This isn’t the first of such delays, and honestly, it is beginning to make fans lose steam. I’ve been around for the update ever since, and each time it’s tantalizingly close, something new happens. It’s like waiting for a train that never comes.
What some of us have heard through the grapevine is that one celebrated leaker has recently spoken out about the remake. He basically stated that the project is “on ice”, not quite declaring much else, which points to an understanding that Square Enix has stopped it.
On the contrary, it doesn’t seem that bright for the remake at the moment. For many players, it is not just a random name; Final Fantasy IX has always been a different one for a lot of classic role-playing games. Story, music, characters — all felt magical when it first played years back. Even talking about Zidane, Garnet, and that fantastic world lives on among fans today. Even with that popularity, Square Enix has pretty much kept quiet about the remake. So, pretty much everything you hear is through leaks, rumors, or discussions among fans.
A couple of years ago, that big Nvidia leak hinted at a Final Fantasy IX Remake being in the works. Some of the projects that came out leaked afterward became real, and since then, I thought that this particular project was going to become real. Then, as a result of some anniversary concept art coming out, fans began thinking that it was even closer than they realized. But honestly, those images might have been just very early design ideas or far-off promotional materials rather than anything really significant or related to the project.
Right now, it sounds like Square is focusing the majority of its energy on Final Fantasy VII Remake, in addition to other things. To be honest, this franchise is huge and still ongoing, so it would not really be surprising if that accounted for the lion’s share of the team’s time and budget. With that much work on their plate, Final Fantasy IX Remake probably got pushed aside for now. Some people even think the company is changing its overall strategy, trying to strengthen big franchises and begin new IPs instead of reviving older ones right away.
It’s a bit frustrating, to be honest. I just grew up with it; imagine how it would look on modern hardware. Those classic scenes would have been amazing with today’s graphics. But that’s how the industry is, how it is. Big RPGs are not so easily made. It takes years, tons of money, and, most importantly, the right timing. So even if they want to do something, they have to make sure it makes sense financially.
The truth is, this situation proves how difficult it is for game studios now. Fans wish to see their classics revived, but developers know they have to consider sales, time, and other priorities. That’s why the remake is probably in limbo right now-not canceled, but certainly not going anywhere.
There’s still hope, though. The love for Final Fantasy IX hasn’t waned. Two decades later, the story, the art, and the emotion associated with it keep fans connected to it. If ever Square Enix does renew the project of remaking it, it would probably blossom into something very magical-a union of nostalgia and modern-day storytelling.
For now, there’s only waiting and luck in new leaks and fan forums, as well as maybe official hints from Square Enix. The project may be cold right now, but it’s not completely dead. As a fan, I’m hoping that one day, we’ll see Final Fantasy IX Remake finally come to life. Until then, the original game still holds its magic-a timeless adventure that’s hard to forget. You may also be interested in: Ranking the Entire Witcher Saga: From Rookie Hunts to Legendary Quests
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