Rumors in the gaming community over the recent past have brought a veil of doubt on the highly anticipated remake of Final Fantasy IX. From a fervent expectation from fans, it has now turned into a topic of serious speculation, driven by insider rumors.
The rumor mill, in the form of high-profile gaming leaker NateTheHate, indicates that the project is in serious trouble, maybe even flat-out cancellation. Conveniently breaking on the 25th anniversary of the original Final Fantasy IX, the news understandably generated shockwaves throughout the loyal fanbase. Square Enix did, however, celebrate the quarter-century mark with new art and merchandise, ominously absent was any official statement or even rumor of a remake.
Final Fantasy IX, launched on the PlayStation on July 7, 2000, is a game that is dear to the hearts of very many. It was greeted with relief at its return to the medieval fantasy roots of the series, and with a story and characters – such as Zidane, Vivi, and Freya – that spoke to fans in an intensely personal way. Its continued popularity is a testament to its unique charm and the legendary storytelling.
The rumors about the existence of the remake started with the 2021 GeForce Now leak, suggesting its presence. However, since that very first leak, Square Enix has been quite rightly quiet. NateTheHate’s recent ResetEra thread, while tentatively presented and awaiting confirmation from other sources, revealed that the project was “in trouble and possibly canceled” a month prior. This one report, while unofficial, has been enough to trigger a lot of hot takes and panic.
With fans sitting in limbo waiting for any sort of official statement, the irony of recent anniversary celebrations and the loud and complete absence of information on the remake is tragic. New merchandise releases, like the art book depicting Vivi’s history, only keep the world reminded of the popularity of the original game, but nothing to eradicate fears about its possible remaking in today’s times. The gaming public is eagerly waiting now, anticipating Square Enix to finally show some light on the real status of this extremely coveted remake.
