Why Final Fantasy is Now Targeting PC as its "Lead Platform"
For years, PC gamers have been accustomed to the Final Fantasy series prioritizing console versions over their PC counterparts. However, a recent development shift suggests this trend might be reversing. Director Naoki Hamaguchi has confirmed that the PC is now the primary platform for the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy's development.
In an interview with Automaton, Hamaguchi explained that the team's approach to creating visual assets for multiplatform games has evolved. They now focus on "high-end environments first," ensuring the highest quality, and then "reduce" these assets for less powerful platforms. This means their 3D assets are initially crafted with PC in mind, as evidenced by the graphical differences already noticed in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. Hamaguchi assured that this philosophy will persist for the trilogy's third installment.
Despite the slow growth of PC gaming in Japan, the international PC gaming community's rapid expansion has influenced the company's asset development strategy. The PC versions of recent Final Fantasy VII Remake games have achieved success on platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, further reinforcing the importance of the PC market.
However, the timing of PC releases remains uncertain. The first Final Fantasy VII Remake took 19 months to arrive on PC after its PlayStation 4 release, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was available on PC 11 months after its PS5 launch. Similarly, Final Fantasy XVI and XV's PC versions were released over a year after their console counterparts.
This shift in focus to PC development raises questions about the future of console-exclusive releases. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how this change impacts the Final Fantasy series and the broader gaming landscape.
