Final Fantasy XVI Probably Won’t Show at TGS 2021

Final Fantasy XVI may not make a major appearance at TGS 2021, if comments by producer Naoki Yoshida are any indication. The news came during a conversation between Yoshida and NieR creator Yoko Taro. That conversation was part of the “Live Letter from the Producer” segment of a special Final Fantasy XIV  livestream event held on July 9 and 10, 2021.

In essence, Yoshida’s comments boil down to a recognition that while the development team would like to show something at this year’s Tokyo Game Show (which starts on September 30, 2021), it would be best if a big reveal were done when Final Fantasy XVI is in a more playable state, something that’s not possible as early as TGS 2021. After consultation with the team (including director Hiroshi Takai), Yoshida noted that they would prefer a large reveal to be accompanied by something that the general public could then experience directly after, rather than a drip feed of small tidbits of information. Yoshida later clarified more definitively that Final Fantasy XVI would not make TGS 2021’s lineup, as if to head off speculation that a new reveal is planned as surprise.

Some of the comments were collected and translated by Twitter user @aitaikimochi.

Yoko Taro & Saitou joking with Yoshi-P about Final Fantasy 16 probably not being shown at Tokyo Game Show 2021 is epic troll level lol.

Yoshi-P says he wants FF16 to be available not too long after the next big announcement.

Here's the video with English subs by me. #FF16 pic.twitter.com/WnkAGNGmKf

— ☆オードリーAudrey☆ (@aitaikimochi) July 10, 2021

The same conversation did reveal more about the current state of Final Fantasy XVI‘s development. Despite not being able to make TGS 2021, Creative Business Unit  III – the formal name for Final Fantasy XVI‘s development team – has made good progress on the project. They’ve finalized the main story scenario for the game, meaning the main plot and script are effectively locked in. Similarly, recording of the game’s English voice lines is almost complete.

Final Fantasy XVI is in development, and is currently slated for the PlayStation 5. No release date or other platforms have been announced as of yet. Check out some other teaser info on the game’s world and characters.