Final Fantasy VII G-Bike Could Lead To More Final Fantasy VII Games

Speaking with Famitsu magazine, Square Enix’s Yoshinori Kitase recently discussed Final Fantasy VII G-Bike, a smartphone game based on the mini-game from the Final Fantasy VII Gold Saucer. Kotaku have translated bits of the interview.

“Until now, whenever we talked with Nomura about a project that would require outsourcing, his first choice was always Cyber Connect 2,”  Final Fantasy VII director Yoshinori Kitase said to Famitsu. Kitase explained that Square are not as adept at making action games as they are RPGs, whereas CC2 is a seasoned action game studio.

Kitase also says that if Final Fantasy VII G-Bike does well, it could lead to other games connected to the Final Fantasy VII universe being created.

“Well, FFVII has many spin-off pieces and for the fans, its image has spread rather diversely, so I feel that G-Bike will set the standard of if we were to make new a VII related piece now,” he said. “If more is to come, this is the starting point, so both myself and Nomura are closely observing its quality.”

As previously reported, Nomura is serving as Creative Director of character design on the game, while Kitase is serving as Executive Producer. Of course, given Kitase’s ties to the original Final Fantasy VII game, Famitsu asked about a remake.

Kitase replied with a laugh, “Who knows? Mr. Matsuyama [of Cyber Connect 2] is making the foundation, and after the path has been paved, we might think about making it… At least that’s what could happen. In terms of the quality level and consumer response, it may all depend on [G-Bike]. We’re looking forward to the results.”

Personally, we’d advise taking that last quote with a grain of salt. Speaking with Eurogamer earlier in the year, Kitase explained quite clearly why Square Enix do not want to remake Final Fantasy VII, even after all this time.

At the time, Kitase said that, while staff availability and budget were two factors that were keeping the game from being remade, there was also another factor—Kitase’s own motivation (or lack thereof) to work on such a project.