In an interview with CGWorld, director Naoki Hamaguchi shared insights into the development of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, highlighting the team’s efforts to enhance the world map, which was originally rough and polygonal in the classic game. Their goal was to make players feel as though they were seeing the world as it was always meant to be, transforming the polygonal landscapes into richly detailed environments that fully utilize the PS5’s capabilities. By leveraging the console’s power, the game loads only the assets visible to the player, allowing for a richer and more detailed environment without overloading the system.
The development of Rebirth was closely tied to Intergrade, with both projects sharing resources and innovations. Despite challenges, including remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team maintained an efficient development process. To ensure quality, over 30 full playthrough QA sessions were conducted, each focusing on different aspects such as story progression, balancing, and side content integrity. These sessions provided valuable feedback that helped streamline the development process.
Looking ahead, Square Enix is considering the use of Unreal Engine 5 for the final installment of the trilogy. While this could offer advanced tools like improved lighting systems and faster asset streaming, Hamaguchi emphasized the importance of delivering the game "in good form as soon as possible." He mentioned, "We’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of [Unreal Engine 5], but I think it’s possible." The decision will depend on whether the switch would speed up development or if it’s more efficient to continue with Unreal Engine 4.
Fans are eagerly awaiting the final game, with some prioritizing a quicker release, while others are hoping for the visual enhancements that Unreal Engine 5 could bring.
Source:
If you enjoy my Final Fantasy news, be sure to follow xEzNaFF on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Threads, Reddit, Tiktok, or Youtube so you never miss future updates!
-⚡Xe⚡
Comments