Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Director on the Impact of Streamers on RPGs
The popularity of RPGs—especially turn-based RPGs—has seen a noticeable decline over the years. While there's no single reason for this trend, it's clear that the shift has had a significant impact on companies like Square Enix. Despite diversifying its portfolio and incorporating modern elements into its classic formulas, even the most anticipated titles from the studio haven't reached the levels of success the company desires. With the upcoming release of Final Fantasy VII Revelation in 2027, director Naoki Hamaguchi has shared a unique perspective on the genre's current challenges.
In an interview with 4Gamer, Hamaguchi suggested that streamers may be playing a role in the decline of RPGs. Unlike genres such as shooters or strategy games, which rely heavily on player input and offer a variety of outcomes, RPGs often emphasize narrative and storytelling. This, Hamaguchi believes, might lead some viewers to feel content simply by watching a stream instead of playing the game themselves.
"One thing RPGs like Final Fantasy need to be careful about today is the possibility that people might simply watch a stream and feel satisfied without ever playing the game themselves," Hamaguchi explained. "This is a bit of a crisis for the work itself, or rather, it’s not something game creators can wholeheartedly celebrate. If people watch a stream and it makes them think, 'What would I do in that situation?' or 'How would I experiment with that?', then hopefully they’ll be inspired to try it themselves."
Hamaguchi clarified that he doesn't hold streamers responsible for this shift. Instead, he sees it as an opportunity for RPG developers to innovate. According to him, creating games that emphasize decision-making and player choice is more crucial than ever.
"If we simply limit the game to only experiencing the story, players might find it more enjoyable to watch videos from their favorite influencers or YouTubers," Hamaguchi continued.
This theory aligns with current trends in the gaming industry. With game prices rising and the number of new releases increasing, it's becoming harder for players to justify buying every game they want to play. While narrative-heavy RPGs still have a dedicated audience, it's understandable that many players are drawn to games offering more variability and replayability.
As anticipation builds for Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Hamaguchi also shared more details with GameSpot. He mentioned that minigames, which were a point of criticism in Rebirth, will be less of a focus this time around. The director also discussed the process of bringing the original game's weapons to life and hinted at what adventures might await Cloud and his team after the conclusion of the remake trilogy.
