Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its 'lead platform'

Source: Ars Technica

Background

For a long time, PC gamers have been used to the Final Fantasy series treating their platform as somewhat secondary to the game’s core console versions. Recent comments from director Naoki Hamaguchi suggest that may be changing, as he confirmed that the PC is now the “lead platform” for development of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.

Director’s Comments

In a recent interview with Automaton, Hamaguchi explained that the team follows the common practice of creating visual assets for multiplatform games by targeting “high‑end environments first,” then performing a “reduction” for less powerful platforms.

“Our 3D assets are created at the highest quality level based on PC as the foundation,” he said. Players have already noticed this graphical difference in the PC version of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and “our philosophy will not change for the third installment.”

Impact on the PC Market

While PC gaming is only “gradually expanding in Japan,” Hamaguchi noted that rapid growth in international PC gamers has led Square Enix to “develop assets with the broad PC market in mind.”

The PC versions of recent Final Fantasy VII Remake games have sold well on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Release Timing

It remains unclear whether PC gamers will have to wait longer than console owners for future Final Fantasy titles.

• The first Final Fantasy VII Remake didn’t hit PCs until 19 months after the PlayStation 4 version.
• Rebirth was first available on PC 11 months after its PS5 launch.
• Elsewhere in the franchise, the PC versions of both Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy XV didn’t arrive until over a year after their console counterparts.