Square Enix Plans Final Fantasy 7 as Ever-Evolving IP Beyond the Remake Trilogy

Square Enix is positioning Final Fantasy 7 as a long-term, evolving intellectual property rather than a nostalgia-driven remake project. At a PAX West 2026 panel titled "From Reunion to Resolve," director Naoki Hamaguchi articulated the studio's ambitions for the franchise following the completion of the remake trilogy with Final Fantasy 7 Revelation.

"We want to make this a work that creates new fans 20 or even 30 years from now," Hamaguchi stated, framing the remake trilogy as "an effort to pass Final Fantasy 7 onto the next generation." According to promotional material presented at the panel, Square Enix aims to "expand FF7's future" and "move beyond being a classic of the past and shape it into an IP with an ever-evolving future."

The statement reflects a strategic shift toward treating Final Fantasy 7 as a standalone universe with expansion potential. The original 1997 PlayStation title has already spawned multiple spin-offs, animated films, and the current remake trilogy. With Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launching on April 8, 2027, across PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S, Square Enix has announced two story expansions focused on Sephiroth and Vincent & the Turks, signaling continued investment in the IP.

Hamaguchi also detailed gameplay refinements for Revelation during the PAX West panel, revealing that all party members will unlock access to the game's FITS—the equivalent of a job system—within the first five to six hours of play. This design choice prioritizes player freedom early in the experience. Additionally, a transmog feature will allow players to customize character appearance independently from their active FITS, with cosmetic options including story rewards and side content discoveries.

The broader vision suggests Square Enix intends to develop Final Fantasy 7 into a multi-media and multi-game franchise extending well beyond Revelation, though specific projects remain unannounced.