project. This only usually happens when something big is happening.
Square Enix has confirmed Toriyama’s project is still in development but they cannot discuss it at this time (early January 2016), but hope to share more information this coming year.
We can assume Toriyama’s new project has been in development for 1.5-2 years now and with no announcement that suggests something big.
Kazushige Nojima’s infamous novella FINAL FANTASY X-2.5
Nojima’s audio drama that follows X-2.5
Nojima admitting he would like to see a X-3
Nojima wrote X-2.5 and the audio drama thinking “this should be a game”
Nojima also revealed “there’s a plot from start to finish, and if there’s some way we can have it show up elsewhere… well, so I’ve said to Square Enix.”
After finishing X-2, Toriyama said “I’m very attached to the FFX world and its characters. After some time, we may want to see Yuna and her friends, just to see how they are doing [laughs]”
Toriyama rates Nojima as a writer very highly going as far to say X had the greatest story in the history of video games.
X/X-2 HD’s amazing sales – It sold over 500,000 copies in Japan in less than a year. It also became a best seller in China on both PS4 & PS Vita and got it’s very own PS4 bundle.
X & X/X-2 HD’s recent awards – They won awards in both 2014 & 2015 for both the original releases and remasters.
Square Enix’s quick PlayStation 4 port of FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster that still includes the audio drama. The audio drama was one of their key points for picking up the PS4 port, saying it’s “intact”. It’s also now likely on its way to PC.
Interestingly, the press release for the announcement of the PS4 port of X/X-2 HD was combined with the announcement of the PS4 port of FFVII. The port of VII has since been heavily used to help promote the Remake.
Toriyama being on the FINAL FANTASY Committee*
Shintaro Takai, art director of the FINAL FANTASY X series including X/X-2 HD and Daisuke Watanabe (scenario writer on X & X-2) are both without their names attached to any announced projects.
Verendus from NeoGAF believes a X spin-off is in development
ff-reunion.net thinks Toriyama is making X-3. – They believe the possibility of it is increasing
Auron spotted near the end in the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE E3 2015 trailer
Square Enix’s continued promotion of FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster on PS4 – they were promoting it 5 months after release.
Character designer Tetsuya Nomura revealed in October his favourite FINAL FANTASY heroine at the moment is Yuna. He later had a drawing of Tidus & Yuna released by Square Enix to thank people for their support of X/X-2 HD.
BD1 has held multiple events/updates related to the FINAL FANTASY X series in their title MOBIUS FINAL FANTASY. They’re doing similar for FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is being developed by CyberConnect2 along with multiple other external studios. In terms of internal staff, it has been confirmed that DISSIDIA and KINGDOM HEARTS staff are working on it.
Tara Strong, Rikku’s English voice actor in the FINAL FANTASY X series has teased she’ll be back as Rikku soon.
FINAL FANTASY X promoted at Taipei Game Show 2016, nearly 9 months after the PS4 version released.
Square Enix won’t release sales figures for X/X-2 HD despite its high sales, they’re clearly saving it for something.
2016 is the 15th anniversary of FINAL FANTASY X
*Motomu Toriyama is a member of the four person FINAL FANTASY Committee and the other three are in charge of a AAA FINAL FANTASY title. The main purpose of the committee is according to Kitase “We get together and update each other with current information or issues on our projects. [We] make sure there are no release date overlaps or bug issues.” In other words, If Toriyama isn’t leading a new FINAL FANTASY game it would make no sense for him to be on the committee.
New Parasite Eve
Aya Brea, the protagonist of the Parasite Eve franchise appeared on a poster in the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE announcement trailer.
Verendus from NeoGAF said a new Parasite Eve title is in development.
An anonymous user on 4chan.com claimed a new Parasite Eve game directed by Motomu Toriyama would be announced at Tokyo Game Show 2015.
MeriStation.com stated in their “Rumours, Possibilities, Speculations” feature for Tokyo Game Show 2015 that according to “extra-official sources” Motomu Toriyama’s project might be a new Parasite Eve game.
Square Enix has stated multiple times they’re looking to reboot old IPs.
Toriyama was Scenario Director on the last game.
New Front Mission
Siliconera says a new one is in development
Toriyama loves Front Mission and wrote the last one.