Could Final Fantasy 17 already be in development?
A playful exchange between two of Square Enix’s most recognizable developers during the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026 has sparked fresh speculation about the future of the legendary RPG series.
While no official announcement has been made, many fans believe the conversation hints that Naoki Hamaguchi – director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – could be leading the next numbered Final Fantasy title.
TL;DR: During the FFXIV Fan Festival in Berlin, producer Naoki Yoshida jokingly mentioned that fans want Naoki Hamaguchi to direct Final Fantasy 17. Hamaguchi declined to comment, fueling speculation that work on the next mainline entry may already be underway.
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A Small Joke That Started Big Speculation
The discussion took place during the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2026 in Berlin, where producer and director Naoki Yoshida (Yoshi-P) shared the stage with Naoki Hamaguchi, the director behind Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
A clip from the event quickly spread across social media after fans noticed Yoshida bringing up Final Fantasy 17 while talking to Hamaguchi. According to a translation shared by the X account @aitaikimochi, the exchange went like this:
Yoshi-P: “I think it’s one of the biggest compliments people were saying in the comments – they wish Hamaguchi is making FF17. But you don’t have to answer…!”
Hamaguchi: “If I answer…”
Yoshi-P: “No, no, don’t!”
Although the moment was clearly presented as a joke, Hamaguchi’s response – and Yoshida’s immediate attempt to stop him from elaborating – has naturally encouraged fans to read between the lines.
Could Naoki Hamaguchi Become the Director of Final Fantasy 17?
Hamaguchi has been part of the Final Fantasy franchise since 2006, but his biggest breakthrough came as the director of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, widely praised for expanding the remake project into a massive open-world RPG.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Strategy
He’s also leading development on the final chapter of the remake trilogy, currently known as Final Fantasy VII Revelation.
If Hamaguchi were also directing Final Fantasy XVII, it would mark his first time overseeing two major Final Fantasy projects simultaneously – a significant vote of confidence from Square Enix.
Of course, nothing has been officially confirmed. The conversation on stage shouldn’t be treated as an announcement, but it does suggest that discussions about the franchise’s next mainline installment are already happening behind the scenes.
Final Fantasy 17 Remains Unannounced
This isn’t the first time Yoshida has publicly mentioned Final Fantasy 17. During interviews in 2025, he discussed the future of the series, including whether future entries should return to turn-based combat.
Combined with the latest Fan Festival comments, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Square Enix is at least thinking about what comes after the FFVII Remake trilogy.
For now, however, fans shouldn’t expect an official reveal anytime soon. Square Enix remains focused on completing the remake project, and any announcement regarding Final Fantasy 17 will likely come much later.
Still, if Hamaguchi eventually ends up directing the next numbered Final Fantasy, this lighthearted conversation may become one of the earliest public hints that the project was already in motion.
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