Final Fantasy Creator Hironobu Sakaguchi Falls in Love with FFXIV
Gamers, prepare yourselves for a heartwarming story that will give you all the feels. Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of the iconic Final Fantasy series, has recently rekindled his love for the franchise by diving headfirst into Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that has captured the hearts of millions. And let me tell you, he is absolutely hooked.
A Surprise Journey Back to Final Fantasy
Picture this: a legendary game developer, responsible for creating one of the most beloved and long-standing gaming franchises in history, immersing himself in the latest installment of his own creation. It sounds like something out of a fantasy RPG, but it’s real, my friends.
Initially, Sakaguchi started playing FFXIV as a way to prepare for a talk he was doing on the series. But what started as a courtesy soon turned into an obsession. He found himself spending countless hours exploring the vast world of Eorzea, battling fearsome foes, and uncovering nostalgic references to earlier Final Fantasy games.
Playing 12 hours a day, Sakaguchi admitted, “It pretty much is 50% of my day. If I’m thinking about the time I spent not sleeping, I was playing 80% of the day. Then if you took away the time I spent eating, I think I’d up it to 100%.” Talk about dedication!
A Journey of Nostalgia and Friendship
As Sakaguchi embarked on his FFXIV adventure, the development team at Square Enix eagerly followed his progress on Twitter. They were thrilled to see how far he would go and how he would react to the game they had poured their hearts and souls into.
And their excitement was well-placed. Sakaguchi’s enthusiasm for the game and his deep understanding of the franchise’s themes and elements served as a validation for the team. Naoki Yoshida, director and producer of FFXIV, expressed his joy, saying, “It makes us realize that what we’ve been doing for the past 10 years really resonates with us and is a real motivator for us.”
It’s a heartwarming reminder of the power of gaming to bring people together and create genuine connections.
SakaGUCCI: From Crafting to Fashion Brand
Sakaguchi’s love for FFXIV goes beyond mere gameplay. He has even established his own in-game fashion brand called SakaGUCCI, cleverly combining his name with the renowned luxury brand. As a creator, he found joy in crafting items and adorning them with his name, sharing them with fellow players.
But he didn’t stop there. Sakaguchi also took the game’s economy into consideration, ensuring that his items couldn’t be resold on market boards. By distributing the items directly to players or using them in group content, he protected the integrity of the game and fostered new friendships along the way. It’s a testament to his dedication to both the game and the community.
From Player to Ultimate Challenger
Sakaguchi’s journey through FFXIV didn’t stop at the base game and expansions. He pushed himself to tackle the ultimate challenges the game had to offer. Even Yoshida was taken by surprise, admitting, “I had not anticipated that he would secretly tackle Ultimate content.” Sakaguchi’s determination knows no bounds!
Despite their close bond and the potential for future collaborations, Sakaguchi remains firm in his decision not to work on FFXIV as a scenario writer. He wants to continue enjoying the game as a fan, free from the responsibilities of a creator. And we can’t blame him for that.
A Final Fantasy Love Story
Watching Hironobu Sakaguchi immerse himself in the world of Final Fantasy once again is a joyous experience. It’s a rare opportunity for a creator to return to their creation and fully appreciate it as a player. And when Sakaguchi thanked Yoshida for making Final Fantasy even better, it brought tears to the director’s eyes. It’s the highest compliment one could receive, and it speaks volumes about the quality and enjoyment FFXIV brings to players.
So, fellow gamers, if the creator of Final Fantasy himself believes that FFXIV is a game worth playing, then it’s time for you to embark on your own adventure in Eorzea. Join the millions of players who have found solace, excitement, and friendship in this incredible MMORPG. It’s time to create your own Final Fantasy story.