Hironobu Sakaguchi, the renowned creator of the Final Fantasy series, has revealed that he is working on a new project that he hopes will be seen as a successor to Final Fantasy VI. This news comes after the release of Fantasian Neo Dimension, a director's cut of his 2021 game Fantasian, which was initially intended to be his final project before retirement.

In an interview, Sakaguchi expressed his desire to create a game that builds upon the legacy of Final Fantasy VI, which is notable for being the last game in the series to feature pixel art before the shift to 3D. Sakaguchi's next project will aim to strike a balance between old and new, blending familiar elements with innovative gameplay ideas.

Fantasian, a role-playing game developed by Sakaguchi's Mistwalker studio, was released on Apple Arcade in 2021. The game featured a unique blend of traditional RPG elements and innovative gameplay mechanics, set in a charming world made of handcrafted dioramas. The new version, Fantasian Neo Dimension, brought the game to more platforms and added features like voice acting, published by Square Enix, the company behind the Final Fantasy series.

Sakaguchi's decision to create another game is a surprise, given his initial intention to retire after Fantasian. However, he credits the enjoyable experience of working with the team on Fantasian Neo Dimension as the motivation behind his change of heart. Sakaguchi aims to recreate the sense of fulfillment and immersion that players experienced in Fantasian, while incorporating new technologies and mechanics.

The enduring popularity of turn-based RPGs, like Fantasian and the Dragon Quest 3 remake, can be attributed to their ability to provide players with a sense of mastery and immersion in virtual worlds. Sakaguchi believes that these games allow developers to harness the power of technology to create unique mechanics that enhance player engagement.

While Sakaguchi's next project is still in its early stages, his commitment to creating games that bring him "genuine joy" remains unwavering. With the same team that worked on Fantasian Neo Dimension, Sakaguchi is poised to deliver another game that will leave a lasting impact on the gaming industry.

The news of Sakaguchi's next project is a welcome development for fans of the Final Fantasy series and RPG enthusiasts alike. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Sakaguchi's vision for a successor to Final Fantasy VI takes shape.