Final Fantasy XIII Becomes a New Source of Inspiration for Japan’s Next-Gen Game Developers
For many people working in the video game industry, especially those directly involved in art and development, the journey often begins as passionate gamers. Their love for games becomes the driving force that leads them into game creation itself. This has long been true for legendary companies like Square Enix, known for iconic role-playing games from the 1980s and 1990s such as Dragon Quest and Chrono Trigger.
However, as time moves forward, a new generation naturally brings new influences. According to Naoki Hamaguchi, one of Square Enix’s well-known directors who is closely associated with the Final Fantasy VII Remake project, the sources of inspiration among younger developers are changing in noticeable ways.
In a recent interview with regional gaming media GamerBraves, Hamaguchi shared his observations from meeting and interviewing younger applicants entering the industry. He noted that many of them no longer cite classic 16-bit era titles like Final Fantasy VI as their main inspiration. Instead, a different chapter of the franchise is now frequently mentioned.
That title is Final Fantasy XIII.
Hamaguchi explained that many younger developers grew up during the era of high-definition consoles in the late 2000s and early 2010s. For them, Final Fantasy XIII, led by the iconic character Lightning, represents a defining JRPG experience. Its visual style, cinematic presentation, and modern production values left a strong impression during their formative gaming years.
Hearing this made Hamaguchi reflect on how generations change, even jokingly admitting that it made him feel his own age. More importantly, it highlights a broader shift in creative influence. While retro games once dominated discussions of inspiration, titles from the 2000s era are now shaping how new developers think about storytelling, visuals, and game design.
This raises an interesting question for the future. As more creators draw inspiration from games like Final Fantasy XIII, upcoming JRPGs may continue to evolve in ways that reflect this period, blending cinematic storytelling with refined modern mechanics.
About Final Fantasy XIII
Final Fantasy XIII is a JRPG from the long-running Final Fantasy franchise, first released in 2009 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game follows a group of heroes who challenge their predetermined fate, led by Lightning, a strong and determined female soldier marked by the l’Cie curse that grants power alongside a dangerous destiny.
Today, Final Fantasy XIII remains available on PC as well as Xbox Series X|S, allowing both longtime fans and new players to experience a title that continues to influence the next generation of game developers.
