WHY FINAL FANTASY DIRECTOR NEARLY TURNED DOWN HIS DREAM JOB

Naoki Hamaguchi, the director behind the Final Fantasy VII remakes, almost declined what many would consider a dream role.  

"When I realized this project would take 10 years of my life, I was torn," he told BBC Newsbeat.  

Yoshinori Kitase(left) and Naoki Hamaguchi(Right)

Modern game development often requires years of commitment and immense budgets, making such roles a significant professional and personal investment. Hamaguchi took on the challenge of directing a trilogy that reimagines the beloved 1997 classic with cutting-edge visuals, voice acting, and expanded content.  

The effort has paid off. The first two titles, Remake and Rebirth, earned glowing reviews and multiple awards. Most recently, Hamaguchi accepted a Game Award for Best Score and Music.  

Initially, some fans were skeptical about splitting the original 40-hour game into three parts. Hamaguchi hopes the team has eased those doubts:  

“With such a famous original, everyone has their own vision of Final Fantasy VII Pleasing every fan is tough, but we’ve done our best.”  

While proud of his work, Hamaguchi is ready for new challenges after the trilogy.  

"I gave everything to this. Now, I want to try something completely different."  

He notes that modern game development also requires global foresight, accounting for emerging gaming markets and diverse cultural contexts.  

Although Rebirth initially underperformed on PlayStation 5, Hamaguchi remains optimistic, emphasizing how awards and buzz can boost visibility in a competitive market.