FF7 ditching PS5 exclusivity was inevitable Hamaguchi says
The landscape of gaming is shifting, and at the forefront of this evolution is Square Enix’s bold move toward multiplatform strategy, exemplified by the upcoming release of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation. This latest entry marks a significant milestone for the remake series, setting a precedent that players will soon take for granted: a game can be available across multiple platforms on launch day.
While the recent remake and its sequel, Rebirth, were initially released as PlayStation exclusives, the path forward for Revelation changes the rules. It will be available to players across various systems simultaneously, eliminating the traditional barrier of platform exclusivity for a major title.
Director Naoki Hamaguchi views this decision not as a mere technical choice, but as an inevitable response to the modern gaming environment. He argues that the focus for future triple-A game development should pivot away from the sheer power of the hardware and toward the ability to deliver a cohesive experience across diverse environments.
“What will be important in future triple-A game development is not how high-performance an environment we can use, but rather how widely we can deliver the core of the same experience across different environments,” Hamaguchi explains. This philosophical shift incentivizes developers to ensure their creations scale seamlessly, reaching from the most powerful PCs down to the most accessible handheld devices.
This move reflects a broader trend within the industry. For years, the history of the franchise has seen platform allegiances shift—from Nintendo to Sony in the 90s—but the current approach demonstrates a clear pivot toward accessibility and player freedom.
Square Enix’s intention to pursue a multiplatform strategy is more than just a marketing tactic; it signifies an understanding that modern players are no longer confined to a single piece of hardware. They enjoy their games on TVs, desktops, and handheld devices alike, demanding universal access.
By embracing this approach, the focus moves from platform exclusivity to delivering a consistent, high-quality experience wherever the player chooses to engage. It’s a testament to the evolving relationship between developers and a global audience, proving that the core experience is what truly matters, regardless of the screen size.